Sweaty Betty Brand Guide

The OD's Guide to Sweaty Betty

Empowering Women Through Movement Since 1998

Written by: Chris O'Dea, OD's Designer Clothing

Published: 15 October 2025 | Updated: 16 October 2025

Status: Canonical Authority — Women's Activewear & Lifestyle Performance

Version: 2.0 | Reading Time: 12 minutes

1 | Brand Overview — Where Performance Meets Confidence

Sweaty Betty is the original British female-first performance brand — founded in Notting Hill (1998) by Tamara and Simon Hill-Norton to prove that technical sportswear could be empowering, flattering, and designed for women's bodies rather than adapted men's templates.

Long before athleisure became a term, Sweaty Betty made leggings an everyday uniform — from studio to street — reframing movement as confidence, not competition.

At OD's, Sweaty Betty completes our performance-to-lifestyle arc: Saucony for motion, On Running for innovation, and Sweaty Betty for self-expression.

Category: Premium Women's Active & Lifestyle Performance

Core Collections: Power Leggings Zero Gravity Run Super Soft Yoga Explorer Travel Nimbus Outerwear

Price Position: Upper-mid to Premium (£70 – £400)

Competitors: Lululemon Alo Yoga Nike Women Premium Girlfriend Collective

OD's View: Sweaty Betty is engineered for real British life — drizzle, commutes, and multitasking — not Californian sunshine. It's luxury that moves.

2 | Heritage & Philosophy — The OG of Female-First Activewear

1998 – First Notting Hill boutique opens
2001 – Early e-commerce launch
2015 – Power Legging debuts → category benchmark
2019 – Sweaty Betty Foundation launched
2021 – Acquired by Wolverine World Wide (~ $410 m) but UK creative control retained
2025 – Insiders community and hybrid stores expand globally

Philosophy: Empowerment through movement Community over competition Conscious innovation Fashion meets function

Cultural Meaning: Before Lululemon hit the UK, Sweaty Betty normalised women wearing technical leggings in public — confidence redefined as strength.

3 | Craft & Technology — Performance with Purpose

Designed in London and tested across European labs on real bodies. Every fabric balances compression, comfort, and longevity.

Collection Highlights

  • Power Legging — 4-way sculpting stretch; sweat-wicking; squat-proof; hidden pockets.
  • Zero Gravity Run — Ultra-light Italian Lycra®; laser-cut; compression mapping; UV 40+.
  • Super Soft Yoga — Brushed modal blend; buttery texture for slow sessions & rest.
  • Explorer Travel — Crease-resistant technical jersey; multi-pocket utility.
  • Nimbus Outerwear — Recycled shell & insulation; wind & rain protection for UK climate.

Fabric Engineering

Fabric Function Responsibility
Power Stretch Polyamide Blend Sculpting compression Recycled content options
Italian Polyamide (Lycra®) Run-ready precision bluesign® certified
Modal & Bamboo Viscose Yoga softness Closed-loop processing
Recycled Polyester Outerwear shells Post-consumer sources
Organic Cotton Lifestyle sweats GOTS certified

Design Philosophy: Fit tested across XXS–XXL; graded compression zones; waistbands that stay put.

4 | Culture & Community — Confidence in Motion

Sweaty Betty's voice belongs to real women — trainers, artists, teachers, mothers.

Media: Vogue UK, Elle, Women's Health, Guardian, Forbes, BoF

Campaigns: #IAmASweatyBetty — unedited bodies and movement

Studios & Events: Yoga collabs, charity runs, community workshops

Foundation: Grants for girls aged 11-16 to build confidence through sport

OD's Observation: Where others sell aesthetics, Sweaty Betty sells confidence. It's activewear for real life, not the photoshoot.

5 | Fit & Sizing — Engineered for Every Body

Range XXS–XXL (UK 6–20) with petite / regular / tall options.

Compression Index: Power = High Zero Gravity = Medium-High Super Soft = Low.

UK Alpha Waist (cm) Hips (cm)
6 XXS 59 86
8 XS 64 91
10 S 69 96
12 M 74 101
14 L 79 106
16-18 XL 84 111
18-20 XXL 91 118

OD's Fit Guidance: Between sizes? Go up one; Power compression still sculpts. Petite (≤163 cm): 7/8 = full length. Outerwear true to size.

6 | Care & Aftercare — Preserve the Performance

Leggings & Bras: 30 °C gentle; inside-out; no softeners or dryer. Air-flat.

Outerwear (Nimbus): Technical detergent 30 °C; tumble low with dryer balls to reactivate DWR.

Yoga Knits: Cold wash; reshape damp; dry flat.

Storage: Fold waistbands; use Guppyfriend for microfibre control.

OD's Aftercare Tip: Heat kills elastane. If in doubt, air-dry.

7 | Responsibility — Conscious Movement

Planet: Recycled fibres across core ranges; renewable energy in UK ops; FSC packaging; circular pilots.

People: Female-majority team; equal-pay audits; inclusive design.

Foundation: Supports UK girls (11-16) to stay active & confident through schools & grants.

OD's Philosophy: Empowerment isn't branding — it's the business model.

8 | FAQs — Real Questions, Real Answers

Origin: Founded Notting Hill 1998 — UK HQ, ethical factories Europe & Asia.

See-through? No — every legging is squat-proof tested.

Longevity? 2-3 years regular wear if cared properly.

Sustainability? Progressive recycled content & impact reporting.

Men's range? No — female-first focus only.

9 | Why OD's × Sweaty Betty — Real Movement Meets Real Expertise

At OD's Designer Clothing, Sweaty Betty bridges performance and pleasure — kit you live in, not just train in.

Why Buy Through OD's

  • Authorized UK Retailer — direct distribution
  • Technical Fit Training — compression & inseam mapping
  • Integrated Curation — Power → Nimbus → Sandbanks layering
  • Aftercare Support — care products & repair guidance
  • Authenticity Guarantee — official supply only

OD's Statement: Sweaty Betty proves performancewear can be beautiful, ethical & built for real women — OD's makes it personal.