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 credentials of the big brands?
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| Hiking in my Sweaty Betty Chandrasana leggings in the Outer Hebrides. Photo by Ben McKeown (@thebigbluetree) |
The Great British Brand? Sweaty Betty
Sweaty Betty. Are they the UK's version of monster company Lululemon (see Part 1 of this series), or are they more green and ethical?
Like Lululemon, Sweaty Betty leggings are expensive, costing around £80 a pair. Also like Lululemon, there is an excellent second hand market on Ebay and Depop. Sweaty Betty also make leggings for different purposes - for instance, Power for running and the new Super Sculpt for yoga, amongst others. However, SB leggings are good all-rounders.
Clearly I'm behind the times with SB, as I have always been a fan of their Chandrasana Reversible Leggings. On one side plain black, perfect for dressing up or going to work, and a pattern on the other for yoga/hiking/lounging. I have two pairs of these, both bought second hand and worn a lot over the years, and they are still going strong.
What about their pledge to the environment and their ethical considerations? There is a whole page on their website about Sustainability and the journey they are making. It makes a much more interesting read than the same page on the Lululemon website. SB are using recycled cotton and bamboo in their clothing (see my previous post about bamboo here), and 17 plastic bottles are used to create their new Super Sculpt leggings. There is a section about the changes they are making in-store to be more environmentally friendly (such as not using plastic bottles), and they make their factory standards clear (but do not go as far as Patagonia in sharing exactly what factories they are using).
In conclusion, Sweaty Betty definitely beat Lululemon with their ethical and green credentials. Speaking from years of using SB, their leggings are certainly made to last, with barely any pilling on my Chandrasana pairs even after years of washing at 30 degrees. I think it's a shame they are no longer selling reversible leggings, which offer the best of both worlds, though this may change. I use them for work, lounging, yoga and I have hiked up mountains in them. Like with my BAM leggings, I choose not to run in them, as they are quite thick and I prefer a more lycra feel of material for running.
If you've got the cash, it's nice to know you're supporting a British company which is moving in the right direction for our climate and its inhabitants. Not got that cash? Swipe through Ebay and Depop for your perfect pair on a budget.
Sweaty Betty. Are they the UK's version of monster company Lululemon (see Part 1 of this series), or are they more green and ethical?
Like Lululemon, Sweaty Betty leggings are expensive, costing around £80 a pair. Also like Lululemon, there is an excellent second hand market on Ebay and Depop. Sweaty Betty also make leggings for different purposes - for instance, Power for running and the new Super Sculpt for yoga, amongst others. However, SB leggings are good all-rounders.
Clearly I'm behind the times with SB, as I have always been a fan of their Chandrasana Reversible Leggings. On one side plain black, perfect for dressing up or going to work, and a pattern on the other for yoga/hiking/lounging. I have two pairs of these, both bought second hand and worn a lot over the years, and they are still going strong.
What about their pledge to the environment and their ethical considerations? There is a whole page on their website about Sustainability and the journey they are making. It makes a much more interesting read than the same page on the Lululemon website. SB are using recycled cotton and bamboo in their clothing (see my previous post about bamboo here), and 17 plastic bottles are used to create their new Super Sculpt leggings. There is a section about the changes they are making in-store to be more environmentally friendly (such as not using plastic bottles), and they make their factory standards clear (but do not go as far as Patagonia in sharing exactly what factories they are using).
In conclusion, Sweaty Betty definitely beat Lululemon with their ethical and green credentials. Speaking from years of using SB, their leggings are certainly made to last, with barely any pilling on my Chandrasana pairs even after years of washing at 30 degrees. I think it's a shame they are no longer selling reversible leggings, which offer the best of both worlds, though this may change. I use them for work, lounging, yoga and I have hiked up mountains in them. Like with my BAM leggings, I choose not to run in them, as they are quite thick and I prefer a more lycra feel of material for running.
If you've got the cash, it's nice to know you're supporting a British company which is moving in the right direction for our climate and its inhabitants. Not got that cash? Swipe through Ebay and Depop for your perfect pair on a budget.
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