The Best Ethical & Sustainable Organic Cotton Underwear Brands
As an item of clothing that lays closest to our bodies that we wear daily, we owe it to ourselves to invest in underwear that is good not only for our body but also for the environment.
One of the best options that ticks both boxes are organic cotton underwear.
Let’s explore the importance of these natural fibers and some of the best organic cotton underwear brands.
This post does contain some affiliate links which means The Honest Consumer will receive a commission if you decide to purchase, however, at no additional cost to you!
Benefits of using cotton underwear
Although the market is now flooded with synthetic fabrics like rayon, viscose, and spandex, cotton is undoubtedly the best material for underwear.
The high absorbency of cotton prevents yeast infections by not allowing moisture to accumulate.
Synthetic materials can be restrictive and often chafes, breaking your skin around sensitive areas.
By being breathable, cotton underwear also prevents odor build-up.
Moisture trapping leads to the build-up of bacteria which can lead to some smelly conditions down there.
There is a certain comfort that you seek from underwear which cotton can provide.
However, just using cotton underwear is not enough.
Conventional cotton is grown and processed just as unsustainably as synthetic fabrics, which makes non-organically grown cotton, not the best option.
What harmful chemicals in underwear should consumers be careful of?
Unfortunately today a lot of fabrics are usually heavily doused with chemicals for processing.
These chemicals can still linger in the finished product.
The first place these chemicals transfer would be to your skin in the most sensitive areas of your body.
These chemicals can easily enter your body when in intimate clothing like underwear.
Carcinogenic chemicals are often used to bleach fabric and add other properties like making the fabric wrinkle-free, pest and stain-resistant, or water repellent.
Some of these chemicals include petrochemicals which cause skin suffocation, headaches, and respiratory problems, perfluorocarbon which causes kidney failure and formaldehyde which causes lung cancer and dermatitis.
Some of the chemicals can also affect your reproductive cycle.
To avoid all these problems, why not opt for a greener, cleaner, more comfortable choice that has less of an environmental impact?
Why is organic cotton a better choice for underwear?
By choosing organic cotton underwear instead of synthetic materials or even conventional cotton, you are protecting the planet as well as your skin.
Pure organic cotton is hypoallergenic. Organic cotton is less processed than conventional cotton which also means less dangerous chemicals along the way.
As it is completely free from chemicals that can cause rashes, it feels much better on the body and prevents you from catching anything down there.
With organic fabric, the breathability of the fabric does not allow heat to be trapped close to your body and your sensitive parts stay fresh and dry.
Environmental benefits of organic cotton
Apart from the benefits that organic cotton has for our bodies, it is also a much better choice for the environment.
Normal cotton is a crop that is highly intensive in terms of its water requirement, pesticide, and fertilizer use. Since growing organic cotton is much less intensive (organic cotton uses 91% less water, 46% less carbon dioxide, and 61% less energy than conventional cotton), it emits 94% less greenhouse gas emission compared to conventional cotton.
Only organic or composted manure is used as fertilizer for growing organic cotton.
By eliminating toxic chemicals, organic cotton growing also increases soil health as well as promotes more biodiversity in the system.
In this way, you buying organic underwear encourages the healthy cultivation of the soil, saves gallons of water, and avoids harsh chemicals!
The Best Organic Underwear Brands
Most women prefer comfort over style but with the plethora of options for cotton underwear available these days, you can have both at the same time.
Here is a list of organic cotton underwear brands for you to try.
These sustainable brands use organic materials of the highest quality for everyday wear and have an ethical supply chain.
Knickey's Fair Trade Organic Cotton Underwear
Knickey works with Fair Trade certified factories to create women's underwear made with organic cotton.
PC: Knickey
They offer impeccably fitting underwear that washes and wears well. Knickey's underwear is $14 a pair.
If you are not sure how to transition into organic cotton underwear, Knickey offers starter sets where you can build your own order with a range of rises and coverage. In these sets, you get to choose 5 pairs of underwear (low-rise thong, low-rise bikini, mid-rise hipster, mid-rise brief, and high-rise brief) in their limited edition colors.
Knickey also takes in old underwear, bras, socks, and tights which are upcycled for which you get a free pair of Knickeys in your next order. How exciting is that?
This sustainable brand also gives back with 1% for the Planet and is climate neutral.
Colorful Standard Men’s Organic Boxers
Colorful Standard is an eco-conscious brand that focuses on clothing and basics made from organic cotton and recycled wool.
They have organic cotton boxers for men.
Men’s boxers can be purchased for $20 per pair. Their boxers are feature Environmentally Friendly Dye that is Oeko-Tex® certified.
Pact's Organic Cotton Underwear for Men, Women, and Children
Pact offers organic cotton options for women, men, and kids. This brand uses organic cotton to craft affordable and accessible organic basics for everyone.
This ethical brand crafts their underwear in a Fair Trade Certified factory.
Pact has a wide variety of styles in organic cotton underwear to choose from, including floral and dotted patterns as well as leopard prints.
They also have packs of 6 for all their underwear options including hipsters, high rise hipsters, classic fit bikinis, thongs, and lace hipsters. Their underwear for men and women starts at $14 per pair.
tentree’s Organic Cotton and TENCEL Underwear
tentree is an ethical brand that focuses on using earth friendly materials.
tentree offers underwear for men and women. Their underwear is crafted using a combination of organic cotton and TENCEL.
Shop women’s thongs and bikini briefs for $18, bralettes for $40, and men’s boxers for $35.
Beaumont Organic’s GOTS Certified Organic Cotton Underwear for Women
Beaumont Organic aims to create conscious clothing and organic undergarments.
Using GOTS-certified organic cotton as their primary fabric, they craft high quality underwear for women.
Their organic cotton underwear selection for women features bralettes, briefs, high waisted briefs, and more! These sustainable items range from $35-$54.
Sustain by Kat Organic Bras
Sustain by Kat creates high-quality, timeless basics made from 100% natural materials including organic cotton and linen.
Their bras are made with 100% GOTS certified organic cotton and 100% organic hemp lining.
Choose from naturally dyed and undyed bras ranging from $56-$70.
Tips for Shopping for Eco-friendly Underwear
Be sure to look for natural dyes
Consider your body type and what style feels best for you
Don't throw out your old undies...instead recycle them with Knickey's recycling program
Consider what the brands production processes are. Are the underwear made in small batches? Are the garment workers paid a fair wage?
Hopefully this guide helped you discover some sustainable underwear brands and find some organic cotton undies worth trying out.
For more tips & tricks on sustainable living be sure to follow The Honest Consumer on social media, subscribe to our newsletter, & check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory.