Why So Many Leggings? Part 1: Lululemon

As someone who works in environmental education, I try to practice what I preach and live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. 

My downfall?

Leggings.

During lockdown/furlough, I have been practicing a lot of yoga and enjoying lots of runs on my local trails. I admit I have spent a lot of time on ebay looking at second hand leggings, and doing a fair bit of buying/selling. So I figured it was time to own up to my legging obsession, and share a little of what I've found out. It's tricky when you need leggings for running, leggings for yoga, leggings for hiking, leggings that can dress up/dress down, leggings for lounging... could there really be one pair to rule them all? And what are the eco and ethical credentials of the big brands?

The Guilty Buy.... Lululemon

Wunder Anders are a great all-rounder

I have read and learned a lot about Lululemon lately, and beneath the surface of the big Canadian brand is a lot of negative press. For instance, this 2019 article about the treatment of workers in a factory in Bangladesh,  which is well worth a read. Lululemon also did not open up during the #whomademyclothes campaign which swept social media. It has a bad past - the name itself was thought up by the founder, Chip Wilson, because Vancouver receives a lot of Japanese tourists and he wanted something that was hard for them to pronounce. It's perhaps not a surprise that the brand are no longer affiliated with him. 

Lululemon are expensive, some leggings retailing for over £100, but I do find their quality excellent. However, this article describes them as "not good enough" on their environmental impact. This is what Lululemon have to say, but I think they need to do more. Though I dread to think what this will add to the already costly price tag...

If you really love Lululemon, here is my advice: buy second hand. There is a huge market on ebay and depop, and it's easy to get leggings for £30 or so, instead of £78. You'll need to research the different materials and products (quite an education!), but this way you get the best of both worlds: excellent leggings and supporting a more eco friendly second hand industry - and saving some pennies in the process. 

Looking for a pair for running? I love my Train Times. Just want some for yoga? Aligns are so comfy, but you do have to watch out for pilling. Need an all-rounder? Go for Wunder Under. 

Train Times are my favourite running legging, and a great second hand purchase

Are these the one legging to rule them all? I don't think so. I don't use them hiking, as I worry too much about damaging them - it's certainly not what they're made for. However, they are made to last, and in our throwaway, fast fashion society, longevity in products should count for a lot.

Coming up next in this series: Is bamboo the eco friendly leggings option? A review of BAM.