I remember the day like it was yesterday. A number of years ago, I was chatting with my best gal pal, when she dropped the bomb “so, you know Lululemon isn’t made in Canada anymore?”. This simple statement threw me into the first 2 stages of grief:
Shock: What, are you sure? She assured me a Yogini friend of hers had just been in the store and the tags now read “Designed in Canada, Made In China”
Denial: No, it can’t be true; this Yogini doesn’t know what she’s talking about.
Then a couple of days later when the shock had worn off, I had to see for myself. So I marched into my local Lululemon to prove her wrong and said hello to the next 2 stages of grief.
Anger: OMG, it is true! Walking around looking at the tags, I found “Designed in Canada, Made In China”. Made in China! Made in China!! Made in China!!! As someone who does her best to be socially responsible, I had been doing my best to avoid buying things made in China. The thought of some 8-year-old child in a sweatshop making my Yoga clothes was breaking my heart.
Bargaining: Ok, but I have this gift-card I was given for my birthday… I’ll just spend that, then I’ll never set foot in here again. It was a gift, after all, I can’t be rude and let it go to waste.
Depression: It had taken me forever to find cute, well-made Yoga clothes that lasted. Was I going have settle for ill-fitted Yoga pants that don’t last? Was I going to have to wear leotards or learn to sew?
Testing: Ok, so if I wasn’t going to shop at Lululemon, where could I get my Yoga clothes? So I poured myself a glass of wine (organic of course) and pulled out the laptop. Ahhh, the power of Google. I started to search for Yoga clothing made in Canada and Yoga clothing Made In the US. Whadda know – there actually was a lot out there.
Acceptance: Once I realized the Love affair was over and could see things clearly, I realized the signs were always there, I just didn’t want to see them. I mean I never really jived with their message or values. I once had the misfortune of overhearing an employee review in a coffee shop and well… it was a bit cult-ish. There was also the lack of larger sizes which always bothered me, as a girl gifted in the bootie they really only had 1 style of pants I could wear. The music was always WAY too loud and I felt like I was at a club. So yeah, it was a good thing, in the long run, Lulu and I were never really meant to be after all.
Lately, I have noticed more Yogini’s ending their love affair with Lulu and many have asked me for recommendations to other lines that are made in Canada or the US. Well since I’ve spent hours online researching this, I’ll be happy to share and save you the work.
I have divided the list according to where they are made, and many of these (although not all) are sustainable as well. There is a little bit for every style of Yogini ranging from the Sporty, The Chic, to the Woodland Fairy and the Punk Rock (or is that just me?)
I hope this helps you shop in line with your values and let me know if you know some I have missed so I can add them to the list.
Disclaimer: At the time of this post I personally checked these sites out, however, the companies policies could change at any time. Always best to double check before ordering to ensure a sweatshop-free experience.
Etsy has a ton of hand made local options as well try typing in Yoga clothes made in ____ (country of choice)
Canada
- enCircled
- Salts Clothing
- Love Light Yoga
- Sea of wolves
- Seed
- Butter Crem
- Inner Fire
- Dear Lil Devas
- Jeni Mack
- Terrafrog
- Respecte
- Prana Vida Style
- Abaka
- Zen Nomad
- Squeezed
- Daub & Design
- Fig Clothing
- Riyoko
USA
- Sweet Skins
- Buddha Pants
- Purusha People
- Beckons Yoga Clothing
- Lily Lotus
- Inner Waves
- Foat Design
- Hard Tail Forever
- Beyond Yoga
- 4-rth
- Lvrfashion
- Om Girl
- Anjali Clothing
- Virve Climbing
- J Q Loves U
- Haven Collective
- Kobieta
- Lola Getts
Europe
- Prancing Leopard
Pam
Great info…thanks!
Sears also sells a line called Eco-Gear, some of which is made in Canada, and some of which is made from recycled materials.
chwilowki
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Nyk Danu
I am sorry I’m not sure what you are asking me. You have requests for future posts?
Jennifer
Great post. I have known years because Lulu used to be a big inspiration to me. Now….in their giant corporate form not so much. I am content sewing up some things from my home now and making small ethically made batches of Salts Clothing. Thanks so much for the shout out!
Nyk Danu
@Jennifer And thank you for that! 🙂
Emma
I know of a couple more, though I’m not sure where the clothes are made, perhaps you’ll discover they are also made in China though it would surprise me for the “Nomad” brand at least…anyways, check these out 🙂 (The prices are not astronomical either).
Burton Haynes
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Anonymous
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Nyk Danu
I don’t actually offer guest posting, but thanks for stopping by 🙂
laura
conny’s friend, laura here…just wondering if you could recommend a good place for yoga clothes specifically for black lovers that are not a size 8. i love some of the tonic stuff, but they only make up to a LG and that is an 8-10 which so isn’t me.
Nyk Danu
Hey Laura,
Well I don’t tend to wear “athletic” looking wear (like tonic) because I want to go from studio to life without feeling under dressed or like I look like a Yoga teacher.
So I’m not sure how helpful this will be but… Haven Yoga Collective comes to mind. Sweet skins has awesome high waisted legging in larger sizes I am a size 12 and fit their large and I know they have sizes larger than a large. Lineage wear, Lola Getts & Kobieta as well all of those are made in the US and linked in the US section 🙂
laura
the tonic stuff i like is all more flowing and almost goth tinged; not fond of the athletic stuff either. thanks so much for the recommendations. i will check them out. be well.
Nyk Danu
Hmm maybe Maha Devi then (Canada) not sure about the sizing but it’s more flowy.
laura
thanks again, nyk:) i really like the haven collective stuff but want to see if our dollar bounces back at all.
e.fab
Just an FYI Mahadevi has been making their clothing in china for years now, i believe at least since 2012. While they say it is an ethical factory, outsourcing to china does take money out of the canadian economy and means less jobs here! I wouldn’t consider them a local product at this point 🙁 used to buy their stuff but not anymore
Nyk Danu
thanks for letting me know I’ll edit my post
Sweet Skins
We just saw your lovely article! Very well said, and thank you so much for the track-back!