UPDATED 2021

Every good outfit starts with underwear that makes you feel comfortable, confident and sexy. Underwear is the foundation of any good wardrobe, so why are so many of us are still slinging onto our threadbare bras and thongs? One of the best ways to shop sustainably is to buy secondhand, with underwear being the exception to that rule! Therefore, the next best thing is to invest in beautifully made, sustainable and ethical underwear that will last and make you want to take care of your undies. With the eco-friendly underwear market growing, there are now an array of options when it comes to finding consciously made lingerie, ranging from recycled fibres, to bamboo and organic cotton, to ethical manufacturing. Here are a few of our favourites that leave us looking good, feeling good and doing some good for the earth!

1. ARQ

Based in USA | Made in USA | Zelda Bandeau- $42

Originally a childrenswear brand, ARQ branched out into adult versions of beautifully made, sustainable, functional underwear basics that a lot of their customers yearned for. Since then, they have developed their staple underwear styles like classic barrettes, high-rise briefs and cropped vests in an array of bold and bright colours and prints. ARQ only use cotton that is GOTS organic which is dyed using BlueSign or GOTS certifications. They also work with a family-run US sewing factory that they are very proud to have as their partners, so you always know exactly where your beautiful jersey underwear basics come from!

2. MISS CROFTON

Based in London | Made in UK | Bra & Knicker Set – £70

If you’re on the hunt for more frilly and feminine options, Miss Crofton’s ethically made lingerie will leave you feeling sexy, sophisticated and guilt-free! Their London-based studio sources ‘end of roll’ fabrics for their lingerie from a variety of different sellers rather than purchasing newly made materials – This method, along with very small-scale production and conscious pattern cutting techniques, helps minimise waste and overconsumption. Miss Crofton’s high-quality lingerie comes in an array of pastel colour palettes, sheer and silk fabrics and are finished with beautiful trims and details.

3. ELLISS

Based in London | Made in London & Slovenia | Art of Figure Cropping Mid Brief – £40

We couldn’t leave out our own organic cotton printed underwear! Made solely from organic and recycled fabrics, our ‘Art of Figure Cropping’ underwear pieces have been made from offcuts from previous production to help combat waste. All of the ELLISS pieces are produced in a small, family-run factory we work with based in Slovenia and we have a great relationship with them! This ‘Art of Figure Cropping’ print in GOTs Certified organic cotton comes in a bralette and a classic and high-rise brief shape for a unique but easy look to leave you feeling confident, comfy and stylish. Whether you’re lounging around the house, out and about, or you fancy wearing your bras as outerwear, ELLISS will be sure to make you stand out from the crowd!

4. PROJECT PICO

Based in UK | Made in India | Crop Top – £34

Project Pico prides itself on producing super soft, simple everyday underwear. Ethically made in a small Fairtrade factory in Southern India, they only work with organic cotton sourced by fair trade farmer’s cooperatives. This simple yet elegant underwear isn’t just made with organic cotton, but also naturally dyed using plant extracts. Project Pico are excited to have worked with a designer and natural dyer based in Dublin, who has hand dyed a range of their organic cotton underwear in natural substances like plant extracts in three beautiful colours: dusty terracotta, wild heather and pink clay.

5. ORGANIC BASICS

Based in Copenhagen | Made in Portugal and Turkey | Triangle Bra – £36

Sustainability is at the heart of everything Organic Basics does. Creating beautifully simple underwear made from organic cotton and innovative recycled fibres such as TENCEL, this Danish brand is known for its underwear, activewear and basic staples. Organic Basics only work with trusted, certified factory partners who share the same sustainable visions as they do. All factory workers are treated fairly like being paid a living wage and surrounded in a safe working space. They also use a variety of other sustainable fibres such as recycled nylon, wool and cashmere, as well as setting up The Organic Basics Fund to help fight climate change, restore biodiversity and protect vulnerable communities.

6. NUDE LABEL

Based in Spain | Made in Spain | Cut Out Bra – €45

If you’re on the hunt for soft organic underwear in a range of dreamy colours, look no further than Nude the Label. Locally manufactured which helps to reduce their carbon footprint, this Spanish label focuses on underwear basics and swimwear pieces that are made to last. Nude the Label believes that sustainability lies in the great quality organic cotton, so you can wear their underwear to death which reduces the need to buy more. The organic cotton is grown and farmed naturally which maintains soil fertility, reduces the use of toxic pesticides and builds a biodiverse agriculture. Nude the Label underwear is so soft, simple and beautifully made, you’ll feel like you’re wearing a second skin!

7. LARA INTIMATES

Based in London | Made in London | Ava Bra – £48

Lara Intimates offer a wide range of bra sizes made from responsibly sourced deadstock fabrics. Stocking an impressive scope of sizes from 26A to 36GG (with more to come), this sustainable lingerie brand is all about body positivity and inclusivity! After failing to find a responsible UK-based lingerie factory that could produce pieces that were both high quality and affordable, Lara Intimates decided to set up their own factory where everything is made in-house. This allows them to be involved in every stage of the design, production and delivery process, maintaining the highest quality and positive working environment while also maintaining zero carbon footprint! Every Lara piece is designed and made by an all-female team to give the best possible fit, support and style for your body shape.

8. PROCLAIM

Based in Los Angeles | Made in Los Angeles | Everyday Bralette – $59

Proclaim is a black-owned nude lingerie line made from sustainable fabrics. They believe in inclusivity and that fashion should represent all women of different backgrounds and shapes and sizes. One of the responsible fabrics they use is TENCEL, a fibre derived from wood pulp which is well known for its environmentally responsible closed loop production process, and another is REPREVE which is recycled polyester. Proclaim’s fabric is not only locally produced, but also made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic water bottles.

9. KNICKEY

Based in USA | Made in USA | High Rise Brief – $13

Every year, millions of women worldwide suffer from yeast, bladder and vaginal infections which is partly due to synthetic fabrics used for underwear that don’t breath or harmful chemicals found in our undergarments or feminine care products. Knickey are a big advocator for women’s health and combat this issue by producing minimal organic cotton briefs that are free from toxic chemicals to leave you feeling fresher! Knickey also offer a recycling programme and have teamed up with a NYC non-profit organisation to recycle their retired underwear, where the old textiles are broken down and made into new fibres which can then be repurposed for multiple things like insulation or rugs.

10. ANEKDOT

Based in Berlin | Made in Berlin | Daylight Bloom High Set – €120

If you’re looking for something on the lacier and sexier side, you’ll love Anekdot’s beautifully feminine and elegant lingerie. This Berlin-based brand works with an array of sustainable fabrics ranging from QNOVA recycled lace to ECONYL regenerated nylon, as well as sourcing materials from production leftovers, end of lines, off-cuts, deadstock and vintage trimmings. Sofie, the owner and designer of Anekdot loves having an intimate relationship with precious fabrics that the fashion industry leave behind that posses a rich history and story. These pieces are unique, beautifully made and only ever produced in small runs of production or limited editions. Manufacturing takes place locally which allows them to oversee every stage of production, while also maintaining meaningful relationships with their makers and reducing their carbon footprint.

11. VATTER

Based in Germany | Made in Greece & Turkey | Triangle Zebra Bra – €39

Vatter underwear ranges from womenswear to menswear to childrenswear and come in a variety of different prints, colour-ways and shapes. Their manufacturing partners are family-run factories based in Greece and Turkey, where the design team will visit them numerous times a year to ensure production is at the highest quality, workers are treated fairly and sustainable processes are put in place. All batter underwear is made exclusively with organic cotton that is GOTS Certified.

12. HARA

Based in Australia | Made in Australia | Leo High Cut Bra – $45

Hara, meaning ‘green’ in Hindi, is an Australian-based underwear, loungewear and sportswear brand that is committed to creating and producing soft, minimal and beautifully made pieces with sustainable and ethical practices at its very core. A lot of their pieces are made with bamboo fabric which don’t use pesticides or fertilisers while growing the plant, and doesn’t need vast lands to grow as it can be grown in very dense areas. It also produces 30% more oxygen and absorbs more carbon dioxide than trees. Every Hara piece is naturally plant dyed in their warehouse in Melbourne, using turmeric, indigo and madder root.

13. KYE INTIMATES

Based in Los Angeles | Made in Los Angeles | Recline Bra – $80

Kye produces ethically and sustainably made underwear pieces for everyday that combine comfort, sensuality, functionality, versatility and modernity. Each piece is lovingly designed and handmade in Los Angeles, in close partnership with a small, family-owned factory. Made with exclusively deadstock and sustainable fabrics, this conscious underwear brand offers a beautiful range of sheer and organic cotton pieces with minimal yet unique trimmings and hardware and fastenings.

14. SEMI/ROMANTIC

Based in Europe | Made in Portugal | Bea Underwire Bra – €75

Semi/Romantic lingerie isn’t just about looking and feeling your best, but also doing your bit to live sustainably and ethically. With fabric and garment construction both taking place in Portugal, these factories work with an array of fabrics from super soft ribbed jersey to delicate lace, made with innovative recycled and regenerated fibres such as TENCEL and Q-NOVA. Semi/Romantic’s luxurious and feminine pieces are comfortable and will last for years to come.

Find your perfect sustainable undies that leave you feeling fresh, sexy and confident from morning to night