Best Sustainable Underwear

And now we’re talking about sustainable underwear! Add this to the things I never thought I’d be blogging about.

But just like the need to share the best bras for small busts, we need to talk about eco-friendly undies. Underwear is the one thing that can’t and shouldn’t be worn by more than one person. It’s not a single-use item, but it’s life just can’t be as long-lasting as other garments.

With that in mind, it’s SUPER important to purchase and wear items made from better-for-the-earth materials and made by people who are treated fairly! And when it’s time for them to be recycled, let’s put better materials back into the earth.

Undies are full of plastic, elastic materials (nylon, rayon, etc.). While it’s hard to make undergarments without some kind of stretchiness these materials provide, we can certainly cut way back.

So here are 3 brands doing it right and doing it well. I’ve tried a few other brands – they weren’t comfortable and/or they started to fall apart, but these three are holding strong…

Best Sustainable Underwear

SUBSET (formerly Knickey)

I shared my SUBSET undies recently as they’re a new favorite of mine. SUBSET only sells undies and bras, so this is their specialty.

They offer 5 silhouettes in 7 colors as well as sizes ranging from XXS-XXXL. Their underwear run a bit big, so you can easily size down.

Because I don’t put my undergarments in the dryer (see tips for washing all lingerie), I have noticed these undies loosen a bit over time as well, so sizing down is best.

I personally wear an xsmall in the low rise thong and a small in the low rise bikini.

Their items are Fair Trade certified; the company is carbon neutral; and their cotton is grown organically in India where their items are assembled.

All shapes and sizes of SUBSET undies are $17. Each product page offers images of seeing each pair on models of sizes small, large, and XXXL. They now also offer sustainable maternity underwear and men’s underwear (launching Nov 1).

And best of all, SUBSET offers an undergarment recycling option!

PACT Sustainable Underwear

I’ve mentioned PACT before – in my sustainable dresses roundup as well as for sustainable children’s clothing! They’re another company that aims to use organic cotton and is certified fair-trade, so all the people involved in the process of making their items are treated and paid fairly.

Unlike WAMA and SUBSET, PACT sells a wide variety of clothing, bedding, and towels, but we’ll just talk about their sustainable underwear today!

PACT undies are all 95% certified organic cotton, 5% elastane. They offer eight silhouettes in a variety of colors and prints as well as a few with lace trim.

The classic thongs I’ve tried run a bit snug, so order up if you’re between sizes. They don’t have a ton of stretch to them (unlike WAMA underwear).

Their sustainable underwear sell for $14, and under $12 in a 6-pack.

Remember to wash your undergarments with care and Recycle Underwear appropriately when you’ve worn them in and they can’t be loved anymore!

And since we’re getting personal about that personal area, you should be using the best sustainable toilet paper too! And check out your sustainable bedding options too; I mean you spend a lot of time in bed!

And for those warmer months, swoon over these sustainable swimsuits, these sustainable black dresses, gorgeous white summer dresses, organic cotton jean shorts, and all of these gorgeous sustainable tank tops!