A roundup of the best organic underwear brands including undies, bras, camis, t-shirts, and socks that are certified organic 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 and free from toxic chemicals.
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 uses fewer resources 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!
The organic fabrics and materials used for underwear include:
- organic cotton
- organic bamboo
- hemp
- low impact dyes
Certifications to Look For
Any brand can say they use some organic fabric, but look for these trusted certifications to prove that they are truly certified organic, sustainable and 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 substances including formaldehyde, AZO dyes, pesticides, phthalates, heavy metals and more. Individual components such as dyes can also be Oeko-Tex certified.
Fair Trade Certified – An respected international certification that promotes equitable trade practices, working with farms and factories around the world to empower workers and improve wages, benefits and conditions.
Best Organic Underwear Brands
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.
Here are my recommended brands for all those types of organic underwear:
Pact
Pact’s mission is to make affordable organic cotton underwear, t-shirts and basic apparel that sparks a movement for change.
- 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 fact: 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
Shop Pact Get 20% off your first order with code MINDFUL20 at checkout!
P.S. Pact also makes super cozy organic cotton bedding!
Knickey
Knickey makes underwear that is safe for your lady parts and gentle on the planet too.
- Sustainable materials used: organic cotton
- Types of products: underwear
- Made for: women
- Best known for: comfy underwear
- 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: Haven’t tried these yet but thinking that the Mid-Rise Hipster would be my thing
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: SilverTech Active Sports Bra
Shop Organic Basics Get a 10% discount with code MINDFULMOMMAOBC
Thunderpants
Thunderpants is on a mission to eradicate wedgies and uncomfortable underpants. Their undies are made out of organic cotton in artist-inspired designs.
- 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: Haven’t tried these yet but I have my eye on this one
Boody
Boody is committed to making the most comfortable underwear basics that are sustainably made.
- Sustainable materials used: organic bamboo
- 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: 100% of the profits of the Boody Giving Bracelet go to Goodbye Malaria, to end malaria in Africa
- Personal favs: Bamboo cami and bamboo midi brief
(read more about the benefits of Boody bamboo underwear here)
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
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 is an official PETA approved vegan brand
- Personal favs: Haven’t tried these yet but they have a lot of nice underwear options for guys
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 baby gifts
Do you have a favorite organic underwear brand?
P.S. I’ve also got a post about sustainable fashion brands if you are interested.
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