19 Best Ethical & Sustainable Zero Waste Underwear Brands
This post is all about zero-waste underwear. The ins and outs of your underwear drawer and 19 best sustainable underwear brands you will love!
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Lately, I’ve been thinking about my underwear drawer and how I haven’t bought any new knickers or bras for ages. So firstly, it’s definitely time for a refresh but I also noticed how much of my old underwear is from local high street stores.
I don’t want to buy your standard fast fashion underwear brands anymore, I want to discover some great ethical brands where I can purchase a high-rise brief made from sustainable fabric, where the brand cares about the planet and doesn’t send my items out in a crappy plastic bag full of plastic waste.
I have been doing A LOT of research and I have discovered my new favorite underwear brands!
But, before you ditch those old undies, let’s dive into a little bit of detail about what zero-waste underwear is and why it is important to really know your new underwear is coming from…
Zero Waste Underwear: 19 Best Ethical & Sustainable Brands
What is Zero Waste Underwear?
Zero-waste underwear is a type of underwear that is designed to minimise waste and reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
I think it is important to note here that the term zero-waste refers to little or minimal waste, as it is extremely difficult to achieve true zero-waste in the production and manufacturing of products. The production and disposal of clothing significantly contribute to environmental pollution and waste. You can reduce your carbon footprint by choosing a more eco-friendly underwear brand and working towards a more sustainable future.
It is made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials, such as organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled fabrics. These materials are biodegradable and do not harm the environment when disposed of. It is produced using environmentally friendly processes that minimise waste and reduce the use of harmful chemicals.
Some underwear brands also offer innovative features, such as removable pads, to extend the life of the garment and reduce waste. Others offer compostable underwear, so you can dispose of it in a way that benefits the environment. I love that these brands are choosing a more circular model.
Benefits of Zero Waste Underwear
In this section, we will explore the benefits of zero-waste underwear, including eco-friendly materials, sustainable production practices, and reduced textile waste.
Eco-Friendly Materials
Sustainable and eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, hemp fabric, recycled fabrics and Tencel are used to make Zero-waste underwear. These materials are grown without the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals, making them safer for the environment and for your skin.
The materials used are just as important as the design and construction. Here are some of the most common materials used in zero-waste underwear:
Organic Cotton
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified organic cotton is a popular choice for sustainable underwear brands because it is grown without harmful pesticides and chemicals. This means that organic cotton is not only better for the environment, but it is also better for the people who grow and harvest it. Organic cotton is also soft and breathable, making it a comfortable choice for underwear.
Hemp Fabric
Hemp fabric is another popular choice. Like organic cotton, hemp is grown without harmful pesticides and chemicals. Hemp fabric is also strong and durable, making it an excellent choice for underwear that will last a long time. Hemp fabric is also naturally anti-bacterial, which can help reduce odours.
Tencel
Tencel is a type of fabric made from wood pulp. It is a sustainable and eco-friendly choice because the wood pulp used to make it comes from sustainably managed forests. Tencel is also soft and breathable, making it a comfortable choice for underwear.
Merino Wool
Merino wool is a natural and sustainable choice for zero-waste underwear. It is naturally anti-bacterial, which can help reduce odours. Merino wool is also soft and breathable, making it a comfortable choice for underwear. It is important to note that not all merino wool is sustainable, so be sure to look for underwear made from sustainably sourced merino wool.
Recycled Elastane/Spandex
Elastane, also known as spandex, is a synthetic material that is often used in underwear to provide stretch and support. While it is not a natural material, it can be a sustainable choice for zero-waste underwear when it is made from recycled materials. Look for underwear made from recycled elastane/spandex to reduce your environmental impact.
Image owned by Sundies underwear brand.
Sustainable Production Practices
When it comes to zero-waste underwear, sustainable production practices are essential. This includes ensuring that the workers who make the underwear are treated fairly and paid living wages.
Here are some of the sustainable production practices that you should look for when choosing new pieces for your underwear drawer:
Fair Trade
Choosing fair trade zero waste underwear ensures that the workers who make your underwear are treated fairly. Fair trade guarantees that the workers are paid a fair wage and have safe working conditions. It also ensures that the workers have the right to unionise and bargain collectively. Look for fair trade certifications when choosing your underwear.
Living Wages
Living wages are essential for ensuring that workers can support themselves and their families. When choosing zero-waste underwear, look for brands that pay their workers living wages. This means that the workers are paid enough to cover their basic needs, such as food, housing, and healthcare.
Ethically Made
Ethically made zero-waste underwear is made in a way that is environmentally and socially responsible. This includes using sustainable materials, reducing waste, and ensuring that workers are treated fairly. When choosing your underwear, look for brands that prioritise ethical production practices.
WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) certification is also a good indicator of sustainable production practices. This certification ensures that the production of the garment has been socially and environmentally responsible.
Reduced Textile Waste
Eco-friendly underwear is designed to reduce textile waste by using upcycled and recycled fabrics. This means that the fabric used to make the underwear is sourced from pre-consumer waste, such as fabric scraps and off-cuts, or post-consumer waste, such as recycled plastic bottles.
Zero Waste Underwear: 19 Best Ethical & Sustainable Brands
After a lot of research and looking into different brands of underwear & lingerie I have found some great options for anyone who is looking to shape up their underwear drawers this summer.
Here are my 19 favourite sustainable underwear brands (in no particular order)…
1. Thunderpants USA
Location: USA
Size Range: 0-28
Price Range: $20-$68
Good On You Rating: Great
Thunderpants USA is a boutique underwear brand that places great emphasis on ethical labour practices, sustainable manufacturing, and prioritizing quality over quantity. Their philosophy centres around fairness rather than profit, and they follow a slower-growth business model that prioritizes well-being whilst supporting the local economy.
When I first found Thunderpants USA online, I thought it was the coolest brand. They offer pants in so many eye-catching designs & different colors including their new range of botanical hand-dyed pants using compost!
2. Y.O.U Underwear
Location: UK
Size Range: 8-22
Price Range: £14-£30
Good On You Rating: Great
Y.O.U Underwear is a British brand focusing on social impact and sustainability. Y.O.U stands for “Your Own Underwear,” emphasizing its mission to empower individuals and promote positive change.
The brand operates with a buy-one-give-two model, meaning that for every pair of underwear sold, they donate two pairs to disadvantaged communities or individuals in need. How great is that?
3. Vatter
Location: Germany
Size Range: 6-16
Price Range: £20-£40
Good On You Rating: Great
Vatter is a German underwear brand known for its sustainable and eco-friendly approach. They specialize in creating high-quality underwear for men and women using organic materials, such as organic cotton and modal sourced from certified suppliers. Vatter’s products are designed to be comfortable, durable, and gentle on the skin.
I love that Vatter prioritizes fair and ethical manufacturing practices. They work with production partners who adhere to strict social and environmental standards, ensuring that their garments are produced under fair working conditions. They also strive to minimize waste and reduce their carbon footprint by using eco-friendly packaging and optimizing their supply chain.
4. WAMA
Location: USA
Size Range: XS-4XL
Price Range: $24-$44
Good On You Rating: Good
WAMA is a zero-waste underwear brand specialising in hemp underwear. Hemp is both eco-friendly and comfortable which is what everyone wants in an underwear brand I’m sure!
Their products are made using fair trade practices and are free from harmful chemicals and dyes.
I love hemp fabric because it is naturally anti-bacterial and moisture-wicking, making it an ideal choice for underwear.
5. Organic Basics
Location: Copenhagen
Size Range: XXS-XXL
Price Range: £10-£60
Good On You Rating: Great
Organic Basics is a sustainable clothing brand that designs all its products in Copenhagen whilst making sure to consider the earth. The brand believes in comfort and sustainability for all.
I love that they choose all their materials and fabrics that care for the environment and only partner with factories that consider their impact too. Their underwear is simple yet stunning and looks SO comfortable which is the dream, isn’t it?
6. Monsoon Blooms
Location: Australia
Size Range: S, M & L
Price Range: $50-$200
Good On You Rating: Great
Monsoon Blooms is an Australian bohemian label free of toxic chemicals and uses natural materials & natural dyes. Their cotton is coloured according to the wisdom of Ayurveda at a small dye house in the southern forests of Kerala.
Their fabric is created using 100% natural plant dyes rich in medicinal properties, so much so that the fabrics are known locally as ‘healing cloths’ as they are used locally for health over fashion. Which sounds so magical.
6. Jackfruit the label
Location: Australia
Size Range: 6-26
Price Range: $55-$75
Good On You Rating: Great
Jackfruit the label is an Australian brand specialising in eco-friendly underwear which are slow, long-lasting and earth-friendly garments. I love that their priorities have been ethical sourcing, sustainability, inclusivity, and comfort. This is also so important to me.
Another great thing about Jackfruit the label is that the garments are made in small batches. This is the absolute opposite of a fast fashion brand. Bloody Fantastic!
7. Sundies
Location: UK
Size Range: S-XL
Price Range: £15-£60
Good On You Rating: n/a
Sundies was launched in 2023 and I love following founders Elle & Gaby’s journey. They are a British brand offering beautifully made eco-responsible underwear, basics and beachwear. Their products are kind to your body and the planet.
They work exclusively with manufacturers that share their sustainable and ethical values and use organic, recycled, and deadstock materials. Sundies also has a zero-waste approach and uses deadstock fabrics to create items like scrunchies, ensuring that little goes to waste from their studio. Which is great!
Tip- Depending on how you like your pants, I would size up the knickers as they are quite a snug fit.
8. Pantee
Location: UK
Size Range: XS-3XL
Price Range: £18-£50
Good On You Rating: Good
Pantee is one of my favourite ethical basics brands promoting conscious consumption. It all began when sisters Katie & Amanda wanted to make pants from deadstock tees. Hence the name ‘Pantee’. Love it!
They focus on transparency whilst creating eco-friendly and ethically made products. Pantee is committed to using sustainable materials such as organic cotton, deadstock fabrics or recycled fabrics in their manufacturing process which is fantastic.
9. Brighton Lace
Location: UK
Size Range: S-XL
Price Range: £28-£90
Good On You Rating: n/a
Brighton Lace is an eco-friendly brand, who are passionate about sustainability and creates feel-good, sustainable lingerie.
Empowerment is at the heart of everything they do so they are committed to making sure that every member of the Brighton Lace team and partners is able to earn a living wage doing what they love. They also work with earth-friendly, rescued fabrics from responsible suppliers.
10. Not just Pajama
Location: UK
Size Range: S-XXL
Price Range: £47-£350
Good On You Rating: Good
Not Just Pajama is a brand specialising in undergarments and pajamas made from the finest, sustainably sourced silk. The brand hopes to create a better future through ethical and responsible practices.
They are committed to making customers feel sophisticated and comfortable, whether they are wearing their silk pajamas on the streets or in the comfort of their own homes.
I love that these ethically made garments are multi-purpose and can be worn on such different occasions. What a fantastic idea!
11. Proclaim
Location: USA
Size Range: S-XXL
Price Range: £29-£80
Good On You Rating: Great
Proclaim is an inclusive lingerie line made in LA from eco-conscious fabrics. The brand was founded on the principles that fashion should represent all women that is good for people and the planet.
They celebrate real women, use ethically sourced and sustainable fabrics and are partnered with a family-owned, BIPOC-owned apparel factory in LA that pays well above minimum wage and pays employees & garment workers hourly wages rather than per piece.
12. The Very Good Bra
Location: Australia
Size Range: 8-16
Price Range: $40-$100
Good On You Rating: Good
The Very Good Bra is an impressive eco-conscious brand. The founder, Stephanie Devine set out to create the world’s first plastic-free bra and she launched the Very Good Bra in 2018.
The brand uses pre-sales to fund the production and also minimise waste by only making appropriate quantities across their big size ranges, and never ending up with waste stock.
As their bras are 100% plastic-free they’re fully compostable or suitable for your worm far, at the end of life. This really differentiates this brand from other sustainable brands.
I wish more brands were like this, true slow fashion.
13. Pact
Location: USA
Size Range: XS-XXL
Price Range: £15-£50
Good On You Rating: Good
Pact offers a range of organic cotton underwear that is both eco-friendly and affordable.
Their products are made using fair trade practices, and they use low-impact dyes to minimize their environmental impact.
I love that Pact also uses recycled packaging materials to reduce waste even further.
14. Boody
Location: Australia
Size Range: XS-4XL
Price Range: £15-£80
Good On You Rating: Good
Boody is a sustainable clothing company that offers a range of underwear made from organic bamboo fabric.
Organically grown bamboo is soft, breathable and eco-friendly. Their products are certified by EcoCert and FSC, and they are also part of the 1% for the Planet initiative.
Boody’s underwear is beautifully designed and is both comfortable and sustainable. The perfect pairing!
16. We are Subset
Location: USA
Size Range: XS-4XL
Price Range: £15-£80
Good On You Rating: Great
We are Subset is an organic cotton underwear brand that is designed to be both sustainable and comfortable.
They seek out the most environmentally responsible processes, low-impact fabrics and ethical manufacturing for all of their products. But the bit I love the most is that they offer a recycling program for old underwear, helping to reduce waste even further. This is just brilliant!
17. One Essentials
Location: UK
Size Range: XS-3XL
Price Range: £19-£50
Good On You Rating: n/a
ONE Essentials is a sustainable underwear & essentials brand that was born in the pandemic.
Founder, Carrie Davies, wanted to create a brand that drives real change in the fashion industry.
ONE essentials is tackling the items in our wardrobes that work the hardest, we think about the least and are often the most disposable. Our underwear! That is why their circular model is changing the game when it comes to underwear.
They also offer a recycling programme for all your old undies and pants.
18. Mighty Good Basics
Location: Australia
Size Range: 6-22
Price Range: $15-$40
Good On You Rating: Great
Mighty Good Basics is an Australian, sustainable & premium basics brand for men and women.
Their products are beautifully and ethically made and they only use GOTs & certified fair trade cotton. I love their focus on becoming a fully circular business by 2025.
19. People Tree
Location: UK
Size Range: 6-18
Price Range: £11-£40
Good On You Rating: Great
People Tree is ‘a pioneer in sustainable Fair Trade fashion’. People Tree was founded in 1991 and they have always had the same mission, producing garments with the highest ethical and environmental standards.
Collections that feature organic cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell and responsible wool, are made using traditional artisan skills which I love.
Overall, there are many great options when it comes to zero-waste underwear. By choosing a brand that prioritises sustainability and ethical production, you can feel good about your purchase and reduce your impact on the environment.
Image is owned by Thunderpants USA
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