15 ethical & sustainable underwear brands for conscious comfort

Nov 15, 2021 | All Articles, Underwear

EcoWatch estimates that the clothing industry may be one of the world’s most polluting and environmentally damaging industries.

As a result, the hunt for organic clothing and eco-friendly underwear continues to rise.

So too are sustainable underwear brands.

Nowadays, women’s ethical underwear companies should be dedicated to ethical production, the use of sustainable materials, and best practices in production to minimise waste.

In this post, you’ll find a list of some of the sustainable underwear brands leading the way in this field.

We’ll explore which recycled materials the brands use, whether or not they are fairtrade certified and what makes them eco-friendly.

All of these companies are doing their part to counteract the damage that clothing production can have on the environment.

By shopping with them, you can play a role in this process too. 

Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective is a sustainable lingerie company that produces sustainable, well-made intimates in bright colours, all without the use of any animal byproducts or harmful chemicals.

Their products are made with sustainable or recyclable materials, sustainable energy sources, and eco-friendly packaging/waste management.

Girlfriend Collective offers 10% off for first-time customers to support their mission to create sustainable industry standards.

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Girlfriend Collective is known for introducing popular athleisure but has been expanded for Bras and Undies.

The company currently resides in Taiwan and Vietnam and has a take-back program for $18–$28 per pair.

We love how thoughtful Girlfriend is concerning the minor details, from squat-proof underwear straps to inclusive XL sizing.

The label promotes sustainable, ethical & environmentally conscious manufacturing in Vietnam & Taiwan.

Organic Basics

Organic Basics is another underwear brand we love.

They are eco-friendly through their manufacturing methods. They use sustainable fibers, sustainable dye process, sustainable packaging, ethical transportation and adhere to a recycling program.

Organic Basics underwear has also been made to feel comfortable on your skin.

The material used consists of bamboo, making it breathable so it won’t get too hot while you sleep.

It also has a natural antibacterial quality that can help fight skin irritation or yeast infections.

Cosabella

Cosabella is proud of its sustainable underwear range.

They are one of the brands that has made an effort to be sustainable and have published a list of the sustainable materials they use on the website.

These include organic cotton, modal, and recycled polyester.

The Cosabella company also does its best to reduce the impact on the environment by reducing packaging and making sure that the fabrics are sourced responsibly.

This is done by ensuring that there is no child or slave labor involvement in fabric production.

You’d expect this to be a prerequisite in 2022. Alas, it is still a problem in the fast fashion industry.

Summersalt

Summersalt’s sustainable underwear is made from natural fabrics and sustainable sewing techniques to reduce its environmental footprint.

Summersalt underwear is more expensive than your average sustainable lingerie, but they do donate a portion of their profits to sustainable charities.

The company also reduces water usage and minimises energy use during the production of their products.

They also offer underwear made from organic cotton.

CUUP

CUUP knew 32B wasn’t a one-size-fits-all brand – it had bras available in forty (yes forty!) sizes – everything from A to H.

CUUP partners with an integrally-managed manufacturing plant to ensure the highest standards in bra quality in every way. Between bras to support bralettes and snuggly Undies, there is everything.

The brand boasts inclusive sizing and its pricing ranges from $18—98.

The company is ethical and sustainable due to its sustainable manufacturing practices and its natural fabrics.

Using sustainable materials, such as innovative lyocell and recycled nylon, the company creates beautiful and comfortable bras and panties that are all sourced ethically.

Lara Intimates

All women’s ethical underwear created by Lara Intimates are handcrafted in London’s women’s office.

The designer group factory and shop coexist in one studio. Everything is responsibly obtained, from elastic to hardware.

The company has collaborated with a UK-based supplier of surplus garments that are otherwise headed towards landfills.

The supple stretch bra fabrics are made from elastic and provide a supportive lift.

One of the best-selling bras is the Ava, priced at around $179.

Made Trade – A Stores with Multiple Brands

Made Trade is a store that carries sustainable underwear from brands such as Merino, Inara, and Kocostar. Made

Made Trade provides a wide variety of comfortable, ethical underwear for both men and women.

These brands use eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton and merino wool.

Made Trade also gives back by donating some of its profits to charity.

You can browse through this store’s inventory on their website [www.madetrade-us.com].

Boody

Boody underwear provides a sustainable and comfortable option that is appropriate for everyday use.

They offer an eco-friendly line of underwear that is appropriate for everyday use, as well as nightwear.

The company was started in 2011 after the founder realized that women were wearing thongs and other uncomfortable garments, which caused them discomfort.

Boody’s fair trade underwear is made from organic cotton, non-toxic dyes, and sustainable water-based fibres.

All of this is done to reduce impact on the environment by minimizing waste.

Fruity Booty

Fruity Booty is working to get rid of disposable underwear and toxic chemicals from your underwear drawer.

They are a sustainable lingerie company that’s looking to change the way you shop for underwear.

At Fruit Booty you’ll find sustainable, organic cotton panties, as well as eco-friendly bamboo sports bras.

They offer a variety of sustainable products for both men and women.

PACT

Pact’s basic cotton products make the world better.

The brand strives to ensure its entire supply chain is as clean and responsible as possible.

PACT offers super-soft underwear made from certified organic cotton (with elastane for longevity and fit).

Its products are made in Fair Trade factories and are, therefore, certified to be Fair-Trade.

The company also has an eco-friendly recycling plan.

Its products are priced between $14 and $35, with a pair of bras and panties ranging in sizes from XS–XXL.

Tentree

Tentree is a sustainable underwear company that has been around for over 20 years.

They use sustainable materials that are completely chlorine-free and animal-cruelty free.

The manufacturing process of their underwear is eco-friendly. Tentree also practices sustainable waste management.

Their sustainable underwear is made out of sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo rayon, aloe vera, organic Tencel (which is made from wood pulp), and sustainable wool.

Tentree also uses sustainable silk, Swiss mohair wool, European linen, and recycled polyester yarns to produce their products.

Brook There

Brook There is another ethical brand worth mentioning today. It is Fair Trade Certified.

They sell sustainable clothing, including shoes, accessories, and sustainable home items.

The company prides itself on sustainable products, reusable materials, a unique design and eco-friendly practices.

Brook There’s underwear is made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, sustainable bamboo rayon and modal.

The company prides itself on manufacturing through Fair Trade practices.

Parade

Parade is a women’s ethical underwear brand that believes sustainable fashion should be accessible to everyone.

They offer affordable, sustainable, stylish clothing at prices with recycled fabrics and recyclable packaging.

Parade’s sustainable products are made with fabrics including organic cotton, sustainable bamboo rayon, and recycled nylon.

On their website, they list the brand as being ethically manufactured in Vietnam.

Their products are ‘made to be sustainable first.’

Prism

Prism produces thoughtful clothing that is multipurpose.

This includes bras and crop tops with recycled lace. They can be worn as lingerie or as athletic apparel, as well as swimming accessories.

Each piece is sustainably produced in Italy using 3D knitting techniques (that minimizes waste) and a Greenpeace Certified Eco- dyeing technique.

Best bikini to buy: Prism’s Serene Bikini Bra top can be put on for a workout session or a swimming lesson.

The brand’s available outlets currently include London and New York.

Knickey

Knickey is a sustainable lingerie brand and ethical underwear company that’s doing its bit to help the environment and maintain a fair supply chain.

They try to minimize their environmental footprint and produce sustainable underwear, organic undies, and everyday essentials.

A trip to their website demonstrates their support of recycled packaging, organic cotton, and body inclusive models.

As part of their sustainable lingerie approach, Knickey utilizes fabrics like organic cotton and organic bamboo, colored using natural dyes.

Furthermore, Knickey also donates a book to girls in low-income communities for every purchase made.

But wait, it gets better!

For every 10 pieces sold, they donate menstrual products to women across the globe.

Baserange

This ethical underwear company is based in Germany. It was born out of a concept to work solely with sustainable materials.

Baserange focuses primarily on sustainable underwear for men and women. Its clothing features natural fibers and organic fabrics.

Baserange promotes a sustainable mindset and encourages minimal use of water and chemicals during clothing production.

The company uses sustainable fabrics such as bamboo and merino wool.

Baserange offers subtle designs for both men and women which include bodysuits, boxer briefs, underwire-free bras, camisoles, and more!

Proclaim

Proclaim lingerie has an international presence and is well known for being one of the most ethnical brands in the slow fashion industry.

Its everyday range consists of Tencel lyocell bralettes, plus mid-rise and high-rise briefs in four colorways including classic black. In

They produce thoughtful clothing for women of all sizes.

Ethical Clothing 101: Misconceptions & FAQs

What are deadstock fabrics?

When a garment is ordered, but the fabric is not in stock, manufacturers will often store the fabric until it is needed.

When they are ordered, these fabrics are called deadstock fabrics.

These fabrics are often discounted because they’ve never been used before. Deadstock can be reused if it’s of high quality.

Deadstock fabrics were originally created when there was little to no sustainable clothing production on hand, but now sustainable fashion is on the rise.

The sustainable fashion industry has grown immensely over the years; sustainable fashion even has its own sustainable textile certification on hand for sustainable textiles.

Sustainable textiles are seen as important pieces of clothing due to their lessening environmental impact and for their longevity of use.

What makes a brand carbon neutral?

In order to be carbon neutral, brands must reduce emissions from their production by recycling and using bio-mass energy sources.

Sustainable underwear brands go a step further because they look for renewable energy sources for power. This could include solar or wind power.

Is bamboo underwear eco-friendly?

Bamboo is used by sustainable brands to produce ethical underwear, but the material is not always considered to be eco-friendly.

This is due to the fact that it takes 10 times as much water for this plant to grow compared to cotton or other materials typically found in underwear.

You might not think about the resources used when you purchase things, but it’s essential to have an ethical shopping habit.

There are many high-quality sustainable products on the market made from organic, recycled or low-impact fabrics.

What is the World Fair Trade Organisation?

The World Fair Trade Organisation is a trade organisation that supports fair trade. They work to encourage sustainable development and fairer trading relationships.

This makes a fairer and more honest supply chain that works for all.

What is GOTS certified organic cotton?

Organic cotton is a term that describes cotton that has been grown organically.

In order for a farmer to grow GOTS-certified organic cotton, he or she must follow the GOTS certification guidelines.

This means that no chemicals can be used in the production of the crop and that the land needs to have been designated as being organic land.

Farmers who want their cotton to be certified have to have an audit by a GOTS accredited certifier. Once they get it, they get a certification from the EU commission.

If you want to wear ethical underwear, be sure to look out for this certification amongst ethical brands.

What does WRAP Certified mean in fashion?

WRAP certified underwear is a process that ensures the product has been manufactured under safe and healthy working conditions.

It means no child labour or forced labour has been used or involved.

WRAP also provides a number of certification options, so you can be sure that the product meets your ethical needs.

Summarising Responsible Shopping & Ethical Underwear

Sustainable lingerie brands are on the rise, which can only be a good thing. The brands featured in this post are following best practices in the industry, so we encourage you to shop with them as part of your sustainable living.

Always be sure to check the impact that each brand has on the environment. Some have a much lighter impact than others, so even if you don’t buy from these brands, be sure to research the companies that you purchase your underwear from.

Finally, remember that you can make a difference by buying from ethical brands. If every person in the world bought ethically, we would create a brighter future for everyone!

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