Feature Photo Credit: Comforttttt
In the world of fashion, sustainability has taken centre stage, reaching even the most personal of clothing items: underwear. Wearing sustainable fabrics close to our skin offers numerous benefits for skin health and overall well-being. As the body’s largest organ, the skin serves as a vital barrier against external elements. By choosing sustainable options, we prioritise both our skin’s health and the environment’s well-being, contributing to a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle.
With consumers increasingly conscious of the environmental and social effects of the fashion sector, the interest in sustainable underwear brands has risen significantly. With this article, I want to delve into the importance of sustainable underwear, highlighting its relevance and providing you with practical advice on making environmentally friendly decisions, as well as my usual brand recommendations.
ABOUT THE UNDERWEAR INDUSTRY
The global underwear market is valued at more than $100 billion and is expected to maintain a 5% compound annual growth rate in the coming years. But this growth is accompanied by environmental costs. In fact, traditional underwear production requires substantial water, energy, and chemicals, impacting the environment negatively. For example, materials like polyester and nylon, very common in underwear production, contribute to microplastic pollution when washed, harming marine life. Additionally, the use of harmful dyes and synthetic fabrics can present health risks, especially for individuals with skin sensitivities.
THE RISE IN ETHICAL AND SUSTAINABLE BRANDS
As a rising number of consumers are addressing these worries, they’re also turning to ethical and sustainable underwear labels. These brands focus on eco-conscious methods, selecting materials like organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, and Tencel. By opting for the use of organic fibres within their production, these brands lessen the environmental footprint of manufacturing and provide advantages for skin wellness. Furthermore, sustainable brands typically follow certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) to guarantee top-notch organic and ethical production, as well as employ eco-friendly packaging and manufacturing methods to further minimise their environmental footprint.
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABle underwear
Paying attention to the materials our underwear is made from is vital, particularly for sensitive skin. Natural fibers such as cotton and silk are gentler than synthetics like polyester and nylon.
Sustainable materials, such as organic cotton and bamboo, are gentle and breathable, promoting comfort and minimizing the risk of skin irritation. These fabrics are also free from harsh chemicals and dyes commonly found in conventional clothing fabrics, so opting for hypoallergenic or non-toxic dye-labelled clothing can reduce the risk of skin problems like rashes and eczema.
When shopping for sustainable underwear, seek out brands that provide garments made from organic cotton, preferably GOTS-certified, or innovative materials like Tencel sourced from responsibly managed wood pulp. While some brands may include small amounts of synthetic fibres such as spandex for stretch, the main focus should be on natural, biodegradable materials. That’s what makes a brand sustainable when it comes to underwear (and loungewear)!
THE OBSTACLES TO SUSTAINABLITY
The increasing demand for sustainable underwear is also accompanied by challenges though. One significant obstacle is the elevated cost associated with sustainable materials and production techniques. This cost factor can result in sustainable underwear being priced higher than conventional alternatives, potentially discouraging certain consumers. Furthermore, a lack of awareness and education regarding sustainable underwear poses another challenge. Many consumers may not grasp the advantages of sustainable materials or the detrimental effects of traditional underwear production.
THE ROLE OF BRANDS IN SUSTAINABILITY
Brands can play a crucial role in overcoming this hurdle by educating their customers about the sustainability of their products and the consequences of their purchasing decisions. Thankfully, we’re seeing more and more education coming from brands, big or small, and from independent media social accounts, who prefer to share their information in pill-like-sized bites of content. If you’re anything like me, then you love to learn new things when it’s made easy for you too.
THE FUTURE OF THE UNDERWEAR INDUSTRY
While the demand for sustainable options is growing and many brands are starting to offer eco-friendly alternatives, there is still a long way to go until the underwear industry can become a fully sustainable industry, just like anything else in fashion. The transition to sustainable underwear mirrors the larger trend of moving towards ethical and environmentally conscious fashion. Consumers play a crucial role in influencing the industry’s future here. By opting for sustainable underwear and backing brands that prioritise sustainability, it’s actually us consumers who can influence change and push the industry towards greater eco-friendliness.
BRAND RECOMMENDATIONS
Putting underwear on is typically the first we do in the morning and the final one removed at night. As exciting as it is to see the increasing availability of sustainable underwear brands out there, it can be hard to understand what’s best for you. Below, I have compiled my top choices for you to explore and shop from.
BOODY
This Australian brand made it their mission to create the best undies out there. As they’ve grown, so has their product offering. The brand started with just making underwear, but now also offers socks, accessories, and loungewear. Consciously crafted in organically-grown bamboo viscose, their products’ mission is to help us live a little easier, and a lot comfier. The good thing about bamboo is that it gets softer with every wash, rather than deterring. Every aspect of a product’s fit, design and feel is tested to ensure you’ll love it for years to come. This also ensures the product’s longevity, preventing more waste from ending up in landfills.
Boody also has an ongoing partnership with the McGrath Foundation to develop products with patients in mind, as well as developing a special edition pink range each year, with all profits going directly to the charity. They also donate to homeless women help organisations and cancer research charities. Plus, in partnership with UPPAREL, their recycling initiative has helped divert over 23,000kg of used clothing from landfills, putting them closer to their final goal of closing the underwear loop. One to shop from!
ONE ESSENTIALS
ONE Essentials is a brand with a clear mission to revolutionize the fashion industry by addressing the most utilised, least considered, and often most disposable items in our wardrobes. Embracing individuality, the brand offers gender-neutral products for those seeking comfort in their choices every day and for the planet’s future.
Their philosophy revolves around maximum utility, minimal waste, and minimal harm, embodying the essence of everyday radicalism. No harmful toxins are used in their dyes; the fabric is Blue Sign accredited, the highest sustainable dye standard. They minimise the use of virgin resources by using a blend of 50% recycled cotton and 50% organic cotton, as well as replacing conventional elastane with a biodegradable alternative for a comfortable (and sustainable) stretch.
ONE Essentials donates 1% of every sale to organisations dedicated to cleaning up textile waste in the global south as well as tracking its environmental footprint to understand the impact of each product.
ONE’s product line aims to disrupt the fast fashion culture by implementing circular design principles inspired by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Cradle to Cradle methodologies. This ensures that all their products can be recycled or biodegraded when no longer needed. The brand has a recycling programme through which it collects old underwear from various sources to contribute to its sustainability efforts.
SWOLE PANDA
Swole Panda, a British brand, specialises in luxury bamboo products ranging from boxers, socks and accessories. Their mission is to create stylish, comfortable, and sustainable items, aiming to reduce fashion’s environmental impact.
Swole Panda uses Tanboocell branded Bamboo which is 100% organically grown in the Jiangxi Province of China without the use of any pesticides and is FSC grown and certified and does not contribute to natural habitat loss or destruction.
They prioritise transparency, ensuring customers know the sourcing and production processes. With a commitment to minimizing environmental footprint and supporting fair labor practices, Swole Panda promotes sustainability and ethical manufacturing. They use materials like bamboo and recycled plastics to create durable and eco-friendly products. Partnering with FutureProof underscores their dedication to transparency, sustainability, and ethical standards.
LAVENDER HILL
Lavender Hill’s essence revolves around timeless, beautiful basics that offer both comfort and quality. Their collection, featuring pieces like the Silk Tencel™ Modal Ribbed Roll Neck and the Sleeveless Micro Modal Vest Top which have been designed to elevate everyday wear with high-quality materials and flattering fits that create body-forming silhouettes, and are perfect foundation pieces for layering.
Not only do these pieces feel luxurious on the skin, but they also prioritise sustainability. The brand exclusively uses natural, biodegradable fabrics such as cashmere and Tencel™ Modal, and collaborates with small, family-run factories in the UK and Portugal.
With sustainability and circularity at its core, the brand aims to facilitate clothing repurposing and support others through partnerships like Thrift+. Highlighting the alarming statistic that only around 1% of garments are recycled, they emphasize the importance of diverting clothing from landfills.
The brand is committed to social and environmental responsibility, evident in their 10-point plan for preserving the environment, empowering people, and supporting communities. This includes fair trade practices, the use of non-toxic and sustainable dyes, minimizing their carbon footprint, and empowering local communities through employment, education, and donations.
With sustainability and circularity at its core, the brand aims to facilitate clothing repurposing and support others through partnerships like Thrift+. Highlighting the alarming statistic that only around 1% of garments are recycled, they emphasise the importance of diverting clothing from landfills.
IDENTITY LINGERIE
IDENTITY LINGERIE is a socially responsible UK brand, established in 2017 by a family, that specialises in ethically handcrafted nightwear and lingerie for men and women. Through leading by example, the brand aims to inspire self-confidence, encouraging a journey of self-acceptance and self-love. Offering a diverse range of customisable sizes, along with a values-driven social media presence and weekly #SaturdayInspiration, Identity Lingerie creates a shopping experience that promotes confidence and joy.
The brand’s commitment to slow fashion is evident in its sustainable practices, which include zero-waste manufacturing and on-demand production. By producing garments in small, regular batches, they minimise waste and repurpose fabric remnants into stylish accessories like hairpieces and packaging pouches, as well as using tiny scraps for button making.
All the ethically handcrafted lingerie and nightwear pieces are skillfully crafted by a dedicated team of artisans based in Ukraine. Given the founders’ connection to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, supporting Identity Lingerie not only benefits the brand but also aids Ukrainian employees and seamstresses.
PLAINANDSIMPLE
Plainandsimple is a circular loungewear brand fully dedicated to sustainability and plastic-free initiatives. They offer premium quality everyday clothing made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, ensuring durability and comfort while minimising environmental impact. The brand prioritises ethical production practices, collaborating with factories that uphold fair labour standards and environmental responsibility.
Their vintage t-shirts exemplify their commitment to sustainability, featuring a premium feel, classic design, and thoughtful details such as thicker collars and durable stitching. Made in ethical factories powered by renewable energy in Tirupur, India, these shirts are designed to be returned for recycling or composting at the end of their life, with customers rewarded for their eco-conscious choices.
Transparency is key to their ethos, with each product page providing links to the factories involved and a breakdown of manufacturing costs.
Their clothing is designed to be recycled or composted at the end of its life, promoting a circular economy model. Plus, it’s one of the most affordable sustainable brands I’ve come across!
Features of their products include:
- 100% organic cotton composition
- GOTS certification
- Plastic-free design, from fabric to label
- 100% recyclable and compostable product, packaging, and mailer
- Heavyweight, high-quality fabric
- Strong stitching for durability
- No shrinkage or colour fade after washing
NATURAL COLLECTION
Natural Collection is the UK’s leading and award-winning green shop offering a department store range of ecologically considered products including organic cotton and fair trade clothing and accessories, gorgeous homeware and gardenware, energy-saving gadgets, organic cosmetics, eco cleaning products and much more.
In their selection of underwear, there are undies brands such as Boody, mentioned in this guide above, Thought, People Tree Organic, Cocoro and Fluxies, all sustainable underwear brands that are worth a mention for this article.
Thought
Thought is a UK brand that’s all about comfort and classic looks. A go-to for casual comfort and casual styles. Perfect underwear for every day, the products are usually made from a 95% blend of bamboo and organic cotton, making the perfect organic undies. This brand still works with the first factories they did when the company was founded and continues to create long-term partnerships with them, ensuring their working conditions standards are as high as they should be.
People Tree Organic
People Tree Organic are the pioneers of fair trade and organic fashion, creating sustainable clothing for women, men and children since 1991. They believe in creating beautiful garments that create an equally beautiful change somewhere else in the world, by working with 50 fair trade groups in 15 different countries. People Tree products are made to the highest possible fair trade and environmental standards, from start to finish, consistently proving that it’s possible to wear stylish, exciting and affordable clothing that respects people and our planet.
FLUX
FLUX is an Italian-based brand focusing solely on period pants, which are the ultimate choice in zero-waste feminine care, designed to hold up to two tampons worth of liquid. All of the brand’s undies are suitable for vegans and free from any synthetic fragrances, parabens and other nasty chemicals.
FLUX undies use Oeko-Tex-certified fabrics and the pants are ethically made in China, in a family-run factory that is ISO and BSCI-approved, where employees are given proper pay and adequate rest breaks. Furthermore, FLUX holds a ‘By You, For Her’ scheme, thanks to which a girl in need will receive a reusable menstrual cloth pad for each pair of FLUX undies bought.
Cocoro
Cocoro is another brand focusing solely on absorbent pants for period, vaginal fluid and slight urine leakage. The brand’s mission is to end the wastage linked to pads, tampons and pantiliners. With all their products made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, their pants are sold by shape or leakage issue, to accompany us women throughout life. Plus, they have a 5% discount code running for all of the new clients who subscribe to their newsletter!
Cottsbury
At Cottsbury, their mission is to create products that will take care of you, while you take care of your dreams. Inspired by nature and with decades of industry expertise, they are committed to making organic cotton products, such as yoga leggings and loungewear, to bedding and clothing, using the highest quality materials and production. Cottsbury is driven by a commitment to transparency and sustainability and was founded after owner Ruchi Chawla realised the hazards of conventional manufacturing.
With GOTS certified farms and factories, they prioritise the use of Fairtrade and organic cotton to ensure safety and ethical practices. Cottsbury advocate for extending product lifespans to reduce carbon, waste, and water footprints. Partnering with The Seam, they are offering 10% Off All Repairs & Alterations. Their repair services aim to prolong the life of their garments and homeware, promoting a culture of care and longevity. Use code: Cottsbury10
If you have any favourite underwear or loungewear brands that you you like me to mention, please get in touch as I would love to hear from you with your brand suggestions.
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