Eco Fashion World

UNDERWEAR BAG

Underwear is something we all wear every day. Mostly, underwear is worn next to the skin and under the outer garments. But besides knickers, tanks tops, boxer shorts and bras, we can also include stockings, leggings and socks.

The good news is that there’s a broad choice of eco underwear labels out there. They come in all shapes, fabrics, colors and styles. We’ve broken things down into five interesting and dominating eco-undie-styles: the Statement Pants, the Recessionista Look, the Romantics, the Skin Friendly Basics, the and the American Apparel Legging Club. 

TSHIRT UNDIES

Statement Pants

Underwear is usually the tiniest piece of fabric on your body. But looking at the underbelly of the undergarment industry, we start to see how small things can make a big difference; this winter, green lingerie brand Eco Boudoir made a short film “More than pretty knickers” to summarize the facts with a little dose of fun. The upbeat sound and the glamorous models showing their designer pants on the catwalk are in stark contrast with the negative story of the regular cotton industry, showing the viewer, for example, how much water is wasted for a pair of knickers. This is the real hardcore underwear story. 

For many years now young people have loved to indentify themselves with the brand showcased on their underwear. Picture the baggy jeans almost falling to the ground, typically with brands like Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger peaking out on the brief’s waistband. The hottest eco option is the brand Pants to Poverty. With these spectacular fair trade, organic and 100% sweatshop free pants you can make a real statement. 

SIENNA MILLER

Recessionista Look 

The latest fashion rumor is that lingerie is the new it bag. This is a concept for the true reccesionista. She proudly showcases cheaper alternatives in times of economic crisis. The humoristic reccesionista look: “Oops, I forgot my skirt”, has been spotted on celebrities and in fashion shows for a few seasons now. On Style.com we can see leading designers like Prada, Haider Ackerman and Marc Jacobs showing the trend on the catwalk while Sienna Miller takes it to the streets. As with many fashion trends, SATC’s Carrie Bradshaw pioneered it in the mythical show when she walked down the runway in jeweled underwear. And if you just can’t get enough of skirt-less celebrities make sure to visit the queens of sartorial criticism, the Fug Girls, who take apart the silly styles of the rich and famous with a razor sharp tongue.  

Also, in a revival of the nineties, the good old grunge period is back, so there is no reason to be bothered by a ripped nylon and showing laddered stockings. 

For the total reccesionista look, wear your own hand crafted undies (made from secretly kept Nirvana or Pearl Jam t-shirts) over your ripped stockings. 

SEACELL UNDERWEAR

Skin Friendly Basics

Since underwear is the first layer of fabric that covers your body, fiber purity is of prime importance in the yoga scene and amongst young mothers.

The question is: which fabrics are good for the skin? Seacell for example, is a fabric made out of Lyocell (a 100% wood pulp fiber) and seaweed. The theory is that your skin will absorb nutrients from the seaweed, which is quite mineral and vitamin rich. Designer label 2(x)is  with its cutting edge style, has created some briefs made from soy. Soy had a soft touch and feels like silk. According label Uranus it’s the perfect material for underwear. Of course, if you are a purist, there is always the popular choice of organic cotton underwear, now available even in chain stores such as Marks & Spencer’s or Target. 

ICEBERG

American Apparel Legging Club

Wearing underwear as outerwear is nothing new. Wearing only leggings or gymnastic suits dates at least as far back as Madonna in the eighties

And leggings are still hot! Especially for fashionistas in the street style scene. Thanks to the rise of the American Apparel generation (read a simple one-colored cloth, worn and styled in a sexy way) you will not feel like a complete stranger showing your buttocks in shiny golden leggings while shopping for your groceries.

ECO BOUDOIR

Romantics

Probably most popular association with lingerie is romance. Besides a box of luxury (organic) chocolate, a man can surprise his lady with a new set of lingerie. Or sometimes a girl just wants to get a little something special for herself to put herself in a good mood. A great choice would be a set by Ciel, Eco Boudoir, or Enamore packed in a precious fair trade underwear bag.

Comments (2)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form