The organic cotton workout wardrobe I live in
If you’ve seen my gym outfits, you’ll know I live in Organic Basics. For a long time I felt I had to choose between workout clothes that looked the part and fabrics I was actually happy to put against my skin. If you’ve ever stood in front of your wardrobe thinking the same thing, I want you to know you don’t have to choose any more.
Organic Basics is the brand that made my natural-fibre workout wardrobe feel effortless: soft organic cotton, flattering shapes and colours I want to wear on repeat. I wear it to the gym, to Pilates, on travel days and for lounging at home, and I own far too many pieces in far too many colours.
This is my guide to the brand: what their certifications really mean, how the Flex and Core collections fit, every piece we have on Glowing Healthy and the ones I reach for most.
The sale prices come off automatically on the Organic Basics site, so there’s no code to enter. Our usual code can’t be added on top during the sale.
Affiliate links – we earn commission on purchases.
Jump to: Bras and bralettes · Tops · Bottoms · Layers · Socks and accessories · My favourites · Questions
Why I trust Organic Basics
Organic Basics was founded in Denmark and still designs everything in Copenhagen. It’s part of Delta Galil Industries and is still led by its co-founders, Mads Fibiger and Alexander Christiansen.[1]
In the brand’s own words: “At Organic Basics, we believe in comfort for all. Our everyday essentials and intimates are made to feel good, fit right, and keep up no matter where you’re headed.”[1] What I love is how that shows up in the colours too, from Marshmallow Pink and Lime to Seaweed and Deep Forest Green.
💖 Certified B Corp. The business is assessed on environmental, social and governance standards, Organic Basics says.[1]
💖 GOTS, OCS and GRS. Certifications for organic textiles, organic content and recycled materials. The brand notes that only products carrying the certification label are certified.[1]
💖 Life cycle data on every product. Organic Basics publishes the emissions, water use and land use for each product on its page.[1]
💖 1% for the Planet. The brand donates 1% of its annual sales to environmental organisations.[1]
💖 Named makers. Its Meet the Makers pages name the factories behind its products, from Egypt and India to Turkey and Indonesia.[2]
The whole Organic Basics range I love
Tap any piece to go straight to it at Organic Basics, where you can choose your colour and size.
Bras and bralettes
Soft, wire-free support for workouts, Pilates and everyday. These are the pieces I own in the most colours.
Tops
From a fitted tank that goes with everything to the corset tops I wear for the gym and for daytime outfits.
Bottoms
The shorts I have five pairs of, and the trousers I travel in.
Layers
For chilly mornings, the walk home from the gym and travel days.
Socks and accessories
Everyday essentials you don’t realise you needed until you try them.
Affiliate links – we earn commission on purchases.
My Organic Basics favourites
Flex Foldover Shorts: my number one
If I could only keep one Organic Basics piece, it would be these. The double-layered foldover waistband means you can wear them high or folded down, and the soft, stretchy organic cotton blend moves with me through every workout.
They’re just as lovely for a slow day at home. I pair them with the Flex Tube Top, the Flex Bralette or a simple tank.
“These are my absolute go-to for workouts. I have 5 pairs!!! I love the flattering waistband and how you can wear them high or folded down. SOOOO comfy too.” - Georgie x
Core Icon Corset Top: a confidence boost
This is the piece I put on when I want to feel a little more dressed without giving up softness. It has a corset-style silhouette with darts for shape and gentle support, and no wiring at all.
Marshmallow Pink and Vibrant Red are the colours that make me smile the moment I open the drawer, and it works just as well for the gym as it does with jeans.
“This top is such a confidence boost. It hugs in all the right places, gives a lovely shape without any uncomfortable wiring, and still feels super soft and breathable. I love wearing to the gym for an organic ’ALO’ vibe and also for pretty cute daytime outfits.” - Georgie x
Flex Bralette: the bra I wear for every workout
A soft scoop-neck bralette with light support, made for low-impact workouts and everyday wear. It comes in so many colours that it’s easy to build a whole rainbow of them.
If you prefer a racerback, the Easy Tank Bra is the one, and for a minimal look the Core Triangle Bralette is lovely for Pilates and lounging.
“I wear this bra for all of my workouts, I’ve got it in so many colours.” - Georgie x
Core Straight Leg Pants: gym, travel and home
High-waisted with a relaxed straight leg, these are the trousers I wear to the gym, on the plane, shopping and on cosy evenings at home.
Pair them with the Core Rib Tank and the Weekend Crop Zip and you have the comfiest airport outfit.
“These are my go-to for a comfy and stylish non-toxic outfit not just for the gym, but for travel, shopping and relaxing at home.” - Georgie x
Weekend Crop Zip: my favourite layer
A cosy cropped zip hoodie in organic cotton with a brushed interior. It’s the layer I throw on for chilly mornings, the walk home from the gym and travel days.
Strawberry and Light Lemon are my favourite colours, but there’s a shade for every wardrobe.
“It’s soft, flattering, and the cropped fit makes it super cute for going to the gym, the airport or casual days out.” - Georgie x
Affiliate links – we earn commission on purchases.
The collections, and how they fit
💖 Flex. Soft, stretchy organic cotton with elastane. Body-hugging, flattering and the collection I wear most for the gym.
💖 Core. The everyday collection, made with a high share of organic cotton: tanks, corsets, bralettes, trousers and socks.
💖 Fit. Most pieces have a close, body-hugging fit. If you prefer a little less squeeze, check the size guide and reviews on each product page.
How I style it
💖 Gym. Core Icon Corset Top with Flex Foldover Shorts.
💖 Pilates. Core Triangle Bralette with Core Straight Leg Pants.
💖 Airport. Core Rib Tank, Straight Leg Pants and the Weekend Crop Zip.
💖 Lounging. Flex Bralette and Foldover Shorts, with cosy socks.
Caring for organic cotton
💖 Wash cool. Wash at 30°C, inside out, with similar colours.
💖 Go gentle. Use a gentle detergent and skip fabric softener, which can coat the fibres.
💖 Line dry. Line dry where you can; it’s kinder to the fabric and saves energy.
💖 Reshape. Reshape stretchy pieces while damp so they keep their fit.
Delivery and returns
💖 Delivery to the UK. Organic Basics says orders are sent within 1 to 2 working days from its warehouse in Denmark, with shipping calculated at checkout.[3]
💖 Returns. Organic Basics offers 30-day returns, extended during the festive season. Check the latest details in the returns policy before you order.[4]
Why organic cotton for workouts?
Most of the pieces I wear are mostly organic cotton with a little elastane for stretch. Cotton feels breathable and soft against the skin, and research has found that washing synthetic clothes releases microplastic fibres, so choosing plant fibres over polyester is one small way to reduce them.[5]
I call it my natural-fibre workout wardrobe, but to be precise, it’s a wardrobe that’s mostly organic cotton with small amounts of stretch fibre. Check each product page for the exact composition.
What I’d buy first
If you’re new to Organic Basics, I’d start with a pair of Flex Foldover Shorts and a Core Icon Corset Top or Flex Bralette in a colour you love. That one outfit will tell you everything about the fit and feel. From there, add a Core Rib Tank and the Straight Leg Pants, and you have a capsule that works for the gym, the school run and travel.
The sale is a lovely time to try a couple of colours, but please only buy what you’ll truly wear. The most sustainable piece is the one you wear again and again.
Your questions, answered
Do I buy from Glowing Healthy?
No. You buy directly from Organic Basics. Every Shop button on this page takes you straight there.
Do I need a code for the sale?
No. Sale prices come off automatically on the Organic Basics site. Our usual code doesn’t combine with sale prices.
Is it 100% organic cotton?
Not every piece. Most of the pieces I wear are mostly organic cotton with elastane, and the brand also uses TENCEL Lyocell and recycled nylon. Check each product page for the exact composition.[1]
Is Organic Basics a B Corp?
Yes, Organic Basics says it is a certified B Corp.[1]
Where is it made?
It’s designed in Copenhagen and made in partner factories that Organic Basics names on its Meet the Makers pages.[1][2]
Affiliate links – we earn commission on purchases.
Sources:
[1] Organic Basics, Our story.
[2] Organic Basics, Meet the Makers.
[3] Organic Basics, Shipping policy.
[4] Organic Basics, Refund policy.
[5] De Falco F et al., Scientific Reports, The contribution of washing processes of synthetic clothes to microplastic pollution.
Looking for something else? Browse all the brands I stock, A–Z
