Girlfriend Collective vs. Outdoor Voices: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Girlfriend Collective is built on a foundation of sustainability, using recycled materials to create sleek, modern activewear, while Outdoor Voices focuses on a playful, approachable aesthetic for everyday movement and comfort. The main differences lie in their core missions: Girlfriend Collective prioritizes eco-conscious production and inclusive sizing up to 6XL, whereas Outdoor Voices champions versatility and a fun, community-oriented approach to activity.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right activewear brand for your lifestyle.

Girlfriend Collective: The Eco-Conscious Activewear Leader

Girlfriend Collective has become a go-to for shoppers who demand both style and sustainability from their activewear. The brand is famous for its apparel made from post-consumer recycled materials, such as water bottles and fishing nets, without sacrificing performance. Their aesthetic is minimalist and modern, beloved by environmentally conscious consumers who want high-quality gear that looks as good as it feels.

• Product mix: A complete range of activewear including compressive leggings, sports bras, tops, shorts, and joggers designed for everything from yoga to high-intensity training.
• Price point: Mid-range, reflecting the cost of sustainable materials and ethical production. Expect their popular Compressive High-Rise Legging to cost around $68 and bras to be about $48.
• Quality &, Materials: Known for soft yet durable fabrics made from recycled plastics. The materials are sweat-wicking, supportive, and hold their shape well over time, feeling premium and long-lasting.
• Sizing/Fit: A leader in inclusivity, offering sizes from XXS to 6XL. Their fit is generally true to size but compressive, offering a snug, supportive feel ideal for workouts.
• Sustainability: This is the brand's core identity. They are transparent about their ethical manufacturing processes, use of recycled materials, and eco-friendly packaging.
• Return policy: Accepts returns for unworn items with tags attached within 30 days of the ship date.

Girlfriend Collective is the ideal choice for those who want their purchases to reflect their values, offering top-tier sustainable activewear with an unmatched size range and a modern look.

Shop Girlfriend Collective: girlfriend.com

Outdoor Voices: The Approachable Everyday Activewear

Outdoor Voices centers its whole brand ethos on making movement joyful and part of everyday life, summed up in their tagline, "Doing Things." Their products are designed for versatility and comfort, easily transitioning from a walk in the park to coffee with friends. The aesthetic is playful and accessible, featuring bright, cheerful colors and relaxed silhouettes that appeal to those who favor function and fun over intense performance.

• Product mix: Versatile and comfortable essentials including leggings, shorts, tops, dresses, and jackets perfect for casual recreation and daily wear.
• Price point: Positioned in the affordable-to-mid-range bracket, with products generally between $40 to $120. Leggings are commonly around $95, with sports bras from $45-$55.
• Quality &, Materials: Uses durable and comfortable blends of nylon, polyester, and elastane. While not as focused on sustainability as their competitor, the quality is reliable for everyday use.
• Sizing/Fit: Offers inclusive sizing typically from XXS to XXL. Their fit tends to be more relaxed and comfort-focused, making it suitable for a wide range of body types and activities.
• Sustainability: While Outdoor Voices has made efforts to incorporate recycled materials into some collections, sustainability is not its primary selling point.
• Return policy: Offers returns of unworn and unwashed items with tags still attached within 45 days of purchase.

Outdoor Voices excels at creating fun, functional, and comfortable activewear for a broad audience who values practicality and a laid-back style for their daily activities.

Shop Outdoor Voices: outdoorvoices.com

Girlfriend Collective vs. Outdoor Voices Comparison

Price Comparison

While both brands operate in a similar price field, Girlfriend Collective often has a slightly higher perceived value due to its sustainable materials. For instance, their flagship leggings at $68 feel like an investment in eco-friendly technology. Outdoor Voices offers pieces at a similar, sometimes slightly higher, price point, like their popular leggings around $95, but their brand voice positions them as accessible and part of a casual lifestyle.

Both brands periodically hold sales, but Girlfriend Collective’s pricing is more directly tied to its premium, ethical production story. Outdoor Voices competes more on a pure apparel basis, focusing on wearability and style for the price.

Quality & Materials

The materials are a key differentiator. Girlfriend Collective is built on its commitment to recycled fabrics. Their leggings, made from 25 post-consumer water bottles, are famously soft yet compressive and durable. This transparency in sourcing and production is a massive part of their identity.

Outdoor Voices focuses on creating functional, long-lasting fabrics that prioritize comfort for everyday activities like walking or running errands. They use tried-and-true blends of nylon and elastane that are designed for movement. While they are increasing their use of recycled materials, their primary claim to quality is versatility and wash-and-wear durability, not the eco-origin story.

Style & Aesthetic

Girlfriend Collective’s style can be described as sleek, modern minimalism. They feature clean lines and simple silhouettes, often released in a range of vibrant, on-trend solid colors. The look is polished and can easily be styled for the gym or as part of a fashion-forward street outfit.

Outdoor Voices has a more playful and relaxed aesthetic. Their designs often feature a casual, approachable look with cheerful color palettes and a focus on comfort. Their style is less about performance-driven intensity and more about feeling good while being active in your daily life.

Fit & Sizing

When it comes to inclusive sizing, Girlfriend Collective is a clear standout, offering an extensive range from XXS to 6XL. Their fits are designed to be compressive and body-hugging, providing excellent support for workouts. Shoppers often comment on the secure, high-waisted feel of their leggings.

Outdoor Voices offers a respectable size range from XXS through XXL on many of its styles. Their sizing philosophy centers on comfort, with many pieces designed for a more relaxed fit. This makes their products very accommodating for different body types and perfect for low-impact activities where you don't want anything too restrictive.

Sustainability & Ethics

This is where Girlfriend Collective truly leads. Every facet of the brand, from fabric sourcing (recycled materials) to its SA8000-certified fair-labor factory, is built around sustainability and ethical oversight. Their packaging is also 100% recycled and recyclable, closing the loop on their eco-conscious mission.

Outdoor Voices is not an eco-focused brand at its core, but it is taking steps in a more sustainable direction. The company incorporates recycled fabrics in some of its key lines and is working on responsible manufacturing practices. However, this is more of an evolving initiative rather than their central brand pillar.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands make excellent activewear, but your personal priorities should guide your final decision.

Choose Girlfriend Collective if:

• Sustainability and ethical production are your primary concerns when shopping.
• You need or want a more inclusive size range, with options up to 6XL.
• You prefer a snug, compressive fit that offers support during workouts.
• Your personal style leans toward sleek, modern, and minimalist designs.

Choose Outdoor Voices if:

• Versatility and all-day comfort for casual activities are your main goals.
• You love a playful, relaxed aesthetic with accessible and fun color palettes.
• Your wardrobe is built on mix-and-match pieces for light exercises like walking, stretching, or running errands.
• You want functional, comfortable activewear from a brand with a strong community focus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Girlfriend Collective or Outdoor Voices more expensive?

Their prices are competitive and often fall in a similar mid-range bracket. While some individual items at Outdoor Voices can be more expensive (like their $95 leggings), Girlfriend Collective's pieces are priced to reflect their higher-cost sustainable and ethical production methods.

Which brand is more sustainable?

Girlfriend Collective is the clear winner here. Sustainability is the foundation of their entire business model, from using recycled materials to ensuring ethical manufacturing and eco-friendly packaging.

Which brand is better for high-intensity workouts?

Girlfriend Collective’s compressive and supportive fit generally makes it a better choice for high-impact activities like running and HIIT, as the fabric offers a secure, held-in feeling.

Which brand has better sizing?

Both brands offer inclusive sizing, but Girlfriend Collective has a more extensive range, going from XXS all the way up to 6XL. Outdoor Voices typically offers XXS to XXL, which is still a commendable range.

Do Girlfriend Collective leggings run true to size?

Yes, they are generally true to size, but remember they are designed with a compressive fit. If you are between sizes or prefer a less snug feel, you might consider sizing up. Always check their specific size chart.

What is Girlfriend Collective's material made of?

Their signature fabrics are made from post-consumer recycled materials. For example, their Compressive fabric is made from 79% recycled plastic bottles (RPET) and 21% spandex.

Do both brands have sales?

Yes, both Girlfriend Collective and Outdoor Voices run sales and promotions at different times throughout the year, making it possible to get their products at a discount.

Which brand is better for casual wear and daily errands?

Outdoor Voices excels in this area. Their focus on comfort, versatility, and a relaxed stylishness makes their clothing perfect for "doing things" all day, combining functionality with a casual aesthetic.