Not Basics

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 1 November 2026

If you're looking for genuinely British-made activewear, rather than just British-owned brands that manufacture overseas, there are some lovely independent labels worth looking at.

I've prioritised brands that manufacture in the UK, particularly those making leggings, sports bras, gymwear and premium athleisure.

## Best British-made activewear brands

![Celebration Collection leggings

- Lola Starr](

1\. Lola Starr

(Made in UK)

Premium women's activewear, including leggings and sports bras. Designed in Liverpool, working with specialist UK manufacturers.

urlShop Lola Starrturn899748search7

Best for: premium gymwear and matching sets.

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![High Waisted Leggings - Marl Black - Sōma Sportswear](

2\. Sōma Sportswear

(Made in London)

Luxury, ethically produced sportswear, with manufacturing entirely in London.

Explore Sōma

Best for: understated luxury and sustainability.

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!Women's Clothing | Ethical Fashion | WE-AR

3\. WE ARE AEVA

(Designed and manufactured in UK)

Technical performance fabrics made using recycled yarn, with leggings and coordinated activewear.

urlShop WE ARE AEVAturn899748search8

Best for: performance-focused, contemporary women's gymwear.

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![FINDRA Outdoor Clothing | Style, Comfort, Performance - FINDRA Clothing](

4\. FINDRA

(Partly UK-made)

Scottish outdoor activewear brand. More than half its collection is manufactured in Scotland and England.

Shop FINDRA

Best for: walking, cycling and outdoor fitness.

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!Sub Zero Factor 1 Plus Womens Long Sleeve Base Layer Thermal Tops

5\. Sub Zero

(Made in Leicestershire)

British-manufactured technical base layers, mid-layers and outdoor performance clothing.

Explore Sub Zero

Best for: technical training layers and outdoor activity.

lolastarr.co.ukweareaeva.co.ukwww.britishmadeclothing.co.ukmoralfibres.co.ukmadeingreatbritain.uk

## Other brands worth considering

- WAWWA - Manchester-based, with its own UK factory. More casual athleisure than technical gymwear. Shop WAWWA\. lolastarr.co.ukweareaeva.co.ukwww.britishmadeclothing.co.ukmoralfibres.co.ukmadeingreatbritain.uk - Not Basics - Organic cotton leggings, cycling shorts and tops. A good option for softer, lower-impact everyday activewear. Shop Not Basics\. lolastarr.co.ukweareaeva.co.ukwww.britishmadeclothing.co.ukmoralfibres.co.ukmadeingreatbritain.ukwww.arnoldgymgear.com

## My shortlist

For actual UK manufacturing, I'd start with\:

1. Lola Starr - women's gym sets. 2. Sōma - luxury leggings and sportswear. 3. WE ARE AEVA - technical performance activewear. 4. Sub Zero - British-made technical layers.

One important distinction: brands such as Gymshark, Adanola, Sweaty Betty and TALA are British-founded or British-owned, but that doesn't mean their garments are manufactured in Britain. lolastarr.co.ukweareaeva.co.ukwww.britishmadeclothing.co.ukmoralfibres.co.ukmadeingreatbritain.ukwww.arnoldgymgear.com

## A quick question

What sort of activewear are you most interested in?

1\. Style

Women's leggings, sports bras and matching sets

Men's gymwear

Unisex gymwear

Yoga, Pilates and athleisure

Running and technical sportswear

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2\. Budget per item

Under £50

£50-£100

£100-£200

No particular budget

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3\. How important is UK manufacturing?

Must genuinely be made in Britain

Preferably UK-made

British-designed and owned is fine

[Find my best brands]

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 8 November 2026

The strongest UK options are BAM, Findra, TALA, Asquith, Community Clothing, Grit & Grace, and FeelFit-but “ethical” varies by material, worker protections, durability, and transparency.

- BAM - One of the best-established choices for yoga, running, and everyday activewear. It uses bamboo viscose and recycled fibres, works with OEKO-TEX STeP-certified producers, and states commitments to fair wages and reduced waste. - Findra - Scottish brand specialising in women's outdoor and cycling clothing, with an emphasis on responsible production and durable garments. - TALA - Uses recycled nylon, organic cotton, and TENCEL, and reports working with accredited factories. It is a more mainstream option, so check each product's fibre and factory information rather than assuming every item has the same credentials. - Asquith - Particularly suitable for yoga and low-impact exercise; its clothing is reportedly made in a GOTS-certified factory. - Community Clothing - A good choice if UK manufacturing and plastic-free materials matter most; it produces traditional sportswear in the UK. - Grit & Grace - Designs in Leeds, manufactures in London, uses recycled fabrics, and focuses on made-to-order or small-volume production. - FeelFit - UK-based brand using organic cotton, recycled cotton, and ECONYL regenerated nylon; it also reports carbon-neutral operations. - Yes Friends - Affordable, vegan, organic-cotton basics made in a solar-powered Fair Trade-certified factory in India. - Not Basics - Small British brand offering activewear made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, useful if you want to avoid synthetic fibres.

Best overall shortlist: - Best for broad performance wear: BAM - Best for UK production: Community Clothing or Grit & Grace - Best for organic/natural fibres: Asquith or Not Basics - Best budget-friendly ethical option: Yes Friends - Best for technical recycled fabric: FeelFit

No brand is automatically ethical across its entire range. Before buying, check for specific factory disclosure, independent certifications such as GOTS or Fair Trade, recycled-content percentages, repair/returns policies, and realistic claims about carbon neutrality. Recycled polyester and nylon reduce virgin-plastic use but still shed microfibres, while bamboo claims depend heavily on how the viscose is processed.