I Tried 14 Sustainable Underwear Brands (Long-Term Review)

As a sustainable fashion educator, I’ve tested 14 sustainable underwear brands over 6 years. I’ll be sharing my favorites, my long-term reviews, and care tips in this post.

For a more in-depth look at these ethical undies brands, check out my YouTube video, which has footage of how the garments wore over time and whether or not they lasted.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning that I may earn a small commission on any purchases made, at no extra cost to you. This income helps me keep my blog running, and your support is much appreciated!

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How Often Should You Replace Underwear?

You don’t need to replace your underwear if it’s not broken! I once saw a TikTok that said we need to replace underwear every 6-12 months, and that’s such a marketing myth. There are some studies that say we should replace our undies often, but these studies are often funded by clothing companies. Of course they want us to get rid of our old underwear—we’ll just buy more if we do that.

Philip Tierno, a professor of microbiology and pathology at NYU, says that there’s no “end period” to our underwear, except when it’s “mechanically dysfunctional.” Yes, there is bacteria and poop even in washed underwear, but it’s generally not cause for major concern. It’s a very small amount and we’re constantly surrounded by bacteria anyways. (But please do wash your underwear after each use).

If your old underwear has holes or is sagging though, then it may be time to replace them. Here are some ethical and sustainable options to consider.

Ethical and Sustainable Underwear Brands

1. Subset

Overview: Organic cotton, Fair Trade, Oeko-Tex certified, closed-loop
Size range: XS-3XL
Pricing: $20+ (use code IMPERFECTIDEALIST for 10% off)

Subset is one of the most holistically sustainable brands on this list. They trace all of their supply chain down to where the cotton is grown. Their factory is Fair Trade certified, we know it’s safe and regulated, and that workers are paid a living wage.

The underwear is made from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton. The fabric is also OEKO-TEX certified, meaning that it’s free from harmful chemicals.

Subset offers several different styles, from a low-rise thong to a high-rise brief. If you’re not sure which one you’ll like, they have a starter pack of all the styles, which is slightly cheaper than buying the styles individually.

My experience: I tried the high-rise brief and the mid-rise hipster. The underwear is extremely soft and lightweight, and I felt that it was true to size. I do wish that they had a thicker waistband though—I prefer to have undies that kind of hold you in. If you don’t want to notice your underwear as much though, these are for you.

These are on the more delicate side and I would choose another brand if you primarily use the dryer instead of air drying. Out of the 5 pairs I tried, two separated in the waistband after a few years, all of the waistbands had the tiny elastic pieces start to poke out, and two got holes in the gusset after a few years (this was primarily air drying but sometimes the dryer while traveling). See my full Subset review after 5 years for more info.

Shop Subset here (use code IMPERFECTIDEALIST for 10% off).

2. Boody

Overview: Closed-loop bamboo viscose, Oeko-Tex certfied, WRAP-certified
Size range: XS-XL (2XL-4XL in some styles)
Pricing: $17+

Boody is an Australian brand offering sustainable underwear, loungewear, and activewear. They ship globally and have warehouses in the US.

Their underwear comes in several styles (briefs, boxers, bras) and is made from bamboo viscose. Bamboo viscose actually isn’t always a sustainable fabric, as the process of turning bamboo into thread often involves toxic chemicals. Luckily, Boody uses non-toxic solvents and recycles their water in the production process. Their products are also OEKO-TEX certified, so they’re free from toxic chemicals.

Boody’s factories are WRAP-Certified, so their products are manufactured responsibly. WRAP has 12 principles to ensure workers’ rights, factory safety, and environmental practices. Boody could take it an extra step though and become Fair Trade certified to ensure its workers are paid a living wage, rather than just the legal minimum wage.

My experience: I got the full brief, midi briefs, and the LYOLYTE full briefs. The material is soft, but still feels very sturdy because of the thicker waistband. I really like these and bought several packs over the years. My oldest brief from 2021 is still in great shape.

I will say that you need to be careful with the gusset developing holes as that has been an ongoing problem for me, and sometimes it happens in under 2 years. I have not had this problem with the LYOLYTE undies though that have lyocell in them. See my full Boody underwear review after 4 years.

Shop Boody here.

3. Hanna Broer Design

Overview: Handmade by the owner; organic cotton, hemp, TENCEL; adaptive styles
Size range: XS-3XL
Price range: $33+

Hanna Broer Design has beautiful and functional bralettes, underwear, and boxers made from natural materials. The pieces are made by Hanna herself in her studio in rural Vermont.

The bralettes are pull-on, so you won’t need to worry about clasps. There are also adaptive styles with snap openings or magnetic closures, making it easier for those with limited mobility, or those who are nursing. She also has customizations for trans folks.

If you’re in-between sizes or need a different bra band and cup size (like me!), you can contact Hanna with questions, and she can also combine different band and cup sizes.

My experience: I was able to try the Trillium Bra and High Waist Panties. I’ve always struggled to find bralettes that fit since I have a small chest, but Hanna was able to combine a size S band and size XS cup, which fits well (no more of that dreaded wrinkly cup that isn’t filled out). I also really don’t like clasped bras, so I appreciate that all the bralette styles are pull-on.

The High Waist Panties are a true high waist that go past my belly button. The legs opens have a more retro cut that look almost like boyshorts. I like how the material is sturdy but not too thick. The emerald color on both is also so rich and beautiful.

After 3 years, the pieces are in great condition, besides some thinning in the underwear. I would definitely recommend her pieces.

Shop Hanna Broer Design here.

4. Pact

Overview: Organic cotton, Fair Trade, more affordable
Size range: XS-2XL
Price range: $16+

Pact is one of the more affordable sustainable brands out there. It offers clothing and underwear made from GOTS-certified organic cotton in Fair Trade factories.

You can choose from a wide selection of bras, briefs, and boxers, and they even have some lacy options, which aren’t as common for sustainable brands. To save the most money, try their packs, which come out to $13/pair.

My experience: I ordered some high rise briefs and bikinis from them in November 2025, and I like how they feel. They’re very similar to Subset but not as buttery (which I actually prefer). The construction doesn’t feel as premium though since they use a zigzag stitch to attach the elastic around the waist and legs instead of Subset’s overlock stitch. I do think the waistband is going to do better than Subset’s though.

After just a month of wear, one of my undies had the leg elastic partially detach from the fabric. I was able to get a replacement sent through customer service. 

The other pairs look fine and it’s been 5 months now. I was told by several folks that theirs lasted many years, so I’m excited to test how long these last.

Shop Pact here.

5. PROCLAIM

Overview: Organic cotton & TENCEL Lyocell, made in USA paying a living wage
Size range: S-3XL
Price range: $34+

90% of their production is within a 30-mile radius in LA and the workers are paid a living wage based on the MIT Living Wage Calculator.

They are on the pricier side, but you can tell that the pieces are carefully constructed and the fabric is a good weight.

My experience: I’ve tried the organic cotton mid-rise and high-rise briefs in the beautiful lagoon color. The briefs are comfortable and breathable. I’m not sure how to describe this, but the texture feels a bit more knit than other underwear while still being stretchy and soft. The seams are immaculate. I’ve had these for about half a year and I can tell they’re going to last a long time. I would recommend this brand since they do a good job of holistically being sustainable, from labor ethics to a high-quality product.

Shop PROCLAIM here.

6. Net Positive

Overview: GOTS-certified organic cotton undies and organic cotton + hemp blends
Size range: XS-XL
Pricing: $20+

Net Positive is a woman-owned business dedicated to crafting skin-friendly underwear. The founder actually started the company after healing her baby’s severe eczema by switching her clothing to natural materials.

They offer a wide range of styles, including thongs, boyshorts (similar to boxers), briefs, and maternity underwear. All are free from harmful chemicals.

Their factories are certified under Fair Trade, GOTS, and Economy of Love, or they’re audited under BSCI.

My experience: I tried the mid-rise briefs and high-rise briefs. The mid-rise briefs are a bit cheekier than I like but the thick waistband is very sturdy. The high-rise briefs are very comfortable, as the material is strong but still breathable. Just be careful with the waistband, as it’s thin and not very stretchy. I pulled some seams getting them on and they haven’t held up super well. I would definitely recommend sizing up if you’re in-between sizes for the hemp blend styles. Keep in mind that the gusset is also lower-coverage, which may be a plus or minus, depending on your preferences.

Update: I’ve also tried their new rib collection, which is extremely comfortable but runs about a size large. I also had a very strange experience with their customer service as I was in the middle of a size exchange but got ghosted after sending the pieces back, despite following up a few times over a month. Since this was through their PR list, I didn’t lose any money (and they certainly didn’t “owe” me anything), but I would be wary as a customer due to the poor communication and sizing inconsistency.

Shop Net Positive here.

7. ARQ

Overview: GOTS-certified organic cotton undies sewn in the US
Size range: XS-3X
Pricing: $35+

ARQ went out of business, but they still do limited drops to their email list, and it looks like they just opened up their site as normal again. They offer a wide range of underwear and bralettes made from organic cotton, and they’re a cult favorite. 

Their pieces are sewn in the US and are on the pricier side, but they feel very sturdy and luxurious.

My experience: I got a couple pairs of their high-waisted briefs half a year ago. They’re the granniest panties I’ve ever owned (the high waist goes only a couple inches under my bust), but I love how soft and sturdy they feel. I would size down if you want a more compressive fit since I think these run large. I would say these feel like PROCLAIM but stretchier.

Shop ARQ here.

8. JulieMay

Overview: hypoallergenic organic pima cotton and silk lingerie/undies
Size range: UK 8-18 (US 4-14)
Cost: $30+

If you’re looking for more synthetic-free, dainty underwear, you’ll like JulieMay. Their lingerie is made from organic pima cotton underwear with a silk lining. JulieMay is known for being allergy-friendly, as the underwear is completely synthetic-free (besides the elastic, which is covered) and doesn’t contain other common irritants. You can select among more traditional lingerie styles as well as pieces with more coverage.

The undies are made ethically in Hong Kong, where workers are paid a living wage and the factory is audited yearly. The brand also gives back to sustainable development projects, including reforestation, plastic recycling, and safer rural cookstoves.

My experience: I tried the Coral full brief and Georgia wireless bra. In general, the cotton used is extremely comfortable and sturdy. For the brief, the silk gusset is floating in the front. I just wish that the placement was a bit more towards the front since I find it quite low.

For the Georgia bra, it’s very well-made, but I wouldn’t recommend it for smaller busts because the cup area won’t be filled out (I’m around a 34B). I also found that the silk lining makes the band area not very stretchy, so I’d recommend sizing up on the bras since getting them on can be tough—I used the size calculator and still had to size up for a better fit. For the briefs, sizing matched what the calculator suggested.

After 3 years, the briefs are holding up well, but the silk gusset has developed holes in one pair.

Shop JulieMay here.

9. La Coochie

Overview: Organic cotton, lingerie-style cuts, more affordable
Size range: 2XS-3XL
Price range: $12+ (use LILY10 for 10% off)

La Coochie is a US brand making stylish cuts with lace and mesh. They use GOTS certified organic cotton, and their lace and mesh are OEKO-TEX certified.

One thing to note is that I wish La Coochie would share more info about their production. The underwear says “made ethically in China” and some old page metadata says it’s made in Guangdong and the factory is regularly audited, but I can’t find current info.

Since their underwear is GOTS certified, that does cover ethical production across the supply chain, but I would just like to see some more transparency here.

My experience: This will be more first impressions since I recently got the high-rise brief and mid-rise brief with mesh. 

The high-rise brief gives you good coverage while still being stylish. I found the mid-rise brief a bit itchy since the lace trim was around the waistband as well, so I didn’t wear it yet. 

The triangle bralette is comfortable and I usually don’t like normal clasped bras, but I can actually wear this one without being bothered.

Shop La Coochie here.

10. BREETH

Overview: OEKO-TEX certified cotton basics, locally produced in Cape Town
Size range: XXS-L
Price range: $18+

BREETH is a brand from Cape Town making underwear and basics from OEKO-TEX certified cotton. The pieces are manufactured locally, and workers are paid above or at South African minimum wage.

My experience: I have the Cotton Brazilian and the Brief. The pieces are well-made and I like that they have some ruching in the butt as a fancier detail. They’re not as stretchy as I’m used to in underwear though, so I would recommend sizing up. Because they’re lower-coverage styles, I haven’t worn them as much, but they do have a boyshort and I do think they’re a solid brand.

Shop BREETH here.

11. PAKA

Overview: Tencel, organic pima cotton & alpaca fibers
Size range: XS-XXL
Price range: $29+

PAKA has a unique blend of tencel, organic pima cotton, and royal alpaca for their underwear. They work with local farmers in Peru, and you can trace where the alpaca fibers came from by scanning the QR codes on their products.

My experience: I’ve had the mid-rise brief and the essential scoop bralette for about a month now. They’re easy to wear and feels good performance-wise too. I wouldn’t hesitate to wear these on a hike or run. The only thing is that the blended fabric pills more easily, but their products feel high quality and I would recommend the brand.

Shop PAKA here.

12. WAMA

Overview: Organic cotton and hemp, Oeko-Tex certified
Size range: XS-4XL in briefs and bralettes, S-4XL in boxers
Pricing: $26+

WAMA’s specialty is hemp and organic cotton underwear in classic styles and colors. It won’t be hard to make a decision as everything comes in black (they used to have green and yellow too). They also now currently only make boxers and no other styles.

WAMA is committed to labor ethics as well. They have a supplier code of conduct and place a team member in their factory in China to monitor their conditions.

My experience: I tried the bikini and gave a pair of boyshorts to my mom and boxers to a friend (I already had too much underwear for myself haha). I was told that WAMA runs a bit small, but I selected my typical size (small) anyways and sized up for my friend’s boxers. I found that the bikini fit fine, though it did feel a bit snug, but the medium would’ve been too large (the boyshorts I gave my mom were a medium). My friend found the boxers to be a bit snug even when sizing up. I would definitely recommend going up 1-2 sizes on the boxers and maybe 1 size up on the briefs, unless you like snugger undies.

Sizing aside, I liked how the undies felt very sturdy. The fabric wasn’t too buttery but still comfortable, and the waistband felt secure. I wished that the bikini had a bit more coverage, but that’s just the virtue of the style. I think the high-waisted undies or boyshorts are a better choice if you want coverage and less risk of wedgies.

Shop WAMA here.

13. BRANWYN

Overview: ZQ and Responsible Wool Standard merino wool basics
Size range: XS-XXL
Pricing: $36+

BRANWYN is an Oregon-based company with performance innerwear made from merino wool. Their wool is ZQ and RWS certified for ethical treatment of animals and workers.

Wool is an underrated material for undies since it’s naturally anti-microbial, quick-drying, and odor-resistant. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always scratchy or stuffy—merino is actually quite soft and capable in warmer temps.

BRANWYN donates at least 1% of profits to empowerment partners that include organizations for breast cancer survivors, Black women in the outdoors, women in STEM, and running for mental health.

My experience: I got 4 pairs of the hipster and two bralettes for a trek. I quite like them all since they were breathable and quick-drying. Unfortunately, 2 pairs of the undies got holes in the gusset within a year. They do have a 1-year warranty so I got replacements, but I worry that I’ll have the same issue again in a year. The other pairs without holes also wore thin pretty quickly. They are one of the only underwear brands I know with warranty though, so I do appreciate that.

I also have their bralettes and they have no issues, but I wouldn’t recommend them for running because they do cause chafing.

I would get the bralettes again, but not the underwear because of the holes. They are one of the only underwear brands I know with warranty though, so I do appreciate that.

Shop BRANWYN here.

14. Organic Basics

Organic Basics was acquired by Delta Galil in 2022. This parent company operates in illegal settlements in occupied Palestine. I’m leaving them in this post only to share this information and would not recommend them.

I have also been told that their quality has decreased significantly since they were acquired, which is not surprising since Delta Galil has a portfolio of fast fashion brands. My original underwear from them also had the waistband separate from the fabric after about 1.5 years.

Final Thoughts

Those are all the brands I wanted to go over, but please let me know in the comments if there’s another one you love that I missed. If you’ve tried the brands in this post, I’d also love to hear your thoughts, especially if it’s one that I didn’t try personally.

If you’re looking for more sustainable brands (that aren’t underwear), check out my ethical brand directory.