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09 Jul
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The Ultimate Guide to More Ethical and Sustainable Basics

Our editors curate highly rated brands that are first assessed by our rigorous ratings system. Buying through our links may earn us a commission—supporting the work we do. Learn more.

 

Many of us neglect the items we wear most in our closet—basics. So if it’s about time your underwear, t-shirts, bras, socks or stockings were replaced, read through this guide to find new and improved items with more responsible credentials.

Start your more sustainable fashion journey from the bottom up

If you’re looking to make a difference through your wardrobe, why not start from the bottom up? Opting for more sustainable basics is an easy way to dip your toes into the world of clothing from brands that do right by people, the planet, and animals. Each brand below has been rated for its impact on the ethical and environmental issues you care most about. We’ve divided the brands by category, featuring underwear, bras, socks and stockings, pyjamas, and last but not least, t-shirts.

Underwear

Switching out your tired undies for more responsible alternatives is the easiest place to begin. You can start small by purchasing organic or fair trade underwear whenever items in your current collection need replacing. Since underwear is something we’ll continually need to repurchase, opting for brands that produce more sustainably makes a huge impact over time—and we promise they’re just as stylish and comfortable as your old favourites (maybe even more so).

Etiko

Rated: Great
woman wearing grey etiko underwear

Etiko is an Australian designer of organic fair trade clothing and shoes. The brand constantly sets the bar for upholding and campaigning the human rights of people working in traditionally exploitative industry supply chains.

Find the clothes in AU sizes 8-20, and the shoes in UK sizes 3-13.

See the rating.

Shop Etiko.

Mighty Good Basics

Rated: Great
woman wearing white sustainable mighty good undies underwear

Quality, affordable, organic, fair trade underwear. All of Mighty Good Undies’ products are Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified, and the brand uses renewable energy in its supply chain.

Find the underwear in AU sizes 6-22.

See the rating.

Shop Mighty Good Undies.

Subset (Knickey)

Rated: Great
People in underwear by Subset.

Made in a Fair Trade Certified factory, US brand Subset’s organic cotton underwear sets are some of the best in the responsible fashion market. Taking it a step further, the brand has also partnered with an NYC non-profit to recycle old undergarments, turning the fibres into insulation and rug pads. Sending in your old undies will not only help cut down on the amount of fibres that wind up in the landfill, but it’ll give you the freedom to buy new, responsibly made sets.

Find most items in sizes 2XS-4XL.

See the rating.

Shop Subset (Knickey).

Nisa

Rated: Good

The responsible option for your underwear drawer. Nisa is an underwear and loungewear label that employs women from refugee backgrounds in its Wellington studio. For the brand, success is not just providing a first job in New Zealand, but in providing a first step in a long career. Nisa is also better for the planet, using GOTS certified organic cotton for its briefs, bralettes, and pants.

Find the garments in sizes XS-4XL.

See the rating.

Shop Nisa.

nat’v basics

Rated: Good

nat'v basics is an Australian responsible underwear label designed for the everyday woman. Made from recycled and lower-impact materials, nat'v basics pieces are designed to be the most comfortable basics you’ll ever wear. No frills or trims or awkward bits—so you can put them on and forget you’re wearing them.

Find the range in AU sizes 6-20.

See the rating.

Shop nat'v basics.

PACT

Rated: Good

PACT is a US-based brand that is passionate about being part of a movement transforming the way apparel is made. All of its clothing is sweatshop-free and child-labour-free, and its activewear range is almost entirely made from certified organic cotton, with more than 50% also certified as Fair Trade.

Find PACT in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop PACT.

KENT

Rated: Good

KENT is a US-based brand that creates timeless organic underwear, ensuring a quality fit and feel no matter what. It produces the first verified compostable underwear, made from organic cotton and designed to return to nature in 90 days when composted or planted, feeding the soil and growing new plants (or future pants).

Find most pants in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop KENT.

Thunderpants USA

Rated: Good

Thunderpants USA is a manufacturer of quirky, organic cotton underpants for the whole family.

Find most items in sizes XS-4XL.

See the rating.

Shop Thunderpants USA @ Made Trade.

Shop Thunderpants USA.

Naja

Rated: Good
black and pink sustainable underwear by naja

Naja makes beautifully designed lingerie and helps educate and employ women through its Underwear for Hope program.

The underwear is available in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Naja.

NIKIN

Rated: Good

If you’re the kind of person who likes to wear their morals, look no further than Swiss brand NIKIN. Not only is a tree planted every time you purchase a NIKIN product, you also get to show your tree pride.

Products are available in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop NIKIN.

A-dam

Rated: Good
funky green ethical boxers by A-dam on a shirtless muscular man wearing a tiger mask

A-dam is a fresh brand with character. It uses a high-proportion of lower-impact materials, like GOTS certified cotton, and limits the amount of chemicals, water, and wastewater used in production.

Find the range in sizes S-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop A-dam.

ASKET

Rated: Good
man wearing asket's sustainable boxer briefs in white

ASKET has been creating timeless wardrobe essentials since 2015 with revolutionary sizing and fair pricing. The brand disregards seasonal collections, cuts out all the middlemen, and only sells directly to you—putting its entire focus on building a single permanent collection.

Find the range in sizes 2XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop ASKET.

NUDEA

Rated: Good
NUDEA underwear

NUDEA believes that the items you wear closest to your skin should be more sustainable, comfortable, flexible and stylish, so it crafts its sleep and underwear with this in mind. The British brand uses lower impact materials and partly traces its supply chain.

Find items in XS - XXL

See the rating.

Shop NUDEA.

Woron

Rated: Good
woman wearing black lace underwear by woron

Copenhagen-based Woron was founded by two sisters, Arina and Anya Woron, driven by the desire to share their take on a responsibly designed lingerie line. The brand produces timeless vegan underwear made in a clean, transparent, and simple fashion to ensure a long lifespan. The range is made of GOTS certified organic cotton and Lenzing MODAL or ECONYL lace fibres, and is fully OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.

Find most pieces in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Woron.

Boody

Rated: Good
three women from different ages wearing sustainable boody underwear

Founded in Australia by two best friends, Boody is a clothing brand with comfort, style, and health at its core. It creates comfortable, thoughtfully-made everyday essentials made from organically grown bamboo. It reduces waste through lower-waste cutting techniques and using a closed-loop system in its supply chain, supporting the green and ethical movement.

Find the range in sizes XS-4XL.

See the rating.

Shop Boody.

Pico

Rated: Good

Pico designs beautifully soft organic and fair-trade cotton underwear for both men and women. The British brand is fully vegan and all its products are Fairtrade International - Small Producers Organisations certified.

Find the designs in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Pico @ Reve en Vert.

Shop Pico.

Discover our ultimate underwear guide for more.

Bras

Support the planet and its people while, you know, supporting yourself. Whether you’re looking for simple designs or fancy fabrics, bras that suit your tastes and values definitely exist, and this list proves it.

Underprotection

Rated: Good
woman of colour wearing lacy teal ethical bra from underprotection

Underprotection is a Danish brand combining ethics and aesthetics, creating underwear, loungewear, and swimwear from lower-impact materials like organic cotton. All of its packaging, paper, and polybags are either recycled or biodegradable, and it only works with certified factories as it believes “fair working conditions and fair wages are human rights”. Underprotection exists to celebrate women of all kinds, and its goal is to make them feel as beautiful and comfortable as possible.

You can find the full range in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Underprotection.

1 People

Rated: Good
person in white bra and underwear by 1 people

1 People is a Danish-designed lifestyle and luxury brand. It blends Scandinavian colour palettes and minimalist design to create effortlessly elegant collections for the conscious-minded. Its pieces are thoughtfully crafted by small family-run manufacturers using lower-impact and certified materials.

Find the collection in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop 1 People.

Shop 1 People @ Cerqular.

Araks

Rated: Good

Araks is a lingerie, swimwear, and sleepwear brand that offers delicate pieces made from luxurious Italian fabrics.

Find pieces in sizes 2XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Araks.

Shop Araks @ Rêve en Vert.

HARA

Rated: Good

HARA specialises in organic bamboo cotton underwear and loungewear, with its vibrant colours achieved naturally using turmeric, indigo and madder root plant-based dyes.

HARA bras are inclusively sized from XS-5XL.

See the rating.

Shop HARA The Label.

Luva Huva

Rated: Good

Natural beauty has never been so sexy. Luva Huva (pronounced lover huva) offers comfortable lingerie with elegant style. It uses environmentally friendly fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, soy, remnant material, and vintage lace.

Luva Huva’s pieces are handmade in the UK, and are available in custom sizing.

See the rating.

Shop Luva Huva.

Pantee

Rated: Good

Offers

models wearing pantee clothing

Pantee – Site-wide

More sustainably created. From underwear to wardrobe staples, we’ve combined comfort, quality and sustainability to create the world’s least basic basics. Exclusive 20% off with code PANTEE20 (First order only. Sale items excluded.) (Ends: 2 AUG)

Checkout code: PANTEE20
Shop now

Pantee is a women's underwear brand based in the UK with a focus on comfort. The brand incorporates a high proportion of lower-impact materials including recycled materials, and its limited production run minimises textile waste.

Find bras and undies in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Pantee.

WAMA

Rated: Good

WAMA is pioneering the hemp clothing industry with premium hemp underwear. It uses a high proportion of more responsible materials including organic cotton and hemp, and is a PETA approved vegan company.

Find the range in inclusive sizes XS-4XL.

See the rating.

Shop WAMA.

The Very Good Bra

Rated: Good

The Very Good Bra is an Australian womenswear label that houses lingerie and other basics for the modern woman.

Find most bras in cup sizes A-E, and clothes in S-L.

See the rating.

Shop The Very Good Bra.

NICO

Rated: Good
woman wearing grey nico underwear bra

Established in 2012 by Lis Harvey, NICO celebrates minimalism and understated luxury. The brand brings high quality basics and underwear to the Australian fashion landscape, featuring clean lines, luxe fabrics, and the styles and colours needed for everyday. NICO’s factories are signatories to The Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Accord and are compliant with BSCI and certified with WRAP.

Find the range in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop NICO.

Miakoda

Rated: Good

If you’re all about that organic plant-based lifestyle, then you’ll most certainly vibe with NYC-made brand Miakoda and its organic, ultra-cosy active and loungewear. Its pieces include stripped-back colours and designs that are all about comfort.

Supportive of different shapes and sizes, find the range in XS-4XL.

See the rating.

Shop Miakoda.

Shop Miakoda @ Wearwell.

Read more in our ultimate bra guide.

Socks + stockings

Interested in combining comfort, style, and ethics as you walk through life? Put your best foot forward with these excellent options.

Conscious Step

Rated: Good

Conscious Step creates premium fair trade, organic vegan socks and clothes which support great charities. The US brand is committed to lasting social and environmental change and every step it takes in its production process supports farms and factories with fair wages, safe facilities, and lower-impact materials.

The socks come in S-L sizes, and the clothes in 2XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Conscious Step.

Swedish Stockings

Rated: Good
Someone lay down on their side dressed in white basic top, sheer stockings by Swedish Stockings.

Swedish Stockings creates high quality, responsibly made stockings, knee highs, tights, socks, and pantyhose. The brand also offers a recycling program to help clean up the hosiery industry—if you send in three or more pairs of synthetic pantyhose from any brand, you'll receive a 10% discount code to use next time you purchase Swedish Stockings.

Find the perfect pair in sizes XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Swedish Stockings.

Shop Swedish Stockings @ Urbankissed.

Harvest & Mill

Rated: Great
Harvest & Mill sustainable socks pack in ivory

Harvest & Mill pieces are grown, milled, and sewn exclusively in the US, supporting American organic cotton farmers and local sewing communities. The brand makes basics for everyone, always ensuring they are not dyed or bleached, greatly reducing the use of water, energy, and dye materials. Even better, by cultivating different varieties of cotton, the brand is able to bolster biodiversity, which is essential for ensuring healthy ecosystems and keeping our planet resilient in the face of climate change.

Shop the range in sizes S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Harvest & Mill.

Neem

Rated: Good
two images of Optimistic socks in 3 colours by Neem

Neem is a menswear brand that looks to make clothing waste good again. From the UK, Neem exists to produce men's clothing that has been made with care, a result of a transparent supply chain with the safeguarding of our environment as the focus.

Find most items in sizes S-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Neem.

Shop Neem @ The Revivas.

Check out our ultimate socks guide.

Pyjamas

We spend a huge amount of our time in bed—make the most of it with these cute and more responsible sleepwear brands.

Beaumont Organic

Rated: Good
woman wearing white organic cotton nigtie by beaumont organic

Beaumont Organic is a UK-based slow fashion brand that blends simple style with responsible production practices. Founded by Hannah Beaumont-Laurencia, the brand also has its own charitable foundation which supports people in Fiji.

Find the range in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop Beaumont Organic.

Threads 4 Thought

Rated: Good

Threads 4 Thought uses a range of lower-impact materials including TENCEL™ Modal harvested from the limbs of beech trees. This process means that the trees are never cut down and 95% of the production materials to make the yarn are recovered and reused. The brand's manufacturers are a combination of Fair Trade USA certified and Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production certified.

Find the range in sizes XS-XL, with an extended sizing range up to 3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Threads 4 Thought.

I was a Sari

Rated: Good

I was a Sari is an Indian brand bringing traditional styles into the modern age. Used saris and deadstock fabrics become vibrant products that are sold worldwide.

Find pieces in sizes S-L.

See the rating.

Shop I was a Sari.

Printfresh

Rated: Good
Someone wearing PJ sets by Printfresh.

US-based Printfresh was founded in 2016 by textile designer and fashion entrepreneur Amy Voloshin and her husband (and business partner) Leo Voloshin. A majority woman-owned business, Printfresh is a collection of sleepwear, apparel, and lifestyle items inspired by plants, animals, and home décor.

Find Printfresh pieces in sizes 2XS-6XL.

See the rating.

Shop Printfresh.

BJ’s PJs

Rated: Good
Women wearing BJ's PJs

Australia-based BJ's PJs was founded with the mission to create minimal, comfortable, and supportive lounge and sleepwear using lower impact materials. It manufactures its garments locally to reduce the impact of shipping, and traces most of its supply chain.

Find its clothes in sizes XS - 4XL.

See the rating.

Shop BJ's PJs.

ettitude

Rated: Good

Sleepwear and bedding made with innovative CleanBamboo™ fabric, engineered for comfort. This Australian brand reuses offcuts to minimise textile waste, and reduces its water use by using a closed-loop system in its supply chain.

Find most clothing in S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop ettitude.

Sorella Organics

Rated: Good

Australian brand Sorella’s certified organic sleepwear range includes tops, pants, wraps, nighties, as well as maternity wear. The label’s founder Anna McGregor has a background in international human rights work. This is obvious with her use of Fairtrade certified cotton, and it ensures strict social standards are met in production and trading. Best of all, purchasing the clothing won’t make you cry over your bank balance.

Find the range in sizes S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Sorella Organics.

Our ultimate pyjamas guide has plenty more options.

T-shirts

The simple t-shirt is one of the items worn most often in many people’s wardrobes, so it pays to invest in well made option from a better brand.

The Good Tee

Rated: Great
people wearing organic black and white t-shirts by The Good Tee

Canadian brand The Good Tee is on a mission to be a positive example of responsibly made basics for the whole family, and strives to humanise the fashion industry by producing Fairtrade, GOTS certified fashion, tracing its entire supply chain, and auditing suppliers.

Find its range in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop The Good Tee.

Yes Friends

Rated: Great

Yes Friends is a UK-based fashion brand that creates more affordable clothing for everyone. Yes Friends' first product, classic cut t-shirts, cost less than £4 to make and the brand only charges £7.99. Using large scale production and direct to consumer margins means Yes Friends can charge you an affordable price for its more responsible clothing.

Find the range inclusively sized in 2XS-4XL.

See the rating.

Shop Yes Friends.

Honest Basics

Rated: Good
woman wearing basic white t-shirt by honest basics

Honest Basics is a GOTS-certified basics brand based in Germany. It's on a mission to make more sustainable fashion accessible to everyone, by keeping prices low, making quality basics that everyone has in their wardrobe, and constantly improving the sustainability of its products and supply chain.

The range is available in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Honest Basics.

MATE the Label

Rated: Good
woman of colour wearing mustard sustainably produced tshirt from mate the label

MATE the Label creates clean essentials made with GOTS certified organic fabrics and lower-impact dyes. Its goal is to offer women everywhere a clean product that is just as beautiful as it is responsible. It is proudly female-founded and is predominately operated by women. This US brand also manufactures locally to reduce its carbon footprint.

Find the range in inclusive sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop MATE the Label.

FRANC

Rated: Good

FRANC is a Canadian brand that makes basics so you can enjoy a complete wardrobe built on timeless essentials. The brand ranks "Good" on all fronts: it uses lower-impact materials, traces and visits its supply chain, and uses no animal products.

Find most products in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop FRANC.

tentree

Rated: Good
woman wearinf basic sustainable tentree t-shirt

Canadian brand tentree believes big change starts small. Small as in bringing your reusable bag to the grocery store, making fewer, more thoughtful purchases, and choosing to purchase more sustainably when you do. The brand plants ten trees for every item purchased to help regenerate ecosystems and provide planting jobs in communities around the world, and has already planted over 65 million trees.

All tentree’s products are created with an Earth-First approach, meaning they're made in fair, safe working conditions, and constructed using lower-impact and recycled materials.

tentree’s super comfy fabrics and easy wardrobe staples are typically available from XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop tentree.

Citizen Wolf

Rated: Good

Citizen Wolf uses revolutionary technology to give you high quality custom-fit t-shirts that it guarantees will be the best you’ve ever worn. After capturing your customisations, the brand handmakes each tee in Sydney using certified lower-impact fabrics like cotton, hemp, and Merino wool milled in Melbourne.

See the rating.

Shop Citizen Wolf.

Fair Indigo

Rated: Great

Fair Indigo is a US-based brand that creates more sustainable clothing not only for the planet, but for the human beings involved in your clothing's journey from the cotton farms to your closet. Instead of racing to the bottom, it is aspiring to the top.

Its premium quality organic clothing collections are available in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Fair Indigo.

Dorsu

Rated: Great
man of colour wearing ethical slogan tee by sustainable brand dorsu

Based in Cambodia, Dorsu creates everyday basics and key signature favourites that form the core of any conscious wardrobe.

You can find the full range in XS-XL.

See the rating.

Shop Dorsu.

Opera Campi

Rated: Good

Founded in 2017, Italian brand Opera Campi creates premium quality garments from locally-sourced raw materials. By using a balanced approach to sustainability, the brand makes conscious choices throughout its supply chain and donates 4% of its profits to social causes.

The brand is inclusively sized from 3XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Opera Campi.

Happy Earth

Rated: Good
People in lower-impact clothing by Happy Earth.

Happy Earth Apparel is a US organic clothing brand that is inspired by nature and dedicated to preserving it. Through its partnerships with non-profits and Happy Earth ambassadors, it's planting trees, fighting climate change, and cleaning up trash.

Find most items in sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop Happy Earth.

CARPASUS

Rated: Good
three men smiling in their eco friendly men's shirts by CARPASUS

CARPASUS is a Swiss menswear brand that makes fine shirts, ties, socks, and pocket squares. CARPASUS uses GOTS certified cotton and manufactures locally to reduce its carbon footprint. It also traces its supply chain and ensures workers are paid a living wage.

Find most products in EU sizes 36-46.

See the rating.

Shop CARPASUS.

Toad&Co

Rated: Good
back views of person in red knit sweater and blue jeans, person in checked shirt and white jeans, and person in cream and striped long cardigan and skinny blue jeans by Toad&Co walking with linked arms

Toad&Co is a US brand that creates more socially and environmentally-committed womenswear and menswear that is equally suited for the rigours of the trail or the tavern.

Most items are available in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Toad&Co.

Shop Toad&Co @ Wearwell.

The Classic T-Shirt Company

Rated: Good

The Classic T-Shirt Company is a US brand that creates premium, responsibly made t-shirts with luxury and integrity. All of its products are made from GOTS certified organic cotton and it doesn't use any animal-derived materials.

The Classic T-Shirt Company’s range is available in US sizes XS-3XL.

See the rating.

Shop The Classic T-Shirt Company.

Colorful Standard

Rated: Good

Colorful Standard is a Danish clothing brand that makes organic fashion essentials for men and women. The brand doesn't care much for seasons or trends, instead, it creates timeless and long-lasting products to avoid the downward spiral that is over-consumption.

Find most items in sizes XS-2XL.

See the rating.

Shop Colorful Standard.

BAM Bamboo Clothing

Rated: Good

Offers

BAM Clothing – Menswear (US, CA, EU, UK, AU, NZ)

Discover BAM's men's clothing and get up to 50% off selected menswear items. (Ends: 25 JUL)

Shop now

BAM Clothing – Womenswear (US, CA, EU, UK, AU, NZ)

Discover BAM's women's clothing and get up to 50% off selected womenswear items. (Ends: 25 JUL)

Shop now
Woman wearing BAM Bamboo clothing

BAM Bamboo Clothing – Site-wide (US, CA, EU, UK, AU, NZ)

Discover a more sustainable selection of luxurious womenswear and menswear basics, ethically crafted from bamboo and recycled fabrics. Up to 50% off womenswear (US, CA, EU, UK, AU, NZ) (Ends: 25 JUL)

Shop now

UK-based BAM Bamboo Clothing makes womenswear and menswear basics from bamboo, and rates “Good” for people, the planet, and animals. The brand traces most of its supply chain and also offers clothing recycling to consumers to help address end-of-life textile waste.

Find most items in sizes XS-L.

See the rating.

Shop BAM Bamboo Clothing.

Nui Organics

Rated: Good
Someone with children dressed in tops and bottoms by Nui Organics.

Nui Organics was founded on a culture of consciousness, community, and intentional design. It creates high-quality, lower-impact Merino wool and organic clothing for families in timeless styles.

Find sizes for children aged 0-12 years, and XS-2XL for adults.

See the rating.

Shop Nui Organics.

Discover more ethical and sustainable basics from better brands on the Good On You directory.

Editor's note

Feature image via Naja, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world's most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

We updated this article on 9 July 2024. Our editors frequently make updates to articles to ensure they're up to date. We refreshed our selection of brands to ensure we've got top picks from brands with recent ratings.

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