Bamboo underwear is a trendy clothing option that many women swear by. The fabric is soft, breathable and doesn’t ride up. It also helps reduce sweating and odor.
But, is it really sustainable? And how does it get made? Bamboo is not as eco-friendly as it is made out to be.
Ham & Sam
Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world and can regenerate itself without needing to be re-planted. It also doesn’t need pesticides and generates 30% more oxygen than trees do. This makes it a great option for eco-friendly underwear. These comfy knickers from Warm Sun are made from 95% bamboo viscose and 5% spandex. They’re GOTS-approved and available in sizes from small to quintuple extra-large (5XL).
These bamboo underwear for women are thin, breathable, soft and stretchy. They’re also OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 approved and certified to ISO 14001. They’re also a steal at under £9.
Cariloha
Cariloha makes bamboo underwear for women that is comfortable and soft. The company uses natural plant dyes and ethical production processes. Their products are recommended to be hand-washed with cold water and fragrance-free soap. They are also biodegradable and free of harmful chemicals.
Their carbon heather athletic crew takes your workout to the next level with their stretchy, breathable bamboo blend. The viscose-from-bamboo fabric naturally wicks moisture away from the body and is odor and allergy resistant.
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Hara
The Australian label Hara specialises in knickers that are comfy, long-lasting and lower-impact. They make bralettes, boxers and trunks with a focus on sustainable fabric production and ethical business practices.
Bamboo underwear gets a lot of love because it’s super soft, absorbent, warm in winter and cool in summer, plus it’s naturally antibacterial and odour-eliminating. It also requires a third of the water and no pesticides to grow.
However, bamboo underwear isn’t always a sustainable option. Once they’re processed into fabric, bamboo underwear ends up being made of viscose rayon which isn’t a great choice from a sustainability perspective.
Boody
Boody’s signature bamboo viscose fabric is cooling, breathable and hypoallergenic. They also use a closed-loop water system, non-toxic solvents and recycled polyester for their linings. Their factories are WRAP-certified and they’re a B Corp business. They also provide extended sizing for their feminine styles, up to 4XL.
Their full briefs offer stretchy seam-free comfort that won’t creep, roll or sag. They’re made from EcoCert certified organic bamboo that is kind to skin and the planet. They’re anti-fungal, anti-static and moisture-wicking. They also have a flat waistband that sits well and doesn’t dig in.
BAM
We’ve all seen “bamboo panties” bandied about in the sustainable clothing world, but they don’t exactly exist. When bamboo fiber is processed into fabric, it becomes rayon or viscose—which bears little resemblance to those swanky-sounding underwear claiming to be made of bamboo.
The women’s bamboo knickers by BAM are soft and comfortable, thermo-regulating and help keep you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. They also reduce sweating and unpleasant odors, are hypoallergenic and antibacterial. Plus, they don’t have those sharp edges that can cut into the skin like cheaper underwear.
Wealurre
Wealurre’s high waisted bamboo panties are made from a soft and comfortable blend of bamboo viscose, cotton and spandex. They’re a great choice for everyday wear and boast impressive Amazon reviews.
The company uses organically sourced and certified fabric to create their women’s bamboo underwear. They’re easy to care for and can be machine washed on a cold or warm setting. They also dry fast and can be thrown in the dryer on a low/cool setting for a few moments to keep them feeling fresh.
While bamboo gets off to a promising start in terms of sustainability, it’s when the fiber is turned into fabric where it starts to fall off the sustainable rails. Most often, it becomes rayon or viscose.
Thought
We’ve all seen bamboo panties bandied about in the sustainable fashion world, but it turns out that they don’t really exist. When bamboo fiber is processed into fabric, it becomes rayon or viscose and has little resemblance to those panties that are lauded as eco-friendly.
However, bamboo linen is a better option as it’s made through a more sustainable process. It also uses fewer chemicals and is super soft. That said, hemp is even greener as it doesn’t require pesticides to grow and regenerates itself so does not need to be replanted.