Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective is a popular activewear brand known for its commitment to sustainability, ethical manufacturing, and inclusive sizing. They've carved a niche by transforming waste into stylish, comfortable garments.

Here's a breakdown of what Girlfriend Collective is all about:

1. Sustainability & Ethical Practices:

• Recycled Materials: This is a core tenet of the brand. Their activewear is primarily made from recycled materials like post-consumer plastic water bottles, fishing nets retrieved from the ocean (ECONYL® recycled nylon), fabric scraps, and other waste. They were among the first to use recycled materials for performance activewear back in 2016.
• Eco-friendly Dyes: They use OEKO-TEX-certified safe dyes. Their dye house has a wastewater treatment plant that filters out dyes and fibers, and the water is tested for safety before being released. Leftover dye mud is even transformed into paving stones.
• Ethical Manufacturing: Girlfriend Collective partners with SA8000 certified factories in Vietnam that guarantee fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect for workers. They also have a primary recycling partner in Taiwan that is government-certified and specializes in eco-friendly textiles.
• Circular Economy Initiatives: They offer a "ReGirlfriend" take-back program where customers can send in their old Girlfriend Collective (and even non-Girlfriend Collective) clothing to be reused or recycled, earning discounts on future purchases. They also have a "Girlfriend to Girlfriend" preloved marketplace.
• Transparency: They are quite transparent about their supply chain and certifications, detailing where their materials come from and where their products are manufactured.

2. Product Offerings:

Girlfriend Collective offers a range of activewear and loungewear, including:

• Leggings: They are particularly well-known for their various legging styles, like the "Compressive" and "FLOAT" lines, made from different recycled fabrics.
• Sports Bras: They offer a variety of bra styles, including racerback and strappy designs.
• Shorts & Skorts: This includes bike shorts and athletic skorts.
• Tops & Tanks: They have various tops and tanks, often made from recycled materials like Cupro (derived from cotton industry waste).
• Hoodies & Joggers: They also extend into more loungewear-focused items like hoodies and joggers.

3. Sizing and Fit:

• Inclusive Sizing: A significant highlight of Girlfriend Collective is their inclusive sizing, offering sizes from XXS to 6XL, aiming to cater to a wide range of body types.
• Fit: Reviews generally suggest their leggings fit true to size, though some recommend sizing up if you prefer less compression or are between sizes. Their compressive fabrics are designed to hug the body, providing support and a squat-proof fit. Some products, like the leggings, can be quite long, so petite individuals might opt for the 7/8 length.

4. Brand Ethos and Impact:

Beyond their product, Girlfriend Collective emphasizes:

• Body Positivity: Their marketing and imagery prominently feature models with diverse body types, promoting a body-positive message.
• Community Engagement: They work with communities in Taiwan to sort and recycle waste, turning it into a collective and connective activity. They also support various non-profit partners through a 1% donation initiative at checkout, focusing on causes like LGBTQ+ equity, breast cancer support, racial equity, and more.

In essence, Girlfriend Collective stands out as a brand that not only delivers on style and comfort in activewear but also prioritizes environmental responsibility and social impact throughout its entire operation.