13 Sustainable & Ethical Underwear Brands for All Your Needs
The world of underwear has changed a lot in recent years. Gone are the days when you could just buy whatever your favorite store had in stock and not worry about it: today, we have access to so many brands and styles that there’s something for everyone!
Underwear is a very personal subject, and can make or break an outfit. As sustainable and ethical brands become more popular in the fashion industry, it’s important to know what sustainable underwear brands are out there. In this article we will be covering 13 sustainable and ethical underwear brands that you should consider when shopping for new underwear!
Organic Basics
Ethical & Sustainable | Sustainable & ethical production, GOTS certified cotton, recycled packaging
Product Range | Underwear & non-wired bras in basic colors, socks, tees
Price Range | $39–$127
Organic Basics makes super comfortable everyday underwear from high-quality organic materials, living up to the motto of “Basically Better Made”. They offer organic cotton, bamboo and hemp. The Organic Basics team believes in ethical production practices to ensure they are having an impact on their environment with every garment made. They also believe in transparency so you know exactly where your garments come from and who made them! Organic Basics has an affordable price point for everyone’s budget — even if you’re living on the paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle of student life.
Cosabella
Ethical & Sustainable | Natural dyes, hand-crafted, size-inclusive, maternity
Product Range | Bras, underwear, bodysuits, bustiers, pajama sets
Price Range | $19.50–$235
Cosabella is a sustainable underwear company that has been in business for over 40 years. They have a wide selection of products, but their most popular items are their thongs and bras. They offer both the classic styles and some newer innovative designs, such as wireless bra cups with no seams or underwire. Cosabella’s goal is to be an ethical leader in the industry by maintaining high standards for workers rights, environmental sustainability, and product quality while still offering competitive pricing on all of their products.
Pact
Ethical & Sustainable | Fair trade, GOTS certified organic cotton, carbon-offset shipping
Product Range | Bras, bralettes, tees, cotton underwear, socks
Price Range | $12–$60
Pact is a clothing company that makes sustainable, ethical underwear. They have a variety of styles including briefs, trunks, boxer briefs and boxers to suit any guy’s taste. Each style uses natural fibers like organic cotton or bamboo rayon which are softer than other materials on the market today. The underwear is also designed with features like 360 degree breathability for maximum comfort and functionality. The Pact team creates each design with simplicity in mind so you can wear what you want without worrying about your clothes feeling uncomfortable all day long!
Boody
Ethical & Sustainable | Organic bamboo, low-waste production, recycled packaging
Product Range | Bras, underwear, socks, bodysuits
Price Range | $12–$40
Boody keeps things ultra-simple with its basic underwear collection. All of their products are made from certified organic cotton and bamboo which is sourced largely from small farmers in China and India. Their products are also vegan friendly and contain no chemicals or artificial dyes. The company was born out of frustration with the lack of ethically-produced undergarments available on the market for men. They wanted to create an alternative to what’s available today — underwear that was created sustainably without making compromises when it comes to design or quality.
Knickey
Ethical & Sustainable | GOTS- & OEKO TEX Certified, recycling program
Product Range | Underwear
Price Range | $13/pair
There’s a lot of awareness in today’s society about the environment and the effects we have. That means there is also a demand for sustainable ethical underwear brands that are making strides to reduce their impact on the planet. Knickey is one such brand, who started with just three pairs of underwear, but has since expanded into other products like shirts and socks. They use certified organic cotton from India, along with recycled polyester from post-consumer plastic bottles sourced from US coastal communities. The company has set out to make it easier for consumers to shop ethically by providing an online platform where customers can find eco-friendly clothing without having to search through many different websites themselves — all while still earning revenue for themselves!
CUUP
Ethical & Sustainable | Inclusive nude options, inclusive sizing, vertically integrated production
Product Range | Bras, bralettes, underwear, two-piece swimwear
Price Range | $18–$98
CUUP knows that 32B isn’t a one-size-fits-all (literally). That’s why the brand has bras in forty (yes, forty!) sizes ranging from AA to H. All you need to do to find your right fit is take a simple quiz; plus, you can follow up with a complimentary fitting session. CUUP provides high quality, comfortable and affordable underwear with an emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility. The company aims to make the world a better place; by creating jobs for women in need of work, reducing water consumption through its closed-loop manufacturing process, recycling materials from production waste into new products, minimizing carbon emissions through its supply chain management system and promoting gender equality.
Proclaim
Ethical & Sustainable | Ethically made, inclusive nude options, Tencel, Repreve, 100 percent recycled packaging, fair wages
Product Range | Bralettes, bodysuits, briefs
Price Range | $28–$59
Proclaim is expanding the definition of “nude” with an inclusive collection of both shades (light to deep) and sizes (S–3XL). Proclaim aims to change that with their sustainable and ethical underwear. They are committed to using sustainable materials in the production of their clothing. And they make sure all of their factories are in compliance with fair labor standards. All of these efforts help to ensure that their consumers can live more sustainably while still getting high-quality products. They pride themselves in being able to give their customers the best quality possible, while ensuring that they are helping the environment by not having excess packaging or wasteful practices.
Tentree
Ethical & Sustainable | Upcycled materials, recycled packaging, low-waste production
Product Range | Bralettes, thongs, bikini & boxer briefs
Price Range | $18–$45 (CAD); $15–$40 (USD)
Tentree is an ethical underwear brand that focuses on sustainability and comfort. They use only the highest quality sustainable materials, which are sourced from renewable forests, organic cotton, bamboo silk and recycled polyester. These materials are less wasteful than other fabrics because they require less energy to produce. With their easy-to-wear designs, Tentree offers the perfect combination of style and eco awareness for all! In an effort to reduce the amount of clothes ending up in landfills, they offer customers a lifetime guarantee on their products. The company’s mission is to create products that are ethically sourced and sustainably produced, while also making them affordable for everyone around the world.
Brook There
Ethical & Sustainable | Organic cotton, made in the USA
Product Range | Bras, underwear, slips, camisoles
Price Range | $28–$148
Brook There is a sustainable, ethical underwear brand that aims to provide customers with the best possible product. They’re also committed to supporting women in developing countries through their products and proceeds — helping these women find opportunity for themselves and their families. There are too many brands making poor quality underwear out there! And not enough brands like Brook There providing high quality, ethically made goods at an affordable price point! The team at Brook There has done extensive research on how to make the most comfortable, breathable fabric available while being respectful of our environment. Buying from companies like this will help ensure that these sustainable practices are carried on for future generations.
Uye Surana
Ethical & Sustainable | Ethical manufacturing, recycled packaging, reduced-waste printing
Product Range | Underwear, bras/bralettes, camis, slips, garters, stockings
Price Range | $28–$98
With sizes ranging from XS to 3XL, Uye Surana is an inclusive lingerie brand that deserves our attention. The company uses high quality natural materials like bamboo, organic cotton and modal to create comfortable, breathable and absorbent garments. Their mission is to provide eco-friendly, sustainable products that are made with the best quality fabrics in order to make people feel good about their bodies while also caring for the environment. Uye Surana offers an array of styles including bras, briefs and thongs which come in both traditional colors like black or beige as well as vibrant colors such as pink or purple. They also offer collections featuring lace or embroidery details on some pieces; these special pieces will not only look great but they’ll offer extra comfort while wearing them.
Warp + Weft
Ethical & Sustainable | Eco-friendly production, fair wages, inclusive size & nude shade options
Product Range | Underwear
Price Range | $12–$25
Family-owned Warp + Weft has been in the denim business for 30 years, so it should come as no surprise that the brand’s underwear is intentionally designed to be undetectable. Their designs are made to last, with textured fabric for maximum durability. They also use natural materials like bamboo and cotton, which provide breathability so you don’t get too hot or sweaty while wearing them! This means they’re perfect for active people who want to feel confident in their clothes at all times. Warp + Weft’s sizes range from XS-XXL, which makes it easy to find an option that fits your body type perfectly!
Azura Bay
Ethical & Sustainable | Eco-friendly & ethically made brands, size-inclusive options, GOTS Certified cotton/Tencel, recycled fabrics, green packaging, gives back
Product Range | Bras, underwear, camisoles, pajamas, leggings
Price Range | $17–$99
Azura Bay is a sustainable ethical underwear brand that is committed to quality, fair trade, and ethical production. Every aspect of their manufacturing process has been considered for sustainability, including the use of recycled materials in products like bras and panties made from 100% organic cotton. From using low-waste dyes to biodegradable packaging, Azura Bay’s mission is to minimize their impact on our environment while ensuring they provide their customers with high quality garments that are responsibly produced. Azure Bay’s products are perfect for people looking to make a difference with what they wear everyday!
Thunderpants USA
Ethical & Sustainable | GOTS & fair trade certified organic cotton, nontoxic inks & dyes, woman-owned
Product Range | Bralettes, briefs, camisoles, leggings, bike shorts, swimwear
Price Range | $16–$58
A Portland-based off-shoot of the original New Zealand brand, Thunderpants USA not only cares about the environment but also their customers. They offer an assortment of sizes, styles and colors to suit any individual’s needs. The company has created an Eco-friendly product line with no pesticides or toxic chemicals in the materials, which eliminates harmful substances from being released into our air and water supply. This helps maintain a healthy environment for future generations to come! They are committed to using natural fabrics like bamboo and organic cotton, as well as fair trade practices by partnering with factories in India and Indonesia that provide safe working conditions and living wages for their workers.
Conclusion
With so many options now available, it’s never been easier to find underwear that fits your lifestyle and values. Whether you want organic cotton briefs or vegan thongs, there are plenty of sustainable brands out there for all types of lifestyles. We hope this list has helped you find the perfect pair! And if not? You can always come back to our blog post at SenseOrient to explore even more ethical underwear companies in the future!
