Keen to fill your wardrobe with more sustainable staples? These Australian and New Zealand brands have got the basics covered – making quality men’s underwear ethically and with sustainable fabrics. Make these your go-to brands for when your jocks drawer is looking dull.
1. Bushy
The brilliant minds behind Bushy want to show Australians that it is possible to make extremely comfortable, locally made, ethical underwear. The brand’s fitted boxers are available in two colour variations, made from sustainably sourced Tencel® fabric (a natural cellulose fibre made from Eucalyptus trees) with a small amount of elastane for stretch making them super comfortable. Bushy underwear is ethically made in Australia and certified by Ethical Clothing Australia.
2. Boody
Sydney-based sustainable basics Boody bring super soft bamboo underwear to the mix. Their bamboo is grown sustainably with no pesticides, no insecticides, and no fertilisers, and without any artificial irrigation. Boody says it’s committed to maintaining a responsible and transparent process every step of its process – from the bamboo crops that yield the viscose yarn to the delivery of Boody into your hands. The brand is certified by a number of industry groups for ethical and sustainable production. Shop for men’s boxers, briefs and trunks in black, white and charcoal.
3. 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.
4. Thunderpants
Thunderpants is a family-owned and operated company, based in the Wairarapa region in NZ, producing quality men’s, women’s and kids’ underwear. The brand’s undergarments are made from soft and sturdy organic and Fairtrade cotton that can be sure to withstand the test of time. Thunderpants’ range of jocks, boxes and socks come in fun prints and patterns. Add a bit of lightening to your jocks draw.
5. Wonderpants
Wonderpants opts for natural fibres such as organic cotton and merino wool for its range of underwear that is all ethically made here in Aus. The brand’s undergarments are made entirely from the same fabric – no elastic, no binding, no part tight or uncomfortable. They say that the bands around the waist and leg allow for comfort and ease, whilst maintaining stability and security. Stop wondering and see for yourself. Wonderpants come in blaze red, black, grey, charcoal and yellow.
6. Etiko
Victoria-based brand Etiko sources its range of men’s underwear from a factory in India that is certified by Fair Trade USA to meet standards for labour rights, worker democracy and environmental performance. The factory demonstrates that it pays a living wage to its employees. The comfy trunks are made from Fairtrade and organic cotton. Etiko is certified B-Corp.
7. Bhumi
Bhumi makes men’s briefs, boxes, trunks and long johns in earthy colours. The undergarments are made from GOTS-certified and Fairtrade cotton. Bhumi is also certified by Fairtrade Australia which ensures a respect for the social, economic and labour rights of farmers and workers along the entire supply chain. Fairtrade Australia also encourages sustainable farming practices, protects the environment and improves the quality of health and well being for farmers and workers. A win for workers and a win for your underwear drawer.
Britt’s List readers can get 20% off full priced purchases at Bhumi wth code BRITTBHUMI20 at checkout.
8. Merino Country
The designers behind Merino Country are former sheep farmers, so it’s no surprise that their go-to fabric is high quality Australian merino wool. The brand makes basic pieces including briefs and boxers for men and other wardrobe staples too. Merino Country’s garments are ethically made in their factory in Queensland.
9. The Road
The Road produces a range of sustainable basics including men’s T-shirts and underwear. All of their garments are made from sustainably sourced cotton from GOTS- and Fairtrade-certified farms and mills and dyed using a zero liquid discharge system to stop wastewater run-off. Shop for men’s trunks in black and black and white stripes.
10. Nisa
New Zealand-based underwear and basics label Nisa is helping women from the bottom up. The sustainable, social enterprise label provides employment opportunities to empower women from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Launching with a core organic cotton underwear line, the brand has since expanded into men’s underwear, luxury intimates, activewear, swimwear and other basics too. Shop for quality, inclusive sized and shaped underwear, made with love.
11. Farm to Hanger
Farm to Hanger’s vision is to create sustainable change one garment at a time. The brand is focussed on slow fashion and creating quality garments that are made to last. For its eco underwear line, Farm to Hanger uses sustainably sourced, Australian grown cotton which is naturally breathable and hypoallergenic. The no-frills range includes high waist, natural waist, mid rise and low rise cuts made from sustainably sourced cotton. Farm to Hanger’s garments are made in Australia with manufacturing certified by Ethical Clothing Australia.
Read next: The ultimate guide to ethically made menswear in Australia
