Sprout Organics (monthly pants subscription boxes!)

Sprout Organic has colourful options for women. From sustainable fabric in India, then made in a workshop in East Sussex by the sea. All scraps are repurposed and items are sent in zero waste packaging. Trim colours depend on the leftover fabric available.

You can subscribe to the pant subscription box to order a fresh pair every month. Or just enter ‘three pants’ at checkout to get a discount. Choose from knickers, high-waisted knickers or unisex boxers.  Plus there are unisex pants for children.

Unless you commando (!), you likely wear some kind of knickers, briefs or boxer shorts. But most brands on sale (even the holy grail of M & S) are made from cheap polyester and nylon (plastic). These are not just bad for the planet (and leach microplastics from washing machines into the sea). But also don’t let your skin breathe.

And to put it politely, wearing plastic near your nether regions is not just uncomfortable, but also likely to make you sweat more. And you don’t want a sweaty crotch in hot weather, it’s just not the done thing!

Only a few brands offer 100% organic cotton undies (no elastane). These are best for the planet, but only in plain colours at present.

For these and others, invest in a microfiber filter (which you can to launder all synthetics, then you catch the microplastics to be sent off for recycling, and get empty cartridges in return). 

Having said that, wouldn’t it be a better country if people switched to more sustainable brands? It would send a strong message on the kind of clothing industry we want. All the following brands are also made ethically and sent in plastic-free packaging.

The bras are suitable for breastfeeding as the cups slide to the side. They are made to order, so you can request shorter or longer straps, or even one cup a different sizes to the other.

How to measure your bra size

• Place a tape measure under your breast, and take the reading on a gentle exhale. This is your band size.
• Measure the fullest part of your bust (if you have big boobs, bend forward for a more accurate measurement). You can even take a measure laying on your back, if preferred. This is your bust size.
• Then use an online chart to do the maths (removing one figure from the other, will give you the cup size).

Then it’s a case of trying on different bras, as different stores have different fits:

• If the band rides up, try a smaller band.
• If it digs in, go up a band.
• If your cup spilleth over (!), go up a cup size.

Then remeasure if you gain or lose weight or are pregnant/breastfeeding.

Where to recycle your old bras

You can old bras (even torn or worn) into textile banks. From there, the fabric gets shredded and turned into industrial products like carpet insulation.

Sustainable undies for children

ECOOutfitters (which makes organic school uniforms) offers organic cotton underwear for girls and boys. Including briefs and boxer shorts for girls and boys.

Where to recycle your old undies!

You likely know that underwear cannot be returned once bought for hygiene reasons. And for the same reason, you can’t donate it to charity shops. But you can drop old pairs (even torn or worn) into textile banks. From there, the fabric gets shredded and turned into industrial products like carpet insulation.