When it comes to choosing undergarments, it pays to be selective. While it goes without saying that our garments should be made without harm to people, animals and the planet, comfort is of utmost importance for intimates, and fabrics come into that. Thankfully, Australian brands are catching up to consumer demand, making everything from soft-cup crop tops to sensible t-shirt bras sustainably. From the world’s first zero-waste bra to the super soft bamboo variation – these are Australia’s best brands for eco, ethical and sustainably made bras.

1. NICO Underwear

Nico plant dyed basics

Brisbane’s NICO Underwear is one of the only Australian brands with a focus on ethical production and sustainability that is making bras with underwire. All of its undergarments are ethically made in Australia, India and Bangladesh, using sustainable and soft fabrics including Lenzing Modal, recycled cotton and recycled nylon for the necessary stretch. NICO makes a range of wire-free full cup, triangle cup and bralettes in soft, sustainable fabrics, along with its range of underwire bras. The bra/cup sizes range from 8A to 14DD.

2. The Very Good Bra

The Very Good Bra

Like your undergarments without waste? You’re in luck. The zero waste bra is the product on offer thanks to the peeps over at The Very Good Bra. The world’s first waste-free bra is so clean you can literally pop it in the compost when you’re done with it (not to say that it won’t last – it will). How? Everything down to the brand’s elastic, labels, sewing thread and packaging is completely compostable. Despite lacking underwire, the bra is surprisingly supportive with a thick band to offer stability, suiting sizes between 10A – 16DD.

Fact: I have one of these and it is easily my favourite bra.

3. Eco Intimates

Eco Inimates

Eco Intimates specialises in luxury ladies underwear, and you can expect the same level of luxe from its bras. The brand takes a number of impressive steps to ensure ethical production (here in Australia and in Bali, Indonesia), to make its undergarments which are a range of organic cotton and bamboo bralettes. The bras are all soft cups and wire free (read: super comfy) and feature some lovely lace adding a little luxury to the undergarments.

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.

4. HARA

Melbourne’s HARA makes super soft brassieres with ethically and sustainably sourced bamboo.  The benefits of bamboo as a fabric (despite the silky smooth feel) include odour-resistance, hypo-allergenic and neutral charge (anti-static, so no more clinging clothes!). HARA’s range of wire-free bralettes are all naturally dyed, cut, sewn, packaged and shipped in Melbourne.

5. Lé Buns

Le Buns

Eco conscious intimates makers Lé Buns supply bralettes for your bosom. The range is made from eco luxe organic cotton and features a variation of wire-free designs including triangle cups with thick supportive straps, a more classic vertical bandeau style all the way through to the classic crop top. While the style doesn’t fit the classic formula for a T-shirt bra, they’re staples for weekend wear, around the house and hitting the beach. Pick from sizes 8A+ to 14A+.

6. Nisa

Nisa

New Zealand’s Nisa is helping refugee women from the bottom up. The brand’s undergarments are lovingly sewn by women from a refugee background in their sunny studio in Wellington, New Zealand, with a mission to provide their staff with meaningful and interesting paid work, while making kick-ass undies. Nisa offers a range of wire-free, organic cotton bralettes that are both soft and supportive.

7. Bimby and Roy

Bimby and Roy

Bimby and Roy are also in the business of bras – opting for a range of underwire-free, soft, stretchy bralettes with elastic trimming. The sister duo behind the brand ethically produce their undergarments in Fiji in the island’s first solar-powered factory. Their designs set them apart from other brands, but their unique feature is their ability to suit sleep, swim and general wear equally. Don’t be put off by the lack of underwire – these bralettes are surprisingly supportive and are loved by big-breasted women (especially new mums!)

8. Thunderpants

This brand has been a pioneer of ethical undergarments since its launch in 1995. Opting for organic cotton in its production and making everything locally in New Zealand, Thunderpants is easily spotted by its comfortable cuts and bold prints on men’s and women’s intimates. While it’s known for underpants (as you can tell from the name) the brand also makes a collection of crop tops for women that look so comfortable you could actually live in.

9. Bushy

Three women modelling Bushy underwear

We’re all for a bit of bush in our underwear. 🤭 Bushy’s men’s and women’s underwear are made from the super soft natural cellulose fibre TENCEL™ – sourced from sustainably harvested, FSC© certified Eucalyptus trees. The brand makes its underwear in Australia (with manufacturing certified by Ethical Clothing Australia and Australian Made) in a range of cuts including bikini and thong, shorts, and a crop top in the women’s range.  Bushy values transparency and local manufacturing and publishes detailed information about its supply chain on its website.