16 Best Sustainable + Ethical Underwear Brands
If you’re looking for sustainable underwear brands in the UK, USA or Australia then I’ve got you covered. Here are 16 ethical brands making a positive impact.
This post contains affiliate links to sustainable brands
Building a sustainable wardrobe is one of the most impactful ways we can help protect the planet.
I’m a big advocate for secondhand shopping, but let’s face it…
Nobody wants preloved knickers.
A sustainable underwear collection can take longer to cultivate because it is more costly than high-street options.
As a society, we have lost sight of the effort and the skill it takes to sew a simple pair of pants.
We are used to the low prices we see in the supermarket and it shocks us to see briefs that cost more than minimum wage in our country.
Unfortunately, high-street underwear is cheap for a reason.
The rich CEOs make billions from selling cheap clothing, while the talented individuals making our clothes get paid starvation wages.
To create a sustainable future, we need to include human rights. So today I’m sharing 16 ethical brands that use eco-friendly, non-toxic fabrics.
COMING UP
What makes a brand sustainable?
The problem with cotton
Is organic cotton really eco-friendly?
Which fabrics are sustainable?
Five tips for affording ethical underwear brands
16 best sustainable underwear brands for men and women
1. What makes an underwear brand sustainable?
If you want to ensure the garment workers making your underwear were paid fair wages and are being treated with respect, the easiest way is to support a sustainable brand.
3 things to look for in an ethical brand:
Green certifications - these are third party credentials that mean a company is meeting specific criteria in relation to the environment or human rights, like Fairtrade.
Sustainable materials - details about what the fabrics used are, where they are grown and processed, the chemicals used and the safety of the workers (read more in section 3)
Labour transparency - the different countries in the supply chain are really important because there are not the same protections overseas and many clothes are grown or manufactured in oppressive regimes. Look for clear information about the locations, wages and audits alongside relevant green certifications.
Ideally, this information will be easy to find.
Truly sustainable brands will have easy to find sustainability policies and detailed FAQs (either in the main menu or via a link at the bottom of the page.
A transparent brand will have the answers to all your questions right there where you can find them.
2. The problem with cotton
Conventional cotton is one of the most popular materials but it comes with a heavy environmental and social cost.
Just one t-shirt requires 2700 litres of water and is usually grown in developing countries where clean water is scarce.
There is also the problem with genetic modification which has caused huge amounts of stress and debt for farmers growing the cotton, not to mention the intensive amount of pesticides and chemical fertilisers that are needed.
Modern slavery is also a serious problem in conventional cotton farming. It is grown in oppressive regions where forced labour and genocide is ongoing problem.
Have a read about what is happening to the Uyghur Muslims who are being forced to pick cotton in China.
Organic cotton certified to GOTS standard is a different story.
3. Is organic cotton really eco-friendly?
If you’re worried because you love cotton, you’ll be pleased to hear that organic cotton is a sustainable solution.
Look for organic certification, like GOTS standard - a third-party certification with strict criteria, to ensure a brand is not greenwashing.
7 Benefits of organic cotton:
A 2011 report from Water Footprint found growing organic cotton reduces water pollution by 98%.
Rainwater and retained water from flooding are enough to grow the cotton.
Organic cotton produces 46% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional cotton.
GOTS has strict rules against suppliers using child labour and slavery.
GOTS also has a list of approved chemicals that are safer for the environment and human health - this includes pesticides and fabric dyes.
Certified organic cotton is not genetically modified like most conventional cotton.
In the absence of chemical fertilisers, the soil is able to retain significantly more moisture which reduces the need for extra irrigation.
4. Which fabrics are sustainable?
We all want underwear that is comfortable and non-toxic but can it be good for the environment too?
It certainly can.
Synthetic materials, like polyester and nylon, come from petrochemicals (fossil fuels) but the following materials are derived from plant sources:
Hemp
Tencel
Modal
Bamboo Viscose*
Organic cotton
Recycled nylon
Recycled cotton
*Bamboo viscose isn’t always sustainable because it uses a lot of chemicals to turn it into a fabric. Look for brands that are taking steps to avoid discharging dangerous chemicals into water supplies.
5. Five Tips For Affording sustainable underwear
It costs more to buy from an ethical clothing brand, so here are some tips for affording sustainable underwear when you have a smaller budget.
Set a budget. This could be what you usually spend on fast fashion or high street clothing throughout the year.
Grow your collection of sustainable underwear over time. Buying one or two pairs a month can be a more budget-friendly way of building a stash.
You could ask for underwear as a birthday or Christmas gift.
Buying multipacks or bundles can be more cost-effective than buying individual garments.
Change your shopping habits. If you’re bad at budgeting or an impulse shopper, being mindful of your spending may leave you with extra pennies for ethical alternatives.
16 sustainable + Ethical underwear brands
Here are 16 sustainable underwear brands from the UK, America and Australia.
Coming up:
Rapanui (UK)
PACT (USA)
Etiko (AU)
Stare and Stripe (UK)
Boob - maternity (EU)
WAMA (UK)
Oddobody (USA)
Organic Basics (EU)
Tentree (CA)
WUKA (UK)
Underprotection (EU)
Bamboo Clothing (UK)
Kent (US)
Boody (AU/UK)
Maylyn & Co (US)
Knickey (US)
1.Rapanui
Images by Birdsong
Location: UK - Isle of Wight
Ships to: Worldwide
Materials: Organic cotton
Sizing: S, M, L (36-41.5 inch hip), men: S, M, L (26-38 inch)
Certifications: Cotton clothing is GOTS certified
About: Rapanui is a vegan sustainable fashion brand based on the Isle of Wight. They use renewable energy throughout the supply chain to lower their carbon footprint (their factory in India owns two wind farms!) Rapanui t-shirts are made to order and printed on the Isle of Wight. They only use sustainable materials, like organic cotton that is responsibly grown in India. Rapanui has also designed its clothing to be circular - at the end of its life, they take it back to make new clothing.
Products: Women’s pants, bralettes, and socks. Men’s boxers. They offer good discounts on bundles
Where to buy:
2. Pact
Location: US
Ships to: US, EU, UK
Materials: Organic cotton (Indian)
Sizing: Men S-XXL (29-44 waist)
Women XS - XXL (34-51 hip)
Certifications: GOTS organic, Fairtrade
About: Pact creates essential clothing that is sustainable and affordable from certified cotton so you can be sure they are committed to reducing their environmental impact. They trace their supply chain and pay living wages. Pact has tested its products to ensure they are free from PFAS.
Products: Men’s briefs and boxers, women’s briefs, bras, socks
Where to buy:
3. Etiko
Images by Biome
Location: Australia
Ships to: US, EU, UK
Materials: Organic cotton
Sizing: Men: S-XL (27-38inch)
Women 8-20 (35-47 hip)
Certifications: Fairtrade, B Corporation, GOTS certified, Carbon Social
About: Etiko were the first brand in the Southern Hemisphere to become Fairtrade certified. Since launching their business in 2005, they have made human rights a priority. They wanted to be 100% sure no child or adult was being exploited in their supply chain. They have also got high environmental standards, using eco-friendly, vegan materials in all their products.
Products: Boxers, women’s briefs (full, boy, bikini)
Where to buy:
Men’s underwear (Australia)
Women’s underwear (Australia)
4. Stripe and Stare
Location: UK
Ships to: International
Materials: Tencel
Sizing: Women: XS - 4XL (6-22)
Certifications: GOTS, B Corp, Oeko Tex, Ecologi climate positive
About: Stripe and Stare underwear prides itself on its commitment to sustainability and inclusivity. Its underwear is “made from trees” aka Tencel - one of the most sustainable fabrics. It is a certified B Corporation. They have a long relationship with the supplier they use in China. The factory pays higher than average wages and provides career opportunities to staff from small villages.
Stripe and Stare gives back through great charities that support women in recovery, refugees, and bowel cancer.
Additionally, the brand promotes body positivity and inclusivity through its diverse range of sizes and inclusive marketing campaigns, aiming to challenge industry norms and celebrate the beauty of every body.
Products: knickers and bras/bralettes in different shapes (non-wired), pyjamas, loungewear
Where to buy:
5. WAMA
Images by WAMA
Location: US
Ships to: Worldwide
Materials: Hemp and organic cotton
Sizing: Men S-4XL (26-48inch waist)
Women XS - 3XL (35-50inch hip)
Certifications: Oeko-Tex, PETA cruelty-free, Green America, BSCI
About: WAMA chose to make their underwear out of hemp because it is an incredibly eco-friendly plant, requiring little water and naturally resistant to pests. It also regenerates the soil and grows so quickly it can be harvested multiple times a year. WAMA say they pay fair wages and have a team member overseeing their supply chain in person.
Products: Men’s boxers, briefs and boxer briefs. Women’s briefs, thongs, boy shorts, bralettes
Where to buy:
6. Boob
Maternity and nursing bras
Location: EU (Sweden)
Ships to: EU, UK, US
Materials: Tencel Lyocell, Organic Cotton, Lenzing Ecovero, Recycled polyester
Sizing: Cup size AA-H
Certifications: GOTS-certified, Ecocert Greenlife, Oeko-Tex
About: Boob is a sustainable clothing brand for expecting parents with inclusive sizing. They use a variety of sustainable materials with a low environmental impact. Boob’s clothes are made in Europe and Asia; many of the factories have GOTS certification and are audited by Sedex.
Products: maternity and nursing bras, leggings, clothing
Where to buy:
7. Oddobody
Images by Oddobody
Location: US
Ships to: US and CA
Materials: Organic Pima cotton
Sizing: Women: XS - XXL (35 - 45 inch hip)
Certifications: Fairtrade, GOTS certified
About: Oddobody has thoughtfully created their range of intimates from Pima cotton which is grown organically in Peru. Their production happens in a Fairtrade factory run by women. Oddobody’s mission is empowering people with vaginas by ending taboos and providing health information instead of adverts with each order.
Products: different styles of briefs, thongs, shorts, tank tops, sleepwear
Where to buy:
8. Organic Basics
Image by Organic Basics
Location: Denmark
Ships to: Worldwide
Materials: Organic cotton, Tencel, recycled nylon (they also sell a guppy bag to catch microfibres)
Sizing: Women: XS - XL (up to 43.5 inches hip)
Men: S-XXL (31-41 inches)
Certifications: GOTS certified, Peta “vegan approved,” B-Corporation
About: Organic Basics is a Danish brand that makes underwear from a variety of sustainable materials and methods in Europe. They are big on transparency with specific details on each of their factories over on their website so customers know exactly who made their clothes.
Products: men’s boxers and briefs, various styles of women’s briefs, thongs, bras and bralettes, recycled tights, socks and more.
Where to buy:
9. Tentree
Images by Tentree
Location: Canada, with stores in the UK and US
Ships to: Worldwide (currently underwear is only in stock in US, CA)
Materials: their underwear is a combination of REFIBRA™ (upcycled cotton combined with wood pulp), Tencel and Organic cotton
Sizing: Women: XS - XXL (23.5 - 47 inch hip)
Men: S-XXL (29-41.5 waist)
Certifications: B Corporation, Climate Neutral, Cradle to Cradle (some)
About: Tentree is a Canadian brand that plants 10 trees for each order meaning they’ve planted a whopping 63 million trees (at the time of writing this!) They use a variety of sustainable materials in their clothing range, including hemp and Fairtrade organic cotton. Their clothing is made under fair conditions in Turkey using renewable energy.
Products: men’s boxers, women’s briefs, thong and bralette.
Where to buy:
Tentree website - uses your location to take you to your local online store.
10. WUKA
Location: UK
Ships to: Worldwide
Materials: Tencel
Sizing: Women only: 2XS - 6XL (53-inch hip)
Certifications: Carbon Neutral, Vegan Society, PETA, cotton products are GOTS and BCI certified, Oeko-Tex
About: You may know WUKA as the maker of reusable period pants, but did you know they have an everyday collection too? Made from super soft and stretchy Tencel, their bralette and briefs have been made with comfort in mind. WUKA are an eco-friendly brand that is focused on reducing single-use waste but they also donate to charities to fight back against period poverty.
Products: Midi brief, bikini brief, bralette
Where to buy:
11. Underprotection
Location: Denmark
Ships to: Worldwide, UK stockist
Materials: Tencel, recycled polyester
Sizing: Women XS-XL (34-42inch hip)
Certifications: B-Corporation, PETA-approved vegan, Oeko-Tex
About: For over 10 years, Underprotection has proved that sustainable fashion can be beautiful. Their lingerie has always been made in a woman-owned factory in India, but they’ve recently added some Fairtrade European factories to the mix. Their recycled nylon lace is manufactured without harmful chemicals and is certified by Oeko-Tex.
Products: Bralettes, briefs, thongs, bodystockings
Where to buy:
Underprotection’s website (EU)
EarthHero (USA)
Biome Eco Store (Australia)
12. Bamboo Clothing
Photos by Bamboo Clothing
Location: UK
Ships to: Worldwide
Materials: Bamboo viscose + organic cotton (grown in India and Turkey)
Sizing: Women: XS - L (up to 47ins hip)
Men: S-XXL (28-42)
Certifications: a member of ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals)
About - BAM are pretty well known for their bamboo socks but they have taken steps to improve their transparency and their handling of chemicals. BAM only use two fibre producers who they visit annually to ensure they are taking their environmental responsibility seriously. One producer has invested millions into wastewater treatment technology with the goal of becoming “world leaders” in sustainable viscose production.
Products - men’s briefs and boxers, women’s briefs in various styles, bralettes, sports bras and socks
Mini-review: I like their briefs (which I bought myself), they are super soft, stretchy and comfortable. I found it more comfortable to size up in them.
Where to buy:
BAM’s website - women’s underwear*
BAM’s website - men’s underwear*
*Affiliate discount code: BAMBAM5
13. KENT
Images by Kent
Location: US
Ships to: US, UK and CA
Materials: Organic Pima cotton
Sizing: Women XS - 2XL (32-48inch hip)
Certifications: GOTS certified, Fairtrade, carbon-neutral shipping
About: KENT stands out from the crowd because they use no elastane or other synthetic materials. They have designed fully compostable underwear so when your holey knickers are at the end of their life you can turn them into nutritious garden soil. Their Pima cotton is grown on GOTS certified farms in Peru and ethically manufactured in Los Angeles.
Products: brief, thongs, high waist
Where to buy:
14. Boody
Photos by Boody
Location: Australia with a UK store
Ships to: Worldwide
Materials: Hemp and organic cotton
Sizing: Men S-4XL (30-43inch waist)
Women XS - 4XL (32.5-53inch hip)
Certifications: Oeko-Tex, WRAP, Ecocert certified bamboo (plant), PETA cruelty-free,
About: Boody uses factories certified by Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) to ensure safe and fair working conditions for their garment workers. They wanted a supply chain that was free from child labour and kind to the environment. They have achieved this by using sustainably managed resources and a zero-waste production system.
Products: Men’s boxers, briefs, trunks and socks. Women’s briefs and bras
Where to buy:
Boody online store (global)
Ethical Superstore (UK)
15. Maylyn & Co
Location: Canada
Ships to: Worldwide
Materials: Vegan silk™
Sizing: M-XL, see the size guide on the product page for exact measurements
Certifications: PETA cruelty-free
About: Maylyn & Co. is a loungewear and lingerie brand from Ontario. They create slip dresses and robes using slow production methods in a factory where garment workers are treated respectfully. Their founder, May, was fed up with synthetic materials irritating her skin so she designed a breathable and comfortable range of sleepwear from plant-based, organic fabrics. Their trademarked vegan silk is certified cruelty-free by Peta.
Products: Slip dresses, robes, loungewear
Where to buy:
*Maylyn & Co have kindly provided an affiliate discount code for my readers, use SOPHIE for 10% off
16. Knickey
Location: US
Ships to: US, EU, UK
Materials: Organic cotton
Sizing: Women 2XS - 3XL (33-49 hip)
Certifications: Climate Neutral, GOTS, Fairtrade, Oeko Tex
About: Knickey is a sustainable underwear brand that has put great thought into every step of the supply chain. They’ve shared each process so that customers know exactly who made their clothes. Their organic cotton is created under a bunch of green certifications meaning you can be sure no toxic chemicals were used or human rights abuses took place.
Products: Bralettes, tanks, thongs, hipsters, briefs
Where to buy:
I hope you found an underwear brand you love today. If you found this post useful, please spread the word by sharing it on social media. You can also follow me on Facebook or Instagram and if you’d like to support my content and research you can say thanks by buying me a coffee.
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