Where to find good, ethical and sustainable basics and underwear
One item that people often ask us about are underwear and basics. Where can I find a good white T-shirt? You might come across one at second hand but it’s not very likely you find a T-shirt in your size. White T-shirts are basics that the majority of us might keep for some time in our closet. Some use it regularly, others find it handy to have. Underwear is also an item you might not come across at second hand in a good condition, and to be honest, they don’t last many years due to poor quality. Despite how circular we want to be, practicality comes first. We need underwear, it needs to fit and it needs to be comfortable. A good advice is to buy basics of high quality and look for more sustainably produced items. We have listed a few brands that take sustainability into account. We hope this will make it easier for you next time you need a T-shirt or some underwear.
If you want to know more about materials and certifications, vist our glossary.
Filippa K
For the ones seeking Scandinavian minimalism, Filippa K has both feminine and masculine T-shirts and tops, available at their stores or for e-commerce. The brand has a full list of factories in the supply chain, circular initiatives, material guide and a care guide, making Filippa K one of the few brands that has been thinking about many aspects of sustainability and are transparent on what you are buying and supporting. You can read more about their sustainability work in their sustainability report.
Linnen tee, produced in Portugal, 750 SEK
T-shirt, 100% organic cotton, produced in Portugal, 500 SEK
T-shirt, 100% organic cotton, produced in Portugal, 500 SEK
Top, 95% organic cotton, produced in Portugal, 700 SEK
Top, 95% organic cotton, produced in Portugal, 700 SEK
Tie top, 50% organic cotton and 50% recycled polyester, £60.00
Came top, 100% Ecovero viscose with BIOACTIVE finish from Porto (Portugal), £85.00
Dedicated
The Swedish brand, who’s products you can find in several countries in Europe can also be bought at their own stores or at Ecosphere or Thrive. The products have several certifications, the materials are all organic or recycled and they have a list of the factories where the clothes are produced. They are also PETA approved. Read more here!
T-shirt, organic cotton, Fairtrade certified cotton, 249 SEK.
T-shirt, organic cotton, Fairtrade certified cotton, 249 SEK.
Top, 100% Tencel, 349 SEK
Top, 100% Tencel Lyocell
Underprotection
The danish brand is only using materials that are recycled or organic and better alternatives such as lyocell, Tencel and banan fibre. They are PETA approved which means that it’s a vegan friendly brand not using materials that comes from animals. The packaging is also biodegradable or recycled.
High Apex Bra, the material is Oeko-Tex certified and also contains Roica Eco-Smart elastan garn, which is GRS-certificeret, produced in Latvia, 450 DKK
Bra, the material is Oeko-Tex certified and also contains Roica Eco-Smart elastan garn, which is GRS-certificeret, produced in Latvia, 280 DKK (sale)
Hibsters, the material (mostly recycled polyester) is Oeko-tex certified and produced in Latvia, 300 DKK
Triangle bra, the material is Oeko-tex certified and produced in Latvia, 350 DKK
WORON
The Copenhagen based brand Woron is a vegan brand that don’t use any animal products. All the cotton is GOTS certified and no harmful chemicals are used. The clothes are produced in Italy, Turkey, Hungary and Germany. Woron offers not only underwear but also basic tops and socks.
Organic Basics
This Copenhagen based underwear brand only use sustainable materials, in other words GOTS certified cotton, Tencel, recycled wool and so on. The factories they work with are listed on their website and are based in Portugal, Turkey, Italy, Austria and so on. Read more about their sustainability work here!
Light boxers, Tencel, €55.00
Bralette, Tencel, €55.00
Bra, recycled materials, €45.00
People Tree
The pioneering fair trade fashion brand People Tree has several choices for people seeking underwear, sportswear or basics. Several of their clothing is GOTS and Fairtrade ceritifed. Read more about their sustainability work here! If you want to try you can also find the brand at Thrive in Sweden.
Slip dress, 95 % organic cotton, produced in India at a fair trade factory, €37.00
Waist brief, 95 % organic cotton, produced in India at a fair trade factory, €16.00
Hipster, 95 % organic cotton, produced in India at a fair trade factory, €14.00
Grandpa
The store Grandpa (five different locations in Sweden) has since it’s start providing quality products with the aim to last. Now you can also find their own trunks for men.
Trunks, organic cotton and produced in Portugal, 2-pack 350
Trunks, organic cotton and produced in Portugal, 2-pack 350