Comfortable and well-fitting underwear is an integral part of your wardrobe armour. There is nothing quite as disconcerting as trying to pull off a high stakes presentation with pants that are losing their elastic or going in for a winning goal only to be distracted by boxers that chafe painfully. And for those of us who wear bras on a daily basis, we know too well the fine line between support and pain. It’s not just our bodies that can suffer from the effects of poorly made underwear. The adverse effects of fast fashion on the health of the planet are well known and with underwear being no exception, where can you shop for well-made undergarments that do good as well as feel good? Read on to find out more about three brands that are ethical and stylish.
Let’s start at the bottom with socks. These oft-forgotten members of the underwear family have a tendency to get seriously mismanaged on their journey from feet to laundry to the sock drawer. Socks made from non-breathable materials will contribute to unpleasant odours and even fungal infections. At Conscious Step, breathable organic cotton is used to create socks that you will definitely want to keep an eye on. Coming in a huge range of designs each pair supports a specific cause, making it easy to support your favourite charity with your purchase. In addition to supporting the good work of charities like Water.org and Oxfam, the socks are certified as Fair Trade with workers receiving fair pay, safe working environments, health benefits and of course free socks.
It is estimated that 6 men a day in the UK are diagnosed with testicular cancer but with an early diagnosis, there is a 98% survival rate. Bawbags, a Scottish company with a reputation for being just a little on the cheeky side has made it their mission to encourage men to check their baws (translation here if you need it). Their website even features a self-check guide to get men hands-on with their private parts. Since its inception in 2007, it has raised over £60,000 for a variety of cancer charities and most recently gave a whopping £10,000 to the Teenage Cancer Trust. With underwear for men, women and kids in vivid and vibrant designs, you will certainly not lose sights of these creations in your underwear drawer.
Finally to the case of uncomfortable bras. Naja has been redefining the bra industry by placing its focus on the needs of women in all aspects of their business. You won’t find airbrushed models in unnaturally seductive poses. Instead, they feature diverse women in all there beautifully unfiltered glory. The bras from Naja are crafted by single mothers or female heads of households who receive health benefits, above-average wages and support in raising their children that includes flexible scheduling as well as payment for school books, uniforms and meals. They also have an eco-friendly range that features upcycled lace and recycled plastics.
When talking about doing good through underwear it is worth mentioning Smalls for All. They don’t sell underwear, instead, they collect and donate it to those in need in the UK and across Africa. A pair of pants can ensure that girls can attend school while on their periods, clean and cheerful underwear can make orphans feel more secure, while a new bra is something that many refugees desperately need but are too embarrassed to ask for. They accept donations of new underwear, lightly used bras and money to help support their cause.
