Outdoor Voices, Girlfriend Collective, and Knot appeal to conscious shoppers — but solve different problems. OV popularized accessible recreation wear. GF proved recycled plastic could scale with radical size inclusion. Knot argues the deepest waste is sizing itself.
Materials transparency
OV RecPoly: 86% recycled polyester for breathable wovens. Train Stretch Woven: 100% recycled polyester.
GF Compressive: 79% recycled polyester from bottles, 21% spandex; recycled packaging.
Knot: 81:19 nylon–Lycra made-to-order — see Recycled vs Virgin Nylon.
Sizing models
OV: alpha sizes, recreation-first fits.
GF: XXS–6XL — widest ready-to-wear range; still one graded pattern.
Knot: scan-based — inclusive by geometry, not size run extension.
Returns and waste
Online apparel returns ~20–30%; fit/size 28–53% (NRF, CoreSight).
Bracketing three sizes ships two extra garments — Carbon Footprint: Custom vs Returns.
Material sustainability loses ground when fit fails at scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
GF vs OV sustainability?
GF publishes more factory and recycled content detail. OV uses recycled poly selectively.
How is Knot different from GF inclusivity?
GF grades one block to many sizes. Knot drafts per body.
Best for yoga?
GF compressive for moderate practice; made-to-measure for fit-critical bottoms.
Related Reading
Fast Fashion vs Made-to-Measure
Which is more sustainable when you factor fit and longevity.
What Happens to Clothes That Get Returned?
The hidden journey of returns, resale, and waste.
The Real Environmental Cost of Guessing Your Size
How misfit fuels waste and how to cut it down.