I Can’t Believe These Yoga Pants Aren’t Polyester
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In recent years, awareness of globalplastic overconsumptionhas led me to more carefully inspect thefabric compositionof most clothing items I buy. I’ve sought out 100 percentcotton teesandwool sweaterswithout any sneaky synthetics woven in, but until recently my paranoia hadn’t extended tosports brasoryoga pants— items that, unlike tees and sweaters that only became more plasticky in recent decades, have basicallyalwaysbeen constructed from a mix of polyester, spandex, and nylon. Which are all just slightly different types of plastic, by the way.
The mass popularity of athleisure brands like Lululemon and Alo has made it rather difficult to even imagine a pair of non-shiny tights, let alone purchase a pair. Butseveral brands are now offeringalternative workout clothes made from cotton or hemp and just a small percentage of elastane for stretch. By far the best ones that I’ve tried come from Californian brand Mate the Label, which ships its polyester-free workout staples in plastic-free packaging from Los Angeles, where they’re cut, sewn, and organically dyed by local workers.
I was first drawn to Mate’s tights because they both look and feel familiar. Some cotton workout leggings can be a little baggy, but these closely resemble a pair of sleek and compressive polyester yoga pants from, say,Outdoor Voices. They’re made from 92 percent cotton, 8 percent Spandex (another term for elastane) fibers, but the weave is tight and thick enough to mimic a synthetic fabric. They also feature a high, wide waistband that compresses your abs, reinforced seams on the sides to provide structure, and plenty of stretch. The remarkably smooth cotton sculpts your body somewhat, but remains breathable — unlike polyester, which often makes me overheat.
After wearing them a few times, I was particularly struck by how well-made these leggings are. There are no loose threads, and the stitching is even. Much more so than other options, they seem explicitly designed for high-intensity workouts. I was able to go running in mine without having to stop and pull them up or adjust the fit, and found them just as comfortable as my nylon leggings for Pilates. They did bunch a bit around the ankles; if you’re short like me, definitely opt for themidirather than full length.
True gym rats and hot-yoga studio devotees will still notice a difference between Mate’s leggings and a pair of Lulu Aligns. For starters, cotton just isn’t ever going to be as indestructible as plastic, which famously will outlive us all. It will develop holes more easily, and gradually grow thinner with each wash, just like your favorite T-shirt. It also doesn’t wick moisture in the same way, developing sweat patches that sit close to the skin rather than drying quickly. If you’rereallysweating it out but still want to wear cotton, it’s probably ideal to just give up on the idea of tight pants altogether and opt for wide-legged styles instead.
I still think that cottonworkout leggingsare worth trying if you’re a not-too-serious athlete who is concerned about the effects of plastic on both your personal health and that of the environment. And if you’re a longtime wearer of the popular polyester athleisure brands and their many dupes, these are the ones to get.
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