Price Points: Ethical underwear

Ethical underwear

I read somewhere that the British wear their underwear the longest. Not that it doesn’t get washed between each time it’s put on, just that they don’t throw them away for brand-new ones as often as other nationalities.

In many ways, that’s a good thing; wear it until it’s worn out… make do and mend and all that. It’s been recommended that you throw away underwear after a year – I think that’s excessive and downright wasteful! So long as they’re washed properly – a hot cycle where possible and with the recommended amount of detergent – there should be a lot more life left in them than that.

When they’re actually coming to the end of their useful lifespan, consider replacing them with ethical underwear. They may be dearer than that bulk pack that costs a couple of quid for half a dozen, but a clear conscience is as important as clean bra & knickers.

There are a growing number of manufacturers and retailers that are putting sustainability, the environment and workers’ rights at the forefront of their business. We’ve picked three of them for this week’s Price Points feature.

As well as their green credentials, I also admire the fact that their models come in all shapes, sizes and complexions. And the photos aren’t airbrushed to remove cellulite, stretch marks and other ‘imperfections’. They’re ‘real’ women!

  1. Lara hipster briefs (sizes 6-16): £20 & Ava non-wired bra (sizes A-GG): £48, Lara Intimates

    Every Lara Bra is made in London by our team of 7 sewing machinists. Our fabrics are deadstock, and we recycle 100% of our fabric waste.

  2. SilverTech™ Active Sports Bra and a pair of SilverTech™ Active Hipsters (sizes XS-XXL): £63.00, Organic Basics

    …we put sustainable thinking at the center of everything – that means we only choose fabrics that care for our environment and we only ever partner with factories that care about their impact, too. When we say sustainability is our core mission we don’t mean that sustainability is nice to have – we mean that it’s the only way we act.

  3. The High-Rise Bikini (sizes XXS-XL): £11.00 & The Bralette (sizes XXS-XL): £24.00, Everlane

    Exceptional quality. Ethical factories. Radical transparency.
    We believe our customers have a right to know how much their clothes cost to make. We reveal the true costs behind all of our products – from materials to labor to transportation – then offer 
them to you, minus the traditional retail markup.

shop ethical underwear

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

SilverTech™ Active Starter Pack
SilverTech™ Active Starter Pack
£63.00
Everlane high-rise bikini & bralette
Everlane high-rise bikini & bralette
£35.00
Lara hipster briefs & Ava non-wired bra
Lara hipster briefs & Ava non-wired bra
£68.00
SilverTech™ Active Starter Pack
SilverTech™ Active Starter Pack
£63.00
Everlane high-rise bikini & bralette
Everlane high-rise bikini & bralette
£35.00
Lara hipster briefs & Ava non-wired bra
Lara hipster briefs & Ava non-wired bra
£68.00
SilverTech™ Active Starter Pack
SilverTech™ Active Starter Pack
£63.00
Everlane high-rise bikini & bralette
Everlane high-rise bikini & bralette
£35.00
Lara hipster briefs & Ava non-wired bra
Lara hipster briefs & Ava non-wired bra
£68.00
SilverTech™ Active Starter Pack
SilverTech™ Active Starter Pack
£63.00
Everlane high-rise bikini & bralette
Everlane high-rise bikini & bralette
£35.00
Lara hipster briefs & Ava non-wired bra
Lara hipster briefs & Ava non-wired bra
£68.00
SilverTech™ Active Starter Pack
SilverTech™ Active Starter Pack
£63.00
Everlane high-rise bikini & bralette
Everlane high-rise bikini & bralette
£35.00
Lara hipster briefs & Ava non-wired bra
Lara hipster briefs & Ava non-wired bra
£68.00

Price Points: Black thermal leggings

Black thermal leggings

I took my first Christmas shopping trip into Manchester city centre yesterday. I was mainly looking for warm winter clothes for Justin, but I managed to have a little browse at a few things for me as well. Before the weather begins to get too cold, I want to make sure I get myself a new pair of black thermal leggings to wear under my waterproof trousers while I’m out walking.

I popped into Marks & Spencer and made a beeline for the escalator up to the ladies’ underwear department. They had a very good selection of thermal socks, tops and bottoms. I had a feel of their cashmere blend leggings… so soft and warm! Cashmere is a brilliant material for thermals, it’s very soft – softer than sheep’s wool (which makes me itch if it comes into direct contact with my skin for too long), it provides excellent insulation, it’s lightweight and it’s a natural material. Everything you need for a winter base-layer – it’s the choice that I’ve gone with!

Thermal leggings have had a 21st century high tech treatment. They’re all about Heatgen™, Thermolactyl and Isotherms and their ‘heat retention technology’. It reminds me of the kind of terms used by laundry detergent and cosmetics companies in their TV and magazine ads!

  1. Isotherm women’s brushed leggings – black: £4.99, Mountain Warehouse
  2. AUTOGRAPH Heatgen™ thermal leggings with cashmere: £25, Marks & Spencer
  3. Thermolactyl grade 4 long pant: £32, Damart