Only want the best for your private parts? Then it’s no surprise you’re seeking organic cotton underwear. Organic cotton is breathable, soft and hypoallergenic. It’s free from pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and Genetically Modified Organisms which are harmful for farmers and workers, us as consumers, and entire wildlife eco-systems. These Australian and New Zealand brands are making their garments with 90% or more organic cotton, so you can enjoy comfy, chemical-free underwear.
Tip: Because brands limit the amount of elastane they add to organic cotton underwear, generally there isn’t the stretch you would be used to. In my experience it’s best to go up a size for comfort – but double check the specific sizing for each brand to be sure.
1. Eco Intimates
Eco Intimates opts for environmentally friendly materials for its garments, so it’s no surprise that organic cotton makes the cut. The majority of the brand’s underwear styles are made from 90% organic cotton and 10% elastane, and are said to have “magical tummy holding powers”. Hurrah! The beautiful range of women’s intimates including underwear, bralettes, sleepwear and staples, are all ethically made in Australia and Bali.
Britt’s List readers can get 10% off full priced items at Eco Intimates with code BRITTSLIST10 at checkout. Find out more about Eco Intimates and shop here.
2. Nico
Brisbane-based intimates label NICO Underwear has a dedicated range of women’s underwear. As a differentiation from the core NICO range, the organic staples are made from 95% organic cotton and plant dyed in beautiful pastels. The range includes a thong, plus hipster, mid rise and high waisted briefs. There’s also triangle bras, a wire free bra and full cup underwire bras. NICO’s organic cotton fabrics are GOTS certified and its sewing factory has achieved Sedex accreditation – providing guarantees of the fair and safe treatment of workers.
3. Nisa
Social enterprise label Nisa is also making underwear with organic cotton, mixing in just 5% elastane to ensure sufficient stretch. The underwear is available in low cheeky brief, low full brief, high full brief and plus sized briefs as well. Nisa’s underwear is ethically made by women from refugee backgrounds in the brand’s studio in Wellington, New Zealand.
4. Mighty Good Basics
Mighty Good Basics is an Australian brand with its pieces designed and shipped from its office in Sydney. These garments – men’s and women’s underwear in various cuts – are made by a small-scale, ethical factory in India. When choosing fabrics for the range, the brand looks for low impact, sustainable fibres – with the current range being made exclusively from GOTS certified organic cotton and a small amount of elastane. The brand’s ultimate mission? To create the world’s most ethical underwear.
5. LÉ BUNS
LÉ BUNS boasts eco-friendly, effortlessly sexy, everyday essentials. These undergarments are more on the cheeky side, often with a high waist and butt-hugging design. The jocks come in a range of lovely colours, made from 90% GOTS certified organic cotton and 10% elastane. They’re chemical free, breathable and hypoallergenic, and all ethically made.
Britt’s List readers can take 15% off full price purchases at LÉ BUNS with code BRITTSLIST at checkout. Shop here.
6. Powerpants by Bham
Bham wants to create “the world’s most powerful undies,” and it is working towards that mission by ensuring its garments are ethically made from environmentally sustainable fabrics and giving back to those in need. Every pair of Powerpants makes a difference with a $1 donation made to support female survivors of violence in PNG. Bham Powerpants are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton.
7. Thunderpants
This cheeky New Zealand brand is known for its cute prints and comfy fit – opting for a classic brief offering full coverage. The Thunderpants fabric is 90% organically grown cotton and 10% spandex to give it a super comfy, soft stretchy feel. To ensure ethical production throughout the supply chain, Thunderpants uses only certified Fairtrade cotton, and all of the brand’s garments are ethically assembled in its locally owned factory in Wairarapa, New Zealand.
Read next: The top brands for organic cotton basics in Australia
