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When selecting the perfect underwear, comfort, fit, and material should be your top concerns. Organic cotton is a popular growing choice, if youโre looking for a sustainable and comfy option, great for your health and the planetโs well-being.
To understand the reason behind this choice, letโs see the impact of conventional cotton production on the planet, what we mean by organic cotton, the advantages of transitioning to fabrics like organic cotton, and which brands offer the best organic cotton undies.
Not All Cotton Undies are Sustainable Underwear: Conventional Cotton is Not Organic Cotton
Cotton is one of the most widely used natural fibers in the world. We sleep on it, dry ourselves with it, and wear it almost daily. Even though it is so common and useful, how it is grown, harvested, and produced has significant environmental and social impacts.
Non-organic cotton farming relies heavily on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which pollute soil and water sources, harm wildlife, and contribute to biodiversity loss. Its agriculture is estimated to account for 16.1% of the worldโs insecticide sales and 5.7% of global pesticide consumption. Every year, thousands of cotton farmers and their families endure the devastating effects of pesticide poisoning. Nearly 500 die from acute pesticide poisoning and many more suffer from chronic ill health, such as cancers and leukaemia, neurological diseases and reproductive problems, including infertility and miscarriages.
In addition, cotton farming is barely profitable for many small farmers. Some earn less than two dollars daily from their cotton due to a lack of support and training, often resulting in low yields and economic hardship. For example, just one bad harvest can plunge a farmer into debt, threatening their livelihoods and potentially causing serious mental health issues associated with the stressful lifestyle related to this environmentally degrading way of farming, often leading to tragic outcomes such as suicide.
If this is not sufficient, its impact on the planet is catastrophic. We’ll name just one example: water. It takes approximately 10,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of cotton. In many cotton-growing regions, this water is sourced from rivers and lakes, leading to the depletion of vital water resources.
The Aral Sea, the world’s fourth largest lake in 1960, has shrunk to half its former size due to cotton irrigation practices started less than 40 years ago. In addition, the dyeing and finishing of cotton textiles involve toxic chemicals, which can pollute waterways and pose risks to workers and communities.
Made from Organic Cotton: Yes, Please!
Organic cotton is a natural fiber grown using methods and materials with a low environmental impact.
The aim is to build biologically diverse agriculture while replenishing and maintaining soil fertility, reducing toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers through methods with minimal environmental impact, such as crop rotation, hand-weeding, and natural pest control, and using less water than regular cotton farming.
Organic cotton certification is a rigorous process governed by international standards, such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This certification ensures that the cotton is grown, processed, and manufactured following sustainable and ethical practices, from the field to the final product, giving you the confidence that you’re making a responsible choice for your health and the environment.
Is Organic Cotton Sustainable Fashion?
Yes, it is! If you switch to organic cotton, youโll reduce your environmental footprint and support more sustainable and ethical practices.
However, be sure to seek certifications and look at our brand guide for more information on organic cotton farming and the brand youโre shopping from. It is important to remember that organic cotton is a more sustainable solution than non-organic cotton, but it still doesnโt remove all environmental damage connected to carbon emission, transportation methods, and packaging along the supply chain, to name a few.
Choosing organic cotton is not just a sustainable choice but also a health-conscious one. Regular cotton textiles can retain pesticides and chemical dye residues, which may cause skin irritation and allergies. Data suggest that textile dye sensitivity is more common than previously believed. This is particularly concerning when it comes to undergarments, as they are in constant contact with some of the most sensitive areas of our body. Organic cotton, on the other hand, is free from these harmful chemicals, making it a safer option for people with sensitive skin or those prone to allergies.
Moreover, organic cotton is naturally breathable and moisture-wicking, crucial for maintaining all-day comfort and hygiene in underwear. The fabric allows for better air circulation, reducing the likelihood of bacterial growth, which can lead to infections, especially in warm and humid conditions. Its softness and breathability ensure comfort, while its hypoallergenic nature makes it safe for people with sensitive skin or allergies.
Best Organic Cotton Underwear: 12 Underwear Brands that Will Take Control Over Your Undies
Underwear is the most intimate piece of clothing we wear. It is in constant contact with our skin for extended periods, making the fabric choice particularly important.
Several ethical and sustainable clothing brands stand out when looking for comfortable underwear made with sustainable materials. These brands prioritize fair trade practices, eco-friendly methods, and long-lasting, high-quality products. Also, they offer a range of styles and sizes, ensuring everyone can find the perfect fit, and your choice is aligned with your values without compromising comfort or style.
Whether youโre looking for basic briefs, stylish lingerie, or comfortable boxers, here are the best organic cotton underwear brands for men and women.
Brands for him, her and everyone:
1) Pact
Pact goes above and beyond by caring about the fabric it uses and how its products are manufactured. Pact cares about people and the planet by saving water using organic cotton, using non-toxic chemicals to protect the environment, and offering features such as carbon offset shipping and thoughtful packaging.
Shop its soft and breathable underwear collection and feel comfortable all day long!
2) Subset
Subset is your one-stop shop for refreshing your undies and recycling your old ones. It offers womenโs and menโs Fair Trade-certified sustainable underwear free from toxic chemicals and organic cotton. Prices are competitive, and you can send in your old undies for recycling to get a discount for your next order!
Feel confident and comfortable and choose your favourite among the wide range of styles.
Underwear brands for men:
3) Colorful Standard
All products are ethically made in Portugal with organic or recycled materials. Their organic boxer briefs are breathable and lightweight, crafted with care. Made with 95% organic cotton, Peta-approved, and environmentally friendly dye, they offer an irritation-free experience and are the perfect foundation for your wardrobe.
Shop: Mens
4) Asket
It is one of the most transparent fashion brands on the planet, giving you the transparency level of each item they sell. Their boxer briefs are made to last and woven from certified organic cotton, with a touch of stretch that feels soft against the skin. They are designed with a snug yet flexible fit to provide optimum support and stay in place without bunching, so you’ll never have to deal with uncomfortable underwear again.
Shop: Mens
5) Nudie Jeans
Nudie Jeans discloses extensive information about its manufacturing, materials, and environmental impact, such as its water usage and carbon emissions, so you can be sure youโre supporting an eco-conscious and ethical company when you purchase products from it.
It makes underwear in soft, organic jersey, and Fairtrade is part of the essentials collection. Instead of labels, it has a print inside and is delivered in beautiful cardboard boxes made with recycled cotton. When you buy Nudie Jeans underwear, you can be sure you have paid your share of living wages.
Shop: Mens
6) Toad&Co
Toad&Co is a US-based brand that excels in being sustainably made. It has certifications to ensure safe chemical use, offers vegan options, and uses natural, sustainable fabrics and recycled materials. It provides a range of menโs underwear in various colors, prints, and patterns, made with breathable 100% organic cotton to give you the joy of comfort.
Shop: Mens
7) Armedangels
Armedangels only use sustainable and renewable materials, including GOTS certified organic cotton that is also Fairtrade certified. It creates modern, contemporary collections and takes a stand to advocate for more sustainable climate change policies. Moreover, its boxers are PETA-approved and only cost $16.72!
Shop: Mens
8) Dedicated
Dedicated makes everything for everyone, from tops to underwear. Thanks to its numerous environmental and worker health certifications, such as GOTS, FairTrade, and a PETA-approved supply chain, you can feel good shopping from the website. Choose from a wide range of prints and colours of underwear made with comfortable, high-quality jerseys from organic certified cotton. The best foundation for any great outfit!
Shop: Mens
9) Rozenbroek
It is a sustainable brand with a modern and timeless aesthetic determined to make fashion, focusing on conscious design and durability. With the hopes of creating options for conscious consumers, it produces vegan-friendly organic men’s and women’s clothing and underwear. Its 95% organic cotton jersey, 5% elastane GOTS CERES-076 certified, is manufactured with care and transparency using solar energy and the highest quality fabrications by a fairly paid, skilled artisan.
Shop: Mens
Underwear brands for women:
10) Organic Basics
This company can supply you with all your basics! It sets high standards for the quality of its products, the treatment of its workers, and its impact on the environment. It offers many womenโs undies, bras and panties in various sizes.
Shop: Womens
11) Etiko
Its name is derived from the Greek word โethicalโ and certainly lives up to its name. With multiple certifications, such as FairTrade and Certified B Corp, it ensures that products look good and are made responsibly.
Known for its vegan shoes, it does not stop there: it produces everything from shirts to women’s organic cotton underwear.
Shop: Womens
12) Stella McCartney
It is a luxury sustainable fashion brand always developing and experimenting with new methods to decrease environmental impact. The brand also employs innovative processes and designs across the production chain, and its underwear styles are super soft!
Shop: Womens
Choosing organic cotton underwear for women, men, and children goes beyond selecting a comfortable and well-fitting garment. As more consumers switch to organic cotton, the market continues to grow, offering a wider range of options and driving positive change in the fashion industry. Whether motivated by environmental concerns, health reasons, or a desire for high-quality clothing, organic cotton underwear is an excellent choice that ticks all the boxes.
Moreover, you are choosing a product that is better for your skin, free from harmful chemicals, and comfortable to wear. Whatโs more to want?
Where to Learn More About Sustainable Clothing Companies
If you’ve found a brand that uses organic cotton but are unsure about its sustainability, check its website for sections like ‘about us’ or ‘sustainability.’ You should find some reassuring information about the brand’s practices.
The brands mentioned in this article are all Eco-Stylist Certified for transparency, fair labor, and sustainable production. You can find more information in our brand guide.
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Mara is an Italian writer and communicator specializing in sustainability, multilingual communications, and localization. She loves literature, art, and traveling. She dreams of living on a sailing boat to explore the Mediterranean.
