If your underwear drawer needs a sustainable upgrade, but you have no idea where to start, you’ve come to the right place.
Our mantra is always ‘the most sustainable item is the one you already own’ but holey, saggy undies aren’t the best look, so it’s good to give your underwear a refresh every now and then.
Over the past few years, the amount of standout ethical and sustainable underwear brands has grown tenfold is Australia – so you’re spoilt choice for brands that share your values. Comfortable, breathable undies, the perfect t-shirt bra, or something lacy and a little special – underwear is a very personal purchase, and an investment, so it’s important to get it right.
Whatever your preference, there’s a sustainable underwear brand that’s got your bits covered, and these are the best labels we always turn to.
*Note: all brands ship to Australia
PACT
If it’s cosy and cotton you’re after, PACT is for you. Designed for comfort and made to last, this organic underwear brand is a leader in good-quality basics and has an impressive range of styles to suit everybody. With fair trade factories and a commitment to reducing water use, every piece is GOTS Certified and plant-dyed with a 100% traceable supply chain.
Boody
Known for its ultra-soft texture and hypoallergenic properties, Boody leads the charge in bamboo-based underwear, with something for everyone in the family. They work closely with their factories ensuring living wages, with solid eco-credentials in the form of Ecocert, FSC, OEKO-TEX certifications and a 1% For the Planet member.
Anekdot
Berlin-based Anekdot specialises in upcycled and surplus fabrics. Transforming waste into luxury, creating intimate bras and underwear that are both exquisite and eco-friendly. Production takes place in their closely managed Berlin and Poland factories, where their people receive fair wages.
Thunderpants
If you hadn’t already noticed, Thunderpants prints are so adorable. This Aotearoa (New Zealand) brand makes bright, fun, and comfy organic cotton underwear and basics for the whole family. Every aspect of production, from the cotton growers in India to the clothes sewn in Carterton, is traceable, tested and controlled for quality.
Azura Bay
Your one-stop lingerie marketplace with a handpicked, curated collection of underwear ticking all the boxes – ethical, eco-friendly, organic, Fair-Trade, and vegan. Think of it as your personal stylist, selecting only the best from brands championing sustainability and artisanal magic. Plus, they’re all about celebrating every body, with inclusive sizing.
Luva Huva
Conjuring sustainable luxury with frilly knickers and lace bralettes, Luva Huva is a lingerie destination for those special pieces. Ethically designed and made using sustainably sourced materials like organic cotton, bamboo, and deadstock lace. Every piece is made to order in their Brighton studio, which means no waste.
Baserange
Unfussy, no frills Baserange is all about modern minimalism. Its range of basics in neutral tones are designed to stand the test of time, and become your go-to comfies. Ethically made using natural fibers – GOTS certified organic cotton and bamboo jersey, with OEKO-TEX certified natural dyes, making these undies kinder to your skin and the environment.
First Base
First Base is your ethical alternative to Calvin Klein with seamless underwear that won’t ride up during your sweat sess. Its underwear is a perfect blend of performance, comfort, and conscious manufacturing. Ethically made in China with WRAP Certified suppliers, utilising recycled materials.
Allbirds
Allbirds, initially famed for its eco-friendly shoes, has stepped into the intimate apparel arena with the same commitment to sustainability. Their underwear range features a soft, breathable fabric called Trino™, a unique blend of responsibly sourced eucalyptus tree fibre and merino wool.
Eco Intimates
If you’re after something that’s sweet, playful, and a little sexy, then Eco Intimates is what you’ve been looking for. This small Aussie brand is sustainably made in Bali, founder Madonna works closely with her makers. Using GOTS Certified cotton, each piece, in every collection is made in small runs to ensure no waste.
HuHa
With a slogan of ‘not just underwear, undercare’, you know Huha is looking out for your hoo ha. Using innovative TENCEL™ and smartcel™, these tree-derived materials are infused with zinc oxide with anti-odour and antimicrobial properties. They’re also inclusive with a range of sizes from 2xs to 3xl.
Tentree
Like the rest of Tentree’s outdoor gear, its underwear places an emphasis on functionality. With a range of oh so soft underwear and bralettes made using organic cotton and Tencel, these will be a trusty foundation for your next outdoor adventure. Tentree works closely with its factories, is B-Corp Certified and uses traceable organic cotton in the majority of its clothing.
Bimby and Roy
As a brand born in the Fiji Islands, Bimby and Roy embodies the spirit of island life – relaxed, colourful, and close to nature. Their versatile underwear, produced in an ethically run factory, can also be worn in water, doubling as a bikini for a cheeky afternoon dip in the ocean.
Powerpants
Nothing says ‘ready to conquer’ like a pair of Powerpants affirmation undies. Each pair is made from organic cotton and features empowering messages, reminding wearers of their strength and worth. They partner with factories that use fair labour practices and pay living wages. Bonus, they were finalists in the Australian Clean & Conscious Awards in 2023.
MeUndies
MeUndies is a brand that’s as much about feeling good as looking good. They’ve taken the cosy essence of a lazy Sunday morning and spun it into an entire range of undies that speak to your truest self. Comfort is their priority; they craft their undies with buttery soft micro-modal, made from beechwood trees.
Nala
This Aussie brand is committed to crafting seriously sustainable underwear that doesn’t skimp on comfort. With inclusivity at its core, Nala offers a range of sizes and styles, ensuring that their flirty fits embrace every body type. With innovative materials like Bio Butter, crafted from corn starch, and Flossy Mesh, made from recycled nylon offcuts, your underwear is as gentle on the planet as it is on your skin.
FAQs on Sustainable and Ethical Underwear
What materials are used in sustainable underwear?
When on the hunt for sustainable undies, here’s what you should keep an eye on:
Materials used: Sustainable underwear is made from materials that are responsibly sourced and often have a lower environmental footprint, meaning they’re produced in ways that minimise water usage, reduce carbon emissions, and avoid harmful chemicals. These include:
- Organic Cotton: Grown without pesticides and synthetic fertilisers, organic cotton farming emphasises the health of soils, ecosystems, and people.
- Bamboo: Known for its fast growth and minimal water needs, bamboo fabric is soft, breathable, and biodegradable.
- Tencel (Lyocell): Produced from sustainably sourced wood pulp, Tencel is lauded for its durability and circular production process.
- Hemp: A strong, durable fibre, grown with minimal water, that softens with each wash.
- Recycled Polyester: Often made from recycled plastic bottles and plastic waste, recycled polyester reduces waste and energy consumption compared to virgin polyester.
- Modal: Modal is a bio-based fabric made from beech tree pulp, celebrated for its softness and lower environmental impact.
- Organic Linen: Made from the flax plant, organic linen is valued for its natural, biodegradable properties and minimal water usage in production.
- Ethical Wool: Sourced from farms practising sustainable grazing and animal welfare.
Certified Organic Textiles: Look for fabrics that have received the nod of approval from reputable organisations like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Brands committed to sustainability will proudly display their textile certifications alongside their products.
Zero Waste/Low-waste Approach: Unlike fast fashion, which leaves behind a trail of textile waste – remnants discarded on the cutting room floor, destined for landfills – sustainable underwear brands adopt a more conscious stance. They might make to order, repurpose this leftover material or use deadstock (unsold inventory), ensuring that every piece of fabric is valued and utilised.
Eco-friendly Dyes and No Harsh Chemicals: Look for OEKO-TEX certified products, which ensures that every component of a textile product (including every thread, button, and other accessories, as well as the dyes used) has been tested for harmful substances.
How do I find affordable ethical underwear?
Ethically and sustainably made underwear can be a little higher priced because every person along the supply chain – from seed to garment – is paid a living wage. Finding affordable, ethical underwear can be a challenge, but it’s certainly possible with some research and smart shopping strategies. Shopping during sales or using discount codes can make ethical options more affordable. Additionally, consider investing in high-quality pieces that may have a higher upfront cost but will last longer, providing better value in the long run. Finally, some ethical brands offer basics or multi-pack options, which can be more cost-effective than purchasing individual pieces.
Are there ethical and sustainable underwear options for men?
Absolutely! Sustainable fashion is for everyone, and there are many ethical and sustainable underwear options available for men. You have Boody, Meundies, Thunderpants, and PACT, just to name a few. These brands offer a range of styles, from boxers and briefs to trunks and long johns, all made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, bamboo, or recycled fabrics.
What are some sustainable underwear brands?
There are lots of great sustainable underwear brands that are committed to ethical and eco-friendly practices. Some of favourites include:
- Pact: Cosy organic cotton undies, created with fair trade certified factories, are all about comfort with a conscience, proving that sustainability can be soft and stylish.
- Boody: Uses bamboo to create ultra-soft, breathable, and antimicrobial underwear that’s as gentle on your skin as it is on the environment.
- Organic Basics: Offers durable and minimalist designs made from organic cotton and recycled materials.
- MeUndies: Inclusive brand that provides a variety of styles for every body. Made from sustainable, breathable fabrics like Tencel and offers a membership for discounts.
- Thunderpants: Known for their fun prints and snug fit, Thunderpants wraps you in organic cotton comfort, blending quirky style with serious sustainability.
We hope you like the products we recommend on The Green Hub. Our editors select each one independently. We may receive an affiliate commission when you follow some links.
The brands included in this list have a range of ethical and sustainable certifications, audits/visits to factories, pay living wages and/or can trace part or all of their supply chain. This does not take into account all personal ethical considerations like the use of animal products and the country they are manufactured in.
We include brands in our guides that are transparent with their practices and continuously strive to improve. Please read the brand’s individual about pages to ensure they meet your personal requirements. Note the ethical and sustainable practices of a company can change over time.
