Our honest review of MATE the Label: What to buy and what to skip

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Since its inception in 2013, MATE the Label has been determined to shake up the traditional clothing industry, which is rife with fast-fashion, questionable manufacturing processes, and non-eco-friendly materials.

In addition to ethically manufacturing its garments locally in Los Angeles, MATE uses organic cotton and low-impact, non-toxic dyes. Organic cotton uses 87% less water than conventionally grown cotton, and it also cuts greenhouse gas emissions by nearly half. The garments themselves are shipped in 100% recycled materials.

Today, MATE has a robust selection of "clean essentials" that range from ultra-comfortable loungewear to chic jumpsuits. The color spectrum has an array of rich and soft neutrals and the sizes range from XS to 3X. Prices are on the higher end at $68 to $188 per item, but when you're buying locally-made garments that prioritize quality and sustainability above all, that's to be expected.

MATE sent me an assortment of the most popular styles to test, and you'll find my reviews for each piece below. My favorite item was the Raglan sweatshirt, but I was also impressed with the activewear.

What I tried from MATE the Label

Organic Terry Raglan Sweatshirt

How it fits: True to size. If you like a looser fit then I'd recommend sizing up.

This is my favorite piece from MATE that I tried. It's ridiculously comfy and I love that it doesn't feel bulky or too weighty. It's perfect for transitional weather, especially here in Arizona where it can be in the 40s in the morning and in the 80s by mid-afternoon. I also like that it feels casual and chic at the same time. I've worn it with some leggings and a sports bra during a chilly evening yoga class, and I've worn it with jeans and some cute flats and gold jewelry to spruce it up during the day. 

Organic Terry Classic Jogger

How it fits: I found that they fit a little bit on the small side, so I'd size up if you want some extra room.

I've never really been much of a jogger-wearer, so I was eager to see how I liked these pants. For my body shape, I found them to be somewhat unflattering, but I cannot deny how comfortable they are. I like that the legs have a tapered elastic piece around the ankle (I'm a shortie who often has to deal with excess fabric at the end of my pants) and the drawstring waist gives you some flexibility as well. Though the deep pockets are awesome, you can see the material through the outer layer of the pants, so it looks a bit odd. (This could be more of a sizing issue.) I can see myself wearing these mostly around the house or perhaps when doing some low-key errands.

MOVE by MATE Organic Stretch Legging

How it fits: True to size.

I'll start by saying that I'm very picky about my leggings. My exercises of choice are HIIT, yoga, barre, and running, and all of those require max flexibility and thicker material you can't see through. While these leggings are very comfortable and flattering to my figure, they're just not quite up to par in terms of a true workout legging. They're not as see-through as some I've tried, but when you bend over the fabric stretches a bit too much and allows some skin/underwear to ever-so-slightly peek through. I'm also a sucker for a pocket, especially for running, and these are without. That said, they do move with your body and I love the high waistline. I think they're perfect for that athleisure look while errand-running, and they're awesome for taking care of chores around the house or even at-home workouts. 

MOVE by MATE Organic Stretch Biker Short

How it fits: True to size.

These are nearly identical to the leggings, only they hit mid-thigh instead of at the ankle. I have all the same comments for these as I do for the leggings. They're very comfortable, they move with your body, and they don't shift around while you're wearing them. They do have the same sort of slightly see-through fabric, but if you're on a bike then that's not as big of a deal since your bum is covered the entire time. Since they're so comfortable, I can see myself wearing these underneath dresses and skirts to prevent thigh-rubbing! 

MOVE by MATE Organic Stretch Sports Bra

Again, bear in mind that I am highly picky about my workout apparel. With that said, this sports bra is going to get a hard no from me. Because of my bust size, I need a high-impact sports bra with every bit of no-bounce technology available on the market. (To give you an indication of my pickiness, I've tried hundreds over the years and have found maybe three or four that I like.) This sports bra has a comfortable Y-shaped racerback, but it doesn't allow for any adjustments in the strap or band to personalize the fit. I personally had zero support while wearing it and would not even wear it to a stretch session. I can see it working as an at-home lounge bra since it's wire-free, though, and if you're not worried about support then it would be a great option for you. The bra is available in sizes XS to 3X.

The bottom line

I'm a huge proponent of any brand that's doing good things for the environment and humans. As with any brand, there are always going to be items you love and items you'll pass on. I would absolutely purchase additional items from the brand, including the boxy tee and raglan sweatshirt. If you're seeking comfortable and environmentally friendly essentials then check out MATE's collection.