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Activewear is moving toward sustainable materials and circular practices. These are the best brands to shop.
Leave any yoga, reformer, or Barry’s Bootcamp class on a Saturday morning, and the post-workout scene looks the same: coordinated workout clothes, structured sneakers, leather bags — all heading straight to the farmers’ market or brunch, no wardrobe change in sight. The activewear wardrobe has long since stopped needing a second act.
The global women’s activewear market was estimated at $129.21 billion in 2025 and projected to climb to nearly $200 billion by 2030, which is the market’s way of confirming what most women already know: activewear is just wear now. The gym-to-wherever wardrobe stopped being a lifestyle concept and became an actual wardrobe. The women doing it well aren’t buying separate closets for each context — they’re buying better pieces for one.
Matching sets are the sharpest place to start. A coordinated sports bra and high-waisted leggings in a considered neutral — deep forest green, warm camel, black — reads polished before you’ve added anything to it, and the pieces work independently. Wear the leggings with an oversized blazer on a Saturday morning; pair the sports bra under a loose linen overshirt for a lunch that follows a reformer class. Or go bold like with a pink workout set you can dress up or down. “Activewear isn’t just about function anymore; it’s about how you show up in the world and how much space you allow yourself to take up,” stylist and creator Imari Moore told Bustle. “It’s about breaking free from the narrow idea of what activewear is supposed to look like.”
The edit is in the details
Layering and footwear are the fastest levers for transforming an activewear look. A structured bomber, a boxy denim jacket, or a lightweight trench worn over a sports bra and leggings shifts things from functional to intentional, no full outfit change required. Yoga practitioner Yasmina Cherquaoui, who teaches classes internationally, told Who What Wear that layering “different tops, be it a vest, baby tee or wrap tops, is proving to be more popular in recent months,” and that “your body can feel different as you move, so it’s nice to have layers to take on and off as you heat up, plus, I love the look of contrasting colours, it gives activewear a fun new look.”
Your sneakers carry more visual weight. Clean white leather sneakers or a chunkier, more structured shoe look more polished, while worn-in court shoes from an actual workout do not.
Also consider athleisure dresses, which are consistently underestimated. A fitted, stretch-forward dress is capable of handling a low-intensity workout and moving directly to brunch or an afternoon errand with only a denim jacket and a structured tote added — no rethinking the whole outfit.
Accessories are where the final edit happens. Trading a gym duffel for a trendy tote bag, adding sunglasses, a minimalist watch, or a few thin gold rings — these details communicate that the activewear is intentional, not residual.
What’s actually in your activewear?
Polyester and nylon, two of the most widely used synthetic fabrics in activewear, pose significant environmental issues due to their production processes, use, and disposal. Both polyester and nylon are derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. The extraction and processing of petroleum contribute to environmental degradation, including habitat destruction and pollution.
The production of these synthetic fibers is energy-intensive, requiring large amounts of energy to extract the raw materials and additional energy for chemical processing and manufacturing, resulting in a high carbon footprint. Moreover, the manufacturing processes involve numerous hazardous chemicals, which can be released into the environment, contaminating water bodies and soil. For example, the production of nylon releases nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
Adding to the issues, when polyester and nylon garments are washed, they shed microplastics, tiny plastic particles that can pass through wastewater treatment plants and enter rivers, lakes, and oceans. These microplastics can be ingested by marine life, entering the food chain and potentially impacting human health. While the durability of polyester and nylon can be seen as a benefit, it also means that these materials do not biodegrade easily. This contributes to long-term environmental pollution as the materials persist in the environment for hundreds of years.
Due to their non-biodegradable nature, discarded polyester and nylon products accumulate in landfills. As these materials break down very slowly, they occupy landfill space for extended periods, contributing to the growing problem of waste management. If polyester and nylon products are incinerated, they release toxic chemicals, including dioxins and other pollutants, into the atmosphere, harming air quality and posing health risks to humans and animals.
More attention on the recycling of polyester and nylon can reduce the need for virgin materials and minimize waste. Technologies for recycling these materials are improving, but more widespread adoption and infrastructure are needed. Research and development into biodegradable synthetic fibers or natural alternatives can provide more sustainable options.
Last year, leading activewear giant Under Armour debuted a fiber alternative to elastane (Spandex) created using a unique solvent-free process. “This new Neolast fiber represents a transformative innovation for Under Armour and the textile industry, embodying our commitment to building better products for our consumers and planet,” Kyle Blakely, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Under Armour, said in a statement. Other athleticwear giants, including Lululemon and Athleta, have also embraced sustainable materials such as recycled polyester. In March, Athleta announced the use of Cycora, a polyester-like material made from end-of-life textiles. In April, Lululemon expanded on its use of enzymatically recycled polyester.
Educating consumers about the environmental impacts of their choices and promoting the purchase of sustainable and high-quality garments that are designed to last can reduce overall consumption and waste. But widespread shifts in the industry is key; sustainable practices in the textile industry, such as reducing energy consumption, using renewable energy sources, and implementing closed-loop systems for chemical use, can significantly mitigate the negative impacts of athleticwear.
Sustainable activewear brands
Whether activewear is just about all you wear these days or you’re in need of some new eco-chic wear for the gym, these sustainable activewear brands have you covered. From recycled nylon and polyester to sustainably produced virgin fibers, you can flex your heavy lifting for the planet while you show off those biceps, too.
Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective’s main goal is to be as transparent as possible with its customers. That, along with its dedication to size inclusivity and sustainability, has made it a fan favorite among green shoppers.
Most of its items are made from recycled plastic bottles and discarded fishing nets, along with OEKO-Tex-certified dyes. Its ethical manufacturers guarantee at least 125 percent of the local minimum wage for their workers.
Outdoor Voices
Outdoor Voices designs with longevity and circularity in mind. The company uses fabrics such as recycled PET and Bluesign-certified CloudKnit. It has also partnered with the Better Cotton Initiative to continue to increase its sustainability commitment. All of the packaging is also recycled and recyclable.
Wolven
While most athleticwear brands seem to keep their prints to a minimum, Wolven is all about the prints. A recurring theme on this list, Wolven also uses recycled plastic bottles in many of its garments as well as carbon-neutral modal fabrics. It has also partnered with NativeEnergy to carbon offset its operations footprint.
Wolven’s manufacturer is certified for fair labor, wages, work hours, health, safety, and environmental practices. The company also ships in eco-friendly packaging.
Pact
Pact is one of our favorite one-stop shops for all your sustainable basics, and that definitely includes activewear. The brand only uses natural, certified organic cotton without any harmful dyes. All facilities are Fair Trade-certified, and the company uses carbon offsetting for its shipments and thoughtful packaging. Pact’s Give Back Box also helps customers donate their old clothes to charities.
Groceries Apparel
Groceries Apparel crafts comfy activewear from natural materials, including organic cotton, eucalyptus, hemp, and linen, as well as recycled plastic and cotton. The company manufactures in its own factory in Los Angeles to ensure workers’ well-being. Overseeing all operations also allows the team to cut down on textile waste and increase garment traceability.
Reformer
Handmade in Los Angeles from recycled yarn, Reformer uses seamless knitting for a fit that feels as good on your body as it is for the planet. With a focus on exceptional fabrics and impeccable fit, you’ll want to wear your Reformer garments outside of the Pilates or yoga studio whenever and wherever possible.
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All products featured on Ethos have been independently selected by our editorial team.
When you buy something through our links, Ethos may earn an affiliate commission.
