Leggings hold an important role in my + my girls' wardrobes. In the colder months, there is nothing more comfy than leggings. For working out, they are a necessity. Our favorite exercises are yoga + walking + cycling + rowing + strength training. Leggings work for all of it (lengths varying with the seasons). I've been on a mission to find the best leggings for years now. For a while I was devoted to Anthropologie's organic cotton/made in the USA Pure + Good leggings. By the time I needed to replace them, they were made out of polyester + imported (with no mention of fair labor). Then I found Outdoor Voices' made in the USA athletic wear + believed that I'd never have to look any further. I bought a pair of shorts, but when I went back for leggings their clothing was no longer made in the USA + made no mention of fair labor (+ now I'm not into polyester fibers either).
So the search continued.
Here are a few of the leggings that we have tried lately...along with a little overview of each brand + our thoughts too:
Pact ::
production: fairly made overseas
fiber: 92% India grown, organic, fair-trade, GOTS cotton + 8% elastane
use: worn by Julia + I at home + for exercise for a few years (this year, exercise only for me)
performance: need to be replaced about once per year, because of thinning + holes between the legs/knees...I do repair the holes as often as possible...and do wear them quite a lot
pros: low cost, fair-trade labor + cotton, organic cotton, perform well for exercise, opaque, long + capri length options
cons: lower waist (I repeatedly need to pull them up during yoga), slight sheen, could be more durable between legs, a bit long + baggy at the ankles (accordion fold up works), too short for tall/slim Jo
overall: Julia + I like these for working out, but I would love for them to have a higher waist. They are thinner than Pansy + therefore not as warm (as winter loungewear).
Pansy ::
production: made in California
fiber: 90% USA grown, organic cotton + 10% spandex
use: worn for loungewear + day to day activity...not worn for exercise
performance: I chose not to exercise in these leggings, because they are thicker + not quite as stretchy as Pact. I forgot to change into Pact leggings before going to yoga one evening, and that was all it took for the crotch gusset seam to rip right along the stitching for about 5 inches.
pros: organic cotton, traceable materials + labor, warm, completely matte, opaque, high-waist, durable seams, well-made
cons: not great for work outs that need a lot of flexibility, expensive
overall: I love the fit of these leggings. They are high-waisted (with elastic at the waist that keeps them in place) + the length is that perfect 7/8 length (my favorite). They are cozy, which I love in the winter. The fabric feels substantial + never transparent. I was able to find mine on sale/half-off toward the end of the summer (they are on sale now). Pansy seems like the most ethical choice to me, but I cannot wear them for yoga.
Tasc Performance ::
production: made in a factory exclusively sewing for Tasc, in India, 90% powered by renewable energy including onsite solar panels
fiber: 52% organic cotton + 43% viscose made from organic bamboo + 5% lycra
use: I wear them to exercise.
performance: fabric is stretchy + feels cooler on the skin than my cotton leggings, haven't owned them long enough to speak too much about durability
pros: mostly natural fibers, cooling, long + ankle + capri length options
cons: had a hard time finding the right fit
overall: My first choice was the Crosstown 7/8 legging (high-waist + ankle length), but they just did not work for me fit-wise (strangely tight at the ankle + loose at the waist). Next I tried the Nola (not so high waist- but I can pull them up). I sized down + that worked for me. The fabric is cool for working out.
Girlfriend Collective :: (including Jo's words)
production: SA8000 certified factory in Vietnam
fiber: 79% post-consumer plastic bottles +21% spandex
use: "the gym, yoga + being lazy"
performance: have had one pair for about a year + they are "holding up just like the day I got them"
pros: "comfortable, don't make me hot, opaque, don't smell", high-waist, perform well + stay put during yoga, nice fabric weight (not too thin), matte, well-made, lots of colors + fits to choose from, great size range, long enough for tall/slim Jo, a number of rise + length options
cons: made from plastic fibers which will not biodegrade, but will break free with every wash + find their way into our waterways + drinking water
overall: "They are my best girlfriends". I (Jane) would love to try these too, especially because of the high-waist + ankle length option. The plastic fibers are holding me back though.
Please let us know, if you have a favorite pair of fair leggings! We're all ears!
Photos via links.
Love,
Jane + Jo + Julia
So the search continued.
Here are a few of the leggings that we have tried lately...along with a little overview of each brand + our thoughts too:
Pact ::
production: fairly made overseas
fiber: 92% India grown, organic, fair-trade, GOTS cotton + 8% elastane
use: worn by Julia + I at home + for exercise for a few years (this year, exercise only for me)
performance: need to be replaced about once per year, because of thinning + holes between the legs/knees...I do repair the holes as often as possible...and do wear them quite a lot
pros: low cost, fair-trade labor + cotton, organic cotton, perform well for exercise, opaque, long + capri length options
cons: lower waist (I repeatedly need to pull them up during yoga), slight sheen, could be more durable between legs, a bit long + baggy at the ankles (accordion fold up works), too short for tall/slim Jo
overall: Julia + I like these for working out, but I would love for them to have a higher waist. They are thinner than Pansy + therefore not as warm (as winter loungewear).
Pansy ::
production: made in California
fiber: 90% USA grown, organic cotton + 10% spandex
use: worn for loungewear + day to day activity...not worn for exercise
performance: I chose not to exercise in these leggings, because they are thicker + not quite as stretchy as Pact. I forgot to change into Pact leggings before going to yoga one evening, and that was all it took for the crotch gusset seam to rip right along the stitching for about 5 inches.
pros: organic cotton, traceable materials + labor, warm, completely matte, opaque, high-waist, durable seams, well-made
cons: not great for work outs that need a lot of flexibility, expensive
overall: I love the fit of these leggings. They are high-waisted (with elastic at the waist that keeps them in place) + the length is that perfect 7/8 length (my favorite). They are cozy, which I love in the winter. The fabric feels substantial + never transparent. I was able to find mine on sale/half-off toward the end of the summer (they are on sale now). Pansy seems like the most ethical choice to me, but I cannot wear them for yoga.
Tasc Performance ::
production: made in a factory exclusively sewing for Tasc, in India, 90% powered by renewable energy including onsite solar panels
fiber: 52% organic cotton + 43% viscose made from organic bamboo + 5% lycra
use: I wear them to exercise.
performance: fabric is stretchy + feels cooler on the skin than my cotton leggings, haven't owned them long enough to speak too much about durability
pros: mostly natural fibers, cooling, long + ankle + capri length options
cons: had a hard time finding the right fit
overall: My first choice was the Crosstown 7/8 legging (high-waist + ankle length), but they just did not work for me fit-wise (strangely tight at the ankle + loose at the waist). Next I tried the Nola (not so high waist- but I can pull them up). I sized down + that worked for me. The fabric is cool for working out.
Girlfriend Collective :: (including Jo's words)
production: SA8000 certified factory in Vietnam
fiber: 79% post-consumer plastic bottles +21% spandex
use: "the gym, yoga + being lazy"
performance: have had one pair for about a year + they are "holding up just like the day I got them"
pros: "comfortable, don't make me hot, opaque, don't smell", high-waist, perform well + stay put during yoga, nice fabric weight (not too thin), matte, well-made, lots of colors + fits to choose from, great size range, long enough for tall/slim Jo, a number of rise + length options
cons: made from plastic fibers which will not biodegrade, but will break free with every wash + find their way into our waterways + drinking water
overall: "They are my best girlfriends". I (Jane) would love to try these too, especially because of the high-waist + ankle length option. The plastic fibers are holding me back though.
Please let us know, if you have a favorite pair of fair leggings! We're all ears!
Photos via links.
Love,
Jane + Jo + Julia
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