When the gym calls, it doesn’t require us to wear our Sunday’s Best. It’s definitely a come as you are situation, however, most of us can agree that it just feels better to have cute fitness apparel. It’s almost like “dressing for success”, but here success means sweating your curls out of hiding and soreness for two days.
Wearing great fitness apparel makes you look amazing, but it also makes you feel amazing and in turn, can have positive effects on the way you approach your workouts. Our clothing affects our behavior and attitudes, sparking confidence and joy and resulting in better performance.
Now that that’s been established. It would be nice to have some fitness apparel brands that don’t demand an arm, leg and first born as payment.
Right now, larger companies are at the forefront of athleisure and apparel, companies like Lululemon and AloYoga. They deliver in quality, but man are they expensive! They’re also not very inclusive.
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I basically live in workout clothes so I’m always looking for small businesses to support. I look for black-owned businesses, business with ethical practices, and businesses that operate with the environment in mind.
I also look into the businesses that promote body positivity! Below is a list of up and coming athleisure brands that uplift, give back, and practice inclusivity.
1. Superfit Hero
Superfit Hero is a premium activewear brand that believes fitness is for everybody, and it is! Their apparel is designed for its wearer to feel confident no matter the sport or body type. The Superfit Hero Signature leggings have been tested and approved by athletes of a range of sizes, XS to 5XL and their clothing is ethically made in Los Angeles, CA. The Superfit Hero price point starts at $55 for crop bras, $58 for shorts and $84 for leggings.
2. Lornah
Lornah was founded by Lornah Kiplagat, long-distance runner and World Champion and record holder. Lornah offers unique feminine African designs and fine fabrics. Lornah also offers some styles under the Men’s category. There are a lot of beautiful styles while sizes range from XS to 1XL. Prices range from $35 for bras to $112 for jackets.
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3. Manifesta
Manifesta believes that every woman should feel sexy, amazing, and valid. They don’t work with a traditional size chart because they don’t want women to feel ashamed for ordering sizes deemed “unacceptable” by society’s standards.
Sizes at Manifesta include Willow, Poppy, Lily, Rose, Violet, Iris, Daisy and Dahlia. The company emphasizes using its size chart to better understand the sizes. The company also speaks against manufacturing in sweatshops. The price point for Manifesta’s products are actually the lowest on the list, starting at $15 and capping at $35.
4. Nakimuli
Nakimuli, The Funky Sweetheart, isn’t playing games with their swimwear line. This company is black-owned and carries sizes S-3X. Not only do they carry a range of sizes, but the styles are unparalleled and the fabric exquisite! They are currently having a sale and price point for swimwear starts at $17.50 and caps at $31.
5. Qristyl Frazier Designs
Qristyl Frazier’s designs are created specifically for the curvy woman to feel confident. Qristyl creates custom pieces so the price point is higher. Her swimwear collection is absolutely beautiful and includes one piece and two piece swimsuits and cover-ups. You can even pick the fabric you’d like her to use for your custom swimsuit. Qristyl’s swimwear starts at $149 and sizes range from L to 3XL.
Jasmine Danielle is the Associate Editor of BlackDoctor.org. She received her BFA in Dance Education & Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has since done work as a certified fitness & wellness educator, blogger, dancer, and designer.
