Tracksuits have made a comeback, and there’s nothing like a matching set to make you feel equal parts cosy and chic.
Whether you’re looking for something comfortable to work from home in, need a low-key option for running errands, or just want to be warm and cosy, the humble tracksuit is for you.
These ethical brands make tracksuits, sweats and lounge sets that are as comfortable as they are stylish.
1. Organic Crew
Organic Crew’s range of on-trend tracksuits and lounge basics have resurrected hope that the Australian fashion manufacturing scene is far from dead. Ethical Clothing Australia certified, using certified organic cotton and made right at home in Melbourne. It doesn’t get much better than that.
2. Mate The Label
Seriously stylish, these ethically made tracksuits that you can wear from the loungeroom straight out to lunch. 95% of MATE’s range is made within five miles of its headquarters, and the other 5% is made within a 10-mile radius. Having such a localised supply chain allows the brand to consider the full life cycle of their products and how sustainability practices fit in at every step. Did I also mention they use organic cotton?
3. Pangaia
This effortlessly cool sustainable brand has an impressive collection of colour-pop tracksuits you’ll be wearing for years. Pangaia’s core range is made from 100% organic cotton, and they use bio-based fibres and materials from recycled plastic bottles in the active range. Every piece is made using natural botanical dyes from plants using a recycled wastewater system. Fun fact, they use antibacterial peppermint as a textile treatment so that your clothes stay fresh for longer so you can wash them less!
4. Cloth & Co
Cloth & Co is an Australian brand that makes gorgeous luxe looking, and feeling loungewear sets. The new Autumn waffle knit range is divine. They partner with women’s cooperatives and artisans, and all stages in the production process are independently certified from farm to stitch. Every piece is made with natural cotton sourced from organic and regenerative farms using natural dyes so all of their pieces can be recycled, repurposed or decomposed at the end of life.
5. Tentree
You might know Tentree as an outdoor clothing brand, but their tracksuits and loungewear are stylish enough to be worn interchangeably. For every purchase made, they plant 10 new trees and have planted 30 million new trees around the world since 2012, with a goal of 1 billion trees planted by 2030. Special mention I have been wearing this Tentree hoodie every winter for three years, and it still looks and feels like new.
6. Organic Basics
Your one-stop-shop for everything loungewear, Organic Basics is well-known for quality basics you’ll reach for time and time again. They have a great range of hoodies and tracksuit pants, all made with organic cotton in a variety of earthy colours perfect for the winter months.
7. Boody
This ethical underwear favourite has just launched a range of tracksuit sets made from super soft organic bamboo. Boody has been my go-to for underwear and PJs for many years, their pieces are affordable, comfortable, and made to last.
8. Amour Vert
Meaning ‘Green Love’ in French, Amour Vert is a one-stop ethical fashion marketplace for modern, high-quality wardrobe staples and basics. They have a small but cute range of tracksuits and sweaters in an array of bright colours and neutrals. Their pieces are made locally in California in limited quantities to ensure quality and to eliminate excess waste.
9. KOTN
This organic basics brand is ethically made in Egypt. KOTN work closely with their factories and suppliers using direct trade practices, meaning they source materials straight from the farmers and work directly with responsibly run cut-and-sew facilities in the region. They also donate a portion of proceeds to funding schools for their farmer’s children. One of the more affordable brands on this list, their tracksuits are worthy of wearing out of the house.
10. Vege Threads
This locally-made brand is the mecca of everyday stylish basics, from tracksuits to recycled swimwear to organic cotton leggings. The main factory is based in Melbourne, with an independent space in South Australia for swimwear, all of which are certified by Ethical Clothing Australia. Vege Threads also ensures the use of organic and eco-friendly materials and dyes in all garments, which are only produced in small batches.
11. Ailéisure
This brand new ethical New Zealand brand was recommended to me by Ethically Kate, and I am obsessed. Ailéisure’s designs are thoughtfully created on the basis of a simple question: can you see yourself wearing this item 20+ years from now, and can you imagine others wearing it 20+ years ago?
12. PACT Apparel
GOT’s Certified PACT Apparel is another affordable brand that does really great quality hoodies and tracksuit sets. They started as an organic cotton underwear brand and have evolved to include sustainable loungewear and activewear. They are committed to producing in Fair Trade Certified factories, and don’t use harmful chemicals and are working on processes that use less water.
13. Thought Clothing
This ethical fashion brand lives by the mantra “wear me, love me, mend me, pass me on”, a mantra we can get behind! They use natural fibres such as hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton and their tracksuits and lounge sets are stylish and transcend trends. Thought also believes that what happens after you’ve bought something matters just as much as making that purchase. So they make it easy to help you lessen the impact of your clothing post-purchase by sharing care tips on how to care for your clothes on their blog.
14. DK Active
Made in ethically Brisbane, each step of the DK Active garment lifecycle, from design to manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, is contained under one solar-powered roof. They use a range of materials, including recycled polyester, organic cotton, and hemp. I have it on good authority their activewear is designed to be sweated in and last. Their newer range of stylish lounge sets will take you from gym to brunch.
15. Christy Dawn
This farm to closet ethical fashion favourite doesn’t just buy cotton; they invest in regenerative farming practices. Christy Dawn is best known for its dreamy cottage-core dresses and they now do loungewear! The everyday essentials range is made from panel knit using organic cotton and non-toxic dyes.
16. Hernest Project
Hernest creates those stylish “comfies” you’re not embarrassed to answer the door in. From first design to manufacturing to the final product, they consider people and the environment at every stage of production. They’re also inclusive, offering sizes XXS to 4XL.
17. Uniek
This brand new Aussie label has just launched a five-piece Autumn/Winter capsule collection made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and made locally in Melbourne. Uniek’s goal is to produce classic, timeless fashion that lasts that makes you feel amazing when you wear it. This first capsule range is a limited run offering sizes 6 to 16, with more curated drops of styles and colours expected within 2021.
18. Country Road
I wanted to include Country Road because they’re a brand that’s accessible and reasonably affordable. Not strictly an ethical and sustainable brand, but they are making strides. Their sweats range is made with Australian cotton, so the first stages of the supply chain are traceable. They have outlined practices for ethical trade, sustainable farming and sourcing of raw materials, energy efficiency, scarce water resources, reducing waste and social development priorities.
The brands included in this list have a range of ethical certifications, audits/visits factories, pay living wages and/or can trace part or all of their supply chain. This does not do not take into account all personal ethical considerations like the use of animal products and the country they manufacture in. We include brands in our guides that are transparent with their practices and continuously striving to improve. Please read the brand’s individual about pages to ensure they meet your personal requirements.
