12/21/2022
For my next review…the Compressive High Rise Leggings from Girlfriend Collective
First of all, hats off to this company for being ethical and sustainable. All leggings and bras are made from recycled materials (big trend for 2023) and certified by Oeko-Tex, which is the world’s leader in testing and assessing fabrics for harmful substances. Beyond that, each piece of athletic wear carries the Standard 100 label which simply means they are safe for you.
Fun Fact: The Compressive Leggings are made from 25 recycled post-consumer water bottles.
A few other things to love: Inclusive sizing - GC offers the widest range of sizes, starting at XXS - 6XL (for context, accommodating waist measurements of 22.5 - 52 inches and hip measurements of 32 - 62.5 inches). The three inseam lengths also make it easy to find the best fit for your height (19.5, 23 3/4, 28.5 inches). Fits true to size and comes in six standard colors and trendy styles (rib, flare, stirrup).
The Compressive High Rise leggings arrived at my door packaged in a small, brown recyclable envelope, and my first impression, I have to say, was a bit underwhelming. The material seemed stiff, heavy, and what was with all the seams?
However, once these leggings were on, my thoughts instantly changed. The stiff, compressive fabric seemed to mold to my body in the best possible way, and provided compression without restriction (definitely a hold-you-in type of legging). The stitching only seemed to visually, create a slimming effect. I was pumped to test them out!
In-class, I had mixed feelings…
On the weight floor, the leggings offered good support, full coverage, and definitely squat-proof. In testing higher impact movements, I was surprised to see a bit of sliding which required a few tugs to reset. Due to the thickness of the fabric, sweat may be noticeable on the lighter colors. I would have loved a bit more breathability and flexibility.
As for cardio: any compressive fabric ultimately helps pump more blood to the heart, cuts down on muscle vibration, and improves efficiency. So a big win here!
There is also a small hidden pocket in the back for the important key stash. I do believe with this legging, chaffing could be a real possibility for runners (those looking for mileage) as the inseam is a bit on the shorter side and the stitching is thick. For reference, I chose the 23 3/4 inseam (similar to a 7/8 length).
Overall, a durable, compressive legging with performance benefits to any OTF’er inside the studio, and at a price point of $78, it’s hard to not want to support this company.
Website: https://girlfriend.com
My rating: 3.8 / 5 splats!
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