If you thought compression wearables were limited to butt-lifting leggings and recovery boots that are more function than fashion, think again. These days, the compression industry extends to socks useful for travel, a full-body lymphatic drainage catsuit (yes, really), and even de-bloat underwear that no one has to know you’ve got under your clothes.
This, in part, is thanks to Lauren Dovey’s brands Heat Healer and CEAN (pronounced “seen”) that were founded to fill a major gap in the market. “Compression-wear is finally evolving because wellness has evolved. It’s no longer just about what you eat or take. It’s about how you live, how you move, and, yes, what you wear and put on your skin every day,” Dovey tells Popsugar. “But the category was stuck. Everything was either clinical but ugly, or cute but totally ineffective.” Working side-by-side with manufacturers in the US, Dovey developed medical-grade, graduated compression that could be woven into garments crafted from over 70 percent plant-based yarn. It sounds like a tall order, but the designs she’s brought to the market actually benefit the body’s lymphatic, circulatory, and digestive systems — and I’ve tried many of them, so I can attest to their positive results.
Of course, Dovey’s products are not the only compression gear our editors have tried and loved, so whether you’re just interested in filling up your workout apparel drawer (aka you’ve got a thirst for leggings!) or you’re curious to dip your toe into new territory that could help you see major health benefits, I’ve outlined some of my favorite gear I’ve come across so far. As an athlete and shopping director, I promise I wouldn’t steer you in the wrong direction.
Experts Featured in This Article
Lauren Dovey is an entrepreneur and the founder of Heat Healer and CEAN.
