New Leggings Brand Is Game Changer for Eco-Conscious, Fair Trade Fashion
One of the biggest problems facing many consumers these days is finding clothing that is cute, comfortable, and conscious””that is, eco-friendly and ethically responsible. In the era of fast fashion, it’s easy to find items that fit the first two criteria, but finding something that isn’t made in a sweatshop or with environmentally disastrous materials is tough. Last year, the startup Girlfriend Collective launched with just one item: a pair of black leggings that fit the three criteria. Now, the brand has gone live, and their trendy and comfortable new styles are a game changer for eco-conscious, fair trade fashion.
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The Details
Girlfriend Collective obtains its post-consumer water bottles (with which they make their polyester) from Taiwan. Their factory is SA8000 certified, which means there is, “no forced or child labor, safe working conditions, and the right to unionize.” All pretty fantastic stuff, right? Well, what about comfort and style? Don’t worry, they’ve got that covered as well.
Last year when they first launched their black leggings line, they were offering a free pair to anyone who signed up and paid shipping & handling. According to Refinery 29, the couple who founded the Collective, Ellie and Quang Dinh, received 10,000 orders in just the first day. A writer at Refinery was among the lucky few who opted in for a pair, and she swears up and down that she loved the fit.
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Interested shoppers will be happy to know that the Girlfriend Collective is now offering a number of Girlfriend Leggings styles, including high-rise and mid-rise styles, along with a 3/4 option. There are also two bra styles so far””the full-coverage, racerback Paloma and the high-necked Topanga that can honestly be worn as a midriff top. Both bras will put you back about $38 while the leggings range from $58-68 each, and come in Black, Ivory, and Powder Blue.
”We wanted our price points to be accessible for as many people as possible, because we know that one of the difficulties with high-quality activewear is the astronomical price tag,” Dinh told Refinery. “We believed we could give the highest quality with socially and environmentally responsible manufacturing without the expensive prices. And hey, we can!”
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While I wouldn’t call that entirely affordable, it’s a small price to pay to know your clothing is coming from a place of responsibility to both its workers and the environment. Check out their shop and place your orders soon for their limited runs at Girlfriend.com.
(Image: Facebook / Girlfriend Collective)