As the world becomes increasingly conscious of the need to adopt sustainable practices, many fashion companies broaden their eco-friendly collection to underwear.
When it comes to finding sustainable underwear brands, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, look for brands that work with sustainable or recycled materials, such as organic cotton, bamboo, Tencel, or recycled polyester. You should also pay attention to the brand’s practices, make sure they are ethical, and ensure livable wages and good working conditions for their workers. Finally, look for brands that give back or partner to support environmental and humanitarian causes.
To know more about sustainable fabrics and green materials, check our article.
Here’s our top pick for the best ethical and sustainable underwear brands on the market now, and why we have chosen them.
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Organic Basics
Ethical and sustainable: GOTS certified organic cotton, recycled Nylon, B Corp certified, European-based production, carbon-neutral, vegan approved by PETA, gives back 1% of its sales to environmental causes.
Product range: Women’s and men’s apparel, underwear, swimwear, activewear, and accessories.
Ship: Worldwide
Best seller: Tencel Lite Bralette – $65
Leading the way for ethical and sustainable fashion since 2015, Organic Basics’ mission is to offer durable basic clothing. The Danish brand was approved by Peta and only uses organic and recycled materials ethically sourced. Organic Basics offers inclusive clothing from the organic cotton triangle bra to the bikini top made from recycled nylon.
Their products are ethically made in European factories. The company uses plant-based dyes and offset its carbon emissions to minimize its impact on the planet.
They also support several organizations protecting the environment such as Rewilding Europe, the Regenerative Organic Cotton Pilot Project with WWF-Turkey, Nordic Ocean Watch, and 1% For The Planet.
Underprotection
Ethical and sustainable: Organic cotton, recycled material, B corp certified, second-hand clothing program, ethical production, vegan approved by PETA, support programs for the environment protection.
Product range: Women’s lingerie, swimwear, loungewear, and accessories.
Ship: Worldwide
Bestseller: Amy Briefs – $50
Founded in 2010, the Danish brand creates stylish lingerie and swimwear from durable and eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, Tencel lyocell, or recycled polyester. Those fabrics are biodegradable or recyclable and therefore have a low environmental impact. All their products are made in ethical factories that provide fair working conditions to their workers.
Underprotection offers a line of aesthetic lingerie, swimwear, and loungewear with sizes ranging from XS to XL.
Their packaging is fully recyclable.
Pact
Ethical and sustainable: Fair Trade Certified, GOTS certified organic cotton, partner with Give Back Box, offset carbon footprints, and recycled packaging.
Product range: Women, men, and kids apparel, underwear, maternity and baby, bath and bedding.
Ship: in the US.
Best seller: Classic Fit Bikini – $14
Pact is all about ethical practices and eco-friendly materials. Their clothes are certified organic and produced in Fair Trade Certified factories that follow the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The brand donates a portion of its profits to various environmental causes and partners with the Give Back Box® program which gives a second life to used clothes.
The conscious brand offers a full line of inclusive apparel for every sizes. Pact currently only delivers in the US.
Woron
Ethical and sustainable: Organic cotton, non-toxic dyes, cruelty-free and vegan, ethical production in Europe.
Product range: Women’s lingerie, tops, and socks.
Ship: Worldwide
Bestseller: Lace Soft Bra Venus – $66.00
Created by 2 sisters, the slow fashion brand Woron aims “to create that lingerie, that will be the first thing you want to put on and the last thing you take off!”. The brand is all about ethically sourced and eco-friendly materials free from formaldehyde, heavy metals, or aromatic solvents. Their clothes are certified organic, approved by Peta, and ethically made in Europe and Turkey.
Boody
Ethical and sustainable: Organic bamboo certified, organic cotton, vegan approved by PETA, ethical production, B corp certified, part of The Fashion Forever Green Pact, give back to non-profit humanitarian organizations.
Product range: Women’s and men’s apparel, underwear, baby, and activewear.
Ship: in the US
Bestseller: Padded Shaper Bra – $21.95
When you are looking for durable non-toxic clothing, head to Boody. The brand specializes in clothing made out of organic bamboo viscose. The material has a lot of qualities such as breathable, hypoallergenic, and thermoregulating and because it is grown organically you won’t find any harmful pesticides or fertilizers in Boody products.
In addition to its commitment to sustainability, Boody works with factories that guarantee ethical conditions for their workers and are accredited by Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP).
Girlfriend collective
Ethical and sustainable: Recycling program Regirlfriend, recyclable packaging, recycled materials, and eco-friendly dye, inclusive, fair trade.
Product range: Women’s activewear, swimwear, underwear, maternity, accessories.
Ship: United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
Bestseller: Shell high rise thong – $18
Founded in 2016, Girlfriend Collective is changing the fashion industry with its high commitment to positivity and inclusivity. The brand offers a wide range of sizes (from XXS to 6XL), and its clothes are designed to flatter all body types.
In addition to its popular leggings and sports bras, Girlfriend Collective also sells dresses, activewear essentials, swimwear, underwear, and accessories.
The company also focuses on sourcing non-toxic eco-friendly textiles and recyclable materials. They have launched a recycling program called Regirlfriend.
Knickey
Ethical and sustainable: GOTS certified organic cotton, plastic-free packaging, carbon-neutral, Fair Trade certified facility, recycling program.
Product range: Women undies and bralettes.
Ship: in the US and Europe
Bestseller: The Triangle – $48
Using sustainable and responsible sourced materials, Knickey creates high-quality, comfortable, and simple underwear.
They focus on developing environmentally responsible and ethical processes such as living wages and safe working conditions. The brand is quickly gaining a following among women who want to feel good about the clothes they wear. In 2021, they published their impact report for full transparency.
Pico
Ethical and sustainable: Organic material, ethical production, support the small producers.
Product range: Men’s and women’s apparel, underwear, and home.
Ship: Worldwide
Bestseller: Crop top ecru – £34
Project Pico’s mission is to design the “first things to be put on in the morning – super soft and simple, everyday underwear.” using organic cotton and dyes. All their products are vegan and made in a Fair Trade certified and ethical factory. You can trace every item to its source.
Hara
Ethical and sustainable: GOTS certified organic cotton, natural dyes, and ethical production.
Product range: Women’s underwear, loungewear, sportswear
Ship: Worldwide
Bestseller: Eva G string – $48
The Australian brand Hara (Green in Hindi) is a conscious clothing label focused on designing sustainable pieces. They use organic cotton and natural dyes for their high qualities pieces. Hara production is fully done in Australia.
From undies to sportswear, you’ll be sure to find durable and conscious items at Hara.
ColieCo
Ethical and sustainable: Organic and sustainability sourced materials, ethically made in Portugal, GRS certified, recyclable and biodegradable packaging.
Product range: Women’s lingerie, underwear, and swimwear.
Ship: Worldwide
Bestseller: Zoey plunge bralette – €45
ColieCo combines ethical production and eco-friendly fabrics to create lingerie, swimwear, and underwear products. Its mission is “to change the way in which people think about ethical and sustainable clothing.” They use sustainable natural fiber, recycled materials, and deadstock. ColieCo sizes range from XS to 2XL.
Glossary of sustainable fabrics certifications
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is an international textile standard for organic fibers. It sets the ecological and social criteria for all the steps from manufacturing to distribution. The certification doesn’t audit the cultivation process for organic fibers. GOTS certification bans the use of toxic chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and GMOs, and unethical practices such as child labor, unsafe working conditions, and precarious employment.
Global Recycled Standard GRS and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS)
The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) and Global Recycled Standard (GRS) are labels globally recognized. They aim to improve the use of recycled materials and reduce pollution. Their standards set ecological and social criteria and proscribe the use of chemicals in the recycling processes. An independent entity audits the processes from the materials to the final products.
Fair Trade
The Fair Trade certification is an international label that guarantees ethical and environmental practices as well as sustainable projects to support local communities.
B Corporation
B-Corp is an international certification that ensures that a business meets certain social and environmental standards such as employee benefit, transparency, or accountability.
1% For The Planet
Founded by the Patagonia founder, 1% for the Planet guarantees that a company gives at least 1% of its sales profit to environmental causes. It was created to prevent greenwashing.
One Tree Planted
One Tree Planted is an organization that plants a tree for every dollar donated. So far they have planted 43 million trees in 43 countries. Their goal is to bring back forests and biodiversity as well as fight climate change.
Image Credit: all product photos belong to respective brands
