Green Cotton

Growers of traditional, chemical dependent cotton would like us to believe that pesticide and fertilizer residue do not persist in the clothing we wear.  However, when gallons of chemicals are used on cotton plants – the oft-quoted ¾ pound of chemicals to grow enough cotton for one pair of jeans…not surprisingly some chemicals are absorbed by the cotton and then into our skin.

Is it possible to remove every trace of these toxic chemicals? And what effect do these chemicals have on our skin and bodies? While we know the answer the first question is yes, through the advent of certified organic cotton production and textile manufacturing, the latter remains to be answered. In the meantime, if you could eliminate harmful chemicals from any of the clothing you currently wear, which would you choose first?

Given the above information, I would have to choose intimates. Worn next to our most sensitive skin day and day out– bras, camisoles, underwear… well, they seem like a good place to start.

So here’s a round up of organic intimates: from the staples to the sublime

Faerie’s Dance carries plenty of well-priced basics. They have ethically sourced and manufactured hipsters, thongs, boyshorts and classic panties. Stock up on three-packs of bamboo/organic cotton panties here, plus a selection of bras and camisoles.

Rawganique’s is another good place to purchase basics. As well as panties, there are camisoles and a selection of bras like this lightweight gathered bra.  For guys, they carry hemp boxers, reportedly exceptionally soft and comfortable.

Ecoland’s soft bras and hipsters are undyed organic cotton, available in underwire and wireless styles. And for guys, Ecoland also offers men’s boxers and briefs.

Spirit of Nature, a UK based company, has a huge range, from basics, in bamboo and organic cotton, to silk, and even organic maternity and nursing bras.  They cater to men with boxer shorts too.

For something a little more special, Ciel make silk and cotton lingerie, like these lace-embellished boyshorts and matching cache coeur bra which are ethical with zero style sacrifice.

Ciel boyshorts featured above.

Enamore‘s organic silk bras, panties, camisoles, and bridal lingerie are sure to cause a sensation!

The Oko Box has custom-made vintage style undies, made from deadstock vintage and new organic fabrics, like these darling paper bag waist bloomers.

And speaking of bags… Triumph created a bra for the Japanese market which converts into a shopping bag. The bra’s padding unfolds into the bag, which is hooked together by the underwire. The No! Shopping Bag Bra is actually quite pretty, but I’m not sure I grasp the concept… undressing in the grocery store? It’s really designed to highlight the 30 million plastic shopping bags thrown away in Japan annually.

I’m staying with my conventional reusable shopping bags, and hoping that someone special will treat me to something from Stella McCartney’s organic lingerie collection!

Photo top: Stella McCartney’s lingerie collection

Post by Brit