A holistic yoga practice should go further than the moves on the mat. The yogi way is to act with ahimsa – kindness to all living things. So it only makes sense that these values are present in what we wear as well, on and off the mat. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for mainstream yoga brands to be in hot water over unethical production and use of man-made, synthetic fibres that are harmful to the environment. It seems incongruent to the cause of yoga – and only makes sense that we seek out ethically made threads that are kind to people, animals and the planet. Luckily, there are some om-azing brands making beautiful environmentally friendly and sustainable threads for your yoga practice, here in Australia and ethically offshore. These are some of our favourites.
1. Organic Yoga Company
The sister brand of Melbourne-based brand Vege Threads, Organic Yoga Company is an independent brand of yoga wear that promotes inclusivity, good values and natural clothing. The brand produces its activewear staples on shore with manufacturing certified by Ethical Clothing Australia, and looks to minimise waste in production. The workout wear includes bralettes, tights, shorts and unitards made from soft organic and eco friendly materials such as certified organic cotton, locally knitted in Melbourne. Organic Yoga Company fabrics are dyed in Melbourne using ACO (Australian Certified Organic) dyes.
2. Luna & Soul
Luna & Soul makes organic cotton pieces for your yoga practice. Initially launching in Bali, the brand works with a number of independent dyes and tailors to produce its small range of organic, plant-dyed pieces. The yoga staples range includes bras, pants, tanks, tops and a super cool vinyasa jumpsuit all made from GOTS certified organic cotton.
3. Pinky and Kamal
Pinky & Kamal makes comfortable and sustainable threads for women who enjoy moving freely, living simply and staying comfortable. The brand specialises in yoga wear made from GOTS certified organic cotton – providing day-long comfort and support without feeling restricted in any way. The Pinky & Kamal garments are ethically made in Indonesia by a team of three people with whom the brand works directly – saying the team sets their own pricing and payment terms. For every sale, Pinky & Kamal plants a tree through One Tree Planted.
Britt’s List readers can get 15% off Pinky & Kamal with code BRITTSLIST at checkout. Shop here.
4. Dharma Bums
This Sydney-based label makes bright, bold and super comfortable tights – for yoga, barre, and other activities. The brand started out producing 100% of its attire in Australia, but has since taken some manufacturing offshore to China. Dharma Bums says it is committed to ethical production and to ensure transparency its production is certified by Business Social Compliance Initiative. The brand uses recycled nylon in its garments as well as sustainably sourced cotton, wool and Lenzing Modal – a soft and luxurious fabric derived from sustainably sourced raw beech wood.
5. Bay Active
Byron Bay’s BAY Active makes lifestyle basics, activewear and yoga wear using GOTS-certified organic cotton, Australian merino, bamboo and highest quality regenerated fabrics in a fully transparent, certified, and ethical supply chain. The brand’s super comfortable range comes in a variety of cuts and sizes, in staple colours you’ll love. Bay Active’s Australian made garments are made in an Ethical Clothing Australia certified manufacturer.
6. Sorella Organics
Sorella Organics is an independent Australian label making a collection of sleepwear and loungewear for men, women, maternity and baby. The brand opts for soft GOTS-certified organic and fair trade cotton ensuring each piece is kind on the skin, kind to the environment, and kind to the farmers growing the cotton. The collection is made in Australia, Fiji, & India. Sorella Organic’s soft staples are perfect for a flow or stretch yoga class, providing breathability and stretch.
7. BondiEco
BondiEco was born out of a desire to find natural, breathable, stylish activewear amid the prevalence of synthetic products out there. The brand makes a small range of tights and tops in a GOTS certified organic cotton and bamboo blend. BondiEco says its committed to seeking out sustainable materials and is currently working with small, family-run businesses in Bali and Australia to produce its range. The brand uses organic plant-based dyes and its labels and washing instructions are printed on the garments saving unnecessary fabric waste.
8. Boody
Sydney-based sustainable basics brand Boody brings super soft bamboo yoga wear to the mix. The brand’s bamboo is grown sustainably with no pesticides, no insecticides, no fertilisers, and without any artificial irrigation. Boody says it’s committed to maintaining a responsible and transparent process every step of its process – from the bamboo crops that yield the viscose yarn to the delivery of Boody into your hands. The brand is certified by a number of industry groups for ethical and sustainable production.
9. ZONE by Lydia
ZONE by Lydia, a brand by Olympic champion turned eco-warrior Lydia Lassila, takes a holistic approach to all things wellness and sustainability. Having spent what she describes as her whole life in activewear, it adds up that the ZONE by Lydia hemp apparel range is made to be active in. The current collection features hoodies, tees, tanks, track pants and bike shorts. The brand also offers a cork yoga range so that you can feel good about what you are practicing on as well as what you’re practicing in.
10. Organic Crew
Melbourne-based brand Organic Crew is an ethically accredited, sustainable and organic apparel brand. From the cotton fields to construction, the brand ensures that the working conditions of its manufacturers are of the highest standard within the industry. The brand’s apparel includes tops, tanks and pants for your yoga practice. The lounge pant, made from a thick 100% organic jersey cotton, is a perfect fit for a slow flow or yin practice. It’s all made in Australia and certified by Ethical Clothing Australia.
11. Bamboo Body
Bamboo as a textile has two really great qualities. One is that it grows naturally and in abundance so it’s easy to source sustainably, and two is that it’s soooo soft, making it the ultimate fabric for lounging around or moving in. Bamboo Body’s loungewear collection includes oversized slouchy tops, pants and tights that are 110% flow-yoga appropriate. Bamboo Body includes detailed information about the brand’s ethical production on its website.
12. Woolerina
One natural and regenerative fibre that’s underrepresented in the activewear category is of course wool. Woolerina makes everyday staples including tights and lounge pants, tops and tanks, which are super appropriate for activewear and yoga in particular. The comfortable garments are highly breathable, moisture wicking and hypo-allergenic. Woolerina’s production is all done in Australia and certified by Ethical Clothing Australia.
