Angela Hamilton

10 Sustainable Underwear Brands + Knickey Review

updated on November 26, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

To you this may be just another roundup post, but I can’t tell you how long the topic of sustainable underwear brands has taken up my precious internet browsing time. As a consumer, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect undies for a couple years now, including a quest for the perfect womens boxer. Like, how is it that in 2021 womens undies are still literally made to be uncomfortable? Maybe it was the onset of my thirties, but I’ve reached the end of my tolerance for poly blends, irritating lace, and feeling suffocated. As an ethical consumer, I obviously do not want this wardrobe basic to be the source of any social or environmental shadiness. But buying ethical underwear has taken time to come around to. As we all know, it’s difficult to create a sustainable fashion budget, and it’s hard not to feel that resistance that comes with investing in something no one else sees.

… But, we all see clothing in a slightly different light thanks to the pandemic, and we have so much time at home. So any lingering resistance I had is most certainly gone at this point… I’d rather spend my pennies on sustainable underwear brands than most other articles of clothing at this point.

The list below contains mostly brands I’ve researched and admired from afar, along with a Knickey review since we recently got to try them IRL (yay!). If you’ve tried any of them or have others to add, please leave a comment or DM us on Instagram! We’d love to make these guides as helpful as can be.

10 sustainable underwear brands + review of Subset (formerly Knickey)

HARA‘s mission is to bring awareness to the human and environmental issues within the fashion industry while creating sustainable bamboo underwear that’s both rejuvenating and empowering. They’re all plant dyed, made in Australia with free shipping worldwide. I’m eyeing their low cut bra and high waist undies! Size XS-5X.

Made in USA Brook There specializes in organic cotton underwear and the colors are so subtle and dreamy! They also have this adorable keyhole undie. I’m really intrigued by their boyshorts, as they look more like briefs than cheekys, and therefore might be exactly what I’m looking for! Size XS-XXL.

Okay, so we all know about ARQ, right? Home of organic cotton basics for adults and littles alike. How pretty is periwinkle? Sizes XS-3X, depending on style.

Seasoned ethical consumers will recognize Proclaim, the sustainable underwear brand dedicated to inclusive fashion, offering nudes that are actually representative of a range of skin tones. Their everyday collection is made of Tencel and features bralettes too. Recently they’ve expanded to a gorgeous color pop collection shown above, (can I have these high rise undies in Poppy, please?) Size S-3X.

Lela is another brand with stunning organic cotton underwear options coming from Australia (keep that in mind if you’re trying to cut back on shipping impact). They have a few sexier silhouettes than you typically find in the cotton department! Hopefully they will feature more extensive size options soon. Size XS-L.

Possibly the prettiest sustainable underwear brand on our list is Botanica Workshop, who has lovely undies (including multipacks), bras, loungewear and accessories. Gosh these are dreamy! I hope to give them a try one day (though I’m pretty certain I’d spill right out of those pretty little bralettes). Oh, and they also offer recycled swimwear! Size S-L.

Pansy is another organic cotton underwear company you have probably seen on insta (their editorial shoots are incredible, they are one of our favorite ethical brands to follow!). They’ve been made in California since 2013! I’m most intrigued by their unisex stretch shorts, which seem like the perfect loungewear AKA work-from-home-wear. The spandex in it is made from recycled plastic bottles! Size XS-3X.

We’ve mentioned Object Apparel as a top sustainable loungewear brand, so it’s not too surprising to find them on our list of sustainable underwear brands! Their thermal shorties top my wishlist. (Does anyone else prefer undies with enough coverage to lounge pants-less in??) They offer XS-3L and custom sizing as well.

Canada based Mary Young (who we are linking here through our affiliate Made Trade, but feel free to purchase directly if you prefer), makes bamboo bras and underwear, as well as other PJs and loungewear. The whole line is soft, elevated, and sexy. Size XS-2X.

And finally, our Knickey review! Note, Knickey is now called Subset. As far as I know, the items reviewed are the same under their new brand. And now they offer mens!

Knickey sent us a couple pairs of their organic underwear, so we could give them a try before adding to our ethical shopping directory. Our web developer Jenn and I each tried their High Rise Briefs. I love their core colors, and we both thought the fit was perfect for our respective sizes. I recently tried a few other underwear brands in my normal size and they felt too tight/thick and a bit restrictive, but the Knickeys were 100% perfect, breathable, and cozy to wear for hours. Knickey currently stocks XS-3XL in their Mid Rise Brief, with the full range coming soon to their other cuts (as early as June).

I was really surprised to see organic underwear for $13 a piece. As you have probably gathered so far, it’s super hard to find sustainable underwear brands that are priced this low. Another perk of Knickey is their recycling program! You can save your undies from meeting their dirty end in a landfill by sending them back to Knickey to be made into other materials (like insulation!) through their textile recycling program. I’ll definitely be buying more as I refresh my collection, and hope to see a boxer-brief soon too, as I’m pretty sure that would be THE ideal fit for so many of us.

For all these reasons, we’re adding Knickey to our directory and have joined their affiliate program (affiliate links were used above).

EDIT October 2022

A year and a half later, I wanted to share a few updates on our favorite eco underwear brand, Knickey. Since our original post, I purchased a few more of their high-waisted briefs. They are still the underwear I wear most. They recently came out with limited edition colors and bralettes, though, and sent me a few to try:

OMG, their new colors are so cute! I tried rosy, melon, and sprig. It all goes quite nicely with my new scrunchie. I also tried one of their new bralettes, the keyhole cut.

Shopping for bras, and especially bralettes is very hard for me. Most of the time I won’t do it unless there are bra sizes. I requested a M in this bralette and it’s super comfy, but a bit small. As a 34DD I’d probably order a Large in the future. I LOVE that they have traditional bra bands and 4 clasps. It’s perfect for anyone who needs support. I just wish I had a bit more coverage (my fault, not theirs! their size guide is actually quite accurate in my opinion). I cannot wait until there are bright colors in this design!

Note: Knickey, like everyone else, has had to raise their prices over the past couple years. High rise briefs are now $17 each. My honest thought is that they are still worth it. They are still much more affordable than many brands selling ethically made, organic underwear, and the quality is worth it.

Have you tried Knickey or the other sustainable underwear brands on this list? Let us know who you recommend!

edited to add another brand 8/5/2021:

I recently got the chance to try WAMA Underwear,(XS-3X), a sustainable underwear brand that creates undies for women and men using organic hemp fabric. They chose to make underwear with hemp because it is naturally anti-bacterial with anti-odor properties, comfortable, breathable, and gets softer each wash. I tried out their Hemp Boy Shorts and High Waisted Underwear. I’ve worn and washed each a few times now and here are my thoughts!

Okay, the Boy Shorts. I generally hate boy shorts because if I want underwear up my butt I will just wear a thong. But these are just long enough that they do not ride up and are more like a womens boxer brief to me. As mentioned above, I’ve had trouble finding the perfect sustainable boxer! Other brands I’ve tried (sustainable or otherwise), their boxer briefs are too long, too tight on the thighs, or just fit weird in general. I definitely think these are my favorites so far in this particular cut of undies. I also like that they’re $20 and you can order in packs, because so many of the brands I admire (that make this cut) are a bit out of my price range. $20 I can handle!

I also tried the High Waisted cut. For both, the hemp does indeed seem quite comfortable and breathable. They stretch enough when wearing but form back to size after the wash/dry. I typically like my high-waists to be *really* high, theirs aren’t as hi cut, but I’m sure some people prefer that. Lastly, it just so happened that I chose the two styles that only come in black and green, but others have an array of neutrals, including the mens! I’m interested to see how my boyfriend likes them next 🙂

If you’re interested in giving WAMA hemp underwear a try yourself, use code ECOCLUB10 for 10% off your first order.

DIY Onion Skin Dye – Natural Dye Tutorial for Cotton & Silk

updated on May 30, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

If you tuned into our IG Live with Tatiana of Zuahaza for Earth Month, you may know that we’re getting very into natural dyes over here! Learning about Zuahaza’s process of dyeing with organic cotton opened our eyes to the many ways you can go about dyeing your own fabrics naturally. I’ve had natural dye on my DIY bucket list for years, and the DIY avocado dye Tatiana shared a while back got me even more excited to give this a go. For this project, she shared her recipe for DIY onion skin dye, which is a way to dye cotton, silk, and other natural fabrics a range of yellow, mustard, and orange hues. I followed her lead with my own silk scarves and cotton yarn, and we all got very different results!

Keep reading for the DIY from Zuahaza, as well as photos of my own results of the tutorial.

diy onion skin dye – what you’ll need

ONION SKINS

Store your onion skins in a dry place for at least a week. If you see mold collecting, you can move your onion skins to your fridge. Try to get them as dry as possible before you freeze them. The number of onion skins will vary, but as a rule-of-thumb, collect as much as your fabric weighs. A 1:1 ratio is always a good place to start.

Note: Onion skins are extremely lightweight when dried, so you might need to collect more than what you think.

Tip: If you can’t collect enough onion skins from your kitchen, head to your local farmers’ market and ask them for a few. They generally peel onions and throw away the skins, anyway!

FABRIC OF CHOICE

If you are planning to store 200g of onion skins, then you’ll need your yarn skein or your cotton t-shirt to weigh at least 200g. We encourage exact measurements.

ALUM POWDER OR AN ALUMINUM STONE

Some great websites sell natural dyeing materials. You can order alum powder from Dharma Trading here. If you are using powder, you will need only 1 tablespoon of powder per 100g of fiber. If you are in Colombia or in other countries outside the US and Europe, I recommend buying an aluminum stone, which you can easily find in pharmacies or online. You just need one or two for this project.

Note: I (Angela) used alum powder, and Tatiana used a stone for hers.

A LARGE STAINING STEEL POT

HEAT-RESISTANT GLOVES

A WOODEN SPOON

I had collected these onion skins in my freezer for many moons before the tutorial. It was a pretty big pile!

before dyeing, mordant your fibers

First, we are going to prepare your fibers to soak up and adhere to the color as much as possible. I prefer to mordant all my fibers with aluminum before dyeing because it makes the colors stronger and even more long-lasting. It’s a simple step that helps guarantee your color won’t wash off after dyeing.

Boil enough water in a medium-size pot. Just enough to cover your fibers.

Introduce 1 aluminum stone or 1-2 teaspoons of aluminum powder (based on the weight of your fibers)
Mix thoroughly until dissolved.
Wet your fibers. Make sure your fibers (t-shirt or yarn skein) are fully wet before introducing them.
Introduce your fibers to the hot pot and simmer for 1 hour.
Move your fibers around every once in a while. Do not let the fibers sit. This will avoid having uneven color and help you get nice even results
Remove and wash with cold water.

diy natural dye tutorial – how to dye onion skins

1. In a medium-size pot, bring water to a boil and then keep it at a simmering temperature. How much water you might ask? This is not as important as the exact measurement for your dyestuff and dry goods. Enough water to cover your fibers is good.

2. When the temperature is simmering, add your dry onion skins to the pot. DO NOT let the water get to a boiling temperature as this might burn the dye and you might get results that end up brown.

3. Keep at a simmering temperature (medium to low heat) for about an hour.

4. You can either filter out your onion skins in this step or keep them in the bath, is up to you.

I read that some people do not mordant silk before use (it is good at keeping color naturally), but that it is possible to do so. So I used the mordant for one of the two scarves – the darker one was treated with the mordant before dyeing, and I skipped that step with the one that came out lighter. Love them both!

5. Introduce your fibers. I recommend always washing with water your yarn skein or fabric before introducing it to the dye bath. This opens up the fiber molecules to receive the dye better and avoid uneven dye spots.

6. Move your fibers around constantly. You can use metal tongs, wooden spoons, or heat-resistant gloves to move it around the dye bath. This is crucial to getting even colors.

7. Leave your fibers between 1-2 hours in the dye bath and move around constantly.

8. Carefully use your heat-resistant gloves to take out your fibers and wash with water until water runs clear and discard your onion skins in compost or organic material waste.

As for my cotton yarn, the onion skins produced a very light peachy-orange dye, like a faded creamsicle hue. It looks a bit more orange-y in real life, but my phone didn’t capture it perfectly.

This DIY onion dye recipe is actually the same one that Zuahaza uses to produce their own yellow hue on their textiles! Just look for the one with the Pitaya Yellow shade.

How that you’ve seen MY results, head to Zuahaza’s blog to see Tatiana’s! She dyed a towel and a t-shirt, and got a much more mustard color! She also reveals what happens when you add iron and other modifiers, as well as more tips and tricks for successful dyeing.

How To Style A Silk Scarf

updated on May 30, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

With temps finally warming up in Seattle, I’m getting inspired to change out of my moss girlfriend leggings and into something slightly dressier… at least once a week (baby steps). One of the easiest ways to make a simple outfit like a maxi dress, a bright jumpsuit, or ethically made overalls perfectly put together for spring is with a beautiful silk scarf. Danish sustainable luxury womenswear brand 1 People, a new #ecoclubapproved directory member, sent us two of their regenerative silk scarves to try just in time for our last content shoot, so we snapped a few photos of them at a cute airbnb we stayed at nearby!

What is Regenerative Silk? 1 People uses a bluesign® certified luxurious mulberry silk fabric produced from regenerative farming methods, that achieve comprehensive and sustainable conservation of the atmosphere, water and soil. bluesign® certification means that a product has been manufactured with responsible use of resources, lowest impact on people & planet, and safety for the consumer. I’ve recently learned that the natural fiber silk, like cotton, can either be incredibly sustainable or super damaging. It all depends how it is produced, so I’m happy to learn about regenerative silk!

So let’s start with the classic… tying a silk scarf around your neck. Totally dreamy for a pop of color.

The Icon Collection is an ode to women trailblazers throughout history, with each scarf designed in honor of a specific woman. The two scarves we styled were inspired by Maya Angelou (above) and Rachel Carson. Each scarf also comes with a detachable recycled brass pendant to elevate it further.

Each is digitally printed, resulting in a beautiful wearable painting. The Icon Collection also celebrates Jane Goodall, RA Kartini, Wangari Maathai, and other change-makers past and present.

A favorite when it comes to hair scarves is tying it around a soft pony, long and loose. Love the pops of yellow and orange with Jenn’s sagey green sweater.

They have two sizes, but we went with the square version. It’s so versatile, though the Twilly size would look super cute as a neckerchief or purse tie.

Side pony is another fun 90s inspired look, and was also a great reminder that I’m terrible at tying the most basic of knots…

Other silk scarf styling tips we love:

Tie it around a bag, purse, or luggage handle for a pop of color!
Wear as a bandana tied under chin (you’ll need your big sunnies and convertible, obvs)
Tie around your topknot for an easy statement bun!

Use code ANGELA (that’s me!) for 10% off your 1 People purchase

Do you wear silk scarves? What’s your favorite way to style them?

Photos by Charity Hestead Kubena.

How To Make Your Wedding More Sustainable

updated on September 3, 2024 by Angela Hamilton

Hi friends! Allow us to introduce you to our new eco club member, ethical brand Valani! VALANI designs beautiful, flirty and romantic clothing for women who want a wardrobe that’s also sustainable and ethically made. Many of Valani’s pieces also make great bridesmaid dresses! Today, Valani owner Vanni is here sharing her tips on how to make your wedding more sustainable!

We all know that planning a wedding is one of the most stressful things to do in life. As beautiful as this occasion is, it can also be expensive, time consuming and wasteful. When we add eco-friendly to the mix, you might think it’s going to cost more, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are some sustainable wedding planning tips to lighten the stress on the planet and your wallet:

Weddings are all about the outdoors this year. Backyard weddings are trending hard for a few reasons:

It’s best to be outdoors for the ventilation and ability to spread guests 6 feet apart.
Venues are high in demand and limited in slots this year due to the pandemic.
It’s one of the most affordable and easily available options.
Also consider parks or community centers if your backyard is limited in space.

Go with digital invitations. Save paper and skip the printed save the date cards, change the date cards, and RSVP cards. The cost of printing each card and postage adds up fast. No need to obsess over designing an elaborate hard copy invitation when most guests will throw it away after they save the info in their calendars.

Setup a wedding website. There are so many free options. Here’s where you can share your amazing love story, important details and FAQs. Guests can RSVP and let you know of any special diet requests. You can easily keep track of who has or hasn’t RSVP yet. So easy!

Skip the single use cards. This includes programs and menu cards. Honestly, these are just left on the table or chair for you to collect later. It’s quite wasteful! Try reusable signage like chalkboards on an easel or include this info on the wedding website.

Get creative with place cards. Be creative and use natural, biodegradable options. Paint or write names on leaves or rocks. Or use recycled paper to print ONE large sign—it’s cheaper than several small ones. Check out Pinterest for inspiration—the possibilities are endless.

Ditch the balloons. These single use decorations are horrible for the environment and wildlife. While some balloons can be 100% latex and be biodegradable, if released to into the air, it can create problems for wildlife and the environment (digestion, entanglement and pollution). Unfortunately, most balloons end up in the landfill or waterways. For pops of color, try using colored tissue paper to make puffs or flowers. It’s biodegradable, inexpensive and recycled tissue paper options are easily available.

Rent or buy used wedding décor. Plates, tableware, linens, chair covers and napkins can all be rented. Some florists, caterers, event planners offer this. You might even be able to save a bit if it’s a package deal. Wedding items lose their value quickly—don’t just assume you can buy something new and easily sell it after the big day!

Upcycled Décor. Upcycled wine bottles, glass jars, tin cans to create centerpieces. These may sound too simple, but let your creativity run wild and you might be surprised. A little bit of paint, fabric and twine can easily dress up these common items into beautiful, unique décor. Look into Pinterest for inspiration.

Use plant-based candles for ambiance. Set the mood for romance with candles—they also look great on camera. Plant based candles are biodegradable, burn clean and soot free. Most importantly, it’s better for you and the environment as it doesn’t release toxic carcinogens into the air.

Use live, potted plants instead of cut flowers for centerpieces and decorations. At the end of the day, these live plants will be repurposed at home or gifted to guests. I love potted plants—it’s symbolic like watching your love grow.

DIY Flowers. If you’re on a budget or want to keep your wedding as eco-friendly as possible, skip the florist and keep things simple. Grab a few bunches of blooms from your local market. Ask a creative friend to help. This post on sustainable DIY flowers has a few tips!

Confetti. Avoid plastic or foil confetti as it’s not biodegradable, not to mention what a nightmare it is to clean up. Natural elements like dried flowers, real flowers from your garden, and leaves work beautifully!

Ditch the floral foam. It’s the green squishy sponge commonly used inside of floral arrangements. It’s made of microplastics, toxic chemicals and does not biodegrade. 1 block of foam is equal to 10 plastic shopping bags. Instead, try using pebbles, sand, gravel, clay, or marbles inside of vases or bottles.

Smaller guest list. Thanks to the pandemic, it’s not easier than ever to keep a guest list intimate. Don’t invite people because you feel obligated. Ask yourself, will I be in contact with this person in 1 or 2 years?
This means less resources used, less money spent, and it’s less risky with the unpredictable COVID regulations.

Green your party favors. Avoid printing or engraving the specifics of your wedding onto the gift. No one really wants a cup with your wedding details on it. Favors can be a thoughtful ‘thank you’ to guests, but if it’s not something they actually want, it ends up in the trash or collecting dust. Some ideas:

Packets of flower or vegetables seeds
Packets of bird seeds or bird seed feeders
Mini potted plants—succulents are easy to take care of!
A tree sapling to plant
Palm-oil free soaps wrapped in paper or twine, instead of plastic
Edible treats—make sure the packaging is biodegradable or low waste!

Let your bridal party choose their dresses! Pick a color and length or color palette. That way, she can use one she already has, rent one or even purchase a sustainable bridesmaid dress for the occasion (and beyond). She’ll actually wear these more than once and alterations may not be needed! Same goes for shoes and accessories.

Sokha Banana Midi Dress by Valani.

wedding photos by lucas mendes

Sustainably Made Utility Jumpsuits in Every Color of the Rainbow

updated on November 2, 2021 by Angela Hamilton

First it was maxi dresses, then it was overalls (updated this week with more styles!), and now it’s the utility jumpsuit… don’t you love how many options we have for one-piece outfits these days? It took me a while to get behind jumpsuits (I’m 5’0 and have a tiny bladder, so, even if it fits, it’s annoying), buuut now that I spend oh so much time at home I can’t deny how comfortable they are. And should I finally leave my den (thank goodness for Seattle spring!), I even look slightly put together, thanks to these one-piece looks. Whether it’s the boiler suit, the flight suit, the work suit or the coveralls–this simple yet tailored style of the sustainably made utility jumpsuit is so versatile you might as well have a few new hues! Check out all the colors these goodies are available in 🌈, below…

Pink jumpsuit from Big Bud Press

Gray painters jumpsuit by Christy Dawn

YELLOW jumpsuit from nooworks

Red jumpsuit from Back Beat Co

Green jumpsuit by Sotela

Plum jumpsuit by Outerknown

Orange jumpsuit by Saint Geraldine from Cara Cara

Mint linen jumpsuit from OffOn

Neutral MATE linen jumpsuits

Black tencel jumpsuit by Komodo

Lilac People Tree jumpsuit from Sancho’s

What jumpsuits are you wearing lately? Tell us which of these sustainably made utility jumpsuits you’d wear… I love the fit of the grey and black, but pink is more my style! 🌈

How To Dress Like A Conscious Maximalist

updated on May 30, 2023 by Angela Hamilton

I love that the concept of maximalism in sustainable fashion is really just representative of opportunity—taking advantage of your ability to style something out of the ordinary and collect from many different sources, and with limitless potential for inspiration. It’s embodying the idea that you are a canvas with endless opportunity for expression. By adding the ‘conscious’ aspect, you challenge yourself to be more discerning about your fashion, taking into account where and how it’s made, and how useful it will be to your wardrobe (ie no impulse buys or one-time wears). Today we have three tips on how to dress like a conscious maximalist, and throughout this post you’ll find a few of our favorite sustainable fashion brands for maximalist style!

Gossamer Vintage Rust Ruffle Blouse

Buy Secondhand

Shopping vintage and secondhand is one of the best ways to pull off a conscious maximalist wardrobe because you’re able to find designs that aren’t seen elsewhere, and therefore make every outfit look one of a kind. It allows you to mix and match unexpected colors and patterns in a fresh way. Those who love the concept of conscious maximalism are into the treasure hunt—they love the idea that fashion is expressive and meant to be experimented with!

Mi Golondrina Olivia Blouse

Meaningful Finds

With that in mind, you’ll want to keep a mend mentality—that the pieces in your wardrobe are special and worth repairing rather than trashing. That also means that while you’re on the vintage hunt, you don’t buy for the sake of a “thrift haul” but because you can see yourself wearing the hell out of a piece. Or perhaps it’s new but you absolutely love the brand/designer, and want to support them by adding a piece of their artwork to your rotation. It’s beyond cliché now, but it’s a helpful question to ask while shopping—does this spark JOY for me?! Or is it just trendy or a good deal?

Samantha Pleet Moon Banquet

Layer Up

Maximalist home décor is defined by layers of surprisingly (but well-coordinated) prints, textures, and colors. Same goes for maximalist style in fashion! I’m so inspired by anyone who can pull off bold mixed prints—they make it look easy but you have to have a good eye for design to make it work! Layering is key to this look, and not just with warm clothes in the winter. Sometimes it’s the littlest details like a good necklace and blouse collar combo that makes an outfit go from average to marvelously maximalist.

Tuesday of California Cadette Skirt

How would you describe your personal style? Conscious maximalism is admittedly more of an aspirational style to me, but it’s inspiring me to look in my closet and pull out those purchases that used to seem too loud or risky and finally wear them with confidence.