Cotton is often the underwear fabric of choice thanks to its breathability, and organic cotton has significantly less environmental impact than conventional cotton. To be sure your garments are really organic and not greenwashed, look for brands that are transparent about third-party certifications, such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), EcoCert, and Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA). Also keep in mind that underwear will always have a small percentage of spandex or elastane for keeping it stretchy and in good shape. Our picks below tick the right boxes when it comes to value, transparency, and the environment.
We dug deep into fabrics and certifications to find best organic underwear.
Organic Basics has sustainability at its core, and makes eco-friendly essentials and activewear that are built to last. The combination of sustainable fabrics and range of offerings makes this our top underwear choice, however they are pricey.
Best Overall
Organic Basics Underwear
The popular bikini-style cotton briefs are available in five sizes and in classic shades such as white and rose nude, making great for daily wear. They are made from 95% GOTS-certified organic cotton and elastane. Save by ordering a starter pack, pairing with a matching bralette or tank. The company also makes a range of organic cotton boxer briefs and undershirts.
You can further reduce your environmental footprint by opting for carbon free shipping. Organic Basics is a Certified B Corp, and also participates in 1% for the Planet.
Price at time of publish: $45
Sensible and minimal, Brook There’s undies offer comfort and simplicity. They’re made in the United States from GOTS-certified organic cotton, with trimmings of high-quality elastic which won’t sag after a few washes.
Best Cotton
Brook There Organic Underwear
Machine washable, the undies arrive at your doorstep in green shipping supply company Ecoenclose’s recycled poly bags and tissue paper, cutting down on new plastic packaging.
Price at time of publish: $42
Women’s health lies at the heart of Knickey’s affordable, vibrant and sustainable knickers. Armed with the right credentials, the products are made from GOTS-certified cotton and are Oeko-Tex certified, made in Fairtrade factories, ensuring fair terms of trade and decent working conditions for workers. This underwear is free from harsh chemicals such as chlorine, formaldehyde and bleach.
Best Brief for Women
Knickey Mid-Rise Hipster
Upgrade your undie style with pops of colors and delicious names such as Peachy Keen, Butterscotch, Beach Bum, Bon Bon, and Pomegranate. If that’s not enough, the company will even recycle your worn-out undies, converting them into insulation, rug pads, and rags. For every box of old Knickeys’ bottoms you send for recycling, you get a free new pair on your next order.
Cooling, silky and affordable, Boody’s men’s briefs are made from bamboo viscose sourced from bamboo grown in China, along with nylon and spandex. The bamboo yarn has been certified organic by non-profit agricultural organization OCIA and is also Oeko-Tex certified as free of all nasties. Seamless, these briefs have a wide waistband and are comfortably snug.
Best Brief For Men
Boody Men’s Original Brief
Thanks to bamboo’s moisture wicking properties and that it is naturally hypoallergenic, the briefs are breathable and great for sensitive skins. Available in black and grey, you can buy a single brief or a pack of five.
For those who prefer a looser fit, we searched high and low for the perfect that doesn’t that doesn’t gap at the front. The knit boxers from Pact are the winners, with a discrete button at the fly and a durable blend of GOTS cotton and 5% elastane. They’re made in a Fair Trade factory in India, and are available in a range of solid colors and stripes.
Best Boxer
Pact Knit Boxers
Our editors found they’ve still look great after several years of frequent wear and washes, even with machine-drying, with no signs of pilling or tearing. If a slimmer fit is more your jam, Pact also offers boxer briefs.
Price at time of publish: $14
Sustainable can be beautiful too. Each Pact Apparel’s GOTS-certified organic cotton lace-waist brief saves 3.9 gallons of water and looks great to boot. Made in Fair Trade factories, the mid-rise waist with low-cut legs means wearing them is extremely comfortable. Shrink-resistant, they’re comfortable and offer plenty of coverage for your bottom.
Best Lace
Pact Lace-Waist Brief
Fancy a prickly cactus, blue sloths or a glorious bloom on your derrière? We love that Thunderpants’ knickers feature custom illustrations by local textile designers such as Elana Gabrielle and Rochelle Porter, and also their New Zealand based inhouse designer Greta Menzies.
Best Patterns
Thunderpants Originals
The original undies are available in sizes S to 3xl. Made from GOTS-certified organic and Fairtrade cotton and spandex, they fit just under your navel. With wide elastic bands of the same material to hold them in place, they claim to be wedgie and shift proof, close to perfection when it comes to bottoms.
Price at time of publish: $24
We love A-dam’s adorable boxer shorts with fun patterns and curiously sophisticated names, such as Sacha (tigers), Kris (popsicles) and Sanne (spacemen). The boxers are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and are PETA-certified vegan.
Best Unisex
A-dam Boxers
The boxers are also certified by Ecocert, for being environmentally and socially conscious. The waistbands have a soft coating so that they don’t chafe. The boxers don’t have any scratchy labels and come with nifty side slits, for you to stretch easily.
Price at time of publish: $25
Why Trust Treehugger?
For our list, we have selected brands that have been verified organic by trustworthy third-party certifications. Each of items on this list have earned a certification from Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), EcoCert, or Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA). Many also have other certifications that indicate the fabrics are free from concerning dyes or other chemicals. We sought to highlight brands that also use sustainable manufacturing practices and give back through charitable programs. Treehugger editors also shared their first-hand experiences with the products they love.
Our top underwear recommendation for most folks is Organic Basics. If you’re looking for an affordable option that’s also fun, we also love the organic underwear from Pact Apparel.
Treehugger is committed to helping readers live a sustainable life by making informed choices. Author Neeti Mehra is a luxury-industry veteran who’s also committed to sustainable, slow, and mindful living.
