Looking to buy organic cotton underwear or knickers in the UK? I’ve rounded up my favourite sustainable women’s brands that offer underwear that’s kinder to your skin and the planet.

Some brands have paid to be featured here – identifiable by the AD tag after the brand name. I only select brands that I genuinely believe are doing good things for people and the planet.

Conventional cotton is commonly grown using synthetic fertilisers and harmful pesticides that aren’t great for people, wildlife, or soil health. Organic cotton, on the other hand, is grown without the use of these synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. This makes it gentler and more hypoallergenic, as well as being better for the planet.

If you’re looking to green your wardrobe by switching to organic cotton, an easy place to start is your underwear drawer.

If you’re in the market to replace any worn-out undies with new organic and sustainable underwear, I’ve highlighted seven of the best organic cotton brands in the UK for women that combine style, sustainability, and everyday comfort.

First up, I’ll tell you the organic labelling schemes to know, so that you are fully informed, before showing you my favourite UK brands.

Organic Cotton Certification Schemes

Before we look at the brands, I think it’s useful to know about the different organic cotton certification schemes, as well as the labelling that you should be wary of. This is because it’s so easy to fall foul of greenwashing.

The top choice for organic cotton is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This independent certification ensures textiles are truly organic, as it covers every stage of the supply chain. This guarantees the cotton was grown using sustainable farming practices, processed using safe dyes, and produced under fair working conditions.

Other organic cotton certification schemes include:

• Organic Content Standard (OCS) – This standard verifies the presence and amount of organic material in textiles. However, unlike GOTS, it doesn’t look at how the cotton was processed or how sustainable the production methods are.
• USDA Organic – A standard that applies to US-grown cotton, this standard ensures that the cotton was grown using strict organic farming methods.
• OEKO-Tex Organic Cotton – A new standard, introduced in April 2023, this label certifies that clothing is made of 100% organic cotton. Watch out, though. The ”Organic Cotton Blended’ label certifies clothing that’s made of at least 70% organic cotton.

Be wary of anything labelled as BCI Cotton. Also known as Better Cotton Initiative, this cotton is not organic. BCI suppliers are allowed to use pesticides and synthetic fertilisers, so it’s not a great choice if you are looking for organic cotton underwear. Find out more in my BCI Cotton explainer.

The Organic Cotton Underwear & Knickers Brands In The UK

Now that we’re up to speed on labelling, let me share with you my top UK brands making sustainable and organic cotton knickers for women:

Brora

• Caters for UK sizes 8 – 16
• Priced £29

You may not associate the British heritage brand Brora with sustainable underwear, but it’s well worth a look if you’re after something special for yourself or a loved one. Its knickers are so pretty and feminine, and a real treat to wear.

Each season, Brora chooses a range of striking Liberty fabrics to make beautifully soft 100% organic cotton knickers. These are made in England, and the factory recycles all fabric waste and provides skills and training to the local community so that they can pass on British manufacturing skills to the next generation.

There are three different patterns to choose from – the hardest part is choosing your favourite pattern!

Brora is also a great choice if you’re looking for elastane-free knickers. Most cotton undies are blended with elastane to allow the fabric to stretch. Brora’s knickers are 100% pure cotton – so feel crisp but comfortable. All they have is just some elastic around the waist and leg openings so they stay up.

JulieMay Lingerie | AD

• Caters for sizes: sizes 30B – 40G / 42DD for bras and UK 8-18 for knickers
• Prices start from: £21 for knickers and £58 for bras

Do you have sensitive skin that is easily irritated by your underwear? Then try JulieMay Lingerie.

​This woman-owned organic and ethical UK brand specialises in making naturally hypoallergenic bras and briefs, from GOTS-certified organic pima cotton – known for its super soft properties – and other natural materials.

JulieMay also avoids the use of latex, nickel, exposed elastics, synthetic materials or harsh chemicals in all of its underwear. Essentially, anything that may irritate your skin is out, and only the gentlest materials are in.

For extra peace of mind, AllergyUK has scientifically tested and approved JulieMay Lingerie as being suitable for people with hypersensitive skin or allergies to synthetic fibres.

​There’s a great range to choose from. Find underwired, non-wired, bralette, sports bras, and post-surgery bras, alongside high-waisted and low rise knickers. These are all ethically and sustainably handmade in a certified production site that pays all staff well above the minimum wage.

JulieMay also supports a variety of charities. This includes Mind’s vital mental health work to AKT, which helps LGBTQ+ young people find safety and support, alongside the Eden Reforestation Project, which restores forests and livelihoods around the world.

Get 15% off at JulieMay Lingerie using the exclusive discount code MORALFIBRES at the checkout.

Natural Collection Select

• Caters for sizes XS – XL
• Priced £29.99 for a pack of three knickers

If you’re looking for plain organic undies, then Natural Collection Select (available at Ethical Superstore) is a good shout.

Available in a 3-pack of plain black or plain white, these vegan-friendly knickers are made from 95% GOTS-certified organic cotton and 5% elastane for stretch. They’re also made in the EU – in Romania – so are bound by the EU’s strict labour laws.

Beaumont Organic

• Caters for UK sizes 8 – 16
• Prices start from £20

Beaumont Organic is another top choice for non-toxic underwear. Each and every item in the British brand’s underwear collection is made from organic cotton.

Ethically produced in Portugal in factories committed to paying a living wage, Beaumont Organic’s collection includes underwire-free bras, high-waisted briefs, and bikini briefs in timeless colours.

As well as a commitment to natural and organic fibres and ethical production, Beaumont Organic goes further. It offers free repairs on all Beaumont Organic items to help you extend your garments’ lifespan and reduce textile waste.

Nudea

• Caters for UK sizes 6 – 20
• Prices start from £24.99

If you’re looking for organic cotton essentials that can be worn all day, every day, then try Nudea.

This certified BCorp – a business that balances people and the planet alongside profit – makes comfortable and supportive women’s underwear from natural and recycled materials. Its organic cotton underwear collection includes bras, briefs, and thongs for everyday wear.

Nudea also displays the carbon footprint of every garment it sells, to help you make considered shopping choices. It also offers a handy bra recycling scheme to help you dispose of your old underwear responsibly.

Get 10% off your first order when you sign up for the Nudea mailing list.

Rapanui

• Caters for UK sizes 6 – 16
• Prices start from £6.50

Sustainable clothing brand Rapanui, based on the Isle of Wight, is also worth looking at for affordable and budget-friendly organic cotton underwear. Here you can buy underwear that’s free from pesticides and other toxic chemicals, starting from just £10.

Rapanui’s collection includes comfortable knickers and non-underwired bralettes, in a range of colours. These are all produced from GOTS-certified organic cotton and ethically made in factories powered by renewable energy.

YOU Underwear

• Caters for UK sizes 6 – 22
• Prices start from £12

YOU Underwear (available at Etsy) is a brand with a mission, operating on a buy-one-give-two model to donate underwear to those in need. For every pair of knickers you buy, YOU donate two pairs to Smalls for All, a charity that distributes underwear to people who need it in Africa and the UK. 

As well as giving back, YOU also prioritise the environment. Each piece is ethically made in India from Fairtrade, PETA-approved vegan, and 100% GOTS-Certified organic cotton.

Its organic cotton range includes bralettes, low-rise bikini bottoms, boy shorts, thongs, and more.

Sprout Organic

• Caters for UK sizes 4 – 28
• Prices start from £14

Finally, if you’re looking for organic underwear with bold prints and fun designs, then head straight to Sprout Organic (available at Etsy). This size-inclusive, independent British brand proves that organic doesn’t have to be boring with its vibrant and colourful collection.

Offering a range of brightly coloured and patterned pants – including unisex boxer shorts, high-waisted pants, and bikini brief style knickers – these are all made from super soft and breathable GOTS-certified organic cotton.

All of its knickers are ethically made in the Sprout Organic workshop in East Sussex. And Spout Organic strives to be as close to zero waste as possible. All fabric scraps are repurposed or recycled, and all parcels are sent out in fully recyclable packaging.

Get 10% off when you buy three or more pairs by adding the code THREEPANTS at the checkout.

What To Do With Your Old Underwear

If you’re clearing out your underwear drawer and wondering what to do with your old undies, don’t worry. I’ve got lots of ideas to recycle and repurpose your old stuff:

• Here are heaps of ways to recycle old underwear
• Here are all the places you can recycle your bras for charity

Wendy Graham