10 Ethical Intimates Brands

Wow – another ethical brand round up even though every time I attempt one of these it exhausts all of my energy. But let’s get real, I love talking ethical fashion and I am always down to shop for lingerie. I probably have over 50+ bralettes and while I might not always be wearing a matching set, my bra and underwear either always match or are complimentary to one another.

I love intimates. So much so that I used to routinely post racy photos of me on the internet and only stopped because I needed to be able to monetize my content so maybe this post is my excuse to post a pic on Instagram.

To me, wearing cute lingerie is like having your toes painted. No one needs to see it for me to feel extra put together and extremely sexy.

Let me also preface this by saying that pretty much all of the pieces I own are not to impress any guy. You think the average man knows the difference between a bralette the size of a napkin that costs $70+ and some cheaply made, fast fashion, plastic bra-holster from a drugstore? Get real.

I’ll also be sharing the size range and unless indicated I normally wear a size large bralette, size medium panty. For reference I normally wear a 34DDD (I know, it’s outrageous) and size 28 denim.

It “fits” me in the sense that my boobs fit into it. Look, no bralette is going to have the same amount of support as a bra does and I have had someone laugh at me once when I claim that these bralettes “fit” me. I personally like my bralettes on the skimpy side.​

(Also anyone can wear lingerie, regardless of gender identity – in fact I recommend that everyone find out what makes them feel sexiest and wear the fuck out of it. Or fuck in it. Whatever floats your boat, you do you.)

Based in Montreal, Sokoloff Lingerie holds a very special place in my heart for very sentimental reasons. Before discovering Sokoloff I wore cheaply made, mass-produced branded intimates – Sokoloff was my introduction to wearing better lingerie. I used to not care about what I wore. I would just shove my hand into my underwear drawer and pull out whichever pair to wear with whichever bra but after my first Sokoloff my intimates game levelled the fuck up.

Sokoloff does have a selection of sportier styles made of micro-modal and cotton but I am extra and personally love their lace products for the extra detailing.

They have a variety of bras, bralettes, panties, bodysuits and sleepwear. PLUS they just introduced plus sized styles available at Addition Elle!

SIZING (includes Addition Elle sizing)
S to 3XL & 32A to 36D

For when I want a bit more support, Fortnight Lingerie is a favourite of mine for basics. Designed in Toronto and produced in-house, Fortnight is able to reduce waste by monitoring production. I also love that they scale their sizes by hand for a more accurate grade (read: so instead of a larger size just being a larger garment, it’s larger and scaled appropriately where it needs to be within each garment.)

I don’t have any of their bodysuits yet but the collab done with MisfitStudio is calling my name. Either that or it’s because the model is a total babe.

They have a variety of bra, bralettes, panties, bodysuits, sleepwear and swimwear.

SIZING
​XS to XL & 32A to G32 for bras and bralettes
XS to XL for bottoms

Full disclosure, this is a brand I’ve never worn but I wanted to include them because my friend Lydia has modelled for them and the photos are straight fire. While researching the brand I fell in love. Each piece is made to order and the brand is inclusive, not only for all body types but all gender identities, you can even ask for a nursing clip option!

They offer bras, bralettes, and panties. They are customizable so you even get to pick out the colours you’d like!

SIZING
The website is still under construction but due to it’s made-to-order nature I would assume that the size range is extensive.

For ultimate comfort, I love my Devil May Wear pieces. Their intimates started off as a byproduct of their regular clothing collection as a way to use up the excess fabric left over after production. Perfect for lounging, I love that these pieces are made by hand in Vancouver and they even have a rewards program for their underwear!

They offer bralettes, panties and camis. They do cute cotton bottoms as well as lace, mesh, and even caged styles!

SIZING
S to XL for the tops
S to XXL for the bottoms

Another full disclosure moment; Huha is the passion project of my friend Alexa Suter, but friendship aside Huha is a brand worth watching. Designed with vaginas in mind, the designs are fussy free and infused with zinc (which helps balance pH down there) and made with sustainable Tencel.

Still in the beginning stages of production, Huha is available for pre-order on Indiegogo.

They offer two cuts of panties currently; thong and a cheeky bikini.

SIZING
XS to 2XL

Out of the brands featured Cosabella has probably the most extensive range of styles available. Specializing in Italian lingerie the family run business still produces all of their garments in Italy and the workmanship is second to none. I love the Lingerie Glossary of Terms on their site to help customers navigate different styles to figure out which fits are most suitable for them.

Any style you can think of for bra, bralettes, lingerie and panties they got it. I am LIVING for these open back hot pants but I also know that it would be so impractical for my life… I am still probably going to buy it anyways tbh.

SIZING
XS to 3XL & 32A to 36DDD for the tops
​S to XL & 12 to 22 for the bottoms

A relatively new brand HIRRS aims to keep it simple with classic every day styles. Designed with movement in mind the brand has no wires, tags or clasps to keep the design as minimal as possible. I haven’t had a chance to try the brand out yet but I have seen it in stores and was able to feel if with my own two hands and I was definitely smitten. The bras in particular were noteworthy for their wide band that would allow it to sit against your body nicely.

Currently available are three bras, four panties and one bodysuit.

SIZING
00 to 05 which they refer to as HIRRS sizing – this translates to XS to XL

Holy heart eyed emoji do I love Uye Surana pieces. Handmade in small batches (and usually limited edition) in NYC, Uye Surana has been included in TONS of media roundups. Because of the small quantities produced they avoid overproduction and aim to only make as much as they sell – while this may sound logical to the average consumer brands will often over produce to hit minimum bulk units to avoid fees and some brands will discard whatever they don’t sell or sell to outlets at a remarkable low rate seasons later.

(I am dying for the little star lounge set pictured above. Someone remind me that I am unemployed and I shouldn’t buy it because it’s currently sitting in my cart awaiting checkout.)

All types of styles available of bras, bralettes, panties, nightwear, loungewear and lingerie. I also love the use of the word “womxn” in their about page.

SIZING
The bras/bralettes are dual sizes, so XS/S up to 2XL/3XL or numbered 1 to 6 (accommodates 28A to 40H)
All the bottoms are dual sizes, so XS/S up to 2XL/3XL
Includes petite, curvy and plus size!

Ultra delicate, very feminine styles from Sewn Design are the top of my wishlist this Valentine’s Day. I first found Sewn Designs through an outdoor market (I want to say it was Car Free Day but it might have been Mural Fest) and was able to chat with maker, Alesia. Production is still kept in Canada and priced fairly with bralettes being around $58 and the matching thong being around $18.

I am a sucker for a set and I love how easy their site is to shop for sets. They offer bralettes and thongs.

SIZING
XS to L

Three cheers for period panties! Hip-hip hooray, hip-hip hooray, hip-hip hooray! So I have personally never tried them because due to my ovaries not functioning at their regular intended capacity I don’t get my period (also, no need to send your condolences, I’m fine.) My friends that do have a menstrual cycle though swear by period panties, even if it’s just an an extra precautionary measure. I’ve seen samples of Revol Girl in boutiques and at smaller markets before and I am always impressed with how stylish they are! Many might assume that period panties can feel like diapers but these are designed to be functional and wearable. Not only are the fabrics more sustainable but using period panties are a more sustainable (and cost effective) way to manage menstruation!

They have different bottoms for light to extra heavy protection plus a few matching bralettes!

SIZING
XXS to 5XL PLUS small and large cup sizes for the bras