In the quest to create and support a healthy, active community that welcomes and benefits women and girls, Athleta is constantly improving their clothing line to meet the distinct needs of their customers.
Stressing the significance of movement, the company believes an active body has a healing effect on the mind and soul that’s empowering.
This is why it was important for the brand to answer the call for a sports bra that satisfies the specific concerns of active, breast cancer warriors.
By investing in the kind of technology that results in performance products truly in tune with the female body, Athleta’s post-mastectomy line includes the Athleta Empower Bra and Empower Pads demonstrate their unending commitment to uplifting all women.
History
The first Athleta Empower Bra was launched in October 2017 as a specially designed sports bra for women who have had a mastectomy.
The design and merchandise teams at Athleta worked for over a year to develop a more accommodating option for breast cancer fighters that not only fit comfortably, but also exuded confidence and looked just as fabulous.
How it Works
The Athelta Empower Bra has fully adjustable straps and removable cups that help create a custom fit; the bra blends comfort with fashionable functionality.
Its overall construction and special features address unique concerns, such as changing breast size due to post-surgery swelling and the protection of healing incisions.
Response to the first Empower Bra was overwhelmingly positive and prompted a lot of constructive, crowd-sourced feedback, which encouraged Athleta to expand the possibilities of their mastectomy-friendly bra line.
Design Improvements
The new, 2.0 version of the Empower Bra exchanges a racerback style with a two-strap, yoga-inspired design that aims to specifically ease the discomfort generally felt by women recovering from lymph node transfer surgery.
Empower Pads
To remedy the heft and agitation often associated with medical prosthetics (especially during physical activity), Athleta also offers a more lightweight alternative with their Empower Pads.
Empower Pads are specially designed inserts that provide support and accommodate the Lotus Pose, treadmill-induced sweat, kickboxing class, triathlons, and even everyday wear.
Available in a range of sizes, the $10 pad inserts wick away sweat and are washable.
Options
Athleta has also expanded the insert pocket in many of their sports bras, which increases the number of styles and features a woman wearing prosthetics, may consider.
Empower Pad-friendly options include:
- Athleta’s Run Free Bra line with asymmetrical straps that draw attention to the back,
- The floral and botanical prints of the Hyper Focused Bra.
Where to Buy
We recommend you buy the Athleta Empower Bra as a Giving Assistant signed in shopper to be able to earn additional cash back from Athleta purchases that you can donate to a breast cancer nonprofit of your choice.
In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness month, those who buy an Athleta Empower Bra through Giving Assistant can earn the highest Athleta cash back we can offer. This cash back earned can then go towards a 1% to 100% cash back donation to a breast cancer nonprofit of your choice.
A few breast cancer non-profits to consider include:
- Keep a Breast,
- Mothers Supporting Daughters with Breast Cancer,
- First Descents,
- Breast Treatment Task Force based in NYC.
How Athleta Gives Back
Athleta does not just stop at helping to empower others through their post-mastectomy line.
Certified B Corp
The Athleta brand is also part of a unique community of business leaders holding the B Corp designation, just like us at Giving Assistant.
Certified B Corporations run their operations for the good of the people and planet.
B Corps establish business practices and make decisions that thoughtfully take into consideration the global impact their company will have on the environment, suppliers, workers and their customers.
Saving Water
In addition to embracing water-saving techniques, 40% of fabrics used by Athleta to craft their clothing are made with sustainable fibers.
Recycle Packaging
The company also diverts 70% of their store packaging waste from landfills.
Athleta’s P.A.C.E. program
Additionally, more than 2,500 workers have been empowered through fair trade and Athleta’s P.A.C.E. program, which provides women employed in their factories with the chance to develop their life skills; gain access to advanced education; and improve their financial security.
Summary
The Athleta Empower Bra and pads are a good choice for a women in need of a mastectomy sports bra.
Feel good as a shopper that you can earn cash back, support a B Corp business, and donate to a good cause all at the same time – it’s a win-win-win for everyone.