Sustainable Underwear (choosing better brands)
Eczema Clothing (organic cotton boxers)
Unless you commando (!), you likely wear some kind of knickers, briefs or boxer shorts. But most brands on sale (even the holy grail of M & S) are made from cheap polyester and nylon (plastic). These are not just bad for the planet (and leach microplastics from washing machines into the sea). But also don’t let your skin breathe.
And to put it politely, wearing plastic near your nether regions is not just uncomfortable, but also likely to make you sweat more. And you don’t want a sweaty crotch in hot weather, it’s just not the done thing!
A caveat here. Nearly ALL ‘sustainable undie brands’ use a little elastane (they say it’s for comfort and stretch). There are a couple of brands that do offer 100% organic cotton undies. For the rest, it’s best to invest in a microfiber filter (which you can to launder all synthetics, then you catch the microplastics to be sent off for recycling, and get empty cartridges in return).
Having said that, wouldn’t it be a better country if people switched to more sustainable brands? It would send a strong message on the kind of clothing industry we want. All the following brands are also made ethically and sent in plastic-free packaging.
Also read where to buy organic cotton bras.
Where to recycle your old undies!
You likely know that underwear cannot be returned once bought for hygiene reasons. And for the same reason, you can’t donate it to charity shops. But you can drop old pairs (even torn or worn) into textile banks. From there, the fabric gets shredded and turned into industrial products like carpet insulation.
Who offers 100% organic pants?
- Eczema Clothing offers undies for women, men and children. The range includes vests, no-elastic box shorts and even organic cotton long johns!
- Greenfibres offers organic cotton undies for women in neutral colours. These are ethically made in Romania and are 100% cotton. Also as shorts, vests and even organic cotton long johns! Some for men are wool/silk (so not for vegans).
The best of the rest (organic cotton with a little elastane)
Earth Wardrobe (affordable organic cotton undies)
Earth Wardrobe offers organic affordable undies from Scotland, in pretty colours. Including boxer shorts for men.
Bamboo Undies for all sizes
Boody offers bamboo undies. The full briefs have soft wide flat-ribbed waistbands and a high-rise design, plus a waistband crafted to prevent rolling, and stitched steams to reduce friction. This range offers plus-sizing
Also for men.
For more local fabric, The Hemp Shop has a small range, often blended with organic cotton. Also for men.
Kent (90-day compostable undies!)
Kent offers fully biodegradable and compostable undies, with the slogan that you can ‘plant your pants!’ Everything is 100% organic cotton, and sent in compostable packaging, with soy inks and tagless labels.
Y.O.U. (briefs and boxers for men and women)
Y.O.U. Underwear offers comfortable organic cotton underwear for men and women, from neutral colours to bright prints. Designed to fit a wide range of body sizes, you’ll find bikinis, briefs and boxers, with a focus on comfort, rather than fussy extras.
Rapanui (undies made with clean energy)
Rapanui (Isle of Wight) is an outdoor clothing company, which also offers organic cotton underwear (also for men). In many colours, everything is made with clean energy, and sent in zero waste packaging.
Community Clothing Undies (sewn in South Wales)
Community Clothing produces locally-made underwear in organic cotton, also for men. Everything is hand-cut and sewn by seamstresses in a South Wales factory.
Thought (soft sustainable briefs and boxers)
Thought offers soft and sustainable organic cotton undies, from men’s boxers to women’s briefs. Plus bralettes, vests, slips and camisoles.
Thunderpants (fun cotton undies for all sizes)
Thunderpants is a slightly bonkers company (for people who love bright patterned undies!) that offers UK-stitched and finished undies, made locally to cut transport miles and support local economies.
The wide waistbands and flat seams prevent digging or chafing, and they hold up after each wash. You’ll also find matching vests and leggings.
Sprout Organics (monthly pants subscription boxes!)
Sprout Organic has colourful options for women. From sustainable fabric in India, then made in a workshop in East Sussex by the sea. All scraps are repurposed and items are sent in zero waste packaging. Trim colours depend on the leftover fabric available.
You can subscribe to the pant subscription box to order a fresh pair every month. Or just enter ‘three pants’ at checkout to get a discount. Choose from knickers, high-waisted knickers or unisex boxers. Plus there are unisex pants for children.
Sustainable undies for children
ECOOutfitters (which makes organic school uniforms) offers organic cotton underwear for girls and boys. Including briefs and boxer shorts for girls and boys.
Sustainable period pants
These are very popular these days, a form of zero waste feminine care, rather than disposable plastic towels and tampons. They kind of work like cloth nappies (!). They are made from cotton but have a waterproof pad sewn in (again, use a microfiber filter to launder as this is still synthetic fabric). You change them every few hours, then just rinse with cold water first, then throw them in with your wash.
You can remove stains with oxygen bleach (this does not harm to the planet – just activate with warm water, soak and use within 40 minutes, then pour the rest of the water down the sink or drain to clean them).
Don’t use fabric conditioners on period pants, as this will reduce absorbency (also avoid tumble driers – it’s best to avoid fabric conditioners anyway, as they can increase flammability of fabrics, especially when used with heat).
