Wear your heart on your sleeve with these ethically-conscious yoga clothing brands.
If yoga is, above all, a practice of mindfulness, of ahimsa (non-violence), and compassion, then are we really staying true to this with what we wear on (and off) the yoga mat? As the popularity of yoga continues to soar exponentially, so too does the market for activewear, athleisure and yoga brands targeting yogis both new and veteran. But what about sustainable and ethical yoga clothing?
In light of the worldwide pandemic that sees COVID-19 breathing down all our necks, a lot of us are self-isolating. While it is a stressful time for many, it is also allowing us—even forcing us—to pause, take a collective deep breath, and rethink our values. If you’ve either always been meaning to take up yoga, or have let your practice fall by the wayside in your busy day-to-day life, why not use this opportunity to fall (back) in love with an at-home yoga practice? And if you can, support small or ethical businesses along the way as you invest in some ethical yogawear. Talk about good karma.
We know that with higher demand and production for products often comes lower awareness and care around quality. And not just the quality of the stitching or fabric. What about the quality of the message? The care for workers all along the supply chain? The awareness of the environmental impact of producing and distributing these goods? Now more than ever, we need to make sure the brands we invest our hard-earned money into are in turn investing in the protection of people, the planet, and animals.
Of course, the recipe for a great yoga outfit requires a number of key ingredients. We’re talking comfort, durability, breathability (that sweat ain’t gonna wick itself), coverage, fit, and cuteness (okay, maybe that last one’s not quite essential).
So, with all that said, here are the brands serving up some of the best (and most ethical) yoga clothing on the market—with values and practices to match! Please note that these brands primarily offer womenswear, and their designs, fit, and sizing reflect this.
But yoga is for everyone, so we’ve also got you covered if you’re after ethical activewear for men.