Pura Vida Review: How Good Is This Colourful Czech Clothing Brand?

Pura Vida is probably the most colourful Czech clothing brand out there — but some of their pieces will win over even minimalists like me. I’ve been testing their Little Prince sweatshirt for the past four months, and it’s travelled with me through Czechia, Spain, and Portugal. This Pura Vida review is the result of that real-world testing.

In this Pura Vida review, you’ll find out how the sweatshirt held up after more than 20 wash cycles and how it performed during cliff walks along the coast. We’ll look at what makes Pura Vida so special, what you should know about the brand, and what catches your eye from the very first glance.

What You Should Know About the Pura Vida Brand

The Pura Vida brand was born in Brno, Czech Republic, in 2015, and it’s a living example of how quickly a brilliant idea can grow into a sizeable business with a deep social impact.

The founder of Pura Vida is Petruccya, a talented illustrator, painter, and interior designer. Together with her team, she brought to life a brand that stands out not only for its originality and quality but also for its sustainability and social responsibility.

From the very first design to the current collection, Pura Vida focuses on well-cut, colourful pieces with original designs. They offer clothing that lifts your mood just by looking at it — and boosts your confidence when you wear it, thanks to flattering, well-fitting cuts.

The designs are the work of artists from around the world, including Petruccya herself, who creates most of the popular leggings patterns. Every piece of clothing is unique, and most are produced in limited editions and quantities.

In the early days, Pura Vida was just a small project — a handful of leggings and sweatshirts sold through Petruccya’s website. But it quickly became a favourite among women looking for a bold, unique style. The first full collection launched in 2016, and the brand has been growing ever since. ☺️

Pura Vida Meaning: What Does It Stand For?

The phrase “Pura Vida” is a Spanish expression that originates from Costa Rica. The literal pura vida definition is “pure life” or “simple life,” but in Costa Rican culture, it carries a much deeper meaning. For the people of Costa Rica, Pura Vida is a life philosophy reflecting an optimistic, happy approach to life — embracing it as it comes and celebrating it in all its fullness and beauty.

The expression is used in countless contexts — as a greeting, to express gratitude, to say everything’s alright, or even to convey happiness and contentment.

In the context of this clothing brand, the term “Pura Vida” reflects their philosophy and values: joy, optimism, originality, and ethical production.

What I Love About Pura Vida

I personally love supporting independent clothing brands, but sometimes the quality or ethical standards can be a letdown. Thankfully, that’s not the case with Pura Vida! Here’s what stands out about this brand:

• Gorgeous design,
• incredibly colourful pieces,
• well-cut and beautifully fitting styles,
• suitable for all body types,
• a proudly Czech brand,
• everything sewn in the Czech Republic,
• high-quality materials and precise craftsmanship.

Is Pura Vida Good Quality? My Testing Results

I didn’t want to write this review until I’d washed the Pura Vida sweatshirt at least 20 times. That’s a fair amount of wear and tear — enough to reveal whether anything happens to the colours.

Material Comfort

Pura Vida leans more towards sporty clothing. The Little Prince sweatshirt itself is made from 20% elastane and 80% polyester. On the Pura Vida website, they claim it’s made from the highest-quality material they could find on the market — and based on my experience below, I’d say that’s probably true.

The inside has a soft, brushed lining, which means the Little Prince sweatshirt is surprisingly warm without being bulky — and that’s a real bonus. I wore it during October and November while hiking along the cliffs in Portugal, and at times I was genuinely too warm! Not something I expected from such a lightweight sweatshirt. 😀

How Well the Colours Hold Up After Washing

I can say with confidence that, even though it’s a black sweatshirt, the colours don’t bleed. They remain vibrant and show no signs of fading. I always worry that when white and black are combined, the white will turn greyish after just a few washes. That didn’t happen here. ☺️

Seam and Stitching Quality

You can often judge the quality of clothing by its seams. In this case, they’re beautifully straight and even after 20 washes, the sweatshirt still holds its shape and looks just as good as the day it arrived at my doorstep.

Design

I tend to prefer minimalist patterns, and my wardrobe is definitely not as colourful as Pura Vida’s range. That’s exactly why I chose the black Little Prince sweatshirt — and I fell in love with it. I wore it practically every day through October and November in Portugal and Spain.

The pattern design is inspired by the beloved book The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and it was created by Brno-based artist Petruccya.

Final Verdict

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth investing in the Czech brand Pura Vida — whether for yourself or as a gift — the answer is a definite yes. Not only do you get an original design for your money, but the materials are exceptionally high quality and the colours remain vivid even after 20+ washes. Plus, you’ll be supporting skilled Czech seamstresses!