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With social media buzzing with fitness updates every morning, especially around International Yoga Day, it is only natural to get drawn towards a yoga session (online or physical). And while you seek a carefully curated yoga routine that promises to help fulfill your goals of mobility, flexibility, balance, and strength, what you should not miss investing in is a pair of good, well-designed activewear. If you pick your yoga attire without much thought, you’ll not only compromise on functionality and comfort, but also on the results of your activity.
Would you prefer to fully focus on your fitness routine in clothing that feels like a second skin, or would you want to worry about sweaty, itch-inducing material, and clothing too tight or too baggy? We are sure you will pick the former option in performance fabrics and smart designs. And research shows that many Indians are being intentional about their attire to help elevate their fitness journey. According to the global consultancy Research and Markets report, India’s activewear and sports equipment market whas pegged at an estimated $27.89 billion in 2022, and it is expected to reach $40.64 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 7.82 per cent by 2027. What’s driving this healthy growth is the significant increase in awareness about fitness amid the two-year Covid-19 lockdown, and the growing access to online retail platforms selling trendy yet comfortable athleisure and accessories.
On that note, here are a few labels selling breathable, moisture-wicking activewear (which can also be worn as athleisure) that are worth investing in for your yoga and other fitness practices.
1. Aastey
Ladies, Aastey’s fun and playful fitness attire made using cutting-edge designs is everything you could possibly need to start your fitness journey. Founded in 2020 by Jeevika Tyagi and Kanupriya Mundhra, this is a size-inclusive athleisure brand that offers sports bras, leggings, co-ord sets, joggers, cycling shorts, t-shirts, gender-fluid jackets, and hoodies. Our favourite is their ‘extreme werk it’ set, which features a sports bra and leggings combo that provides a firm hold regardless of the impact of your exercise. At its core, Aastey believes in sustainable living and has won the 'Sustainable Best Initiative of the Year 2023: Zero Carbon Emissions' award.
2. BlissClub
Made for movers, here’s a brand born out of the need for quality activewear for women in India. Entrepreneur Minu Margeret’s BlissClub is a premium label that takes pride in designing and ‘building’ liberating activewear for all Indian body types. Their product range includes a stretchy, comfortable yet fashionable sports bra, bottom wear, coord sets, tops and tees, socks, and even yoga mats. “We, at BlissClub, believe that it is crucial to marry functionality with comfort,” Minu had told us during a candid chat in February 2023, read all about it here.
3. Good Indian
The brainchild of entrepreneurs Rushad Wadia and Avneesh Gadgil, Good Indian provides fashion-forward activewear for both men and women. Think tank tops, sports bras, gym shorts, leggings, joggers, and hoodies in a range of colours. The brand’s offerings are made using recycled polyester, which is lightweight and breathable. They also use sustainable cotton to ensure extra comfort during exercise.
4. Spirit Animal
Fit, functionality, and comfort – these are three words that come to our mind when we think of Spirit Animal. It was launched in 2019 to provide fashionable activewear for plus-sized women, so they can exercise with confidence and in style. Spirit Animal has sizes ranging up to 6XL in joggers, yoga pants, sports bras, and tops., Tand their fabric is sweat absorbent and but also the same time dries quickly to ensure moisture doesn’t saturate the clothing.
5. SilverTraq
Keen to shop for good quality, functional workout wear but one that’s eco-conscious at its core and provides quirky designs at the same time? Turn to Dhriti Badani’s SilverTraq. Available in sizes ranging from XS to 4XL, this men's and women’s activewear brand is known for making four-way stretch workout wear using polyester derived from recycled pet bottles. This material has anti-odour and sweat-wicking features to ensure an enjoyable workout session. Talking about the design, you can’t miss their tie-and-dye printed range of leggings, sports bras, tank tops, tights, and more.
6. Proyog
Calling all the modern-day yogis and yoginis, here’s a brand that specialises in yoga wear that’s soft on the skin, breathable, and stretchable. Their products sit well on the skin, but at the same time aren’t stiff, so they move with you as you breathe in and out of yoga poses. Their USP is Indian-inspired clothing styles like dhoti shorts, wrap tops, and infinity scarves with built-in pockets! The brand uses its trademarked Hyperbreath™ fabric (a sweat-wicking, super-soft fabric) and core-spun organic cotton that has good recovery in comparison to regular cotton.
7. Satva
Made using 95 per cent organic cotton, Satva’s long-lasting activewear for women – from tops to leggings, bralettes, and jackets – is perfect for low-impact exercises such as yoga, pilates and barre. You can wear their offerings as athleisure for picnics, travelling, and so on, courtesy of their vibrant colours, cuts, and styles, designed for four different seasons. Satva’s product range is designed in the United States and made in India. Its mission is to create a symbiotic balance between people, the planet, production, profits, and social stewardship.
8. Ochre Athletica
For women who don't want to compromise on fit and functionality but at the same time make environmentally conscious choices, athletes Radhika Shanker and Aditi Kakkar's Ochre Athletica can be your go-to. Made using soft, stretchy, and supportive fabrics, Ochre's line of clothing comes in trendy colours with minimal but bold designs and can easily go from studio to street.