Why It’s So Hard to Find Organic Cotton Underwear That’s Made in the USA (And the Best Brands!)

Did you know most underwear is made of plastic? 😬

Not only that, but they’re also almost always treated with chemicals that can have negative health effects.

With so many people struggling with things like infertility and chronic health issues these days, switching to non-toxic clothing when you can is a good idea.

And personally, I think underwear is a great place to start.

Not only is it one of the most affordable items in your wardrobe, but it also needs tends to need replacing most often. Plus, it’s right up against he most sensitive and absorbent parts of your body!

Now, if you want non-toxic and organic underwear that’s also made in the USA, that’s a bit harder to find. I’ll talk about the reasons why below.

The good news is that there are brands out there making their natural undies stateside. To save you a bunch of time and energy on research, I’m listing them for you below!

This guide contains product recommendations and we may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine! Featured image credit: KENT

These Are the Best Organic Cotton Underwear Brands That Are Made In USA

I know you’re probably here to get shopping, so I’ll get right to my list of brands. If you want to learn more about the what and why of buying organic and American-made underwear, just scroll down.

(P.S. For even more non-toxic underwear brands that are made around the world, click here.)

KENT

KENT’s skin-friendly underwear is made out of 100% GOTS organic pima cotton for the utmost breathability and comfort. They’re completely synthetic-free, which means no spandex, elastane, or toxic chemicals. This makes them a great options for individuals with sensitive skin.

They’re all made ethically in California AND they’re completely compostable, too!

Sizes: XS-3XL
Price Range: $24 – $144 (for a 7-pack)
Style Options: Bikini, hipster, high-waist brief, thong, men’s boxers, and more

Araks

Araks panties are made from 80% GOTS organic and 30% recycled cotton and come in a variety of gorgeous solid colors. While the organic cotton decreases the amount of pesticide used in the process, the use of recycled cotton decreases the overall ecological footprint of the panties and increases circularity.

Araks also works with a mill that uses solar power and zero wastewater, and prioritizes safe chemical management.

I love how they offer more feminine styles with little lace trimmings and cute colors.

Sizes: XS-XXL
Price Range: $20 (on sale) – $168 (3-pack)
Style Options: Classic bikini, hipster, thong, & others

Proclaim

Sizes: S-3X
Price Range: $24-$59
Style Options: Briefs, biker briefs, thongs, and bralettes

Proclaim offers women’s underwear and bralettes made from a blend of organic cotton and hemp, as well as TENCEL. Most styles also include a bit of spandex for stretch.

Proclaim manufactures locally and ethically, prioritize sustainable materials, and actively work to reduce waste, water consumption, and plastic. Plus, they’re committed to inclusivity, designing pieces for a diverse range of body types and skin tones.

All of their undies are made in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Jungmaven

These American-made undies are made out of a blend of organic cotton and hemp, with about 5% spandex for stretch. They come in a variety of different solid colors and are “Made with love in California”!

Sizes: XS-2X
Price Range: $40-48
Style Options: Bikini brief, high-waist brief, boy short, boxers, bralettes

Object Apparel

Object Apparels’ underwear is made by hand in Detroit, Michigan out of organic cotton (plus 5% spandex) and non-toxic, water-based dyes. They have a wide variety of sizes and styles so that you can get what’s most comfortable for you.

I love heir beautiful designs and fun patterns. They’re shipped to you in plastic-free packaging, too.

Sizes: XS-3XL
Price Range: $50-$60
Style Options: Regular briefs, high rise, boy shorts, boxer briefs

Rayne & Skye

These undies are made from a blend of OEKO-TEX certified organic cotton and soft TENCEL. They are definitely on the pricier side, but they’re worth it if you’re in the mood for a splurge.

They’re “handmade in the Northwoods of Wisconsin” and come in a variety of really gorgeous, nature-inspired colors.

Sizes: XS-XXL
Price Range: $28 – $78 (3-pack)
Style Options: Mid- and high-rise briefs, boy shorts

Even More American-Made Underwear Brands

If the above brands don’t float your boat, here are even more companies to choose from:

• BGreen: They have USA-made organic cotton underwear for both men and women. They use 90% organic cotton and 10% spandex.

• Blue Canoe: Made in America from start to finish. Made out of a blend of organic cotton, organic bamboo, and a small amount of spandex. You can find some of their pieces on Amazon.

• Brook There: Their organic cotton is milled and dyed in California, then the fabric is shipped to a factory in a small Massachusetts mill town where their small team cuts and sews each piece. Made primarily out of GOTS organic cotton + a small amount of spandex. Sizes XS-2X.

• City Threads: They mostly offer underwear for girls and boys, with one option for men as well. They are mostly made in Los Angeles and use 100% organic cotton and low-impact dyes. Buy on Amazon.

• Pansy: Their organic cotton is grown in Texas, milled in North Carolina, and then their underwear is designed and sewn locally in San Leandro, Novato, and Oakland, California. Made from 90% organic cotton, 10% recycled spandex, and non-toxic dyes.

• Rawganique: Here’s another brand that offers some options for both men & women. Some of them are made in the USA and others are made in Europe.

• Thunderpants: Cut and sewn in a women-owned, minimal-waste factory in Portland, Oregon. Made primarily of 90% Fair Trade certified New Zealand organic cotton, combined with 10% spandex. Sizes XS-3X.

Lastly, if you still can’t find what you’re looking for in terms of price range, style, or fit, than you might want to expand your search beyond the United States. Here are a bunch of other organic and non-toxic underwear brands that are made ethically around the world.

Underwear Made from Natural Fabric is Better For Your Health.

As I mentioned before, most underwear is made of plastic. Polyester, nylon, elastane, etc—it’s all plastic.

Synthetic clothing is not only a significant contributor to microplastic pollution, but we are just starting to learn how it may be a contributing factor to long-term disease. And whether it’s hormone-disrupting BPA or carcinogenic azo dyes, some of these chemical additives and contaminants have been shown to absorb through the skin and into the body as well.

Natural materials like cotton, hemp, wool, and plant-based dyes are not only better for you, but they’re better for the environment as a whole.

Now, I personally recommend going with organic cotton over conventional when you can, and there are a few reasons for this:

• Since it’s grown without toxic pesticides, organic is better for the environment (and therefore better for us in the long run).
• Organic cotton also tends to use less water and doesn’t strip the soil the way conventionally-grown crops do
• Brands that use organic cotton tend to also use less toxic dyes and have more transparent/ethical supply chains. (Although this is not always the case.)

That said, organic cotton underwear is generally more expensive than conventional. So, if you’re on a tight budget, regular cotton is still a pretty good option! I have not seen any compelling evidence that toxic pesticide residues end up in the final garment, so you shouldn’t have to worry too much about that.

One last quick note here: although some brands use 100% natural fibers, many underwear brands use a small percentage of spandex or elastane for stretch. This is so that the underwear actually fits and functions well throughout the whole day. I personally don’t have a problem with this. But of course, it’s up to you whether you’d prefer to go the 100% natural route or go with a little bit of stretch!

‘Made in the USA’ Is Not Automatically Better Than ‘Made in China’.

It’s an easy assumption to make that ‘Made in the USA’ automatically means the product is better than if it’s made somewhere else. If something is Made in the USA, that means it’s of higher-quality, right? It means it’s made ethically and not in a sweatshop, right?

Not necessarily.

As a US-resident, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to buy goods that are made in the USA. There’s a lower carbon footprint because there’s usually less shipping the product around the world. Also, buying US-made products contributes to the local economy and keeps manufacturing jobs in the States. All good things.

BUT, there are also plenty of factories around the globe that prioritize quality, transparency, and ethics. Plus, although in general, worker rights and labor regulations are stricter and more tightly monitored in the U.S. compared to other countries in the global south, ‘Made in the USA’ does not always equal ‘ethical’ or ‘sweatshop-free.’ (Yes, there are sweatshops in Los Angeles.)

That’s just something to keep in mind as you shop around and choose which brands are best for you.

Why It’s So Hard to Find Organic Cotton Underwear That’s Made in the USA

As you can see, there aren’t a ton of organic cotton brands that are 100% made in the USA. Even some of the brands above are made in America but have to source their cotton from somewhere else.

There are a few key reasons for this:

1. Organic cotton sourcing challenges: This might be the biggest challenge for underwear brands: there simply isn’t very much organic cotton grown in the US. Many American-made brands still have to import organic cotton fabric, which drives up costs and limits options.
2. The cost of domestic manufacturing: Producing clothing in the U.S. is significantly more expensive than outsourcing to countries with lower labor costs. Many brands choose overseas factories to cut costs, even when they use organic materials. Because of differences in costs of living, you can pay someone a much lower ethical wage in other countries than you can in America.
3. Limited American textile infrastructure: The U.S. once had a thriving textile industry, but in the last several decades, much of it has moved offshore. This means fewer facilities exist to produce organic cotton fabric and manufacture garments domestically.

Related Guides

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• Where to find TENCEL underwear
• My picks for organic thongs
• The best maternity underwear and nursing bras
• Organic boxers for men
• Organic brands that make size-inclusive underwear