Leggings Made Out of Water Bottles? A Review of Girlfriend Collective

An American active wear brand that makes their clothes out of recycled water bottles sounds a little crazy, but it’s quickly gained a cult following with its environmentally friendly products and super cute designs.  Girlfriend Collective, created by 29 year old Ellie Dinh, is just this: an environmentally-conscious brand that sells activewear made out of recycled water bottles from Taiwan. This might seem like an unlikely place to source recycled products, but Taiwan has become a world leader in recycling with 55% of waste recycled, surpassing the United States’ 35%.  The brand is also incredibly open and transparent about their work process on their website and they break down how the bottles are shredded into tiny chips and later cut down to pellets which are heated and turned into superfine threads that are ultimately woven together to create Girlfriend Collective’s soft and sustainable fabric.

Girlfriend Collective’s clothes reflect a larger desire to consume ethically and sustainably produced clothes.  Amidst all the buzz about sustainable fashion, Girlfriend Collective is particularly upfront and honest about their mission and goals.  Their labor policies include no child labor, no forced labor, fair working hours, and the right to collective bargaining, or unionizing.  This makes it easy for consumers to see what kind of corporation their money is actually going to, instead of turning a blind eye to fashion produced in sweatshops by overworked and poorly treated workers.  According to a Chicago Tribune article, fast fashion retailers like Zara and Forever 21 mass produce large quantities of clothes that are often discarded, creating a strain on the environment and generating large quantities of waste.  The appeal of sustainable fashion brands like Girlfriend Collective reflects a changing mindset among consumers who are becoming aware of the fashion industry’s environmental effects. With brands like Reformation and the rise of thrift shops like Crossroads, sustainable fashion has actually created a new trend in vintage and second-hand clothing.  Rather than having clothes that are super high end and flashy, more and more people prefer the vintage look. With this, being sustainable and environmentally aware is now “fashionable” in the sense that vintage styles are now super popular as more brands are advertising and selling ethically produced clothes as fashion statement. Whether these brands are just capitalizing on public sentiment for sustainable fashion or actually invested in producing quality clothing is up for debate but either way, it’s ultimately beneficial for the environment and the fashion industry.

One of the main concerns of buying sustainably produced clothing is the price, but Girlfriend Collective’s clothes are relatively affordable and moderately priced.  A pair of compressive high rise leggings go for $68 which is decent in comparison to Lululemon’s $98 or Athleta’s $89. The brand also sells super comfy workout tops that can be worn as a set with the leggings which lets buyers mix and match between a whole array of colors. Their leggings and their clothes are mostly just solid colors without patterns which creates a nice minimalist look but if you’re looking for something edgy or different, Girlfriend Collective’s clothing might not suit your taste.  Their styles also are not as diverse as Lululemon or Athleta as most of the leggings are one length and cut with a choice between either high rise or classic rise. In this sense, they’re perfect if you want a simple and go-to pair of leggings for everyday wear but if you’re looking for something flashy or better tailored for your body, you might want to opt for something else.

When buying from Girlfriend Collective, not only are you getting cute, minimalistic leggings and tops, you’re also consuming ethically and sustainably produced clothes that are much higher quality than fast fashion goods.  With their versatility, comfort, and environmental awareness, Girlfriend Collective’s clothes are well on their way to becoming your next athleisure staples!