Do you feel a bit lost about How To Shop Sustainable Underwear In The UK? I fell you! The solution to adopt a more sustainable style are numerous. Second-hand shopping online, thrift stores, clothes swaps events or borrowing from your sister, just name one! However, the options for ethical underwear are not so straight forward.
Although I almost completely stopped purchasing new items, underwear is the one piece of my closet I am not ready to buy preloved. I want them clean and brand new but of course sustainable and that is where it becomes tricky.
After asking for your main struggles, I realised that I was far from alone in that case. A few of you mentioned that sustainable underwear shopping was the hardest.
So, I recap all the sustainable underwear brands in the UK in that post. For full transparency, I have not tried them all yet. The idea is to provide you with the best options I found on the market. I analysed closely each brands’ ethos and products and gathered the very best in that blog post so when you next need to shop sustainable lingerie, you know where to look. So, enjoy reading!
What Should You Look Into A Sustainable Underwear Brand?
The same rules apply to underwear and other clothing. To be sustainable, your bras and panties must tick a few boxes:
- Are they ethically made?
- Are the materials used sustainable?
- Is the brand vegan? This is very important to me because I do not think a brand can be ethical and used animal products. Unfortunately, many underwear brands (even so called ethical) use silk as a main fabric. I did not include these brands in that blog post, which resulted in ignoring a high number of them.
- Is the packaging eco-friendly?
- How is the manufacturing process like?
- Are the designs made to last?
- Will the care of the product cause pollution?
- How can you dispose of the product when you can’t use it anymore?
Read more about how you can recycle your old bras in that blog post.
I recommend that you follow those steps for every single purchase you make in the future, whether you look for underwear or other fashion piece.
Conscious customer tip
To ensure a fashion piece is sustainable, review all the supply chain from the sourcing of fabrics to how you can dispose of the product and ask yourself: “how does this step impact people, animals and the environment?”
Brand Organic Basics: My Fav Sustainable Underwear In The UK
If you are into sustainable fashion, you surely spotted that brand appearing in your insta feed! “When we say sustainability is our core mission we don’t mean that sustainability is nice to have – we mean that it’s the only way we act.
Get 10% discount with coupon code ORGANICOBC at the checkout.
Why I like It?
I like their branding (no time for bulls**t with them), their designs that are simple and trendy and their ethos! They honestly look like the comfiest ethical underwear brands in the UK I have seen in a while! And they have certification (PETA approved and B corp) which guarantees they do make an impact.
Ethos
Do they produce ethically?
Yes! All the factories they work with ensure that their workplace is free of child labour and forced labour. They guarantee that their employees work in a safe environment and they pay them faily. Besides, they offer employee perks like free lunch and childcare – and of course, they treat them with respect at all times.
Do they use sustainable materials?
Yes! They handpick fabrics based on their environmental footprint and lifetime durability, so they are natural, renewable, recycled, biodegradable and or low-impact textiles only. They also bring a very interesting approach to textile via technology. Indeed, they manufactured some fabrics that requires less washing so less water and energy consumption in your daily use.
Are they vegan?
The underwear are but some of the other products are made from recycled cashmere and recycled wool. I consider those recycled options acceptable as a vegan because they cause no extra harm to animals. It is better to make the most of what we got here.
Is the packaging eco-friendly?
Email is on its way for confirmation
How about the shipping?
Within Europe so it reduces the carbon footprint
How is the manufacturing process like?
They work on continuously reducing their environmental footprint. Their factories are based in Turkey , Portugal, Austria, Italy and Scotland.
They also take part to an offset program. For every order placed from now on we offset one hundred kilos of CO2 so they go carbon neutral.
Are the designs made to last?
Yes! They invest in quality fabrics, workmanship, as well as simplicity and function in mind.
Will the care of the product cause pollution?
Unfortunately, the brand uses some Tencel and recycled Nylon. Even though those options are eco-friendly during the production phase because they require way less water and energy to produce, they release microplastic in water when you wash them. It is an interesting debate going on in the sustainable fashion niche.
Shopping Experience
Price Range: Panties £39 – £55 – Bras £47 – £72
Where can I buy it? Online
Good news, I partnered with the brand and got a special discount code only for you. Simply add the coupon ORGANICOBC at the checkout and receive 10% discount.
Return policy: Yes yes yes and they even offer a free return!
WORON: Another Sexy Ethical Underwear Brand
WORON is a Scandinavian Brand based in Copenhagen that aims to create lingerie that is feminine, fashionable and sustainable.
Why I like It?
Comfy, sexy, cute and super sustainable? Count me in!
Ethos
Are they ethically made?
Yes! They have factories in Turkey, Italy, Hungary and Germany, where everyone is treated well and paid fairly.
Do they use sustainable materials?
Yes! All fabrics and trimmings are certified with a Oeko Tex standard 100 or 1000 and they work with GOTS certified organic cotton. All dyes used in the making of our products are certified, are non toxic and allergy friendly.
Are they vegan?
Hell yes!
Is the packaging eco-friendly?
I confirmed with them via email. “All our packaging for the underwear is made of recycled paper, acid free. Our shipping boxes are made of recycled cardboard, no acid, no bleach and 100% compostable. We wrap the order in a natural tissue paper. Furthermore we enclose an info card, made of cotton waste from textile production. It is embedded with wild flower seeds. Every step is handmade, even the printing of the cards. And the ink is soy-based. So basically everything on these cards is plant based. It is the most environment friendly paper option out there. And when our customers are have been informed and read what need to be read, they can moist the paper and plant the card, for beautiful wild flowers to sprout and bloom “
How is the manufacturing process like?
They make sure they do not overproduce.
Are the designs made to last?
Yes! A long lifespan is their moto.
Will the care of the product cause pollution?
As all products are plant based and natural, they respect the environment during their lifespan.
Shopping Experience
Price Range: Bras: £40 – £49 – Panties: £19 – £24
Where can I buy it? Online and In store at: The-Acey, CONTENT, MATER Earth Gallery, MISS C. ANDERSON
I also have a dicount code, Simply use ATTITUDE20 at checkout!
Return: accepted!
Y.O.U Underwear: A Lovely Way To Give Back
That amazing brand gives access to underwear to women who can’t access them. They work on a buy-one-give-two promise, meaning they donate two pairs of panties for every pair you purchase.
Why I like Their Sustainable Underwear?
They focus on giving back and I absolutely looooove that concept!
Ethos
Do they produce ethically?
YES! They work with India’s leading sustainable and ethical manufacturer to source organic cotton. They know that growers, spinners and makers are paid and treated fairly.
Do they use sustainable materials?
Yes all the way! They use organic cotton!
Are they vegan?
Yes and Peta approved!
Is the packaging eco-friendly?
They use reusable bags and small recycled plastic outer bags. These are already recycled and can be recycled again in most areas. They are hoping to move to paper or compostable packaging next year.
How is the manufacturing process like?
Their model is based Last-minute orders which guarantees small production and no waste.
Are the designs made to last?
Yes!
Will the care of the product cause pollution?
Nope because they use organic cotton!
Shopping Experince
Price Range: Bras: £28 – Panties: £10 – £15
Where can I buy it? On their website:
Return: accepted
Anekdot: a sustainable lingerie brand that upcycles
Sofie, the founder of the brand works from the studio in Berlin and believes that great things all start with small ones. Exactly like me!
Why I like It?
I love that the brand offers sexy sustainable lingerie. Many ethical brands I have encountered, only offer organic cotton panties. Even though I love it because I prioritise comfort, I like a touch of dentelle and leopard print.
Besides, as they source upcycled materials, their designs are limited edition only so all pieces come with a little story. If you are like me and love associating a story for all your purchases, this sustainable underwear brand is for you!
Ethos of that sustainable lingerie brand
Do they produce ethically?
Yes, ethically designed and hand-crafted. The people who work on the pieces are based in Berlin and Poland where they are paid fairly and offered safe working conditions.
Do they use sustainable materials?
Yes, they use upcycled materials mainly sourced in Europe. They also use organic cotton.
Are they vegan?
Some products are in silk but very few. I still included the brand because it only uses upcycled materials, so they are causing anymore harm.
Is the packaging eco-friendly?
I emailed the brand for further information for you ?
“All our packaging is made from recycled paper/cardboard. No Plastic whatsoever – even the tape we use to close the box is paper tape. The lingerie is packaged in a paper gift bag which can be re-used for private purposes by our customers. We ship with minimal packaging, using only the essential amount of packaging. No extra filling as all material (also sustainable materials) takes from the planets resources to produce. When our own boxes comes back to us with returns/exchanges we re-use them until the very end.”
How about the shipping?
The carbon footprint of the product is relatively small because the manufacturers are in Europe.
How is the manufacturing process like?
They reduce their waste as much as possible and produce with the materials they have, not the opposite. As a result, they never mass produce.
Are the designs made to last?
Yes because they use high quality materials.
Will the care of the product cause pollution?
The products materials include nylon and elastane that release microplastic in water when you wash them. But let’s face it, it is going to be hard to find 100% natural fibres bras.
Shopping Experience
Price Range: Panties 29EUR – 66EUR – Bras: 57EUR – 67EUR
Where can I buy it? Online
Return option: Yes!
Ella & Me: An Affordable Sustainable Underwear Brand
Ella & Me is small independent brand, proudly made in Great Britain.
Why I like It?
I am honestly a bit disappointed by that brand, but I decided to include it as an okay brands that suit smaller budgets. They try to reduce their impact by being 100% local, caring for their packaging ad being ethical so I consider as a brand to consider as a starting point.
Ethos Of That Sustainable Underwear Brand
Do they produce ethically?
Yes! Every garment is hand made with love, care & passion in Manchester.
Do they use sustainable materials?
Unfortunately, not, they are mostly synthetic fibres.
Are they vegan?
Most of the pieces are but they sometimes use silk.
Is the packaging eco-friendly?
They committed to eliminate the use of plastics in all of their packaging materials over 2019. I will email for an update!
How is the manufacturing process like?
It seems ethical but nothing is specified in terms of eco-friendly manufacturing.
Will the care of the product cause pollution?
Yes due to their synthetic fibres.
Shopping Experience
Price Range: Panties: £10 – £16 – Bras: £28
Where can I buy it? Online or in one of their Many stores in the UK
Return: You can’t return your underwear if they do not fit.
Cotton And Push: Sustainable Underwear Made In The UK
Cotton And Push is a small independent brand that produces lingerie that is both sexy and comfortable. Their aim is to make the pieces pretty, healthy for your skin and the environment.
Why I like It?
Natural fibre all the way!
Ethos Of That Sustainable Underwear Brand
Do they produce ethically? And how is the manufacturing process like?
Yes and yes! I found little about their partners on the Website so I emailed the brand with questions and they got back to me very fast. Here is what Alina, the CEO replied.
Do they use sustainable materials?
Yes yes yes! Mostly certified organic cotton and bamboo silk!
Are they vegan?
Hell yeah!
Is the packaging eco-friendly?
Yes! They use 100% Recycled & Recyclable materials to wrap and ship their items.
Are the designs made to last?
Yes ?
Will the care of the product cause pollution?
As they fabrics are 100% natural, we are all good here!
Shopping Experience
Price Range: Panties: £30 – £40 – Bras: £44 – £74
Where can I buy it? On their website
Return: unfortunately not possible for panties
Zuela: Perfect If You Are Into Healing Crystals
Zuela is a small brand from Kent (UK) that offers Sustainable Lingerie to helping you to build confidence. They incorporate a pocket full of healing crystals into every bra.
Why I like It?
I love that crystal approach. I started exploring a little about crystal last year and I am willing to deepen my understanding.
Ethos of That Sustainable Lingerie Brand
Do they produce ethically?
Yes! They design and manufacture all pieces in the UK. They also visit their factories to ensure that the ethical underwer are always of the highest quality. Besides, that allows them to confirm that the team receives the best treatment.
Do they use sustainable materials?
Yes, they mostly use organic cotton and bamboo. Only the laces is in Nylon but they look for greener alternatives.
Are they vegan?
Yes!
Is the packaging eco-friendly?
They only use recycled or recyclable materials.
How about the shipping?
They ship from the UK so you do not have to worry too much about that impact.
How is the manufacturing process like?
They make sure they do not over produce and try to use as little energy as possible. Their main studio uses mainly natural light and low amounts of electricity to conserve energy consumption.
Are the designs made to last?
Yes!
Will the care of the product cause pollution?
There is a little bit of Nylon and elastane unfortunately.
Shopping Experience
Price Range: Panties: £17 -£22 – Bras: £25 -£33
Where can I buy it? On their website
Return: Not possible
My main struggle to shop sustainable underwear was that I found no brand in my hometown. It was also hard to order online because I thought I could not return the pieces that do not fit. But now that I wrote that article, I realised most brands value our right to try on and offer decent return policies. So next time I need a new bra, I will pick from that list.
Let me know if you have any other concerns about those sustainable underwear brands, I highlighted in that blog post. I will be more than happy to assist you in your purchase consideration.
Are you ready to try ethical underwear brands? Which one would you like to support first? Comment below!
Written by Marine Leclerc
This page contains affiliate links, which means that if you buy certain products on this page, I get a small commission. However, I do not Promote any product or brands I do not trust myself!
