Eco-Friendly Lingerie Brands: Prioritizing Ethics and Environment

With a growing awareness of the importance of sustainable fashion, many lingerie brands are prioritizing ethical production practices, reduced waste, and worker’s rights.

These brands, using everything from organic fabrics to recycled materials, are leading the charge towards a more sustainable fashion industry.

But before we introduce these lingerie brands, let’s take a quick look at what exactly makes a specific piece of lingerie sustainable.

What Makes a Lingerie Sustainable?

Here are some key aspects that can help determine whether a lingerie brand is following sustainable practices:

Organic Fabric

Organic fabrics are grown without the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals, relying instead on traditional farming techniques. These fabrics require up to 60% less water compared to conventional fabrics, making them much more eco-friendly.

Sustainable Dyes and Chemicals

Synthetic dyes contribute heavily to water pollution; in fact, over 20% of global water pollution is linked to the textile dyeing process. Opting for sustainable alternatives can significantly reduce this impact.

Botanical Dyeing

Eco-dyeing and printing is a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes. This method involves extracting pigments directly from plants to color fabrics, reducing the usage of harmful chemicals.

Use of Natural or Engineered Microorganisms

Some companies have adopted a unique biological approach where bacteria are used to color textiles. This process can reduce water use by up to ten times, making it an attractive and innovative option for sustainable practices.

Digital Printing

 Digital printing, or ‘waterless’ textile technology, uses BlackJet reactive pigment textile as inks (nano pigment ink) to provide coloration. This eliminates the need for large water quantities typically required in traditional dyeing techniques.

Zero Textile Waste

This design principle avoids wasting materials and aims to eliminate textile disposal. It involves using every bit of fabric in the production process, thereby minimizing waste.

Remember, sustainable lingerie isn’t merely about comfort and aesthetics; it’s about your undergarments leaving a lighter footprint on our planet.

So, if you’re ready to embrace sustainability in style and feel great about your choices, here are 11 chic and eco-friendly options to revamp your lingerie collection:

1. Knickey

Knickey is all about sustainable and comfortable underwear. They offer panties fashioned from organic cotton, grown without harmful chemicals and pesticides – kinder to both your skin and the planet.

Additional styles made from recycled materials, like nylon and polyester, further minimize waste and conserve resources. Plus, Knickey’s straightforward yet stylish ranges cater to various tastes, offering different cuts and colors.

2. Araks

Araks Organic Cotton Collection provides a broad range of trendy, organically-made lingerie. They hold transparency as a core value, ensuring their supply chain is traceable, so you know exactly where your lingerie comes from.

Their organic cotton, chemical- and pesticide-free, promotes biodiversity and reduces environmental impact. Beyond sustainability, Araks also offers innovative designs and promotes size inclusivity to appreciate diverse body types.

3. NK Imode

NK Imode provides luxury, ethical lingerie. They use organic and recycled fabrics free from harmful chemicals, which, in turn, help biodiversity and reduce water and energy consumption.

NK Imode’s ethical approach extends to manufacturing, with fair wages, satisfactory working conditions, and total transparency. They cater to fashion-conscious consumers with their stylish designs, focusing on comfort and body positivity.

4. Summersalt

The appeal of Summersalt extends beyond eco-friendly swimwear. Their undergarment line showcases simple silhouettes, marrying comfort with style. You can find their lovely rib textures across a spectrum of muted colors, adding a sweet touch to your lingerie collection.

Their Feel Free line specifically offers a variety of silhouettes – from thongs and briefs to bralettes. What’s truly innovative about this line is that it’s made from recycled plastic bottles.

5. Proclaim

Proclaim offers sustainability and social responsibility hand in hand. Their conscious manufacturing process involves using organic cotton and recycled nylon to reduce environmental impact while ensuring fair wages and working conditions for their workers.

In addition to their environmental commitment, Proclaim’s pieces are also a celebration of style and comfort. Catering to various body types and sizes, they offer a thoughtful collection that combines trends with function.

6. Everlane

Known for their commitment to transparency and ethical production, Everlane is an excellent choice for sustainable lingerie. Their designs are functional yet fashionable, intended to last and contribute to a more sustainable wardrobe.

If you’re a fan of Everlane’s basics, you’ll fall in love with their line of essential undergarments. These pieces are crafted from ECONYL® 100% regenerated nylon, a material made entirely from recycled plastic bottles, making them not only stylish but also highly sustainable.

Additionally, they’re dyed with bluesign®-approved dyes, further emphasizing Everlane’s commitment to environmentally friendly practices.

7. Girlfriend Collective

This brand offers sustainable activewear made from recycled plastics such as bottles and fishing nets. Beyond their impressive use of recycled materials, Girlfriend Collective is committed to making sportswear that doesn’t compromise on style or functionality.

Their range not only withstands rigorous workouts but is also comfortable enough for everyday wear. Supporting Girlfriend Collective means embracing fashion that is stylish, functional, and mindful of its impact on the environment.

8. Botanica Workshop

What sets Botanica Workshop apart is their commitment to a slow-design practice. Based in Los Angeles, they create responsible intimates with a perfect blend of retro and minimalist aesthetics.

Their choice of materials is top-notch, going for a mix of organic cotton, durable silks, and recycled nylons certified by Oeko-Tex. Not only is every material meticulously sourced, but their entire production process is also carried out domestically. This ensures a smaller carbon footprint and upholds domestic craftsmanship.

9. Mary Young

Mary Young transforms lingerie into wearable art with their signature high-waist undies and mesh detailing. The Canada-based brand skillfully crafts their lingerie from rayon derived from organic bamboo, which is Oeko-Tex certified and further reduces their carbon footprint.

Not content with sustainable raw materials, Mary Young puts considerable thought into their packaging as well. Each sheer, pastel lingerie set is carefully wrapped in compostable tissue and delivered in 100% recycled-content packaging.

Choosing Mary Young means not only embracing irresistible design but also making a significant step towards sustainable fashion – from production to packaging.

10. Organic Basics

Organic Basics brings minimalist-inspired, eco-friendly lingerie and essential items to their customers. Their products, ranging from bras to underwear, are crafted carefully from natural, recycled, biodegradable, and renewable textiles and fabrics.

This commitment to sustainability accentuates their array of elegant, minimalist designs. Best of all, this Copenhagen-based brand makes sustainable fashion accessible to everybody with their affordable price points.

11. Brook There

Brook There’s organic cotton undergarments are a perfect mix of modern and vintage. They’ve given classic silhouettes, like full-coverage triangle bralettes, high-waist briefs, and elastic-waist boy shorts, a contemporary twist, all available in a soothing palette of colors.

All their materials are milled and dyed in California, with the cutting and sewing performed in the U.S. This way, Brook There supports domestic craftsmanship while minimizing their carbon footprint.

Whether you’re in the market for a pair of comfy bras, sustainable panties, or luxurious lingerie, there are ample eco-friendly options available. Remember to select brands that emphasize ethical production and the use of sustainable materials. So, you can revitalize your lingerie collection while also making a positive impact on the environment. Now, isn’t that something to feel good about?