Girlfriend Collective: The ethical sportswear brand that TikTok is loving

Activewear often serves a multitude of purposes beyond just being appropriate exercise gear, which means that while looking and feeling good is important, investing in something that is going to last should be of top priority. 

With more and more people looking to the online world for inspiration, social platforms such as TikTok have become a breeding ground for new obsessions to take seed – one of the latest being with ethically made activewear. Environmental issues have never been more pertinent and while they may have taken a backseat to the pandemic for a little while, people have once again turned their attention back to how they can ensure their shopping choices are as sustainable as possible. 

Enter Girlfriend Collective, a gorgeous Seattle-based brand that is making waves online. According to a survey by GolfSupport.com, Girlfriend Collective is one of the most popular fitness brands on TikTok, with 24.7 million video views on the platform.

Firm believers that “good things come to those who don’t waste”, the brand’s whole ethos centres on being as kind to the planet as possible, with that extending to everything from where they source their materials, to ensuring that their products are as representative of a wide variety of different body shapes and sizes which range from XXS to 6XL. 

Items are made from recycled materials (such as reclaimed water bottles, discarded fishing nets, recycled polyester) and all packaging is 100% recycled and recyclable. 

A post on their website sums it up.

“We believe in ethical manufacturing and recycled materials. Because old water bottles and fishing nets look better on you than they do clogging landfills and polluting oceans.

“We believe health and wellness come in many shapes and sizes, and that representation matters.

“We believe in being transparent, taking care of the people who make your clothes, and never putting our bottom line before what’s best for the planet.”

Specialising in everything from socks, bras and underwear to scrunchies, puffers and sweats, it’s their activewear that has really grabbed the internet’s attention as of late. Unsurprisingly so, I might add. Their whole range is gorgeous and if their soft fabrics and bright colours don’t convince you, their inclusivity definitely will. Scrolling through their website is a delight and seeing models of all different colours, shapes and sizes – some of whom are even pictured eating chocolate chip cookies – is very much the icing atop the cake for me. 

Below are a few personal favourites.