Or knickers. Or briefs. Whatever you call them, you’re probably wearing some right now. This post is specifically about the ‘everyday’ kind of women’s pants. The comfortable ones that you put on without a second thought. If you’re after some more saucy options, check out this post instead.
To wear your pants without a care in the world, it’s best to find some that are ethically made using sustainable and natural materials. Otherwise your pants will be pants (in the cringeworthy ’90s sense of the word). I always try to find my clothes second hand, but some things are best new. Read on for whole lot of options for buying ethical pants! *Any links marked with an asterisk will help raise money to pay for my web hosting and research time.*
Shopping Options:
Cambridge Baby are a wonderful family-run business who have a small range of adults clothing and underwear in addition to their childrenswear. The black pants pictured right are these ones from Living Crafts. (£12, 95% organic cotton 5% elastane). They also have 100% organic cotton pants also for £12.
Ethical Superstore stock Thought Black Bikini Briefs* 95% certified organic cotton, 5% elastane. £9.95. Beware the sizing on these comes up small.
Y.O.U Underwear are a brilliant ethical company. Their buy-one give-two model means that every time someone buys a pair of Y.O.U underwear pants, they donate two pairs of underwear to the charity Smalls for All. Their Bikini Briefs are 95% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton/5% elastane. £14 95.
WUKA Everyday Midi Briefs* (pictured left) are a Certified Carbon Neutral product made from Tencel™️ from responsibly-sourced wood pulp from carefully managed beech tree forests. FSC certified to ensure sustainability and ethical production. £15 each or £40 for 3.
La Redoute sell organic underwear from the French company Sans Complexe. Their 3-packs from La Redoute* are a good budget option at £19. BEWARE: the sizing comes up very small, I would recommend ordering a couple of sizes up as the elastic waistband is tight. Main fabric: 95% organic cotton, 5% elastane.
Rapanui Organic Cotton Women’s Pants 95% Organic Cotton / 5% Sorona. £9 each, pick-and-mix bundle of 3 for £22, or 5 for £35. Made in a renewable energy powered factory audited for a wide range of social and sustainability criteria.
Natural Collection stock a range of People Tree* underwear in 95% organic cotton,/5% elastane starting at £7.95. “The briefs are made for People Tree by supplier Rajlakshmi, a pioneer in organic garment manufacturing in India. The company seeks to combine high quality tailoring with a fair deal for farmers and workers, whilst also supporting local environmental and social projects.”
Molke are an amazing small Scottish company with a fantastic inclusive body-positive outlook. They make non-wired bras but also have pants for £14-16. “Our mid rise briefs are made here in Scotland and contain no elastic, just soft OEKO-TEX cotton jersey fabric. The gussets are made from scrap pieces of fabric which reduces our waste and gives you a surprise when you pull your pants down! These briefs are incredibly comfy, the soft bands don’t dig in and you forget you are wearing them.”
Thunderpants are UK made using 90% organically grown cotton and 10% spandex. They are a small business with great ethics! Prices from £19 a pair.
At the slightly pricier end of the market, Little Black Pants Club have UK made-to-order Micromodal pants at £39.50.
Buttress and Snatch Happy Friday Organic Pants are made from entirely UK produced super soft and stretchy organic cotton modal jersey with 4% EcoMade Lycra content and finished with vintage 1960’s salvaged guipure lace inserts. £27.
Phew! I hope you find some pants that you love! If you want to read more on the topic, Which? have written this great article and Ethical Consumer have an in-depth guide to ethical underwear brands that includes men’s underwear too.
Have you got a favourite label that I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments!