Hands up, who’s found it difficult to find good, sustainable lingerie? Yeah, me too. My collection started slow, with a few underwear sets in sustainable fabrics, but thankfully the number of ethical underwear brands has grown, and I’m excited to finally bring you this much sought-after guide!
As I’ve said in my previous sustainable shopping guides, it’s easier to make an ethical t-shirt than it is to create a more complex piece, like a bra. A bra is actually quite technical! You’ve got to think about the fabric, the elastic, the clasps, the straps, the cups, the fit… And then multiply that by two different measurements!
I believe this is one of the reasons why there’s been a general lack of ethical options out there, but with some fervent searching, I’ve now been able to curate a full underwear-drawer full of fairly made pieces, and with it, this guide of the best places to update your underwear sets.
What To Look For In Sustainable Underwear
So, when it comes to sustainable fashion in general, the best thing to look for is publicly-available information on fair labour practices, wages, and treatment of staff. The good brands want to show they’re doing what’s right!
From your side, check that you really need a new piece – overconsumption isn’t ethical either.
Personally, I also think it’s quite important to choose underwear made from natural materials. My reasoning is two-fold: natural materials are renewable and biodegradable. And, these materials will be against your skin all day, so you probably want something that’s more breathable than plastic-based fibres. My guide on sustainable fabrics goes more into this! However, you’ll likely find underwear with mixed compositions, as there will usually be some kind of stretchy material involved.
What’s In My Lingerie Drawer…
Black basic bra and briefs from Boody
Boody was my first foray into sustainable undies, and I started with a basic black set. Made from bamboo-based lyocell-fibre, I was torn about the material, but three years later and I’m still wearing the set, and they really are as good as new! If you’re looking for long-lasting underwear, I’d highly recommend them. In fact, the grey set shown above is also Boody, which I invested in a few years later (and am wearing now as I type this!)
Lingerie set from Wildness
My latest lingerie set comes from Wildness*, a new ethical underwear brand that started up last year. They’re based in Brighton, and even took part in Sustainable Fashion Week Brighton 2024! This independent brand produces beautiful, plastic-free underwear. I have the Spirit set and can attest to its style and comfort.
16 Of The Best Sustainable Lingerie & Underwear Brands
Alongside my own favourites, here’s a run-down of the best sustainable lingerie brands available in the UK:
Ayten Gasson: Luxury handcrafted lingerie and nightwear, designed and made in Brighton.
BAM*: Bamboo-based briefs alongside their yoga wear and crop tops.
Boody*: Underwear basics made from bamboo fibres (rayon) and nylon. Read my full review →
ColieCo*: Ethical lingerie with playful and cheeky prints, made in Portugal.
Cuurve: Premium women’s underwear designed with comfort and sustainability in mind.
Dora Larsen: Colourful underwear sets, ethically made, chiefly made from recycled nylon.
Eno: Eco-friendly bras for people with one breast who do not wear a prosthesis.
Gilda & Pearl: Luxury lounge clothes and lingerie by a B-Corp Certified brand.
JulieMay Lingerie: Ethically made, pretty bras and briefs made with sustainable materials that are allergy friendly.
Nudea: Sumptuous sustainable sets at mid-range prices, with their own bra-recycling scheme.
Peachaus*: Pretty lingerie sets made with recycled nylon and recycled Italian lace.
Pico*: Organic cotton underwear, focusing on traditional artisanal techniques and supporting those communities.
Stripe + Stare*: B-Corp certified underwear brand making super soft knickers with Tencel!
Subset*: Everyday bras and briefs in a range of colours and sizes from 2XS – 3XL.
Wildness: Elegant, elastane-free underwear in classic styles, made thoughtfully in Europe.
Y.O.U: Organic, Fair Trade certified and PETA approved vegan underwear, giving two pairs to charity for every purchase.
What About Period Pants?
A little extra note on period pants – which are something I get asked about a lot! While I haven’t been able to find any ethically-made period pants (the majority are made overseas, without much clarity around their labour practices), I do use period underwear which are washable and reusable.
Period pants are a sustainable alternative to mainstream period products, so if you’re set on having greener periods, try my faves – ModiBodi* – which were kindly gifted to me, or another product such as a menstrual cup, or organic cotton products from Grace & Green or TOTM*.
