A Slow and Sustainable Underwear Brands Directory (Ad)
(Ad/pr product & affiliate links. Organic Basics sent me garments that are featured in this blog post. Links to Organic Basics are affiliate links.
(WAMA Underwear paid for inclusion in this article.)
Surely it’s not just me who finds underwear so hard to buy? All I want is a drawer full of comfortable bras and knickers, sourced from brands with ethical and sustainable practices throughout their supply chain - why is that so hard? It makes it even trickier that my breasts are larger than average - meaning that I can’t really buy bras according to clothes size (who can?!) and that I often get frustrated when pretty designs only fit smaller chests. I feel like I’ve been researching for this guide all summer - so when Organic Basics sent me a couple of pieces from their collection to try out, I decided it was time to bite the bullet and finally finish and publish this guide. Not all of the brands listed below are suitable for larger sizes, but they’re all slow, small and sustainable brands that I either already own a piece of their collection or would like to try out. If you know of any other underwear brands that would be a good addition to this list, let me know in the comments.
ORGANIC BASICS
*The links below for Organic Basics are affiliate links
For a 10% discount off Organic Basics, use code EMMAOBC at checkout. Code expires 01/02/21
Based: Denmark| Sizes: bras go up to XL
If you’re looking for ethical, sustainable underwear that adheres to slow fashion principles, Organic Basics should be your starting point. The brand sent me a long sleeved tee and a couple of pairs of briefs to try out, and I’m now planning on buying one of their bras for everyday wear. Based in Denmark, the brand revolves around a range of basic garments, focused on underwear and activewear. There are several styles of bras and knickers available, in a range of fabrics including GOTS certified organic cotton, TENCEL and the brand’s own SilverTech, made from recycled materials. TENCEL is an eco-friendly fabric made from wood pulp, that takes 80% less water to grow than cotton, that creates a soft and light material. Organic Basics have sustainability at their core, with a number one rule that they design everything to be made to last. Garments are timeless, fabrics are environmentally friendly and soft, and they only partner with responsible and transparent factories. There’s tons of information available on their website about the factories that they work with, as well as an informative A-Z about how dirty the fashion industry is and how they’re working to change that. I also love that they set up a fund to help fight climate change and protect biodiversity.
I'm wearing:
WAMA UNDERWEAR
Based: USA | Sizes: bras go up to 2XL
WAMA Underwear are pioneering hemp underwear with their collection of simple yet stylish bras and briefs. Hemp is known for being naturally anti-bacterial, soft and breathable, making it the perfect choice for practical and comfortable underwear. Their hemp is grown on small, family-run, organic farms in China, with a China-based member of staff overseeing the factories used to produce their garments, ensuring that employees are fairly paid and working environments are safe. WAMA is proud to be a vegan company and is a Green America Certified Business. Also, orders are sent out using 100% recycled packaging which can be recycled or reused by recipients.
PICO
Based: U.K | Sizes: bras go up to L
Pico is the result of two childhood friends creating a brand that aims to provide ethical, organic and fair trade everyday items through a series of projects - starting with underwear. The duo have designed a capsule collection of basic, simple undergarments - a crop top, vest and three styles of knickers, available in black and white as well as a special natural dyed range. There’s no fuss and no trend-led pieces, just classic cotton underwear that you can wear everyday. The brand works directly with a small fair trade factory in southern India, using organic cotton that is sourced from fair trade farmer’s cooperatives. I own one of their bras and find it soft and comfortable, although their size range is very small (I have a size large and could really do with an XL).
HARA
Based: Australia | Sizes: bras go up to 5XL
I’ve had my eyes on Hara for a while and think my next underwear purchases will probably come from them (head’s up, Know the Origin stock them in the U.K). Founder Allie Cameron was travelling around India when she realised the environmental impact of fast fashion - this led to her researching natural dyes and sustainable clothing production in Bali. She launched Hara (meaning ‘green’ in Hindi) in 2016, with the aim of creating beautiful garments with sustainable and ethical practices at their core. All garments are made from naturally dyed, organic bamboo with all parts of the manufacturing process taking part in Australia. I especially love that they have a larger size range than most of the other brands on this list and are big boob friendly. Choose from four styles of bra, three knickers and a leotard in a range of fun, bright colours.
PANSY
Based: U.S | Sizes: bras go up to 3XL
Based in California, Pansy is an organic cotton underwear company offering fun and colourful bras and knickers that are designed to mix and match. They use organically grown natural cotton that is milled and sewn locally. The natural rubber and cotton elastic used in their garments is made in Rhode Island and all dyes used are non-toxic. Their bras go up to 3XL, making them a great choice for anyone looking for larger sizes. Their extensive range includes four bras, three knickers and loungewear in their trademark bold colours.
BASERANGE
Based: Denmark & France | Sizes: bras go up to L
Baserange have a whole collection of garments but I’m just going to focus on their underwear here. Based in Denmark, they specialise in modern basics with an emphasis on clean lines, easy silhouettes and that trademark well-designed Scandi style. They have a commitment to using natural fibers and recycled fabric, as well as minimising the environmental impact of their production. Fabrics include organic cotton, recycled cotton, linen and bamboo, and the brand uses non-toxic dyes as well as minimising bleaching by offering off-white styles, rather than white. They use family-run Portuguese factories for production of their underwear and basics. I haven’t purchased from them as yet as their size range is small.
WORON
Based: Denmark | Sizes: bras go up to L
I really like the look of Woron’s underwear range, but again they only have a small size range so I’m yet to try out any of their styles. I like that they have a wider range of styles than most of the other brands mentioned, offering a pretty lace bra as well as cross-back styles and bralettes, all in natural and basic colours. Their philosophy is all about ‘no junk’ - no toxic chemicals or dyes, no metal, no chafing. They make comfortable underwear made from GOTS certified cotton and Lenzing Modal, a smooth fibre made from beech wood. Most of their garments are made in an Öko-Tex certified family-owned factory in Hungary.
BOODY
Based: U.K| Sizes: bras go up to XL
The most sustainable option is always to buy from brands based in your own country, hence why I’m making a real effort to seek out more slow and ethical brands based in the U.K. Boody’s tagline is ‘good for you and our planet’, producing a range of underwear made from bamboo - a fabric that is hypoallergenic, highly breathable and super soft, as well as having a low impact on the environment. The brand’s accredited ethical and sustainable certifications include Ecocert, SGS and WRAP, ensuring that the brand stick to ethical and sustainable practices through all stages of the manufacturing process. A small range of bras and briefs are available in classic colours, designed for longevity. Edit 06/11/21: I now own three Boody bras and they are among the comfiest in my wardrobe - thoroughly recommend!
ELLIOT ORGANICS
Based: U.K| Sizes: briefs go up to XL
Not everyone likes to wear a bra (honestly, I barely wear one these days, thanks to lockdown) so I’ve added Elliot Organics to this list, despite only offering one style of bra. This small Brighton-based brand offer a capsule collection of intimates, including briefs, camisoles and vests - available only in black and white. These basics can be worn as underwear or sleepwear, and are perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to wear a bra but would like to wear another layer beneath their clothes. Garments are made in small quantities to reduce waste, using GOTS certified organic cotton and are made in a small factory near Barcelona.
THE UNDERLABEL
Based: U.K | Sizes: bras go up to XL
The Underlabel offer a capsule collection of black and white bras and knickers made from a soft breathable jersey (a mix of certified organic cotton and bamboo) with no underwires. Garments are made to order, cutting down on waste and adhering to slow fashion practices, while also having the flexibility to offer personal fits to customers. Owner, Jasmine designs, develops and cuts each piece herself, as a part time solo project that aims to provide comfortable, practical everyday underwear.
PROCLAIM
Based: U.S| Sizes: bras go up to 3XL
Proclaim is an inclusive nude lingerie brand that offers a capsule collection of one bra and one briefs in four colours. They use earth conscious materials, including Tencel and recycled polyester made from 100% post-consumer plastic water bottles. Every detail is carefully considered to meet both ethical and sustainable practices - from paying their work force a fair hourly wage to sending out their products in recycled and recyclable packaging.
ARQ
Based: U.S | Sizes: bras go up to 3XL
ARQ’s capsule underwear collection is right at the top of my list of brands I’d like to try. I’m currently thinking of biting the bullet (custom charges) and ordering a set, as I’ve been admiring them for years and they just look so comfortable. They started as a children’s line selling organic cotton base layers and now offer a simple wide strap bra, full coverage bra and pair of briefs in a choice of 11 colours and prints - including leopard print, bold hues and neutral tones. Their cotton is GOTS certified organic and is dyed using non-toxic dyes. Their products are sewn in a family-owned, U.S factory and all packaging is plastic-free and recyclable. Edit 06/11/21: I now own two ARQ full coverage bras and they are among the comfiest in my wardrobe - thoroughly recommend! Our Daily Edit is a UK stockist.
THE NUDE LABEL
Based: Spain| Sizes: bras go up to XL
The Nude Label offer a range of bras, knickers, bodies and swimwear with all lingerie crafted from organic cotton. I have their cut out bra with thin straps, and while I love it, it isn’t really made for women with larger chests (I should probably have gone for the wide strap version). I love the choice of colours the styles are available in and the quality of the pieces, however - if I had a smaller chest I would definitely buy more from them. All of their garments are made in a family-run factory in Valencia, close to their studio. The brand endeavors to reduce waste and create sustainable, long-lasting products throughout their manufacturing process.
All photos are the brand’s own - apart from Organic Basics photos are mine