Buying new workout clothes is the best part of starting a new fitness journey or even continuing your current fitness journey. If you’re in the middle of an intense weight loss journey, buying new workout clothes could be a milestone when it comes to seeing just how much weight you’ve shed. Or, if you’re starting off a new journey, a brand new set of workout clothes is the best motivation.
But one thing about mainstream active-wear brands, is that certain brands just don’t feel right on our bodies, or they make clothes that are not as supportive enough for more intense workouts. And if you’re a woman, buying workout clothing usually costs us twice as much as it does for a man, and the clothing might not even last us twice as long, even if we do the same workouts as them.
That’s why, buying from female-owned active-wear brands is the best way to go! These women create clothing that’s made BY women, FOR women. So, they know exactly what you need and just how supportive it should be! Plus, they make long-lasting pieces that won’t go bad after a couple of hard workouts!
Outdoor Voices
With their company motto being #doingthings, Outdoor Voices has created a brand of minimalistic clothing that consists of about 80% women’s apparel. And although their clothing is mostly geared towards the “athleisure” genre of clothing, the majority of the social media posts that are posted with the #doingthings, emphasizes women that are hiking, doing yoga, or even a hardcore workout. Tyler Haney, the founder of Outdoor Voices, wanted to build a brand that is female-owned and also emphasized the fashion-forward trends of today, but could also be worn as classic basics in everyday life. She also helped to destigmatize the taunts against “girly girls” working out, by creating the Exercise Dress, which is a dress that is made of the same material as the rest of the workout clothing, and can be worn to run, hike, a casual walk downtown, etc.
Girlfriend Collective
With the help of her husband, Ellie Dihn helped to co-found the Girlfriend Collective, another minimalistic active-wear brand. However, Dihn wanted to emphasize the use of ethical practices to be the centerpiece of her whole operation, which is why she chose to make all of her clothing materials out of recycled plastic water bottles, as well as maintain living wages as well as healthy factory conditions for her workers. Dihn’s whole campaign revolves around quality over quantity.
The Girlfriend Collective has multiple collections that range from sports bras and leggings to even maternity clothes. The brand definitely boasts a wide range of sizes while still maintaining their slogan of quality over quantity. And it definitely helps that Dihn has declared that her entire team consists solely of women (except her husband)!
Sweaty Betty
Sweaty Betty, a London-based company, was founded back in 1998 by Tamara Hill-Norton. Hill-Norton noticed that during the 90’s sports fashion that was geared towards women was either made to highlight their bodies, but not help support their bodies while they worked out. Or, it was shapeless and dull, but it was good for working out in. And being quite active herself, she wanted to wear workout clothing that not only accentuated her body, but was also loud and expressed her personality. So, with the help of her husband, she opened her first ever Sweaty Betty store. However, from the success of that store, she’s been able to expand her market globally, as well as grow her female-only design team.
Sweaty Betty prides itself on its bold clothing patterns as well as their flexibility in being able to fit every body type! From sets aimed at Pilates and yoga to running and lifting weights, this brand is all inclusive!
Oiselle
The Seattle-based start-up, is now one of the largest running apparel brands around the world. Founder, Sally Bergesen, began the startup out of the attic of a country bar and has since never looked back. She learned garment design while building her brand and has continued to soar! Being an avid runner, Bergersen named the company, Oiselle, which is the French word for “bird”, which is an allusion to the weightless, soaring feeling of a runner’s high.
Now, Oiselle is the official sponsor for many professional teams and many Olympians even swear by their clothing,
Lolë
Lolë is a Montrel-based female-owned active-wear brand that was founded by Evelyn Trempe when she noticed a gap in women’s technical clothing. Growing up in Montreal where the weather ranges from freezing cold to boiling hot at the drop of a hat, Trempe was frustrated by the lack of trendy technical clothing. So, she set out to create a brand that was not only inspiring for women, but also made them feel comfortable yet powerful in their clothing no matter what activity they were doing.
Everything from coats to swim wear, Lolë makes sure that women are able to dress their best while still expressing themselves through their clothing. They also, much like the Girlfriend Collective, utilize recycled materials when making their clothing.
P.E. Nation
Created by Pip Edwards and Claire Tregoning, P.E. Nation is an Australian-based brand that emphasizes inclusion and support for all women everywhere. The founders created P.E. Nation out of a need for all day active-wear for the women on the go. With a clear aesthetic that boasts an active lifestyle with a touch of business-chic, P.E. Nation emphasizes the importance of catering to every type of woman, whether that means color, shape, or size, but in a way where it is empowering.
With a range of clothing and accessories, there isn’t an activity that P.E. Nation’s clothing cannot support!
Carbon38
If you’re looking for a sleek, sophisticated look that can travel from the gym to the office without the need for a change in outfits, this brand is for you. Founded by Katie Warner Johnson, Carbon38 is a brand that not only creates their own pieces but also partners with small creators to boost their products and give them the recognition they deserve. With a mission to boost and carry female-driven, female-created, female-owned businesses to the top, Johnson has increased the previous 14% of female-owned women’s global fashion brands to over 70%. And continues to be an advocate for these women.
With an extensive range of pieces, Carbon38 helps to build other brands by incorporating other’s designs into their clothing range to promote smaller businesses and help women regain control over the industry that clothes them.
ADAY
Although ADAY offers a wide range of clothing that is not only limited to active-wear, it is another female-owned brand that we felt that it was a worthy inclusion to this article because of the message that they are hoping to spread. In a path to promote sustainability and dependability.
ADAY has partnered with multiple technology companies around the world to find the most eco-friendly and durable alternatives to the materials that we all love and know, such as silk. And they are doing so, to help reduce the need for harming the environment. By creating pieces that are not only basics but can last a lifetime in our wardrobes, they are aiming to create a minimalistic approach to our materialistic ways when it comes to the over consumption in the clothing industry.
Terez
With a bold style in mind, founder Zara Terez Tisch created the brand that places women’s comfort, in their bodies as well as their personalities, at the forefront of the industry. With a personality that radiates joy and positivity, Tisch wanted to create a brand that incorporates incredibly bright colors and bold patterns that serve as a reminder to live life to the fullest and celebrate every moment no matter how big or small.
Terez is a company that includes clothing that ranges from swimwear to maternity and continues the use of bold colors and patterns throughout every collection because every time you wear the clothing, they want you to feel good in your own skin!
MICHI
Our last female-owned brand that strives to fuel female confidence is MICHI, a company that creates collections that enhance performance while igniting self-expression. Founder Michelle Watson created the company in 2010 and has continued to be a pioneer in women’s fashion with materials that are both versatile and certified eco-friendly.
With a vibe that will challenge the 90s, MICHI aims to produce high-performance pieces at designer-quality while also retaining the integrity of the women that wear the pieces. Like most other companies, MICHI boasts a large variety of clothing, however, they also have pieces that are made for varying levels of activity and support.
