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Right this way for your new favourite leggings 🏋️♀️
This summer, millions of tourists will flock to London to take part in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee festivities, shining a spotlight on the best that British brands have to offer. In that spirit, Women's Health has rounded up all of the best UK sports brands, in case you need a new item for your kit - and fancy "shopping local," so to speak.
Editor-favourite Adanola ranks high on our list, thanks to their oversized, Instagram-able tees and effortless neutral gym leggings. Varley and Charli Cohen make chic gymwear pieces that integrate seamlessly with the rest of your wardrobe, and Pokita does great tennis gear. Internationally-adored Gymshark is also British, believe it or not. Stripe & Stare has branched out from their comfy Tencel underwear, and recently launched biodegradable, tie dye yoga kit. And did you know that Freya offers band and cup size specific sports bras, for the ultimate in customised support?
Below, find twelve UK sports brands to scope out for your next fit kit hero piece...
A post shared by Adanola (@adanola)
Adanola is a favourite among the Instagram set for their cosy matching sweats and minimal lycra co-ords. Add in their canvas totes, caps, "Go Outside" logo tees, and perfect tennis skirts, and you've got a recipe for a much-moodboarded brand aesthetic. It's activewear for That Girl™, if you will. (Ask TikTok). And at reasonable prices (£39.99 for leggings), everyone can get in on the fun.
A post shared by Stripe & Stare (@stripeandstare)
The folks at Stripe & Stare (aka creators of the world's softest Tencel knickers and PJs) have just branched out into comfy activewear, too. Hallelujah. Fabricated from Lenzing Tencel, this material is antimicrobial and biodegradable, not to mention moisture-wicking. Choose from leggings and shorts in fresh tie dye patterns or reliable black, plus comfy tops.
A post shared by VARLEY (@varley)
Varley is the trans-Atlantic love child of founding couple Lara and Ben Mead. Launched in 2015 and headquartered between London and Los Angeles, the label captures the upscale aesthetic of both cities. They create gymwear and everyday athleisure pieces, so you can build a perfect capsule wardrobe that goes with you anywhere.
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Grace Beverley, a fitness entrepreneur and founder of the popular Shreddy workout app, launched Tala in 2019, with resounding success. The brand's elevator pitch? "Sustainably-produced activewear that doesn’t let you down on performance, flattering fits, quality or style, and without the hefty price tag." The chic neutrals are popular with influencers for a stylish yoga-to-coffee vibe, for good reason.
A post shared by Gymshark (@gymshark)
Did you know Gymshark is a Brit brand, too? Yep, the label famous for their seamless leggings was born right here in the UK. With a wide selection, regular punchy sale reductions, and every colour choice under the sun, they're one of our faves.
A post shared by Freya Lingerie (@freyalingerie)
Our go-to brand for quality, supportive bras (especially for bigger cup sizes) handily also does sportswear. And the best part of all? They offer sports bras in specific band and cup sizes (like a regular bra) instead of just small, medium large etc. This is a life-saver if you have a wide ribcage but small breasts, or a narrow ribcage with big boobs. So, enter size-specific Freya bras for the perfect fit. A thousand times yes.
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Contur is a WH go-to for premium, locally-made activewear you can feel your best in. All their pieces are crafted in London from ECONYL®, a recycled fabric made from repurposed ocean waste. Great for: luxe all-in-one bodysuits and squat-proof colourblock leggings.
A post shared by Ethical + Sustainable Gymwear (@kihtcollective)
For pretty pastel sets, best-selling bike shorts, and cosy trackies, check out Manchester-based Kiht Collective. They're reasonably priced (bike shorts are £28) and focussed on ethical production. Your parcel arrives in recycled packaging, and KC even plants a tree on your behalf when you order. We're eyeing up this candy-floss pink set, what about you?
A post shared by POKITA Sustainable Activewear (@pokita_uk)
If you're ready to upgrade your black gym leggings, check out Pokita for polka dots, leopard print, and pastels galore. They do great tennis kit, but offer plenty of activewear and gym essentials as well. Plus, they're an eco-conscious brand, aiming to use leftover fabrics, regenerated materials, and recycled packaging where possible.
A post shared by Feel Fit ® (@feelfituk)
FeelFit is on a mission to help you look and feel your best, while still being considerate to our planet. Their pieces are made with ECONYL to reduce waste, and organic and recycled cotton. Their Bristol store is even powered by spin bikes, sending 74% of the energy back to the local power grid. The brand also participates in a tree-planting scheme, in pursuit of carbon neutrality. Colour us impressed.
A post shared by SILOU (@siloulondon)
Look to Silou London for elegant, sustainable basics, like their gorgeous unitards for yoga and barre. The label was founded by a mum of four and former model; plus a yoga teacher, so the pieces have all been designed by women, for women. Silou prides itself on sourcing ethically-produced, non-toxic fabrics which are OEKO-TEX certified and GOTS approved, so can you can feel good about what you're putting on your body.
A post shared by CC (@charlicohen)
"Our mission is to give people a way to express identity freely and fluidly, everywhere," explains the Charli Cohen website. They do not define their items as clothing, but as NEXTWEAR: responsibly-sourced items that work anywhere, any time. This brand even designs digital fashion pieces and upcycles garments into new ones - talk about the future of fashion.