prAna –
it’s a lifestyle…

A month or so ago, prAna reached out to lifestyle bloggers and influencers asking for product reviews. Instantly, I was intrigued after seeing their stylish collection in the gift shop while on a visit to Kripalu in January, so I added my name to the list. Then, I remembered listening to eco-designer Jeff Garner speak about sustainable clothing at the NYC Green Festival last summer where

he shared some dirty secrets of the clothing industry. It totally blew my mind to find out that conventionally grown cotton consumes 25% of the insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides used in the world.

prAna uses organic cotton, recycled wool, hemp, recycled polyester, and responsible down – for me, that translates into clothing I can feel good about wearing. They’re one of the first major clothing companies to offer Fair Trade Certified™ products and are a member of the Fair Labor Association. And, prAna remains committed to their polybag reduction initiative – eliminating 10.6 million+ polybags from landfills from 2011-2016. 79% of their products are shipped without the use of polybags – my yoga pants arrived rolled and tied with raffia ribbon (no bag); the sweater was in a bag but it needed it (too delicate and off white).

Since I have the luxury and privilege to work from home, my days are spent in yoga pants, comfy tops and thick socks. At any given moment, I’m ready for a downward dog or a conference call 😉 So, when asked to choose two items from prAna’s extensive clothing line, I decided on the Chetan Capri (53% hemp, 42% organic cotton, 5% spandex) and the Liana Sweater (55% hemp, 45% organic cotton).

Both are extremely comfortable and I’m pretty sure I found my new favorite yoga pants (they even have a little pouch pocket sewn into the waistband – great for some cash or a card). While the sweater is completely different than anything I’d be inclined to purchase, it’s a stylish top perfect for late spring and summer – to be worn with yoga pants, jeans or shorts. The combination of the two looks stylish and is the perfect outfit for traveling or running Sunday errands after a yoga class. I’ll be packing both for our visit to the Omega Institute in May.

Size-wise, I’m usually a small on top, medium bottoms. After reading some of the reviews, I opted for a medium in both. They fit perfect – a small may have worked but I’m not sure. So, before you decide on a size, check out what people are saying in regards to fit. That said, prAna states, “If for any reason, you do not love your prAna purchase, you may return it for a full refund, credit, or exchange.” Always a good deal when a business stands behind what they sell.

While I aspire to dress in organic cotton, hemp, bamboo – or anything sustainable for that matter, it’s easier said than done. Sustainable fashion comes with a price tag and a necessary shift in mindset – clothing becomes more of an investment. It’s about finding pieces you’ll wear again and again. For me, it’s an investment in my health (especially since I avoid chemicals in all other aspects of my existence) and I’m happy to support a sustainable company going the extra mile.

Overall, I would definitely recommend prAna – I like the company, what they stand for and their clothing line is stylish and comfortable – a triple win. Check out their Spring catalog and use the code ”ib4pDG” to get 15% off your order (expires April 20, 2017).

5 Reasons to Consider Sustainable Clothing*

1. Today’s clothing industry is a 7 trillion dollar a year industry that uses an astounding 8,000 synthetic chemicals.
2. Your skin is the largest organ of elimination and absorption – what goes on the skin, goes in the body.
3. Toxins absorbed through the skin are taken up by the lymphatic system, eventually entering into the blood stream and liver.
4. Petrochemical fibers restrict and suffocate your skin – shutting down toxic release rather than allowing it to escape.
5. The more synthetic clothing you wear, the higher the risk of absorbing toxic chemicals.

*Source: Gloria Gilbere, Dahom, PHD

Please note, this review is based solely on my opinion. Natural Contents was not paid to write this review but we did receive the clothing free of charge.