Australia is currently in recession thanks to the unprecedented bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic and the economic outlook remains bleak in the short-term. Purchasing from brands that are committed to sourcing sustainably, paying fair wages, using eco-friendly fabrics and practicing responsible manufacturing will help to build a more sustainable and resilient Australian economy.

Here are some Australian brands producing ethically-made and sustainable underwear that could use your support:

1. Boody

Australian-owned, Chinese-made Boody manufactures super comfy underwear, loungewear and sleepwear for men and women that are made from certified organic bamboo. The fabric is Oeko-Tex 100-certified which means there are no harmful toxic chemicals used in production. It also audits its factories to ensure its high labour and environmental standards are being upheld.

Best for: Silky, smooth ethical undies in basic colours.

Discounts available: YES! Get 10% off your first order when you sign up to their email newsletter. There is FREE standard shipping on all Australian orders of $60 and FREE express shipping on orders over $100.

Where to buy: boody.com.au.

2. Etiko

Etiko is a multi-award winning Australian fairtrade brand that ethically manufacturers underwear for men and women in fair-trade certified factories in India. It uses GOTS-certified organic cotton in all its underwear and clothing collections.

Best for: Affordable basic underwear.

Discounts available: YES! Get 10% off your first order when you sign up to their email newsletter. The brand is currently offering 25% off all products sitewide.

Where to buy: etiko.com.au.

3. Modibodi

For sustainably-made undies with extra coverage, Modibodi has got all Aussie women covered, literally. The brand makes stylish, comfortable and scientifically supported underwear to protect women against period, sweat and light bladder leaks. Modibodi offers a range of size-inclusive styles too, from classic and seamless undies right through to maternity and ‘curvy’ undies that go up to size 26/ 6XL. These undies are ideal for menstrual cup users as they offer extra protection from period leakages.

Best for: Comfy, sustainable period undies.

Discounts available: YES! Get 10% off your first order when you sign up to their e-newsletter.

Shop: modibodi.com.

4. Le Buns

Founded by Melbourne-based designer Keisha Dessaix, Le Buns produces a luxurious and sensual collection of responsibly-made, certified organic cotton underwear, G-strings, crop bras and sustainable lingerie in classic cuts and timeless colours. The brand can also be found at popular e-tailers such as Net-a-porter and The Iconic.

Best for: Designer-quality stylish undergarments and swimwear that don’t break the bank.

Discounts available: No, however the brand does offer free shipping Australia-wide on orders of $90 and over.

Shop: lebuns.com.au.

5. Bella Eco

Bella Eco is an Australian label that responsibly manufactures a range of recyclable and biodegradable luxury intimates for women. Its underwear and activewear has been designed and created with the planet in mind. The collections feature an innovative material called Amni Soul Eco a polyamide yarn which has been designed to biodegrade in five years. The soft fabric is also Oeko-Tex 100 certified ensuring no toxic nasties. The business has also implemented sustainability practices such as FSC-certified labels and packaging, home compostable mailers and donates a portion of its sales to 1% for the Planet.

Best for: Well-fitting classic basics.

Discounts available: No, but Bella Eco does offer free shipping on orders over $100.

Shop: bellaeco.com.au.

6. HARA the Label

Intimates brand HARA the label was launched in 2016 by Allie Cameron who discovered the environmental and social impacts of fashion while travelling through India. HARA was born to help offer solutions to the fashion problem. It specialises in creating beautiful sustainable bamboo bras, g-strings and briefs that are naturally dyed in bold, bright colours. The garments are produced in Bali by skilled workers who are fairly compensated for their work. The brand also donates to Environmental Justice Foundation to support environmental projects and advocate for chemical-free agriculture.

Best for: Super soft bralettes and undies.

Discounts available: No, however the brand offers free worldwide shipping on orders over $30.

Shop: harathelabel.com.au.

7. Powerpants by Bham

Australian company Powerpants by Bham produces ethically-made women’s undies that features GOTS- certified organic cotton. The undies are made by a Chinese manufacturer that is certified under the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) and offers fair working conditions for its employees. The business also donates $1 from every pair purchased to non-profit organisation Papua New Guinea Tribal Foundation to empower and support female survivors of violence in PNG.

Best for: Practical organic underwear that gives back.

Discounts available: No, but the brand does offer free Australia-wide shipping.

Shop: powerpants.com.au.

8. Bimby & Roy

Designed in Melbourne and made in Fiji, Bimby & Roy produces a dreamy range of pretty undergarments that are so versatile they can be used as swimwear. The underwear is made with the environment in mind extending to its printing processes (no ink dyes in water ways) recycling materials. The collections are ethically manufactured in the “first solar powered facility in the region” by a team who are paid fairly for their efforts.

Best for: Pretty bralettes and bottoms in bold prints and patterns.

Discounts available: No, however the brand offers free domestic shipping on orders over $150.

Shop: bimbyandroy.com.au.

9. Nico Underwear

Established in 2012, this Brisbane-based, India-made ethical label has found a cult following with Australian women seeking premium quality, comfortable, minimalist bras, thongs and briefs that exude understated luxury. Its collections are made from a lightweight sustainable Tencel Modal fabric sourced from birchwood trees, and since its founding, Nico Underwear has been committed to supply chain transparency, providing in-depth details of its materials, makers, packaging and product-care on its website.

Best for: Women who have eco-luxe taste.

Discounts available: No, though the brand offers free domestic shipping on all orders over $100 and “hassle-free returns”.

Shop: nicounderwear.com.

10. Eco Intimates

A pioneer in the Australian sustainable lingerie industry, Eco Intimates was founded in 2008 by Madonna Bain. Designing and producing bespoke intimates pieces such as bras, knickers and slips in Byron Bay and Bali, this underwear label embraces slow production and incorporates natural and GOTS-certified organic textiles in its collection. On the back of its eco lingerie success, Eco Intimates has now expanded its range to include sleepwear and yogawear.

Best for: Romantic and feminine knickers and lingerie.

Discounts available: No, though the brand does offer free domestic shipping on orders over $120. There is currently 20% off selected styles.

Shop: ecointimates.com.au.

11. Jackfruit the Label

Made and hand dyed by skilled garment workers in Australia and accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia, Jackfruit the Label produces comfy organic cotton and bamboo underwear in small batches. The brand isn’t just committed to ethical production and sustainable fabrics – it’s also committed to size inclusivity, producing garments from size 6 to 26 and offering custom sizing too.

Best for: Minimal bralettes and high-rise briefs.

Discounts available: No, however the brand does offer free Australia-wide shipping on orders over $100 and there’s a ‘SALE’ section that you can browse if you’re strapped for cash.

Shop: jackfruitlabel.com.

12. Mighty Good Undies

Launched in 2015 by founders Hannah Parris and Elena Antoniou, this Australian underwear brand produces certified fairtrade and GOTS-certified organic cotton underwear and basics for men and women. The brand is size-inclusive too – up to a size 22 for women.

Best for: Functional and practical earth-friendly underwear.

Discounts available: Mighty Good Undies is currently having a sitewide sale offering 30% everything. Just use the code Mighty30 at checkout.

Shop: mightygoodundies.com.au

Disclosure: This list features EWP partners and if you make a purchase through an affiliate link, we may make a small fee. All monies help us to cover operating expenses. Details are correct at time of publishing. This curated list does not fully take into account all the ethical considerations that are unique to each individual. Before making a purchase, we encourage you to do your own research paying particular attention to the supply chain and your own particular set of ethics. Click here to read more about our policies.

Recommending reading:

• 12 Ethical Brands Producing Organic Activewear, Yoga Wear and Athleisure Clothing
• Fast Jewellery: The True Cost of Costume and Where to Find Ethical Pieces
• Is Fashion Week Becoming More Sustainable – Or Is It Just Greenwashing?
• 5 Ethical Fashion Books Newbies Must Read
• 10 Sustainable and Ethical Fashion Podcasts to Tune Into
• The Problem With Cashmere
• A Guide to High-Performance Vegan Running Shoes
• Dirty Luxury: How Fashion Contributes to Pandemics

Cover image via Eco Intimates.