A roundup of the best sustainable underwear brands including panties, bras, shirts and socks that are made with organic fabrics and ethically produced.
If I asked you to name a few things that you use every day, that directly touch your skin and that you can’t live without – would you mention underwear?
You’d probably mention body lotion and deodorant, and maybe you would think of clothing in general. But underwear is one of those things we tend to forget about. It’s there, doing it’s job, but we don’t tend to give it the respect it deserves.
Why is Organic Underwear Important?
Think about it – underwear is cozying up to some of our most important body parts – all day long. It’s important that the fabric be breathable to avoid yeast infections (unlike synthetic materials like polyester fabrics), and free from toxic chemicals (unlike conventional cotton and most other fabrics.) Non-toxic underwear is key!
Organic fabric is safest for our skin because the fiber comes from plants grown without pesticides, and to be certified organic the processing must be free from bleach, formaldehyde, toxic dyes and other toxic substances.
And we know organic is better for the planet because it is grown in a way that has a lower carbon footprint and environmental impact, and does not lead to chemically poisoned land and waterways. Instead, organic farming practices improve the soil and protect natural habitats – and that’s something to feel good about! Buying organic is a good step in being a conscious consumer.
The organic fabrics and natural materials used for underwear include:
- organic cotton
- organic bamboo (can not be certified organic, but bamboo is grown without pesticides)
- beechwood (not certified organic, but sustainably grown)
- organic hemp (can not be certified but is grown organically)
- low impact, natural dyes
Certifications to Look For
Any brand in the fashion industry can say they use some organic fabric, but look for these trusted third-party certifications to prove that they are truly certified organic, follow sustainable practices and are ethically produced.
Global Organic Textile Standard – GOTS is internationally recognized as the toughest organic textile standard because it goes beyond verifying the organic farming process to include every step of manufacturing. A textile product carrying the GOTS label “organic” must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fiber, use non-toxic dyes and not be treated with bleach, formaldehyde or any other toxic substances. Strict social and environmental standards are also required.
Ecocert – A global leader in organic certification (used as certification for bamboo fiber because bamboo fabric is currently not eligible for GOTS certification)
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 – Comprehensive, third-party testing and certification for textile products at all stages of production. All components of a product are required to be free from a variety of harmful chemicals including formaldehyde, AZO dyes, pesticides, phthalates, heavy metals and more. Individual components such as dyes can also be Oeko-Tex certified.
Fair Trade Certified – A respected international certification that promotes equitable trade practices, working with farms and factories around the world to empower workers by ensuring workers are paid fair wages, have good benefits and safe working conditions.
Certified B Corp – A B Corporation is a for-profit company that has been certified to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Best Organic Underwear Brands
I may receive commissions from purchases made through affiliate links in this article including Amazon Affiliates. Full Disclosure
When I say underwear, I’m talking about undies of course (knickers, panties, tighty whities – whatever you want to call them), but also bras, socks, camisoles, basic t-shirts and even leggings too.
When I say sustainable, I’m talking about non synthetic underwear, made from natural fibers like organic cotton, bamboo viscose or other sustainable fabrics.
Here are my recommended sustainable and ethical underwear brands to add to your underwear drawer – including the best organic cotton underwear brands, beechwood and bamboo underwear, hemp underwear and sustainable bras:
Pact
Pact’s mission is to make affordable organic cotton underwear for women and men, t-shirts and basic apparel that sparks a movement for change. All Pact Apparel factories are Fair Trade Certified, so if you are looking for Fair Trade underwear, you’ve found it here.
- Sustainable materials used: organic cotton
- Types of products: underwear, bras, socks, camisoles, t-shirts, leggings
- Made for: women, men, kids, babies
- Best known for: A broad range of organic clothing basics
- Certifications: Fair Trade Certified, GOTS certified organic cotton
- Cool facts: Partnership with Give Back Box allows you to send back used clothing for donation
- Personal favs: Lace Waist Briefs and Stretch-fit Long Sleeve Tee
- Pact Organic is my go-to sustainable underwear brand
Shop Pact (Get 15% off your first order with Pact coupon code MINDFUL15 at checkout.)
P.S. Pact also makes super cozy organic cotton bedding!
Knickey
Knickey underwear makes awesome organic cotton undies and bras that are safe for your lady parts and gentle on the planet too.
- Sustainable materials used: organic cotton
- Types of products: underwear and bralettes
- Made for: women
- Best known for: comfy underwear in a variety of styles including organic thongs
- Certifications: GOTS certified organic cotton, Oeko-Tex certified dyes, Fair Trade Certified factories
- Cool fact: Undies recycling program turns old undies into insulation
- Personal favs: The Mid-Rise Hipster and the Triangle Bralette!
Shop Knickey (Use Knickey coupon code MINDFULMOMMA for 10% off)
WAMA
Wama makes underwear from sustainable hemp, which is naturally anti-bacterial, breathable and super soft.
- Sustainable materials used: hemp and organic cotton
- Types of products: underwear
- Made for: women and men
- Best known for: hemp blend underwear
- Certifications: GOTS certified organic cotton, hemp is grown organically but can not be certified by GOTS, Oeko-Tex certified dyes
- Cool fact: Wama underwear is an official PETA approved vegan brand
- Personal favs: Hipster panties + they have great underwear options for guys
Shop WAMA (Get a 15% discount when you sign up for their mailing list.)
Boody
Boody is committed to making the most comfortable bamboo underwear basics that are sustainably made and in my opinion they’ve succeeded!
- Sustainable materials used: bamboo grown without pesticides
- Types of products: underwear, bras, socks, shirts, leggings
- Made for: women, men and baby
- Best known for: Soft and comfy underwear
- Certifications: Ecocert certified bamboo, finished products are Oeko-Tex certified
- Cool fact: Order a Second Life Bag to recycle or donate used textiles.
- Personal favs: Bamboo cami and bamboo midi brief
(read more about the benefits of Boody bamboo underwear here)
Organic Basics
At Organic Basics, sustainable thinking is at the center of everything – from the fabrics to the factories.
- Sustainable materials used: organic cotton, recycled nylon, TENCEL™ Lyocell, recycled wool
- Types of products: underwear, bras, socks, tees, leggings
- Made for: women and men
- Best known for: Comfortable activewear and underwear
- Certifications: GOTS certified organic cotton
- Cool fact: The annual impact report shows their mission in action.
- Personal favs: Active Workout Bra
Thunderpants
Thunderpants is on a mission to eradicate wedgies and uncomfortable underpants. Their undies are made out of organic cotton in artist-inspired designs. In my opinion, Thunderpants is the best organic cotton underwear money can buy!
- Sustainable materials used: organic cotton
- Types of products: underwear, bralettes, camis and leggings
- Made for: women, men and kids
- Best known for: fun and funky undies
- Certifications: Fair Trade Certified organic cotton, processed to strict SKAL standards (International Standards for Sustainable Textile Production)
- Personal favs: The Women’s Hipster is my favorite underwear EVER!!! So incredibly comfy and I love the fun designs!
Brook There
Brook There is an organic lingerie brand that is committed to using eco-friendly materials and ethical production methods. Their organic cotton bras and underwear are cut and sewn in small batches in the U.S.
- Sustainable materials used: organic cotton
- Types of products: Underwear, bras and loungewear
- Made for: women
- Best known for: fabric colors inspired by nature
- Certifications: GOTS certified organic cotton
- Personal favs: Hipster underwear in all the colors!
Check out my full review of Brook There underwear.
Vibrant Body
Vibrant Body is dedicated to making underwear with a Certified Clean™ first layer that is free from pesticides, bleach, formaldehyde and more.
- Sustainable materials used: organic cotton
- Types of products: Underwear and bras
- Made for: women
- Best known for: underwire-free bras
- Certifications: OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
- Personal favs: The EveryWear Bra™ (I own two of them – they are so comfy!)
Shop Vibrant Body Use code MINDFULMOMMA15 for 15% off
MeUndies
The mission at MeUndies is to fuel authentic self-expression through soft, sustainable and creative underwear and apparel basics.
- Sustainable materials used: MicroModal from beechwood, recycled nylon
- Types of products: underwear, socks, bralettes, apparel basics
- Made for: women and men
- Best known for: underwear with fun prints
- Certifications: none
- Cool fact: They partner with LA LGBT Center to provide services for more LGBTQIA+ people than any other organization in the world.
- Personal favs: The FeelFree Hipster made with sustainable modal fabric is SO soft, stretchy and comfy!
Shop MeUndies (Use MeUndies coupon code MINDFUL15 for 15% off your first purchase.)
Conscious Step
Conscious Step is a socially conscious sock company. Each pair of ethically manufactured, organic cotton socks is paired with a nonprofit to deliver a direct impact in making the world a better place.
- Sustainable materials used: organic cotton
- Types of products: socks
- Made for: women and men
- Best known for: socks with cool designs
- Certifications: GOTS certified organic cotton and Fair Trade Certified
- Cool fact: The annual impact report shows the direct impact of their donations
- Personal favs: Socks that Protect Tropical Rainforests
The Classic T-Shirt Company
The mission of The Classsic T-Shirt Company is to create luxurious, durable classic t-shirts, with a responsible mindset about their impact on the world.
- Sustainable materials used: organic cotton
- Types of products: t-shirts: long and short sleeved, crew neck or V-neck
- Made for: women and men
- Best known for: They specialize in t-shirts only
- Certifications: GOTS certified organic cotton
- Cool fact: Radically transparent pricing shows customers where their dollars go
- Personal favs: Short sleeved V-neck t-shirt
Shop The Classic T-Shirt Company
Bleuet
Bleuet was founded as a way to provide girls with better age-appropriate undergarments for their growing bodies.
- Sustainable materials used: blend of organic cotton and TENCEL (in some but not all products)
- Types of products: bras, camis and shorts
- Made for: girls
- Best known for: girls first bra
- Certifications: OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified
- Cool fact: Company partners with girl entrepreneurs and supports causes that give girls opportunities.
- Personal favs: Aster Tank Bra (meant for young girls but works for adults too) – it’s SO soft and comfy!
Shop Bleuet (some products also available on Amazon)
Maggie’s Organics
Maggie’s Organics organic products are made in the USA and benefit workers at all stages of the supply chain.
- Sustainable materials used: organic cotton, organic merino wool
- Types of products: socks and leggings
- Made for: women, men and baby
- Best known for: long lasting socks
- Certifications: GOTS certified organic cotton and wool, Fair Trade Federation member
- Cool fact: Established process for creating a sustainable business that they call Real Fair Trade
- Personal favs: Striped cotton crew socks for me and tie-die socks for gifts
More Organic Underwear Brands
Here are some more sustainable brands of underwear made from organic and natural fabrics and eco-friendly materials that get rave reviews, but that I have not personally tried:
Tentree
- Underwear and bras
- Blend of TENCEL™ and organic cotton
- Women and men’s styles available
- Use code MINDFULMOMMA10 for 10% off
AllBirds
- Underwear and bralettes
- Sustainable TENCEL™ and merino wool blend
People Tree
- Underwear, bras and socks
- Organic cotton
Parade
- underwear and bralettes
- 80 – 95% recycled materials
- Use code MINDFULMOMMA for 20% off
Warp + Weft
- Underwear
- Sustainable modal from beechwood trees
Mary Young
- Underwear and bras
- Sustainable bamboo
Araks
- Underwear and bras
- Organic cotton
Pansy
- Underwear and bras
- Organic cotton
Opok
- Men’s underwear
- Organic cotton
Mighty Good Basics
- Underwear (men’s and womens)
- Organic cotton
Hernest Project
- Underwear
- Sustainable TENCEL™
Soul Flower
- Bras and bralettes
- Organic cotton
TomboyX
- Underwear, bras, apparel
- MicroModal from beechwood trees and OEKO-TEX certified cotton
Do you have any favorite sustainable underwear brands?
P.S. I’ve also got a post about sustainable fashion brands if you are interested.
Gisela says
Tizz & Tonic is a really cute brand based in Bremen, Germany.
Organic underwear made in Germany with fun prints and colors!
Micaela says
Those are really cute – thanks for the intro!
George Blakey says
I’ve been buying organic underware from bgreen for years. They are made in the US but I don’t know much about their fabric origins. They are on the pricey side but their breifs are great.
Micaela says
Thanks for the tip!
Mirinda Buxton says
Which do you use? I’m always afraid to just start ordering
Micaela says
Thunderpants are my favorite because they are so incredibly comfy and cute. But they are a bit pricey. I’ve also tried Knickey, Pact and Wama – they are all great!
Kimberly says
Hello,
Can you recommend a no show thong low rise undies for women?
Thank you
Mindful Momma says
This one from Pact might be what you are looking for: https://mindfulmomma.com/PactThong