10 Best Organic Underwear Brands
How To Choose The Best Organic Underwear Brands
Organic is considered to be a thing made of living matter or food that hasn’t been treated with chemicals. While there aren’t any edible underwear on this best organic underwear brands list, there are those that are derived from plant sources, are sustainably sourced, and are free from harsh chemicals.
Organic underwear doesn’t just speak of the materials they’re made of, even though in this list you’ll find hemp briefs and beech tree thongs. Here, the word “organic” spans out to include the sustainable practices employed by factories and the ethics of the brand itself—because organic isn’t a simple definition. It’s a feeling, a lifestyle, and a clean conscience.
Why organic underwear and why now, you ask? The answer is a simple one fueled by years of non-regenerative farming, deforestation, toxic runoff, and nonrenewable fabrics—because we must. But, also because they’re as kind to your skin and they are to the planet.
We’ve seen a shift in brands over time. Now, many are beginning to include at least one eco-friendly line in their collections, encouraging fabric recycling, and injecting, if only, just a drop of transparency into their sourcing and manufacturing processes.
Organic underwear is just one item on a long list of apparel, bedding, accessories, and shoes that is now reflecting the needs of today’s climate, and the category is booming. Whether an entire emerging brand is dedicated to sustainable wear, or a well-known company has finally introduced its first eco-design, things are changing, and it’s about time, too.
10 Best Organic Underwear Brands
The names on this best organic underwear brands list are all incredibly different. With some, you’ll find just one pair nestled among a heap of sustainable clothing and accessories, while others offer a range of styles for both men and women. But you’ll soon see what we mean, so we’ll just go ahead and get right into it.
1. WAMA
Founded by Shakib Nassiri in 2016, WAMA is on a mission to “pioneer the hemp underwear industry by making the best hemp undies in the world and constantly improving the fit, function, and design.”
The brand hopes to bring awareness to hemp fabric as a more viable option for underwear and apparel brands. Today, its collection of underwear for men and women is loved by customers for its extreme comfort and good fit.
If you haven’t hopped aboard the hemp train yet, just know that the wonder plant naturally resists bacteria and odor, which means so does anything that’s made from it.
Offering men’s and women’s underwear along with a few styles of bras, WAMA undies are organic and made in an OEKO-Tex certified facility. This fact means they’re free from harsh chemicals and kind on the skin.
WAMA is also a completely vegan brand and a Green America Certified Business, making it the one with the most certifications on this best organic underwear brands list.
You can find men’s boxers, trunks, boxer briefs, and briefs for $24 and women’s hipsters, bikinis, thongs, high-waisted panties, and boy shorts for $20 in WAMA’s collection.
2. Mary Young
A Canadian-based brand, Mary Young caters to women of all shapes and sizes, offering bras, panties, loungewear, and bodysuits in XS-2X.
Founded in 2014 by Mary Young herself, the brand wanted to prove that it was possible to manufacture in Canada with eco-friendly materials. It has been making its underwear in Montreal ever since.
With sustainability at the heart of everything it does, Mary Young is on a mission to “create ethically made garments that are comfortable for you and your unique self.” And unique is truly what you’re getting with this brand—its collection is made from OEKO-Tex certified bamboo fabric that is treated with non-chlorine bleach and non-toxic dyes.
And despite this fact, you’ll find elevated basics in classic colors with pops of soothing green, happy yellow, sheer fabrics, and figure-flattering cuts.
There’s definitely a vibe of body positivity and inclusivity radiating from this company, seen in the moody models of every race and size throwing their hips for sexy photos and bearing stretch marks, tattoos, and un-makeuped faces.
If we could sum up Mary Young in one word, it would be: real. And that’s exactly what its customers love so much, comparing their lingerie to that favorite comfy tee, the one that’s worn and oversized, but exudes a sexiness that comes through because of the one wearing it.
You won’t find push-up bras here, just real, attractive underwear that accentuates your body. To keep things authentic, the brand is transparent about its manufacturing, fabrics, and shipping practices, ensuring workers are paid fairly, and all orders are sent using recycled materials.
Part of this best organic underwear brands list for its authentic style, you can get a hold of a pair of Mary Young bikinis, briefs, and thongs in low, mid, and high-rise cuts for $40-$50.
3. HARA
HARA is a brand created out of the need for sustainability in the fashion industry. Launched by Allie Cameron in 2016, it is the product of the founder’s first-hand experience with textile waste after traveling through India and seeing the rivers of plastic, chemical runoff, and mountains of tossed clothing.
It wasn’t long after that Cameron met with cotton farmers to figure out a way to solve this problem. She ultimately created a label where sustainability and design came together, hand in hand.
HARA’s mission is to “bring change and awareness to the man and environmental issues within the fashion industry while creating sustainable soft dreamy bamboo underwear that’s both rejuvenating and empowering.”
In its collection, you’ll find bras, underwear, loungewear, and sportswear in saturated earthly colors, varying cuts, fits, and styles, almost akin to that of swimwear.
Bamboo fabric is a great sustainable option, but the brand doesn’t stop there. It also reuses offcuts to negate textile waste and uses non-toxic dyes to prevent chemical runoff. Manufacturing in Australia, where the brand is based, HARA keeps its carbon footprint small.
Wearers mention how soft and high-quality the material feels. Considering the brand achieves such rich colors, the fact they’re naturally dyed is another high selling point that makes customers flock to HARA.
You’ll find all HARA underwear for $38.
4. Pact
On a simple mission to “build Earth’s Favorite Clothing Company,” pact was created by Jason Kibbey and Jeff Denby in 2009. The brand, which uses organic cotton for all of its men’s, women’s, and kid’s apparel, offers bedding and bath products as well, like luxurious waffle towels and cloths.
Its chemical-free collection is filled with soothing blues, greens, and earthy terracotta, all created from non-toxic dyes. Partnered with Fair Trade factories, the Colorado-based brand works to build up local communities and keep the natural environment around them safe.
Related: Check the full Pact Clothing Review to learn more.
In its underwear section, you’ll find soft colors like olive green and gray, along with spirited patterns like palm leaves and cheetah. For men, pact makes boxers, briefs, and trunks for $14 a pair, and women’s bikinis, hipsters, and boy shorts are $14 too.
As for ordering, customers can choose to offset carbon and donate unwanted pact items. The option to donate, along with its ethical and sustainable practices and funky prints are what landed pact on our best organic underwear brands list, and we love that they use recycled packaging.
Customers speak of sturdy and breathable fabric along with comfortable elastic waistbands for men’s boxers, as well as the perks of seeing how much water is saved with each item they bought. The Cheeky Hipster? 3.9 gallons. That’s the difference organic makes.
5. Thinx
There’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard of Thinx. It’s the nature of the product and its eco-friendly line that made it a no-brainer for this best organic underwear brands list.
Founded in 2013 by Antonia Saint Dunbar, Miki Agrawal, and Radha Agrawal, Thinx was created to help girls and women feel less restricted by their periods—oh yeah, and if you haven’t actually heard of this brand, its thing is period underwear, the kind you can wear without a pad.
Thinx comes in a ton of different styles, from hip-huggers to high-waist to thongs and even postpartum panties. They’re available in all the flow strengths from light to super and are offered in Classic, Thinx Air, and Modal Cotton materials.
Related: For a full analysis read our Thinx Underwear Review
That last one, Modal Cotton is what made Thinx land our list and what makes them one of the best organic cotton undies around.
If you’re unfamiliar with Modal, you can read all about it a little later on in this list. But for now, all you need to know is that it’s a blend of super-soft Supima cotton that’s USA-grown and Tencel Modal that comes from beech-tree pulp.
Depending on the fabric, Thinx period undies range from $30-$50. You can buy them in your favorite basic colors like black, grey, and olive in sizes XS-4X.
In addition to helping out the planet, the brand believes in giving back through its GiveRise program that fights for improved access to puberty education, donates underwear, and time.
A popular brand, you can find Thinx on Influenster with a 4.5/5 star rating and tons of positive comments about how soft and comfortable they are.
6. Knickey
Knickey isn’t a brand that added a sustainable option to its line of underwear, it was made to be that way from inception. Dreamed up by Cayla O’Connell Davis and Lauren Sagadore, this company was brought to life in 2017.
With expertise in supply chains and sustainability, the two had a few goals in mind when creating Knickey underwear. 1.) Make the perfect fit. 2.) Offer a range of styles and 3.) Use amazing fabrics.
Of course, the manufacturing needed to be ethical and the fabrics needed to be low-impact. The duo chose to do things the right way, the hard way, instead of green-washing semi-eco-friendly materials.
They chose organic cotton as the power player behind their line of underwear, which houses a range of styles like thongs, bikinis, and briefs, along with a few bralettes. Offered in trendy colors like cobalt blue and mustard yellow, each pair looks like a second skin, which means they’re versatile and easy to wear.
Related: Read our Knickey Underwear Review to see how they stack up.
Choosing organic cotton for underwear just makes sense. It doesn’t contain toxic chemicals, uses less water than normal cotton, and is super breathable for your lady bits, making Knickey a shoo-in for one of the best organic cotton underwear around.
Customers rave about how soft and smooth Knickey underwear are, and love how wearable and gentle they are on the skin.
What’s better than kind fabric and practices? A brand that also gives back. 1% of each purchase you make goes towards a nonprofit of your choice.
You can get a pair of Knickeys for $14 and do yourself, the planet, and others, a solid.
7. Everlane
Everlane believes “we can all make a difference.” The folks at the California-based brand do this through its high-quality products, ethical manufacturing, and transparency. In fact, if there’s one thing this company is, it’s transparent nature.
Everlane was founded in 2010 by Michael Preysman and Jesse Farmer but was originally a menswear shop that soon expanded to include women’s apparel as well. Opening up and exposing its processes from start to finish, customers can learn all about where their apparel is made, by who, and why it costs what it does (hint: it’s much less than you think).
Teaming up with the most ethical factories in the world, Everlane’s collections are made with supremely sustainable materials. Designed to last, the brand helps to cut down on textile waste while eliminating the use of new plastic in its apparel, using organic cotton only, and using recycled wool and cashmere.
Related: For more information check out our Everlane Clothes Review
Among its men’s and women’s apparel, you’ll find a few underwear options for both. The men’s section includes the usual suspects, boxers, briefs, and boxer briefs. Women can pick from thongs, bikinis, hipsters, and briefs, but you’ll also find bras and bodysuits too.
Its underwear has an oh-so-good look of comfort, like the type you don’t need to keep adjusting throughout the day. Customers write of extremely comfortable wear, enjoying their high-waisted styles and lightweight feel.
You won’t find a frill or ounce of lace in the women’s collection, perhaps because most lace is made from polyester (plastic). They have a standard yet sexy look offered in neutral colors like honey, grey, and burnt sugar.
You can get a pair of Everlane men’s underwear for $27 and women’s for $18.
8. Huha
Huha, a fun name that tells us everything we need to know about this brand, like how it’s dedicated to the prosperity of lady bits, aka the humble vagina. Which to be honest, isn’t really humble at all, it’s actually incredibly temperamental.
Huha tells us that traditional underwear can be the root cause of bacterial conditions like yeast infections and UTIs, both of which the average woman has too many of throughout her life.
But, the right kind of fabric can help, and Huha uses Tencel Modal and Lyocell, made from a mixture of beech trees and eucalyptus. This specific blend also happens to be completely biodegradable. If you need to, you can toss them in your home compost and they’ll eventually break down with heat and natural gases.
If wearing literal naturals didn’t already make you feel fresh and clean, the company infuses its materials with zinc oxide. This mineral soothes irritated areas, resists microbials, and is still present in the fabric after 100 washes.
Another “real” company on this best organic underwear brands list, Huha is dedicated to transparency, and that means never retouching photos—stretch marks, discoloration, and all. It’s refreshing to see, and since this brand was made to deal with a real issue, it’s only right that its models reflect the same values.
Founded in 2018 by Alexa Suter, Huha has been the feature of popular magazines like Glamour and Fashion. Considering it’s a Canadian brand, these achievements speak volumes of its success.
With each purchase, Huha plants a mangrove tree that offsets 185lbs of cO2. Though its mission and integrity are what draw customers to the brand, its flattering and liveable underwear are what women get hooked on, with 88% of 2k wearers giving them a 5/5 star rating.
Available in 2XS-3XL, Huha thongs, cheeky, and brief styles are all $26.
9. Organic Basics
Founded in Denmark by friends Christoffer Immanuel, Mads Fibiger, and Alexander Christiansen, Organic Basics is the product of the trio’s attempt to create “an honest, responsible, quality clothing brand where people could relate to brand values.”
What are these values? Well, care for the planet certainly emerges on top, alongside durability and simplicity. Partnering with trustworthy and certified facilities, Organic Basics offers apparel and underwear for men and women made from an array of eco-friendly materials.
You’ll find options like recycled nylon, Tencel Lyocell, and organic cotton among its expansive collections. For underwear, the brand opts for organic cotton only thanks to its breathable and soft nature.
Related: Read our full Organic Basics Review for more details.
Its eco-fabric options and transparency are what made Organic Basics an easy pick for this best organic underwear list, as well as its smooth colors and cute designs.
Organic Basics goes into depth about its factories, telling us they not only employ fair labor practices but offer perks to workers like free lunch and childcare services. You get the chance to peek into each of the brand’s factories, gaze upon the happy faces of those who work there.
Shoppers mostly mention the durability of the brand’s items and love its easy-going nature. It’s not fussy, it’s simple, but sticks to its guns when it comes to sustainability.
You can pick up a 2-pk of women’s organic cotton briefs for $38 or a men’s 2-pk of boxers for $70 made from either Tencel or organic cotton.
10. Boody
Whatever Boody did to make its clothing look so soft, we’re hooked. The brand says it’s all thanks to eco-superstar, bamboo, the fabric the brand uses to make all of its apparel.
With the hope of filling “your everyday life with the softest, most comfortable sustainable clothing essentials,” Boody creates basics that are designed to be lived in, like underwear, lounge, and activewear.
Self-proclaimed “anti-fast fashion” heroes, the brand promises you’ll feel good in its breathable bamboo essentials that wick away moisture and leave you feeling fresh and clean throughout the day.
Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, Boody was founded in 2011 by David Greenblo with the simple mission to make you feel good.
You’ll find women’s bras, briefs, bikinis, and g-strings in its collection along with other clothes and leggings. Men can browse briefs and boxers as well as athleisure basics. Women’s underwear range from $12-$16 while men’s are around $17-23 per pair, offered in staple colors like black, grey, and navy.
On Amazon, Boody women’s briefs have a 4.3/5 star score with buyers noting how stretchy the material is, but how well it holds up in the wash.
What Are The Best Materials For Organic Underwear?
There are a lot of things underwear should be, like soft, breathable, and comfortable. With organic underwear, you’re also getting safe for sensitive skin, and good for the planet.
The companies on this best organic underwear brands list use a range of materials, some more earth-friendly, others, softer on the skin. Below, we’ll go through a selection of green fabrics commonly used by these brands. It’s up to you to decide which one fits your needs.
Organic Cotton
You can’t beat the feel of cotton or the clean conscience of organic. Organic cotton is softer on skin than traditional cotton is, and it’s safer thanks to the absence of chemicals during processing. The fabric, mostly grown in India, is pretty breathable too, making it a prime choice for underwear.
But though organic cotton is certainly a better choice for you and the planet, it does take up 25% more land than plain old cotton does. In terms of sustainability, less land = better, but since it uses up to 90% less water, it’s a give and take.
Tencel
You’ll see this one a lot from the names on the best organic underwear brands list. Made from plants, bark, and wood and totally biodegradable, Tencel is soft and buttery and gentle on the skin. It’s breathable too, and with all of those elements combined, it makes for a great pair of underwear.
Tencel is the improved version of Lyocell and is the brand name owned by Lenzing Fibers of Austria. The only real issue with this material is that it costs a little more to make, because of that, you’ll likely be paying a higher price for a pair of panties.
Modal
If you’re ever bought sportswear, you’ve probably worn modal. It’s man-made but is totally biodegradable, achieved from processing the cellulose found in beech trees.
The bulk of modal is made in China. It’s a supremely soft fabric that’s known for its moisture-wicking properties. It’s 50% more absorbent than cotton is, meaning the areas underneath stay dry and bacteria is less likely to accumulate.
Durable and stretchy, this fabric is perfect for underwear, but it is known to cause more sensitivities than other fabrics and can pill and stretch more easily.
Hemp
Hemp has been around for centuries and grows happily around the world. The majority of the plant is grown in China, but you’ll also find hemp farms in the US and Canada.
Hemp fabric comes from the hemp plant, the same one that grows marijuana—only hemp doesn’t contain any THC, it’s just a naturally strong and pest-repelling fiber. Used by sustainable clothing brands to create durable fabrics, it grows quickly and is an easily renewable fiber.
In terms of underwear, hemp is a good pick because it’s super soft and strong, meaning your underwear should hold up with constant wear. The only con we could find out about hemp was that the fabric tends to wrinkle and crease more easily than others.
Silk
Silk is a highly debated material. It’s incredibly soft, sexy, and beautiful, but it has troubled roots—namely, the way it’s collected. If you didn’t know, silk comes from the larvae of silkworms. To get it, workers must take the larvae out of their cocoons (killing them) and collect the threads that line the inside.
Most of the world’s silk comes from Asia and over 60 countries around the world produce the highly-coveted fabric. Because of the way silk is collected, the price is usually quite high, but in general, it’s very strong and doesn’t wrinkle. It’s also naturally hypoallergenic and great for skin, making it an ideal choice for underwear.
Recycled Polys
Any recycled material is leagues ahead of those that are brand new. Extending the life of polyester means that new fabric won’t need to be created. Polyester comes from plastic, and in the recycling process, old material is melted down and new sheets are created.
As you can imagine, this process has pros and cons. Yes, you’re recycling, but during processing, microplastics are released from the fabric then washed down the drain straight into the ocean. With recycled polyester, because of the many different colors, bleach is usually used to get the fabric back to ground zero for further dyeing.
This fabric is sometimes used by sustainable underwear brands, especially for any that are made from lace. It allows them to offer a sexier style without compromising on their overall mission.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a sustainable superhero. It grows quickly, is easy to grow, and resists pests naturally. As the plant grows, it absorbs tons of carbon dioxide, meaning our air is much cleaner for its presence.
The majority of bamboo is grown in Asia, and when processed, the plant creates an ultra-soft, durable, and breathable fabric. Those three things combined make it an excellent choice for underwear.
There aren’t many downsides to using this type of fabric, but it can be expensive. It’s also more likely to pill than some other materials, which, for underwear, isn’t the end of the world, but can be frustrating.
How To Choose The Best Style Of Organic Underwear?
When it comes to underwear, comfort reigns supreme. The names on this best organic underwear brands list offer several different styles, and though no one is brand new to the concept of underwear, they may have stuck with one particular style all their life simply by default.
If you’re ready to slip into something different or simply want to learn more about what you’re sauntering around in all day, take a look at our summary of the different styles of underwear out there, just below.
Classic Briefs
Perhaps the most iconic style of underwear, briefs were made famous by big-name brands like Calvin Klein, shown off by slender models and beefy men. There’s a subtly sexy charm to this particular style…the way it grazes just above the waist and skims past the thighs.
Classic briefs are known for their comfort and versatility, and they’ll sit as nicely under a flouncy dress as they will a pair of skinny jeans. For men, briefs have been warned against in terms of decreasing sperm count, but for women, there’s no real disadvantage except for those with thicker thighs as the leg bands may dig in.
High-Cut Briefs
If briefs are too restrictive, high-cut briefs may be your saving grace. They come up in an ultra-sexy and curvy-girl-friendly style, elongating your legs and laying sweetly across your backside.
This cut is higher waisted than your average pair of underwear, so you’ll need to wear this style under high-waisted jeans or a dress.
Hipster
Hipster jeans became super popular in the 90s and 2000s, with ab-bearing heiresses and slinky celebs cutting things shockingly close to the downtown area. Of course, underwear probably wasn’t present then, but for those who do want a little more coverage, hipster underwear is there to serve.
Though the ultra-low cut jeans trend has passed, regular fit jeans still show higher waisted styles, so hipster is a great option for a fuller coverage feel.
Bikini
Comfortable, classic, cut to highlight the female form, bikini underwear sit a few inches below the navel and usually involve a higher cut on the leg and up the back. This style is great for anyone who likes a little less fabric but wants more coverage than a thong.
Wear them with cute, flowy skirts, jeans, or anything that’s not too tight. With a thinner band, Bikinis may not be super comfortable for some with larger waistlines as they tend to dig in, but you may find some styles with soft bands too.
Boy Shorts
Boy Shorts are like boxer briefs for the female figure. They’re ultra-flattering for a woman’s body, hugging curves and accentuating backsides. With a sexy, playful feel, this style is usually seamless or made in lacey fabrics.
The cut plus the fabric make them the perfect choice for dresses, office attire, or sexy boudoir shoots. Depending on the length of the leg and your body, you may find this style bunches up under tight jeans.
Thong
Thongs came into existence to do women a solid—hide panty lines. It’s said that those who love thongs really love them and those who don’t wouldn’t dare put them on.
No matter who’s wearing one, they provide a flattering look and are much more comfortable than a G-String. Thongs are ideal for anything tight—whether that’s a bodycon dress or pin-striped work pants.
But though thongs are our discreet friends, because they essentially sit tight to the skin in our nether regions, bacterial infections may be more of a risk than if you wore a looser fitting style like a brief.
G-String
G-Strings can either feel like nothing or be extremely uncomfortable—it’s all about the material and fit. With an ultra-thin string, they provide a seamless, smooth look no matter what you’re wearing.
G-Strings are generally very small underwear, which means they’re not period friendly. Because of the string, they sit close to your skin, may cause chafing and discomfort, and may spread bacteria.
What Are Organic Underwear Dyed With?
Usually, organic underwear is colored with natural dyes. Because most of the picks on this best organic underwear brands list are biodegradable, that dye needs to be able to break down naturally as well and not cause soil toxicity.
Natural dye comes from plants and roots (think: the Henna plant and turmeric), but some organic underwear isn’t dyed at all. Organic cotton remains white while hemp is a taupe brown.
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