Underwear is perhaps the most underrated item of clothing in your wardrobe. No one sees it, but you wear it every day. And so, quite a bit goes through it unnoticed. Because wearing the same pair of pants for several days? Oh dear. Unacceptable! Precisely why it's actually quite logical to also take a moment to consider your underwear collection. Fortunately, there are more and more brands nowadays that show that underwear can also be a lot better. And that's why we've put together a lovely list of sustainable underwear brands for when you need to find replacements. From sexy sets (ooh la la!) to sturdy basics and everything in between.
Choose your underwear better!
Underwear might seem like ‘just’ underwear, but if you think about it for a little longer, there's quite a lot attached to it. Many briefs and bras are made from synthetic fibres like polyester or polyamide, often mixed with elastane for stretch.You can read more about elastane here.Even if it's ‘regular’ cotton, it almost always contains a bit of elastane. That adds comfort, but those materials are made from petroleum and can release microplastics during washing. And that elastic part has another disadvantage: over time it becomes slack. Then you get those loose seams or small holes in places where the fabric is constantly under tension. Fortunately, more and more brands are doing things differently, with materials such as organic cotton and Tencel. A little elastane is often still needed for stretch, but the base of the material can be much better. And that's not only nicer for your skin, but also for the planet. Moreover, better-made underwear often simply lasts longer. So why not?
The coolest sustainable underwear brands
What do we look out for? Primarily the material, and where and under what conditions the underwear is made (and how transparent a brand is about this). Here are a few excellent sustainable underwear brands that, in our opinion, fit the greener list.
- Savara Intimatesa Dutch lingerie brand where we at thegreenlist.nl Fruity and flavourful. Feminine and tasteful, with plenty of lace and fine embroidery: that's the best description. At the same time, the bras are comfortable: non-wired with adjustable straps and soft cups that move with your body. This means you don't have to buy new lingerie immediately if you gain or lose a few kilogrammes. That's also nice and sustainable. The items are made in small workshops in Europe, often from materials such as Tencel and lace and mesh made from recycled or leftover fabrics. Also special: Savara makes nursing bras and prosthesis lingerie, so women in different stages of their lives can wear something beautiful and comfortable. Hear, hear!
- DillingThe Danish brand Dilling makes underwear from organic merino wool and cotton. They make their production chain transparent, which is always a good sign! The wool comes from Argentina or Uruguay, is spun in Europe, and the underwear is eventually sewn in Lithuania or Ukraine. Many products have the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, a strict Scandinavian environmental certification. In addition to underwear, Dilling offers many more merino wool basics.
- Underprotection: where Dilling mainly makes practical and basic underwear, Underprotection is a Danish lingerie brand that really pretty setjes. Put on the romantic playlist in advance… You might already know the brand from our list of sustainable swimwear. Underprotection is B Corp-certified, which means an independent organisation assesses how a company scores on aspects such as the environment, employees, and transparency. The collections feature many certified materials, such as GOTS organic cotton and GRS-certified recycled fibres. They also offer a repair service and a take-back programme where you can return old items for reuse or recycling. In short, truly worth mentioning!
Looking for sustainable lingerie with a great story behind it – sexy yet incredibly comfortable? Then do check out Savara Intimates. Here at thegreenlist.nl, we’re big fans (of their bikinis too).
- Organic Basicsa beautiful brand from Copenhagen that makes minimalist basics from materials such as organic cotton, recycled nylon and Tencel. You may already know the brand, as we previously tipped it in our list of sustainable sportswear. On the website, you can even see which workshops and people make your underwear. A really nice idea, this transparency. Expect comfortable basics here above all that everyone will find pleasant: ribbed fabrics, soft briefs, and bralettes without underwire.
- More Than Basics: simply good underwear. The brand uses safe materials and works with certified factories. What’s more, everything is 100% vegan. We don’t think any list of eco-friendly underwear would be complete without this brand.
- Bamboo Basicsshould not be missing from this list either. The brand is all about comfortable basic underwear made from bamboo. The underwear feels silky smooth, breathes well, and fits like a glove. Many followers of thegreenlist.nl is a fan. The fabric is made from bamboo fibres and carries the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 label, meaning the textile has been tested for harmful substances. Furthermore, bamboo grows incredibly fast and requires less agricultural land than regular cotton.
- Hamppy: the only one in the lineup that makes hemp underwear. Although you don't often come across hemp underwear yet, it is one of the most sustainable fabrics for clothing and therefore also for underwear and lingerie! Hemp growth requires no pesticides and only a small amount of water and land. The nutrients the hemp plant uses to grow, it gives back to the soil. Hamppy's underwear is made from organic hemp and they participate in the 1% for the planet- initiative, which means they donate 1% of their profits to charity.
- Calidadeserves a place on this list, as far as we're concerned. The Swiss brand has been around since 1941 and is known for comfortable, long-lasting underwear. Calida makes extensive use of natural materials such as organic cotton, Tencel, and sometimes a mix with wool or silk. These are fabrics that feel soft against the skin and breathe well. The collections are developed in Switzerland and largely produced in Europe. Also interesting: in 2016, Calida was the first clothing brand to receive the OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label. A higher standard that, in addition to materials, also looks at environmentally friendly production and fair working conditions.
Even when opting for sustainable underwear, there's plenty of choice, such as the brand Organic Basics, where everything revolves around simple (seamless) designs and soft organic fabrics.
- ArmedAngelsa German brand with a mission for more sustainable fashion
- to make it more accessible for everyone. Their underwear collection primarily features organic cotton and Tencel, and they've been committed to fair production for years. On their website, you can also see where a garment was made, for example, in which workshop in Turkey. The underwear carries the PETA-approved vegan certification. We often recommend ArmedAngels, including on our social media. They have a beautiful collection for a complete wardrobe, and therefore also Underwear!
- Olly Lingeriemakes very feminine lingerie from materials such as organic cotton, recycled lace and Tencel. The brand uses, for example, lace made from Q-NOVA yarn, which is produced from textile industry waste. The lingerie is largely produced in Europe. Expect in particular soft briefs and bras with lots of lace and mesh, but in a more sustainable version.
- AikyouA German lingerie brand that specifically focuses on women with a small cup size. Applause! The bras are minimalist, comfortable and without push-up, because according to the brand, breasts don't need to look any ‘bigger’ at all. Agreed! They work a lot with organic and Fairtrade-certified cotton and produce largely in Europe, for example in Croatia. The lingerie is also PETA-approved vegan and made to last.
- Hess NaturGerman reliability in lingerie form. Hess Natur is a German brand that has been working towards more sustainable fashion since 1976, making them true pioneers. They primarily use natural materials, such as organic cotton, and avoid synthetic fibres where possible. Many products are GOTS-certified, and the brand has been affiliated with the Fair Wear Foundation for years to improve working conditions. Here you will find a large collection of everyday underwear and timeless basics of solid quality.
- Living Crafts: Finally, another German brand. Living Crafts has been making sustainable basics since 1985. Like Hess Natur, the focus is on natural materials such as GOTS-certified organic cotton. Here you will find mainly comfortable and durable underwear and other basics that last.
Which sustainable underwear are you going to try?
Sustainable underwear might seem like a small choice, but it can indeed make a difference. Underwear that lasts longer and is made from better materials and under better conditions will save you money in the long run and help the planet. From super-sexy lingerie to comfortable basics, you've seen that there's something for everyone. Even for smaller breasts! Do you have any tips for a sustainable underwear brand that isn't listed here? We're particularly curious if there are sustainable brands specifically for women with larger breasts, as we find that category to be a bit underrepresented! Please let us know, so we can gladly add to the list!
You might also find this interesting
- Also see: List of cool, more sustainable glasses brands.
- Also see: A list of nice, more sustainable tights and pantyhose.
Photo credits: Stephanie Verhart (left), Organic Basics (right). Other: Stephanie Verhart (Savara Intimites), Organic Basics.
