Plastic-Free Underwear: What Does It Actually Mean?
Most underwear contains plastic.
Polyester, nylon and elastane — three of the most common fibres used in bras and underwear — are synthetic, plastic-based fibres.
At NICO, we take a different approach. We make underwear primarily from plant-based fibres, including GOTS-certified organic cotton and TENCEL™ Modal, using small amounts of elastane where stretch and recovery are necessary for fit.
We believe you should know exactly what sits against your skin all day. So rather than relying on vague terms like "natural," "sustainable" or "plant-based," we think it's worth looking at what your underwear is actually made from.
Look for the percentages, not just the headline fibre.
While there is no official industry definition of what qualifies as “plant-based," at NICO, we look for a minimum of 95% of its fabric composition to come from plant-based fibres.
Look for the percentages, not just the headline fibre.
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PLANT-BASED DOESN'T MEAN PLASTIC-FREE
Plant-based and plastic-free aren't the same thing.
Plastic-free means exactly that: no plastic-based materials. NICO's bras and underwear use a small amount of elastane where stretch and recovery are necessary for fit, so we don't call them 100% plastic-free.
Instead, every NICO product meets our 95% standard: at least 95% of the fabric composition comes from plant-based fibres.
We believe reducing plastic in your underwear starts with knowing exactly where it is.
Yes. Elastane — also known as spandex — is a synthetic, plastic-based fibre.
NICO uses 5% elastane in bras and underwear where stretch and recovery are necessary for fit. It helps the garment move with your body, hold its shape and stay comfortably in place. Without it your knickers might loosen during wear and fail to stay in place.
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PLASTIC-FREE UNDERWEAR FAQs
There is no official industry standard. NICO's standard is at least 95% plant-based fibre. We recommend checking the complete fibre composition rather than relying on terms such as “cotton,” “natural” or “plant-based.”
Not necessarily. Underwear described as “cotton” may also contain synthetic, plastic-based fibres such as elastane, polyester or nylon. Elastic, thread and trims may also be synthetic. Look at the full fibre composition and percentages rather than relying on the product name.
Our Tees and Tanks are 100% GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton. We blend our cotton with 5% Elastane in our bras and underwear to make sure they stay on all day. Every NICO product meets our standard of having at least 95% of its fabric composition come from plant-based fibres.
It can. “Organic cotton underwear” tells you about the cotton used in the garment, but it doesn't mean the entire garment is plastic-free. NICO's Organic underwear, for example, is 95% GOTS-certified organic cotton and 5% elastane for stretch, recovery and fit.
No. TENCEL™ Modal is a man-made natural fibre made from wood rather than a conventional fossil-fuel-derived synthetic fibre such as polyester or nylon. It is best described as plant-derived rather than a natural fibre like cotton.
Yes. Polyester is a synthetic polymer and one of the most commonly used plastic-based fibres in clothing.
Then keep working down the list I gave you. You’re in exactly the right place now.
Yes. Nylon, which may also appear on clothing labels as polyamide, is a synthetic, plastic-based fibre.
Yes. Elastane, also known as spandex, is a synthetic, plastic-based fibre. It is commonly added to underwear in small amounts to provide stretch and recovery.
Start with the fibre composition. Look for a high percentage of plant-based fibres, check for polyester and nylon, and see how much elastane is used. NICO's benchmark is 95% or more plant-based fibre.
NICO makes bras and underwear with at least 95% of the fabric composition coming from plant-based fibres, including GOTS-certified organic cotton and TENCEL™ Modal. When comparing brands, check the full fibre percentages rather than relying on terms such as “natural,” “cotton” or “sustainable.”
