I own Girlfriend Collective leggings in nearly every color here's what makes each pair worth it
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I've always been a firm believer that leggings are pants, so I wear leggings pretty much everywhere, every day, whether I'm working from home or going out to dinner with friends. Always looking for the perfect pair, I like to try out new ones whenever I come across brands that have cute leggings in extended sizes. In our Girlfriend Collective sustainable leggings review, we outline how our favorite styles inspired us to become returning customers.
I came across Girlfriend Collective in late 2019, when some of my friends were recommending its cyber week sales. At first, the price tag jumped out at me. Would $88 leggings be worth it? I ordered two pairs then, one in black and one in a fun color, and since then, my Girlfriend Collective leggings have become the ones I reach for first when I'm getting dressed.
Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Leggings Check price at Amazon Check price at Girlfriend Collective 
Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket Legging Check price at Amazon Check price at Girlfriend Collective Sizing and fit
Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket Legging Check price at Amazon Check price at Girlfriend Collective These are the Black Compressive Pocket Leggings. The length is perfect, hitting just at my ankle. I'm five-foot-one and normally wear a size 20, so I wear a 3XL in the 23 ¾ length. As the leggings are compressive, you can play around with the sizing a bit to get the fit you want. I've also ordered XXLs in the past and while the waist fits fine, they're just a little too compressive to be comfortable for all day wear.
Design details
The compressive leggings come in six styles: the regular Compressive Legging in Mid-Rise and High-Rise (both $78), the Pocket ($88), the Drawstring ($82), the Flare ($78), and the Stirrup ($78). The regular Compressive Leggings have a hidden back pocket near the tag for small items like a credit card and ID or a set of keys.
How Girlfriend Collective leggings are made
Each pair of their leggings is created with 25 recycled water bottles (79% RPET), out of material made at Girlfriend Collective's Fair Trade facility in Taiwan.
Some "recycled" fabric production has been exploiting the loopholes by buying unused water bottles to churn a higher profit, but Girlfriend Collective's center is carefully monitored by the Taiwanese government recycling authority to make sure that's not the case for this company. Since you always have a choice of where you spend your money, even though some of us conveniently forget uncomfortable truths, Girlfriend Collective's factory uses no forced or child labor, mandates fair working hours and safe conditions, pays living wages, and allows workers to unionize.
I would love the fit of the leggings no matter what, but it's a huge bonus knowing that my money is being spent at a company that is helping make the world a more hospitable place for all of us. Recycling is always a choice, just like being nice to your neighbor — and it's still a choice in clothing. The ReGirlfriend program provides you with a $15 credit towards a future purchase upon receipt of the recycled clothing. It's a no-compromise option on the best leggings through supporting a company that puts humane working conditions and sustainability first. — Mara Leighton, former Insider Reviews Digital Culture reporter
Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket Leggings
Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket Legging Check price at Amazon Check price at Girlfriend Collective I'm a big fan of these leggings. They have a great compressive fit that performs well during multiple forms of exercise; I love wearing these to barre class. However, I wear a size medium, and they feel quite tight to the body, so perhaps try a larger size for a more comfortable, every day fit. The pockets are extremely convenient for any post-workout errands I'm running, and the high rise rarely rides down on me. I normally go for black leggings, but I adore this bright blue, and they have multiple fun colors to choose from. — Maiya Pascouche, Insider Reviews Style & Beauty editor
Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Leggings
Girlfriend Collective Prism Dylan Tank Bra Check price at Girlfriend Collective I love the versatility of the leggings when it comes to styling. They're great for working out, but I've also worn them out at night.
Girlfriend Collective's High Rise Compressive leggings are nearly always available in six core colors: black, ivory, midnight (navy), moss, plum, and earth (brown). The company releases seasonal collections every few months, with four to six new limited edition colors that tend to sell out quickly after their debut. The colorways compliment each other well so you can create mix-matched sets with Girlfriend Collective's sports bras.
The bottom line
Despite the price tag, they're well made and have lasted despite many wears and washes. If you're looking for sustainable fashion, these leggings are better for the planet and incredibly comfortable.
Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Leggings Check price at Amazon Check price at Girlfriend Collective Girlfriend Collective Compressive Pocket Legging Check price at Amazon Check price at Girlfriend Collective 
Angela Tricarico Streaming Editorial Fellow Angela Tricarico is a Streaming Editorial Fellow for the Insider Reviews team, where she covers the latest in streaming services. In addition to her arts and entertainment reporting at the University of New Haven and for The Ensemblist, she has a background in theater and loves to tell people what it means to be a dramaturg. When she's not writing, you might find her reading comics or a book club pick, cooking, baking, or trying to catch up on the last ten years of television. Read more Read less 
Mara Leighton Senior Digital Culture Reporter Mara Leighton is a senior digital culture reporter. If you want to get in touch, please send an email to mleighton@businessinsider.com, or send a DM on twitter to @maraleighton. Read more Read less 
Maiya Pascouche Maiya Pascouche is the Beauty Editor for Business Insider Reviews with a passion for beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment.Maiya was formerly a Commerce Updates Editor, developing and executing e-commerce strategies and formats for our Reviews content. She has also worked as a Beauty Editor for BeautyByUs.com, at Alphy as a Content Editor and Creative Strategist, and as a feminist film critic for FF2 Media. She holds a BFA in Drama from New York University. In her spare time, Maiya is a theater director and songwriter in her band, Cherin!Say hello at mpascouche@businessinsider.com! Read more Read lessYou can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
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