Let’s get something off our chest: even underwire-free bras made from conventional synthetic materials are anything but comfy for our bodies or the environment which is why we’re here for the sustainable bra brands offering natural fiber bras that are ethically made and uplift their makers as much as our girls.
To find the best bra brands that also lighten the environmental and social load, we looked for those that use sustainable materials, keep a close eye on their supply chain, embed green business practices in all they do and support their community in some way. These make for both the most conscious and comfortable bra outfits.
Note: Our brand rating system assesses brands based on multiple sustainability-related criteria, including things like product safety, chemical use and biodiversity impact. Brands need to opt in to be rated. Look out for rated brands below and find others in our directory.
We independently research all featured brands, and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. We explain this further in our Terms of Use.
The Best Ethical Bra Brands That Are More Than Just Aesthetics
The Very Good Bra’s underwear has the best end-of-life story we’ve ever covered. They offer the only bras (that we know of) that can be fully composted at the end of life. The Very Good Bra is one of our top rated brands.
JulieMay’s bras come highly rated by their customers. They are made predominantly from organic cotton and peace silk and are made in a factory in Hong Kong that is exclusive to JulieMay. JulieMay has been extensively rated and reviewed by us here.
Subset’s bras are made with mostly organic cotton in a Fair Trade-certified factory. Our fave we’ve been wearing for many months (the Keyhole bralette) offers all the support without wires and residual toxins.
Index: Sustainable Bras From Ethical Bra Brands
- The Very Good Bra Jump to brand
- JulieMay Jump to brand
- Subset Jump to brand
- Cosabella Jump to brand
- Pact Jump to brand
- WAMA Jump to brand
- Etalon Jump to brand
- Girlfriend Collective Jump to brand
- Branwyn Jump to brand
The Very Good Bra
Circular
All or some products are circular in nature - such that no part of the product needs to end up in landfill at the end of its life
Compostable
All or some products are compostable, either in an industrial facility or at home
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.
Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxic
Organic
Products are made from organic materials.
PFAS Free
Products have been tested and verified to be free of PFAS
Plastic-free
All products are entirely plastic-free
Small business
This brand is a small business run by less than 15 people
Sustainable Materials or Ingredients
Either all or most products are made with sustainable materials or ingredients.
Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.
Traceable Supply Chain
Brand is able to fully trace their entire supply chain from end to end.
Vegan
This brand does not use any animal products or by-products in their products
Woman Owned
This brand is owned by a woman or a group of women.
Zero Waste
Products are made with a low or zero waste approach where ideally no or limited waste is created throughout the production process or at the end of life.
B Corp
BCSI
GOTS
OEKO-TEX®
SMETA
WRAP
B Corp
The B Corp Certification, administered by the nonprofit B Lab, recognizes companies that meet high standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Certified B Corps balance profit with purpose, committing to responsible practices that benefit workers, communities, customers, and the planet while embedding sustainability into their business model.BCSI
The amfori BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative) is a leading supply chain management system that helps companies improve social performance in global manufacturing. It provides a common Code of Conduct and regular third-party audits to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, ethical labor practices, and respect for workers’ rights across all tiers of the supply chain.GOTS
The GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification is the world’s leading standard for organic fibers. It covers every step of production, from harvesting raw fibers to environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing, and prohibits toxic dyes, GMOs, and harmful chemicals. GOTS also enforces fair labor practices.OEKO-TEX®
The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification ensures that every component of a textile product (threads, buttons, zippers, and fabrics) has been independently tested for harmful substances. Managed by the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology, it guarantees products are safe for human health, meeting strict global limits for chemicals such as pesticides, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and PFAS.SMETA
The SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) certification and platform help businesses manage and improve ethical performance across their supply chains. Companies that participate in SEDEX use the SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) framework to assess and report on labor rights, health and safety, environmental practices, and business ethics.WRAP
The WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) certification ensures that manufacturing facilities operate safely, ethically, and lawfully. Focused primarily on the apparel, footwear, and sewn products industries, WRAP audits factories against 12 core principles covering labor rights, health and safety, environmental compliance, and legal operations.The Very Good Bra has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.
For a cosy bra outfit or a stylish black bra aesthetic, The Very Good Bra makes, well, a very good bra—for everyone involved. Inspired by her fight with breast cancer, Stephanie Devine started a Kickstarter for the world’s first compostable bra, which became an overnight viral sensation with over 350% of her goal raised.
You’ll find a wide range of some of the best organic bras featuring absolutely everything compostable—down to the custom-made hook and eyepieces, natural rubber elastic, GOTS-certified dyes, and soy ink labels, with the only wire in site being a small separating V-wire in the front.
Their bras are sold in three categories—organic cotton, TENCEL™, and organic cotton nursing bras, which are are sold through pre-sale orders to minimize textile waste.
JulieMay
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.
Handcrafted
Products have been made by hand, typically by an artisan or group of artisans.
Inclusive
Brand offers a range of products that are considered inclusive to a wider group of people.
Minority Owned
Brand is owned by Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color.Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxicOrganic
Products are made from organic materials.PFAS Free
Products have been tested and verified to be free of PFASSmall business
This brand is a small business run by less than 15 peopleThoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.Woman Owned
This brand is owned by a woman or a group of women.
Allergy UK
GOTS
Allergy UK
Reviewed or tested and approved by Allergy Research Ltd. May be more comfortable for people living with allergies.GOTS
The GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification is the world’s leading standard for organic fibers. It covers every step of production, from harvesting raw fibers to environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing, and prohibits toxic dyes, GMOs, and harmful chemicals. GOTS also enforces fair labor practices.JulieMay has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.
Winner of the London Prestige Award for Lingerie Brand of the Year, JulieMay crafts its intimates from GOTS-certified organic Pima cotton and mulberry peace silk.
Designed for sensitive skin, their hypoallergenic bra collection is certified by Allergy UK and combines softness, comfort, and performance in consciously made styles.
You can shop their range of bras by category which includes comfort, non wired, back support / sports, post surgery, skin tone, front fastening and bralettes.
Models of all ages, races, shapes, and sizes showcase their bras, which is available in over 30 bra sizes (30B–40G, plus 42DD) and UK sizes 8–18 for panties and bralettes.
JulieMay is offering Sustainable Jungle readers 10% off with this code: SUSTAINABLEJUNGLE10.
Subset
Subset has not been rated.
Price Range: $48–$62
Originally known as Knickey, NYC-based Subset’s evolution is the result of founders Cayla O’Connell Davis and Lauren Sagadore, who bring a decade-plus of supply chain and sustainability experience in their mission to the world of organic underwear. They now bring customers back to the (salubrious) basics by reinvigorating everyday essentials like sustainable bralettes and bras with healthy 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton that offer as much function as they do form.
They sell four different wireless cotton bra outfits: The Triangle, The Keyhole, The Scoop, and The Tank, all offered in 8 brilliantly-hued colors. For those with traditional bra straps, they feature 83% recycled nylon and 17% elastane; the hook-and-eye closures for the Keyhole and Triangle bras are 92% recycled nylon and 8% elastane.
If your Tatas like transparency as much as they like sustainable materials (like ours do!), then you’ll be thankful Subset supplies it in DD with their Indian factory workers who receive living wages and healthy and safe working conditions via Fair Trade certification.
All of their intimates (and those from literally any brand) can be sent back for recycling via their circularity program.
My Personal Review of Subset’s Keyhole Bralette:
“You could say the Keyhole bralette is a key piece to my wardrobe. Full (monty) disclosure: I tend to go braless most days, but if I do wear a top where I need one, this organic cotton bra is perfect. It’s slim, non-bulky, easy to hide in even a skimpy shirt, and while there’s no underwire present, it still offers plenty of support (with zero irritation even when I’m climbing or bouldering)—at least for an A-cup like me!”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Cosabella
Cosabella has not been rated.
Price Range: $70–$200
Cosabella means “beautiful thing” in Italian. The regular-and-plus-size lingerie brand does just that, combining Italian craftsmanship and quality materials to create a stunning aesthetic of underwire bras, intimates, sleepwear, and loungewear—and they’ve been doing it for 35 years.
Their high-quality and highly size-inclusive styles come in a full range of feminine, timeless designs: bralettes, underwired, t-shirt, strapless, racerback, and other bras. While the majority use synthetic fabrics like polyamide and elastane, some use cotton and modal for the main body.
Cosabella’s ethically-made bras are crafted in small, family-run workshops scattered across Italy. Taking a slow fashion approach to their garment creation, some of the manufacturing processes date back to the Renaissance period. Natural dyes are used to create the colors, and past collections have featured the use of recycled synthetics that we hope make a return.
Pact
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxicOrganic
Products are made from organic materials.Sustainable Materials or Ingredients
Either all or most products are made with sustainable materials or ingredients.Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.Vegan
This brand does not use any animal products or by-products in their products
Fair Trade
GOTS
Fair Trade
The Fair Trade certification ensures that products are made according to rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards that protect workers and the planet. Overseen by organizations such as Fair Trade USA and Fairtrade International, it guarantees fair wages, safe working conditions, environmental sustainability, and community development funds, helping producers build more equitable and resilient supply chains.GOTS
The GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification is the world’s leading standard for organic fibers. It covers every step of production, from harvesting raw fibers to environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing, and prohibits toxic dyes, GMOs, and harmful chemicals. GOTS also enforces fair labor practices.Price Range: $31–$47
Make a pact to nourish your body AND Mama Earth thanks to Pact, who make some of the most popular organic cotton bras. Dubbed Earth’s Favorite™ clothing company for good reason, the SimpliZero-measured carbon neutral, Fair Trade, and GOTS-certified organic cotton brand is long a fan-favorite of ours for everything from eco-friendly t-shirts, bra outfits and bra-yond.
Their range of natural fiber material bras are all entirely underwire-free and made from 95% organic cotton with minimal elastane, grown and produced in India with Fair Trade farms and factories. They come in eight different styles, ranging from bralettes to t-shirt bras to camisoles and cotton sports bras.
When you’re finished with garments, their gently used bras (along with any brand of old clothes you don’t want) can be donated to their Give Back Box and they’ll donate them to those in need.
My Personal Review of Pact’s On the Go-To Rib Crop Tank:
“It’s no wonder we’re supportive (pun intended) of Pact’s comfy organic bras! This 91% GOTS-certified organic cotton, 9% elastane, and Fair Trade certified natural bra proves true to its name as one of the comfiest bra-meets-crop tank tops I’ve ever had on the go. Its supportive, breathable fibers wick sweat away naturally and the cut is perfect, landing just below the ribcage and hugging nicely around the underarms.
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
My Personal Review of Pact’s Lace Cup Bralette:
“I’ve been wearing their Bralette for over 18 months at the time of writing this review. I find it a highly functional piece of underwear, though I found the cups superfluous and they came out pretty quick in the wash. The lace provides a little bit of something special which is a nice change from my usual very basic collection of underwear. Though it’s hard to know specifically what the lace is made of from the website – I’m not sure if it is organic cotton like the rest of the underwear (or the 5% elastane) as it feels very different.”
Review by Joy McConnochie, SJ’s Co-founder
WAMA
WAMA has not been rated.
Price Range: $48
For an understated black bra aesthetic you can’t beat LA-based WAMA. They protect both our planet and our privates with hemp underwear, which are naturally anti-bacterial, very durable, breathable, and comfortable (in other words, ideal for up and down there). Hemp is a low impact material because it grows quickly, improves soil health, and doesn’t use pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides.
The brand partners with small, organic family farms in China for their hemp and uses factories that are BSCI-certified or WRAP-certified. All workers are supported with fair wages, quality work environments, and a WAMA team member on-site to ensure the standards of their Code of Conduct are met.
Additionally, WAMA also has products dyed in OEKO-TEX 100-certified factories, plus they’re PETA-approved, Green America-certified, and proud members of the National Hemp Association.
For your lady bits up top, they offer two bra styles—a triangle bralette for more casual wear and a racerback bralette to complete your ethical activewear ensemble. While they aren’t 100% hemp bras, fortunately they’re 53% hemp, 44% organic cotton, and a spot of spandex (3%) for some stretch that supports both you and our Earth.
Etalon
Etalon has not been rated.
Price Range: $190
Founded by pilates instructor Kristina Rudzinskaya after she noticed “that poor posture was quickly becoming a modern-day epidemic”, especially among desk workers, Etalon provides one of the world’s first posture-supporting bras. It’s developed and backed by leading US Orthopedists, made entirely from recycled rPET, and sponsors the collection of a pound of trash for every bra sold—enough to make five more bras.
The mostly woman-run brand operates from Marin Country, CA, and uses a woman-owned factory in Vietnam for manufacturing. Along with a Sedex membership, Etalon’s factory is SA8000-certified and BSCI-certified. Their poly mailers are made of 100% recycled plastic to commit fully to sustainability at the core of what they do… while their bras help women support the core of their bodies.
Available in two different models, the Etalon 2.0 and the Etalon 2.0 Full Bust, both are Orthopedist-approved for posture enhancement and backed by over 37 clinical papers on the benefits of proper posture.
My Personal Review of Etalon’s Posture Bra 2.0:
“I’m definitely one of those guilty slouching desk workers, so I jumped at the chance to try this product. After several weeks of consistent wear at work, I definitely feel relief in my upper back, neck, and shoulder areas, as they advertise, and it provides good comfort and back alignment. I also really love the front zipper closure, which makes it super easy to strap on. Especially if you’re busty and that has previously caused problems, this is a conscious and comfortable option I will definitely be wearing for those days when I’m stuck behind my laptop.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Girlfriend Collective
Girlfriend Collective has not been rated.
Price Range: $42–$68
Back in 2017, Quang Dinh and his wife Ellie found there were no satisfactory choices for sustainable activewear on the market. So they made their own, and ever since, people have been gushing on Girlfriend Collective’s active and loungewear—which of course includes supportive, sport-ready ethical bras and bra tops made for all bodies and activities.
Besides ethically manufacturing everything in certified factories, sustainability features also include materials made from recycled plastic, the use of eco-friendly dyes and responsible water, community giving to worthy causes, recycled packaging materials, plus their popular takeback program, ReGirlfriend.
Their huge range of eco-friendly bras and bralettes are made with at least 77% rPET and all recycled plastic fabric is OEKO-TEX certified free of toxic chemicals, with GC instead opting for sustainable dyes. Additionally, all manufacturing partners have third-party certifications like WRAP or SA800.
My Personal Review of Girlfriend Collective’s Dylan Tank Bra:
“I adore their Dylan Tank Bra, a hybrid tank top meets sports bra that provides full coverage and support with a higher neckline and built-in support band, making it my go-to choice for workout days. Not only is this bra top very supportive, but the high neck is great just as a full-coverage shirt, so I happily wear it out and about without feeling like I’m walking around in a bra! I especially love the smooth, itch-free seams and buttery soft rPET fabric.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Branwyn
Branwyn has not been rated.
Price Range: $48–$75
When Branwyn designer Shawna couldn’t find performance innerwear made of natural fibers she really wanted to wear during exercise, she took it upon herself to develop it herself. The results are a line of RWS-certified ZQ Merino ethical wool-based intimates created after two years of research and development.
The Merino wool comes from ZQ sheep responsibly raised and shorn in New Zealand, the yarn is spun by Sudwolle, and their products are OEKO-TEX sustainably dyed, knitted seamlessly, and finished at a REACH-compliant factory in Istanbul, Turkey. With a bit of elastane included currently for stretch and give, the brand aims to have a product line that is 100% compostable by the end of 2025.
Currently, their natural material bras come in three styles: the Essential Bralette, Essential Busty Bra, and Essential Racerback Bra. All three have the same moisture-wicking, naturally breathable, and temperature-regulating Merino-blend fabric and come in a range of six earthy hues.
My Personal Review of Branwyn’s Essential Bralette:
“As the product name suggests, it’s more of a bralette than a bra but still fairly supportive. Perfect for those ladies with small chests like myself who normally prefer no bra at all and for whom regular sports bras are excessive. It’s comfortable, breathable, not itchy, and won’t ride up like I’ve found can happen with many other bralettes thanks to its ultra stretchy and fitting knit design. It also doesn’t lose shape or stretch after washing (and this has been through many loads over the last few months).”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
How We Found The Best Organic Bras
Sustainable fashion isn’t just what you see on the outside; what’s inside matters, too.
So, are your bras eco-friendly? Probably not. Traditional bras are often made from virgin synthetics—which can actually leach BPA into the body under heat and friction (looking at you, athletic bras). We don’t want fossil-fuel based fabrics or harsh chemicals in the fashion industry, and we certainly don’t want them near our private bits.
Removable pads may provide versatility, but what’s the benefit when we end up with a pile of synthetic foam and polyester taking up precious space in our growing landfills? This is why sustainable bras matter and why we used our sustainable and ethical fashion criteria to take a peek at what’s under these brands’ blouses.
Materials:
First, we look for healthy bras to wear made from sustainable materials and dyed using non-toxic, natural dyes.
So exactly what are sustainable bras made of?
The best sustainable bras which are near and dear to our hearts (literally) use organic materials like certified organic cotton, recycled cotton, hemp, and bamboo. These sustainable materials also make for compostable, zero-waste bras—provided you remove any metal clasps and components. While the average sustainable bra will still have a few synthetic components (hardware and spandex/elastase), we tried to stick to those with minimal percentages here.
Semi-synthetics from wood pulp (like TENCEL® lyocell and modal are also a more sustainable choice and if synthetic fabrics are used, they should be made from recycled materials (like rPET made from plastic bottles).
- Certifications: Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), PETA, OEKO-TEX, Fair Trade, Ecocert, SGS,
Supply chain and labor practices:
We’d prefer to have our tatas supported by an underwear brand that support their workers across the entire supply chain.
We look for transparent labor practices such as detailed reports of factories and workers, third-party certifications, regular audits, proof of fair pay, and the assurance of safe working conditions—ideally all of these things to ward off things like B Corp greenwashing.
- Certifications: Fair Trade, ISO-14001,Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), Certified B Corp, Sedex, Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI)
Green business practices:
Aside from bras made from sustainable fabrics, high-impact bras can be low-impact in everything else with things like carbon offset programs, recyclable/compostable packaging, traditional crafting techniques instead of machinery, and closed-loop processes.
Inclusivity:
We love when a range of bodies can be supported by sustainable fashion bras that fit well—and when diverse models are showing off those bras. Plus-size sustainable bras are especially important because larger breasts need support more than smaller ones. We want to see eco-friendly bras for a large bust, small bust, and every size in between!
Cheap sustainable bras (that don’t leave our planet with the bill) are a plus, too.
Community & charitable giving:
Bras may remain hidden underneath clothing, but it’s uplifting to see sustainable bra brands bearing all by sharing their role in a connected and supported community. We’re happy to report almost all of these brands give back—whether through 1% for the Planet, company grant funding, or projects to donate gently used clothes.
Final Thoughts On Organic Bra Brands
Finding a bra that makes you feel good—in your skin and your conscience—can be a task. Fortunately, these ethical sustainable bras make it easier.
Whether you’re after an extra boost or a barely-there bra, they’re using some of the world’s best sustainable materials to support you and the planet. As with any garment, we only recommend upgrading when you need to, as keeping things around is the best way to keep clothing sustainable. BUT if you’re one of the 80% of women reportedly wearing the wrong size bra, you’ll be excused for sizing up to a more comfortable sustainable bra.
Give us a boost by sharing this article with your bra-wearing buddies and help spread the word about the best sustainable bra brands for a low-impact lift.
Molly Willows is a Thailand-based writer for sustainability and purpose-driven publications and brands. She has a BA in Philosophy from the University of King’s College and an MA in Anthropology from Freie Universität Berlin. With a strong background in TV and advertising, she’s held top-tier roles such as Director and Executive Producer. Really, Molly loves being a semi-nomadic writer most of all. Today, she happily spends her days writing, researching, teaching yoga, meditating, and attempting to surf. Molly’s words are published by Huffington Post and The Guardian, and some of her previous film projects can be seen on Hulu, Apple TV, or at the iconic Onassis Stegi in Athens.
I truly love this list, I love these companies, I’m grateful they exist.
Also terribly disappointed that I still cannot find what I’m seeking. I’m 42DDD, and with neck/shoulder injuries, if I wear a bra with straps (that was its own jingle to wade through!), it has to be racer back. But you can’t find racer back in my size that doesn’t produce uniboob.
Which. I. Loathe.
Why is it so impossible to find this, in sustainable materials? Would love a complementary list that includes bras for those of us who aren’t all shaped right to rock a regular sports bra *without* enduring uniboob. 😥
What about all of us who are severely allergic to spandex/Lycra/etc?
Hi Gale, so annoying right, pretty much everything has spandex/lycra in it. Try The Very Good Bra on this list, they’re the only one I know of that are made from 100% natural materials.