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Summary: As someone who works from home and leads an active lifestyle, I want a wardrobe that keeps up with the many facets of my day without compromising safe materials, comfort, or style. I tested seven everyday staples from MATE and came away with a capsule wardrobe made from natural fibers. From working from home to running errands to exercising, winding down, and sleeping, these pieces are comfy and chic, and seamlessly carry me through a whole 24 hours — or more!
What I Love:
- Versatile styles: A range of pieces in activewear, loungewear, and sleepwear — MATE has a piece for every step in your daily routine.
- Made of natural fibers: Many of their items are made of 100% organic cotton, and even the activewear, which needs a bit of spandex to provide stretch, is made of 92% cotton.
- Chic silhouettes: The fit and cut of their pieces are so incredibly flattering. No embarrassment heading out of the house in a sweat-set anymore!
- PFAS-free: Every piece by MATE is made from nontoxic dyes, so your skin can breathe and detox safely.
- Comfortable & cozy: Not just chic, but also incredibly comfortable! Every piece I tried I’d happily wear to cuddle on the couch for hours.
Things to Note:
- Cost: MATE is at a premium price point, but well worth the investment if it fits in your budget.
- Sizing: Sizing is close to true to size! Some items were just right, some I sized down, and some I sized up. Sizing is personal, so see my notes to adjust to how you might want a piece to fit on you!
- Picks up lint & pet hair: The soft organic cotton easily picks up lint and hair, especially in darker colors.
For the past several years, I’ve slowly been transitioning my closet around a top priority: Ditching synthetic-heavy pieces for 100% natural fibers. Like many consumers, I learned about the damage synthetic materials can cause to our bodies and the harm they cause to the environment when produced, and I knew that I wanted to make a change! I stepped back from fast-fashion brands and opted to invest in pieces of quality meant to last, whether I sourced them through hours of thrift store digging or from brands with high quality and environmental standards.
It’s been pretty easy to find button-up shirts, sweaters, dresses, and tees made with natural fibers, but everyday, casual clothes like activewear, loungewear, and pajamas have been particularly difficult! These types of clothing typically use a high percentage of synthetic materials like nylon and polyester and don’t quite fit my taste and how I want to dress.
But since many of us are no longer dressing up for a traditional nine-to-five office routine, I think these everyday essentials require way more attention. We are juggling a multitude of responsibilities from the comforts of our homes, including careers, caretaking, exercise, meeting up with friends, and rest — to name a few. Our closets are no longer primarily suits, dresses, and business attire, but everyday items that fit the many facets of a layered lifestyle.
“Since many of us are no longer dressing up for a traditional nine-to-five office routine, I think these everyday essentials require way more attention.”
So when MATE the Label reached out to share a full day’s wardrobe with me, I was instantly in! The brand is keeping up with the evolution of lifestyle and crafting everyday pieces that are not only made primarily of natural and organic fibers, but are designed to be polished, functional, and flattering. I spent 24 hours++ wearing their pieces through various rhythms of my routine, paying attention and noting comfort, fit, style, and more! Below are my notes on the brand and my review of each piece that I tried.
About MATE the Label
MATE has been a pioneer in the organic and sustainable fashion space since its commitment to better-for-you materials in 2018. The brand is passionate about creating clean loungewear, activewear, and everyday essentials, predominantly made from organic cotton and nontoxic materials.
“The brand is passionate about creating clean loungewear, activewear, and everyday essentials.”
MATE is a women-founded and women-run brand, focusing on creating healthy and functional essentials for every woman, with a size range from XS–3X.
The brand holds Climate Neutral, GOTS, and B Corp certifications that highlight its rigorous dedication to social and environmental impact. With MATE, you can always be certain you’re getting a piece that is safe and sustainably made– which is extra important when you’re living, sleeping, moving, and sweating in it. They’ve designed a versatile range of pieces so that you can build an entire wardrobe made of natural fibers!
Shipping & unboxing
My MATE wardrobe arrived in a single cardboard box with each item wrapped in recyclable paper bags. No plastic in sight! Each item was folded nicely with heavyweight tags attached by a safety pin instead of a plastic fastener (which often causes tears or small holes in fabric when removed).
“No plastic in sight!”
The pieces were soft at first touch, and I was immediately drawn to the waffle sweatshirt and sweatpant set for its gorgeous texture, weight, and feel — more on that below!
My Review of MATE’s natural fiber wardrobe
For reference, I’m 5’7” and 138 lbs. I typically wear a 32C in bras, size small in tops, and a medium/28/6 in bottoms. I’m pear-shaped, and I carry most of my weight in my hips and butt.
Organic Stretch Full Length Legging, Jet Black, S | $98
I paired these leggings with the Scoop Bra (below)! The pants are made with 92% organic cotton and 8% spandex — an incredibly high organic cotton percentage for leggings! I typically wear Lululemon leggings for the performance, which are made of nylon and elastane with no natural fibers in sight. I had no idea it was possible to find leggings made of mostly organic natural fibers while still offering the stretch and versatility we need to support lounging and movement at the same time.
“I had no idea it was possible to find leggings made of mostly organic natural fibers while still offering the stretch and versatility we need.”
I’d consider these leggings mid-weight and best for movement with medium levels of sweating. I tested them on walks in my neighborhood and wrangling furniture and boxes into a new house (I moved during this review, so was really able to put this set to the test!). They felt really nice for walks, semi-challenging hikes, low-impact exercise, running errands, and cozying up on the couch, but I won’t wear them to a hot power yoga class where I typically sweat buckets. They feel a bit too heavy for that.
“The feel of the material is soft, but not slippery-buttery like leggings made from synthetic materials.”
The weight of the fabric holds everything in and smooths over the juicier parts of me, which I love! The feel of the material is soft, but not slippery-buttery like leggings made from synthetic materials. You can tell it’s made of natural fibers. There’s a tiny bit of extra fabric in the crotch area, which prevents a camel toe. Since I have a larger backside and a smaller waist, I’m always surprised when pants fit me really well in a size small. A medium would’ve been a bit too large for me in the waist, but may have been less tight in the thighs and butt. I think size small was the perfect choice for my body!
The leggings and bra attracted lint and cat hair, so I found myself using a lint roller each time I left the house. This didn’t bug me too much since I’m used to that dance of having pets, but something to note!
If you’re looking for a full review of MATE’s activewear line, see our editor review here.
Organic Stretch Scoop Bra, Jet Black, S | $58
This bra has moved to the top of my collection! I love the fit of the scoop bra. One of my biggest bra pet peeves is when the strap digs into my skin at the shoulder and armpit. This bra scoops low enough so that there is no digging into my skin, and the adjustable straps make it easy to adjust to any body or preference!
“This bra has moved to the top of my collection!”
Just like the leggings, this bra is made of 92% organic cotton and 8% spandex. I’m truly so impressed that activewear can be made out of mostly natural fibers. Though this bra is the same weight as the leggings, I feel comfortable wearing it during any level of exercise since it’s lower in coverage, but still mega-supportive. It holds my ladies in tight, while still giving me a feminine look with the low scoop neckline. My ladies are small, so if you have larger ones, this bra may be best suited for low-impact movement.
I will definitely be wearing it to my hot power yoga classes, and I’m already layering it with my everyday outfits and exercise alike.
Organic Waffle Collared Half-Zip Sweatshirt, Heather Oat, S | $158
I’m living in this sweatshirt and sweatpant (below) set! The waffle texture elevates the pieces so that they are not only functional and comfortable, they’re also chic! I don’t typically wear my sweatshirt and sweatpants in public, but I have with this set. I add my leather loafers and a fun accessory to achieve a polished and me look.
“The waffle texture elevates the pieces so that they are not only functional and comfortable, they’re also chic!”
The sweatshirt is made from 100% organic cotton and is heavyweight. I find it super cozy, though not soft like a fleece sweatpant might be. I tried the sweatshirt in both a small and medium, but preferred it in a small for a more tailored look. If I’m adding a collared button-up underneath, I’d wear the medium.
I love the zipper closure on the neck, which lends to a bit more elevated look, however the zipper can be uncomfortable if you’re wearing the sweatshirt for napping on the couch. I would opt for the crewneck if you’re doing more lounging than out-and-about in it.
Organic Waffle Sweatpant, Heather Oat, S | $148
These sweatpants! Again, 100% organic cotton and so incredibly cozy. The waffle texture and fabric weight smooths out my soft spots (i.e., thighs and booty), and I love the interior drawcord so that the strings are not hanging out in the front of the pants. There are pockets (a must!) so I can carry my phone and keys, and the ankle cuffs make for a flattering silhouette.
“I love the interior drawcord so that the strings are not hanging out in the front of the pants.”
I found the fabric to be substantial, but not too hot. The waffle texture naturally lends to a more breathable feeling. The backside of the pants are not tight and offer plenty of room to move. I opted for a size small. I also found that the waffle fabric and Oatmeal colorway pick up less lint and pet hair — a little bonus!
I can’t believe I can wear sweatpants out of the house now! The waffle set is a game changer in my routine — it’s what I leave the house in to run errands and meet up with friends for coffee!
Organic Pima Long Sleeve Tee, Mocha, S | $78
This long sleeve is perfect for cool mornings, cold months, and easy layering! It’s made with 100% Regenerative Organic Certified® pima cotton, which means you get a silkier feeling than other cottons and a longer lifespan with less pilling.
“You get a silkier feeling than other cottons and a longer lifespan with less pilling.”
I can easily feel the difference between this long sleeve and a long sleeve from Target. The Pima Long Sleeve Tee is buttery soft and mid-weight, and there’s a slight stretch to the fabric. I love the shape of it — it has a boxy fit around the torso and the sleeves are loose. I wear this over a sports bra when I make my way to the yoga studio, layer it under my coat or sweater for hiking, or simply wear it with jeans or trousers for everyday errands.
I ordered mine in a small, but next time I’d size up to a medium for a looser fit.
Tencel Sleep Set, Balsam, M | $188
I cannot get enough of this set. Not only have I been sleeping in it every night since opening the package, I’ve also been wearing it to work from home (you know, the days when I have no video meetings on the calendar). It is incredibly soft and almost feels like I’m wearing nothing.
I typically sleep in just underwear because I can’t stand the feeling of being trapped and caught up in my clothes while sleeping, but I haven’t gotten this feeling while wearing this sleep set! It adds a layer of warmth to my sleep as the nights get cooler, the stretch of the fabric keeps me from waking up tangled in fabric, and the softness feels like a second skin.
“The design details are impeccable. I love the pinstripe on the legs and pocket, the tiny buttons.”
The design details are impeccable. I love the pinstripe on the legs and pocket, the tiny buttons on the front shirt and the crotch of the pants, and the boxer label detailing on the waistband.
The set is made from 70% TENCEL™ Lyocell, which is a cellulose fiber made from natural wood pulp, and 30% organic cotton. I love that I now have sleepwear to end the day wearing natural fiber too!
I opted for a size medium, which fit comfortably; my only note is that I expected the arms to be longer. I could probably size up to a large because the pants are elastic.
So, is MATE worth it?
It’s important to note that MATE’s items have a premium price point — these are not your $30 Target sweatpants!
“You can feel and see the quality.”
Though prices are high, I do think MATE’s pieces are worth the investment. You can feel and see the quality. I haven’t found casual wardrobe pieces made of natural fibers this chic anywhere else!
I am so happy that MATE is now part of my wardrobe, and I have a staple for each moment in my daily routine.
THIS STORY IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FRIENDS AT MATE
Stevie Rozean is a writer and wedding planner based in Joshua Tree, California. She has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and writes about her pursuit of a creative life on her Substack, Mixed Multitudes. In her free time you can find her sketching with her friends at art club, curating her home through flea market finds, and exploring the desert.
The post Can You Build A Wardrobe Around Natural Fibers? I Tried MATE The Label appeared first on The Good Trade.
