3Mins Read Ready-to-eat plant-based brand Squeaky Bean has set up a first-of-its-kind ‘foodie influencer hub’ – Squeaky House to give five content creators the opportunity to be invited for a 21-day stay to encourage plant-based eating and lifestyle among the British audience by engaging the participants in various plant-based activities and living. British-based “lunchtime sidekick” brand Squeaky […]
3Mins Read Hong Kong-based environmental nonprofit EcoDrive unveiled the Enough Plastic Campaign 2021 on May 30, which is also No Single-Use Plastic Awareness Day, in an effort to raise awareness and educate the public on why and how they can reduce their dependency on single-use plastics, with the campaign running till the end of June. Enough Plastic 2021 […]
3Mins Read Lomi, the new home food waste machine launched by compostable phone case brand Pela, has managed to attract more than US$6.8 million from over 18,000 backers through its Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. The kitchen countertop appliance turns food scraps, cloth and bioplastics into soil within just 24 hours. Pela’s crowdfunding campaign for its latest product, Lomi, […]
3Mins Read Disposable consumer products giant Bic has launched a new carbon neutral bamboo razor, as demand for sustainable alternatives continues to grow. The new eco-friendly razor has debuted in Sweden, packaged in plastic-free paper and comes with refills. Bic says the move is an “example of how Bic Company innovates to reduce the environmental footprint of […]
2Mins Read Veganzone, a community-based platform for vegans and vegetarians received its first round of financing, a US$3 million from Istanbul-based investment firm Focus Global Project to continue to help plant-forward netizens socialize together. Veganzone was founded in New York in February 2021 by Selin Tuyen, Murat Aksu, and Ogous Chan Ali as a social media app […]
2Mins Read Two Indian food techs have made the leap into the personal care category, as the plant-based trend takes hold even in non-food sectors. While vegan dairy brand Goodmylk is working with The Switch Fix to launch new sustainable shampoo bars, MilkinOats has introduced its own range of oat milk-based skincare products. Homegrown Indian plant-based dairy […]
2Mins Read Women-led organization Red Carpet Green Dress (RCGD), which was founded by Suzy Amis Cameron and works to drive positive change in the fashion and apparel industry, recently launched its brand new digital RCGD app to build a community dedicated to promoting sustainability. Red Carpet Green Dress (RCGD) has debuted a new app that aims to […]
Sustainability is taking over the entire fashion industry, and underwear brands are no exception.
There’s nothing pretty about unethical or environmentally-unfriendly bralettes or briefs. So we’ve put together a list of our favourite underwear labels, that are not only ticking boxes for being ultra-cute but are also taking the health of the planet and humans seriously.
Source: Reemi
1. Reemi
For period underwear – yes, that means goodbye to wasteful single-use sanitary products – look no further than Reemi. Based in New Zealand, the registered nonprofit founded by Emily Au-Young and Ashleigh Howan offers reusable, non-toxic CottonX fibre undies that are self-disinfecting, absorbent and comfortable, and 100% of their profits go towards local projects in Bangladesh aimed at helping women access menstrual care and education.
San Francisco brand Naja makes ethical and socially conscious lingerie and undergarments. The brand’s collection of bras and underwear range from minimalist and nude shades (coming in seven different skin tones) to pretty floral patterns and lacey designs – all are made by female artisans based in Colombia using either recycled or upcycled materials.
Source: Knickey
3. Knickey
Knickey is a New York City brand that puts women’s health first, making sure that there are absolutely no toxins in their breathable certified organic cotton undies so that fewer women have to suffer from yeast and vaginal infections each year due to synthetic fabrics. Committed to supply chain transparency, they source cotton from non-GMO farms, suppliers and work with a Fair Trade factory in India, and have recently launched a Recycling Program to divert your old intimates from the landfill. Plus, they’re inclusive too, with sizes running from XXS-XXXL.
Source: Hara
4. Hara
Hara makes our list for their collection of sustainable underwear sets made from bamboo. The made-in-Australia label offers everything from simple bralettes to suave low-cut bras and trendy bandeaus, as well as flattering high-waisted underwear – so there is truly something for everyone. In addition to using only natural dyes and pesticide and fertiliser-free bamboo fabric, Hara has embraced diversity with their sizes running up to 5X.
Source: Pact
5. Pact
Everything made at Pact is crafted with organic cotton crafted from Earth’s Favorite Fiber, which has been certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for its methods that require far fewer amounts of water and uses zero toxic chemicals. While not exclusively an underwear label, Pact does have a sizable collection of undies, briefs, thongs and bras, which have all been made by textile workers in Fair Trade certified factories. The Boulder, Colorado brand also offers shoppers the chance to carbon offset their purchases and donate their used clothing.
Source: Boody
6. Boody
Boody is a “basic essentials” label offering staple pieces designed to last – and that includes underwear. From sports bras and racerbacks to seamless bikini briefs, all of Boody’s pieces are made from Ecocert certified bamboo yarn, which not only feels so breathable and soft, but is naturally hypoallergenic, free from toxins, sustainably made in WRAP-certified factories and come in recycled packaging printed only with vegetable-based inks. Plus, all of Boody’s underwear are also approved vegan-friendly by PETA.
Source: Pantee
7. Pantee
London-based label Pantee says they are the first underwear brand dedicated to making their entire collection from deadstock t-shirts that are unsold and unworn, which would otherwise be destined for landfills. By doing so, they can reduce carbon, water and waste footprints by 20-30%. Right now, the company is recycling and upcycling these fabrics to make sustainable underwear, but they hope to be able to make their entire range of body-hugging briefs and comfy underwire-free bras and bralettes circular in the future.
5Mins Read Razer, a billion-dollar global lifestyle brand for gamers, recently launched a new US$50 million Razer Green Fund and its very first green investment is in Bambooloo, a Singapore-based zero waste home goods brand focused on greening toilet paper. As part of its plan to support sustainable startups, Singaporean-American tech firm Razer has launched a green […]
4Mins Read As a conscious consumer, scanning through thousands of products at supermarket chains can be a time-consuming and overwhelming task. But now, mobile app turned online marketplace GreenChoice is telling the frustrated sustainable shopper “we hear you” and is simplifying the entire process. Through the platform, users can easily sort through items by dietary filters, view […]
4Mins Read In this excerpt taken from Chapter 2 of the new book “Think Like A Vegan,” co-authors Emilia A. Leese and Eva J. Charalambides pushes readers to take the first step on a journey kinder to the planet, humans and animals. Vegans Don’t Need Capes The heroism of veganism is overstated. We get asked if it’s […]
3Mins Read Educational board game LOOP: Life Of Ordinary People uses the concept of serious gaming as a channel for change, with the aim of questioning people’s unsustainable consumption behaviours and consumers are taking the bait. The young company made recently debuted its Kickstarter campaign, where it became 100% funded within 24 hours and reached over 800% […]
4Mins Read Following the news of its launch and successful three-store pilot, Plantega, the startup that installs vegan fridges in Brooklyn and Bronx bodegsas to make plant-based food accessible to communities that don’t have many healthy food choices, has announced that it will be bringing more brands and flavours to expand across the entire New York City. […]
4Mins Read Epicurious, one of the largest food and cooking digital platforms in the world, has bid farewell to beef recipes. The Condé Nast subsidiary says it has taken the decision to stop publishing beef-related recipes across its website, articles, newsletters and even social media page in order to become “pro-planet” and “encourage more sustainable cooking”. Epicurious […]
It’s time to take the “either/or” out of inclusivity and sustainability. Consumers are demanding fashion brands to tick more than one box, telling them it’s not enough to preach about transparent supply chains and ethical sourcing if blind spots still remain when it comes to exclusive marketing, racist brand culture and non-diverse sizing and fit.
While there’s still so much progress to be made in the fashion industry, some brands have stepped up and championed both inclusivity and sustainability, and we’re here to highlight some of the best for every size, every occasion.
Source: Eileen Fisher
Best for workwear & wardrobe essentials:Eileen Fisher
Clean supply chain, ethical and made from sustainable fibres? Eileen Fisher checks all three boxes, plus one more – a dedicated collection for larger sizes up to 3X, proportioned to fit all women perfectly. These Fair Trade organic certified pieces are great for your wardrobe staples, coming in varied muted naturally-dyed colours, tones and easy-to-match cuts. What’s more? The brand offers a renewable program to allow customers to return their old clothing, which gets repaired and refurbished as new garments sold for a discount.
Source: Made Trade
Best for variety:Made Trade
If you’re looking for an entire library of ethical and sustainable plus-sized clothing to browse through in one accessible place, then Made Trade is for you. The curated online store boasts a wide collection of brands that are all environmentally-conscious and value-led, with each product page also showing the materials used, whether the product is plant-based or suitable for vegans, and the measures the brand takes to avoid human rights violations. The range in their plus size apparel section is impressive, running up to 6XL for everything from your everyday casual wear to date-night looks.
Source: Hara
Best for lingerie and underwear: Hara
We’ve got you covered for lingerie and underwear too, with Hara topping our list for offering the dreamiest underwear sets made sustainably from bamboo. The Australian-made label ranges from trendy bandeaus and bralettes to sexy low-cut bras, high waist undies and even leotards and loungewear – all coming in earthy tones and sizes running up to 5X.
Source: Mata Traders
Best for boho dresses: Mata Traders
Everyone loves a good boho dress, but finding a chic, non-tacky, eco-friendly and inclusive boho dress can be a challenge. Mata Traders has come to the rescue, offering a plus size collection of sleek and retro-modern boho dresses in a number of different patterns, bright colours, lengths and cuts – maxi, short and everything in between. In addition to running a wide variety of sizes up to 2X, the brand even offers a motherhood-friendly line of extra-stretchy garments, all made from ethically-sourced cotton and hand-made by female artisans in Indian and Nepalese rural co-ops that ensures fair pay and flexible work-from-home opportunities.
Source: Girlfriend Collective
Best for activewear: Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective is the go-to for plus-size activewear, outerwear and athleisure pieces, with its line-up of recycled leggings and workout gear offered in sizes up to 6X. Committed to supply chain transparency, the American brand has made public its entire production process, from production in Taiwan, where recovered plastic bottles are turned into their new yarns, to the workers who sew together the material to make their minimalist leggings, sweats, windbreakers and sports bras.
Source: Mara Hoffman
Best for swimsuits & statement pieces: Mara Hoffman
Looking to stand out in a crowd or at the beach? Check out Mara Hoffman, whose collection is made from natural, organic and recycled materials like hemp, Tencel and cotton (even the tags and labels are made from 80% recycled paper printed with soy-based inks) and boasts an extended-size line up to 3X. Expect to be wowed by the brand’s stand-out ready-to-wear pieces and gorgeous swimsuits, two-pieces and beach dresses.
Source: Warp + Weft
Best for denim: Warp + Weft
What’s a wardrobe without a good pair of jeans? Powered by their brand ethos of “inclusivity, sustainability, affordability”, Warp + Weft wins as one of the best sustainable plus-size denim makers out there. The range is incredible to ensure that every woman gets the perfect fit with more than 75 different sizes, body types and cuts – sizes run from 00 to 24. All their stretchy jeans and denim jackets are made ethically and sustainably from materials like lyocell and cotton sourced from the Better Cotton Initiative, sewn together at the UNDP social equality-compliant factories in Pakistan.
Source: Hours
Best for jackets & outerwear: Hours
New York-based upcycled plus-size brand Hours is great for outerwear pieces, from sleek-cut jackets to relaxed cardigans and on-trend “cardi-dresses”. All their pieces come in at least three to four shades, from deep reds and purples to dark blue, mustard yellow and earthy brown, and sizes range 14 to 28. Minimalist in design, these garments are meant to stay as wardrobe staples that last from one season to the next, and are sustainably made from upcycled fabrics in their WRAP-certified local mills in China and packaged in 100% recycled and recyclable paper (totally plastic-free!).
2Mins Read Newly launched social marketplace Farleigh offers users, small and medium businesses, brands, artists and creatives an opportunity to curate and share sustainable products they love with their network and at the same time earn from it. Founded by Farleigh Hungerford, the London-based platform encourages consumers to curate and create windows offering planet-friendly goods ranging from clothes to […]
3Mins Read Spirits and technology startup Endless West has raised US$21M in a series B funding to expand the distribution of its environmentally friendly spirits inspired by whiskey, wine, and sake, across the U.S., and the funding, will help scale the R&D and its B2B platform. U.S.-based molecular company, Endless West’s recent funding round includes backing from […]
3Mins Read Greentech mobile application Treeapp aims to help people reduce their carbon footprint by planting a tree for free every day in less than a minute and connecting users to sustainable brands which then leads to the companies directly funding reforestation projects around the world. Founded in 2019 by Jules Buker, Godefroy Harito and Leo Ng, […]
4Mins Read Most of us want to be conscious consumers, but it’s a pretty difficult task in practice. From the thousands of products available, whether it be food or beauty and skincare, it takes time and effort to properly research and decipher those that have the smallest impact on the planet, animals and people. This was what […]
3Mins Read TheVeganKind raised £3.5M (approx. US$4.8M) in its latest Series A funding round that will help the company further upscale its retail business as well as facilitate better plant-based shopping experiences for their consumers. Literacy Capital, a closed-end investment firm looking to support small businesses, funded the U.K.-based TheVeganKind(TVK) in its latest series A round. TheVeganKind […]
4Mins Read More than 8 in 10 people who joined the Veganuary pledge for the first month of 2021 plan on making their newfound plant-forward diets a long-term habit. The findings, revealed in the annual survey released last month, also showed record-breaking levels of participation this year, spanning 582,000 people across 209 countries and regions globally, with […]
5Mins Read According to research and poll data, which highlight the unequal impact of the pandemic on the African American community, more and more black people in the United States are turning to plant-based diets to reap health benefits, and a number of pioneering founders are establishing vegan brands across fashion, skincare and food, as the community […]
4Mins Read Vegan cooking show, New Day New Chef, which debuted on streaming platform Amazon Prime in the U.S. and later premiered in England, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, has been nominated in eight Taste Awards categories, including Best New Series and Best Reality Series. Back in September, U.S.- based New Day New Chef, was made […]
4Mins Read Founded by Clarisse Merlet, France-based company FabBRICK works to upcycle textile waste into bricks that are supposedly great thermal and acoustic insulators. In France, textile waste is estimated to be around 4 million tons, however, less than a third of this is collected for reuse or recycling in the country. Back in 2017, architecture student […]
3Mins Read Eat the Change, a plant-based snack startup that launched its first product, a mushroom based jerky, back in December of last year, has now unveiled a new campaign that aims to bring about positive change in the environment by encouraging consumers to make sustainable choices. Co-created by Beyond Meat chairman Seth Goldman and celebrity chef […]
4Mins Read Eben Bayer, founder and chief executive of Ecovative Design, a company that works on developing materials out of a mushroom root structure for the fashion, food, packaging and skincare industry, recently closed a US$60 million Series D funding round that will help the firm to expand its research, innovate on new materials as well as […]
4Mins Read The Global Fashion Exchange(GFX) recently joined forces with art deco boutique chain Walker Hotels in New York City for a “SwapAteria” experience that will take place at the latter’s new TriBeCa location, in order to promote sustainable consumer behaviour. GFX, the international organization encouraging sustainable fashion, partnered with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, […]
4Mins Read The results of a a newly released global consumer insights survey suggests that consumers are willing to change their lifestyles with ‘one’s wellbeing’ considered as the top area of interest for consumers in all markets, irrespective of age and demographic. The survey, conducted by global market research firm GlobeScan across 27 markets, shows that people want to take […]
3Mins Read MyCoLearn, an online vegan course network that aims to create a community for vegan professionals, is looking to go ahead with a July 2021 beta launch with backing from U.K. bank NatWest’s ‘Back her Business’ fund, which awards investment to promising women-led businesses. Co-founded by sisters Alice and Lucy Johnson, and hosted by eco-friendly web-hosting […]
4Mins Read Have you ever wondered how much your grocery store trips contribute to climate change? There’s an app for that now. To help measure your supermarket shopping impact – and all you have to do is to take a photo of your receipt from the store and then Evocco will calculate the environmental footprint of your […]
