Underwear is an essential that most of us simply can’t go without. But for the conscious consumer, finding Sustainable (and stylish) Underwear brands in the UK can seem a tricky task. From unsustainable materials, unethical practices to a product that doesn’t really work on the second-hand market, a guide to sustainable, ethical underwear is needed.
We give you a complete low down of the best brands available in the UK, from affordable Sustainable Underwear to the most expensive. And for the growing number of people interested in sustainable period underwear, we have you covered there too.
It’s a small market
Sustainable fashion may be a growing sector, however, the lingerie market only accounts for 2.4% of the sustainable apparel industry. The small scale of the sustainable underwear market can mean that ethical consumers can have difficulties finding eco-friendly intimates.
However, as the unsustainable impact of the fashion sector continues to swell, making sustainable fashion choices, right down to the underwear we buy, helps to build a better and cleaner fashion industry.
Underwear turnover
While it is partly dependent on how often we wear our underwear and the quality of the materials used, most experts recommend that underwear be replaced every six to twelve months. Following these guidelines can lead to quite an underwear turnover rate, and increased clothing and fabric waste. This compounds our need to buy from ethical underwear brands.
How Can Underwear be Sustainable and Ethical?
The principles of the wider sustainable and ethical fashion sector apply to the underwear market. The fabric that a pair of underwear is made from and the conditions they are made in all impact the ethical and sustainable credentials of the underwear you buy.
Due to underwear’s unique requirements, emphasis is often put on using materials that are both durable and comfortable. Popular fabrics include cotton, polyester and elastane and many of the fabrics we find in our underwear drawers are blends, mixing both natural materials and synthetic fibres. While this gives us a comfortable pair of pants, it makes recycling options limited and creates fabric that won’t biodegrade.
The limited end of life options for synthetics means that they can become significant contributors to fashion’s waste crisis. And, as synthetics shed microplastics with every wash, and underwear requires frequent washing, synthetic fabrics found in our favourite pair of underwear pose an added environmental harm.
We also have posts on which fabrics biodegrade and on what you can do to help the microplastics crisis.
Materials for Sustainable Underwear
While synthetic fibres and blends currently represent a significant portion of the underwear market, there are companies taking a more natural approach.
When looking for sustainable underwear look for natural fabrics such as organic cotton. Many sustainable underwear brands are also turning to other recycled or plant based materials such as biodegradable elastic, hemp, bamboo and TENCEL to create a more environmentally friendly product.
Sustainable Underwear Brands in the UK
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We have compiled this handy list of some of the best sustainable brands for when your underwear needs an update. All brands are available in the UK.
To make it easier to use, brands are listed in roughly price order. We highlight the starting price for knickers and (where available) bras for each brand, and the materials used. There is also a section with sustainable period underwear towards the end.
If you are looking to sustainably dispose of old underwear, check out our articles on the best ways to recycle underwear in the UK and where to donate your old bras. And for ethical underwear for men, have a look here.
Affordable sustainable underwear
1.
Bam
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Made in: Turkey, China, Portugal, UK
Sustainability creds: Impact Positive commitment, sustainable packaging, natural materials
Knickers from: £8
Bras from: £20
Materials: Bamboo viscose, polyamide, elastane
Embracing the soft and sustainable nature of bamboo, BAM has become one of the bamboo specialists of the UK’s sustainable underwear brands. The company makes both men’s and women’s underwear, as well as a select range of bras in neutral and monochromatic shades.
Since the company began, BAM has always had a focus on sustainability and is working towards becoming impact positive.
2.
thought
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Sustainability creds: Member of Ethical Trading Initiative, Traid Recycling Program, GOTS certified, recycled fabrics
Knickers from: £9
Bras from: £14
Materials: Organic cotton, bamboo, recycled nylon
Thought’s ethical underwear range includes both muted tones and fun, patterned designs. The brand utilises materials such as organic cotton and bamboo and makes both men’s and women’s underwear styles.
Thought uses a good selection of organic materials in its product range and has taken steps to consider the end of the clothing lifecycle, with its Traid Recycling program partnership.
3.
people tree
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Made in: Turkey, Portugal, Italy, Nepal, Kenya, India, Bangladesh
Sustainability creds: Vegan, Fairtrade, Soil Association Organic, GOTS, partnered with Give Back Box
Knickers from: £11
Bras from: £18
Materials: Organic cotton, elastane
A well-known name in the sustainable sector, People Tree’s range of underwear and bras champions organic cotton and ethical supply chains. Having achieved a ‘Great’ rating on Good On You, the brand has a range of certifications to back up its ethical claims and offers an impressive level of supply chain transparency.
4.
boody
Based: Australia Ships to: Worldwide (UK stockists)
Sustainability creds: WRAP certified factories, PeTA Cruelty-Free, Certified B Corporation
Knickers from: £12
Bras from: £17
Materials: Nylon, bamboo viscose, elastane
Boody underwear is designed with comfort in mind and made from soft materials for maximum wearability. Bras and bralettes are made wire-free and styles are made from bamboo fabric.
Boody scores great points on the animal welfare front, with a PeTA accreditation. It has also made steps to ensure ethical supply chains. Sustainable materials, such as organic bamboo, take centre stage in the Boody range.
5.
y.o.u underwear
Based: UK Ships to: International
Made in: India
Sustainability creds: Fairtrade cotton, PETA-Approved vegan, B-Corp certified, recycling program, Buy 1 Give 2 Program
Knickers from: £12
Bras from: £28
Materials: Organic cotton, elastane
Y.O.U Underwear is classically stylish, sophisticated without being pretentious, and effortlessly sustainable. Having been included in Forbes, featured on Steph’s Packed Lunch and BBC Radio Oxford, the credentials of Y.O.U are just as impressive as its ethical business approach.
The brand ethically manufactures its products using sustainable and organic materials. It runs a recycling program to reduce fabric waste and hosts a buy one, give two program where for every participating purchase the brand donates to those in need.
A truly ethical underwear brand, a pair of Y.O.U underwear is the perfect addition to your underwear drawers.
6.
nudea
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Made in: Portugal
Sustainability creds: Certified B Corporation, sustainable packaging, carbon neutral, charity donation program, bra recycling
Knickers from: £13
Bras from: £28
Materials: TENCEL, recycled microfibre, elastane, recycled nylon
Having only launched in 2019, these new kids on the block have already gained B-Corp certification. This UK brand’s range of sustainable underwear and bras are modern, chic and sustainable. Wanting us all to find the perfect fit, Nudea offers virtual bra fittings through the website.
By offering well-fitting quality products, Nudea reduces the need for re-purchasing due to incorrect sizing. They therefore encourage reduced consumption.
7.
Fruity Booty
Based: UK Ships to: International
Made in: Portugal and England
Sustainability creds: Participates in carbon off-setting, no single-use plastic policy, use of surplus fabric
Knickers from: £15
Materials: Cotton
Fruity Booty is a sustainable underwear company based in the UK that is playful, sexy and sassy. The brand’s range of underwear and nightwear embraces bright colours and features cheeky styles with a touch of femininity in the details.
Committed to a sustainable tomorrow, Fruity Booty uses deadstock fabric from other UK organisations for 80% of its product needs, sourcing the remaining 20% from ethical suppliers. It engages with carbon-offsetting programs and has a no-single use plastic policy. So you can be sure your new Fruity Booty delight doesn’t cost the Earth.
8.
the hemp shop
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Sustainability creds: Vegan, plastic-free packaging, use of GOTS certified production facility
Knickers from: £15
Materials: Hemp, organic cotton, lycra
Featured as well in our hemp underwear article, the Hemp Shop makes both men’s and women’s underwear styles from sustainable hemp. The brand uses green energy suppliers and works with sustainable materials. It has taken steps to reduce waste and plastic pollution.
While the brand does use GOTS certified producers, more information on where and how its products are made would be beneficial.
9.
birdsong
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Sustainability creds: Handmade, ethical production, closed-loop bamboo fabric production, collaboration with ethical cooperatives, Oeko-Tex certified yarn
Made in: UK
Knickers from: £15
Materials: Bamboo, elastane, cotton
While Birdsong may have a very limited underwear range, it does adopt a highly sustainable slow fashion approach. The brand’s single underwear style is made in the UK in traced supply chains that pay living wages. Made from bamboo, these underwear are soft and comfortable to wear.
As Birdsong sources its bamboo fabric from suppliers that use closed-loop manufacturing systems, these underwear incorporate sustainable material. The fact that Birdsong has such a limited range also helps to avoid the overconsumption mindset common in the fashion sector.
This post first appeared on Good Maker Tales: Sustainable & Ethical Fashion, please read the originial post: here
