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9 Period Underwear Brands Making That Time of Month Easier on You & the Planet
 
image from Thinx

image from Thinx

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The Best Period Underwear Brands

The first time I heard about period underwear, my first thought was, “Ew.” I’ve always preferred tampons to pads and recently transitioned to a menstrual cup, so the thought of walking around with underwear that absorbed everything just grossed me out. But as a twenty-something who uses social media, I was eventually influenced by a sustainable account I had grown to trust. She was a skeptic turned believer, and it didn’t feel like a ploy for her to get paid by the brand. Besides, it was only $30. Now, I am that skeptic turned believer.

Period underwear is comfortable, cute, sustainable, easy, and, best of all, it actually works. I’m still a lover of my period cup, but on days that I don’t want to have to stress about changing my cup midday, period underwear comes in clutch. The material is simultaneously breathable and moisture-wicking, confidently absorbent and subtly smooth. It doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a diaper (which was a fear of mine) or even a pad for that matter. It just feels like underwear you can rock all day while you conquer the world, just as you normally would.

Is Period Underwear Sustainable?

Period underwear is the sustainable option for any time of the month, too. You don’t *just* have to wear it while menstruating; a lot of these brands offer products that are absorbent as well as moisture-wicking, keeping you comfortable no matter what the day throws at you. With that being said, some brands do use some materials that might not necessarily be sustainable, like nylon, but the concept of period underwear and the accessibility that they offer is sustainable. Reducing the waste of tampons and pads and other feminine hygiene products that end up in landfills and our oceans is a sustainable win. 

These nine period underwear brands will make sure you can still conquer the world in comfort, even while you’re on your period.

Our Top Picks for Period Underwear Brands:

1) Hannah

Price | Underwear: $30-$45

Sizing | XS-2XL

In addition to their reusable pads and period cups, Hannah also has a collection of period panties that come in a variety of styles—from thongs to standard briefs to boyshorts and more. They’re made using undyed and unbleached certified organic cotton, and are guaranteed to be PFAS-free.

Give them a follow on Instagram, too (@thebrand_hannah) for more tips on care, cleaning, and more!


2) Thinx

Price | Underwear: $24-$42 // Saver Sets: $64 (2 pairs)-$159 (5 pairs)

Sizing | XXS-3XL

Thinx was founded in 2013 and encompasses Thinx (period underwear), Thinx BTWN (period underwear for teens), and Speax (underwear for bladder leaks). Your purchase of a pair of Thinx underwear has power, helping to uphold initiatives like EveryBody campaign that educates and empowers young people and MAS’ Women Go Beyond initiative at their facility in Sri Lanka. Their underwear materials are transparently outlined on their site, all OEKO-TEX certified.


3) Knix

Price | Underwear: $23-$38 // Bundles: $105 (light flow: 4 pairs)-$125 (heavy flow: 4 pairs)

Sizing | XS-4XL

This woman-founded brand also prioritizes transparency and women empowerment, a theme with most period underwear brands (so awesome!). As Knix continues to grow, the company continues to work toward more sustainable practices, believing that imperfectly starting somewhere is better than not starting at all - which I agree with! Their blog, The Lift, has tons of inclusive, accessible, and informative content on topics from wellness to parenthood. 


4) Proof

Price | Underwear: $25-$43 // Bundle: Buy 3 pairs save 10%, Buy 5 pairs save 15%, Buy 7 pairs save 20%

Sizing | XS-3XL

Founded by the three Caden sisters, Proof focuses on covering all kinds of leaks, like period, bladder, maternity and postpartum, sweat, and post-sex - whatever it is, they got you covered. They also have period underwear that is eligible for reimbursement under your HSA and FSA. Talk about progress! Proof is paired with the Period Menstrual Movement, Black Women for Wellness, and the High Five Grant for Moms to help further women empowerment throughout the world. 


5) Modibodi

Price | Underwear: $18.50-$45 // Bundle: $44.50 (5 moisture-wicking pairs)-$307 (10 mix of moderate to overnight pairs)

Sizing | XS-6XL

At Modibodi, part of each purchase goes toward donating pairs of period underwear to girls in need around the world. So far, Modibodi has donated 23,341 pairs. They also have donated period underwear during crises like the Australian Brushfire and the Covid-19 pandemic. Modibodi uses materials like bamboo viscose, sports merino wool, and microfiber. Their Made To Feel film campaign shows that the sustainable choice can also be the most comfortable & impactful choice. 


6) Saalt

Price | Underwear: $29-$39 // Bundles: $98 (1 undie, 2 cups, period cup wash) - $171 (3 undies, 2 cups, period cup wash) // Build Your Own Bundle & Save

Sizing | XS-XXL

Saalt is another B-corp certified company, and they give 2% back to fund initiatives in education, sustainability, and menstrual health. Their packaging is 100% recyclable, and their products are ethically made with partners that create positive change, like access to clean drinking water, in their communities. Saalt’s Impact page is informative and transparent, and you can find their 2020 Impact Report linked there. We love an openly communicative company. 


7) Ruby Love

Price | Underwear: $17.99-$29.99 // Bundles: $74.99 (3 pairs)- $225 (9 pairs)

Sizing | Bikini, High-waist, Brief, and Hipster: XS-3XL // Bliss Seamless Underwear: XXS-8X

Ruby Love’s technology has 5 layers of protection (and no plastic), with the option to add one of their double-sided pads for extra absorbency and protection. This brand is all about inclusivity, clarifying that their products are for any person who wants extra security due to periods, bladder leaks, incontinence, age, or any other personal preference. Ruby Love also offers the widest variety of options, in sizes, colors, and styles.


8) Aisle

Price | Underwear: $32-$46 // Bundle: Set of 3 save 5%, Set of 5 save 10%

Sizing | XS-5XL

Aisle has been a certified B-corp company since 2012, and the co-founders have been in the business of sustainable products for women since 1993. Each pair of their period underwear comes with a bonus absorbency booster that can be slipped into the underwear on extra heavy days, for extra peace of mind. They are uber transparent about materials, production, and partnerships. 


9) Dear Kate

Price | $34-$46

Sizing | XS-3X

Dear Kate is all about “protecting against leaks and stains every day of the month.” They partner with Days for Girls and donate a pair of underwear for every purchase over $100 (which seems like a lot, but that’s only 3 pairs of undies!). Their “leak-resistant” underwear is made of their patent-pending 100% fabric lining using Tactel® and LYRCA® yarns. The site’s “How It Works” page has a ton of transparent information about the product.  


About the Author:

Paige Annelayne is a freelance writer and digital media specialist currently based in Alabama, who loves to cook, learn about intersectional sustainability, and read a lot of books. Her cat, Gnocchi, her plants, and a good cup of matcha bring her joy. You can connect with Paige on Instagram @vitality.blog and at www.vtltyblog.com


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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

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True Cost Series | The High Price of Hemp & Cost Breakdown of a Towel
 

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Why does a Hemp Towel Cost $35?

I am pleased to see that hemp fiber is making a comeback! Hemp fiber has numerous benefits, and it's unfortunate that we haven't been able to grow it for years. However, there are still a few obstacles to overcome before it becomes widely used, such as access to quality fiber seed, processing equipment, and market size.

In this post, we are going to get down to why hemp matters and show you a current cost breakdown of a hemp product from the brand Anact.

hemp-bath-towels

Why Hemp?

Plain and simple, hemp has a smaller environmental impact than both synthetics and conventional cotton.

Hemp is a fast-growing plant that does not require much water, insecticides, pesticides or fertilizers. It can be grown for many years in the same soil without depleting its nutrients. In fact, it is beneficial for the soil as it helps balance the pH. In addition, hemp produces twice as much fiber per acre as cotton and requires 50% less water.

I have been aware of the benefits of hemp for years, but I only recently began to investigate the economics of the fiber. I was also interested in its carbon footprint, and after coming across a study by the Stockholm Environment Institute, it became evident that we have not been taking full advantage of this amazing fiber. For instance, the amount of CO2 emissions per ton of spun fiber for polyester is 9.52 kilograms, whereas it is 5.9 kilograms for conventional cotton and 4.05 kilograms for conventional hemp. It is clear that hemp is the clear winner here, but despite its half the impact on our planet, why are we paying twice the price for it compared to polyester? This is basic economics, and due to the high regulation of this plant, Anact suggests that the only way to change this is by increasing market demand and encouraging US and global farmers to invest in hemp manufacturing. By increasing the supply, the availability will expand, which will decrease the price for Anact and for your wallet.

The current market price for polyester is $1 per pound, while hemp is priced almost double at $1.93. Just think how much more accessible we can make hemp towels if we could create more of a demand and help lower those prices.

Hemp is an incredibly versatile plant that offers numerous benefits beyond its use as a fabric fiber. It can be used for paper, cat litter, skincare products, and as an alternative to plastic materials. One of the most impressive features of hemp is its natural ability to resist bacteria growth, absorb water quickly, and remain durable over time. It's no surprise that the United States Navy has chosen hemp as a preferred fiber for their ropes.

While it's true that hemp may have a higher CO2 emission rate per kilogram than organically grown cotton (which ranges between 2.35-3.8), the plant's potential benefits are numerous. It has the potential to benefit many American farmers and create new opportunities for sustainable agriculture. Brands like Anact are leading the way in promoting hemp and educating the public about its strengths, which can help to generate demand for change and create incentives for more hemp farming.

This is also one of those fibers you can talk about for hours, but I want to get to the costs so you can see why they can’t sell this towel for $10 like Target.

Cost Breakdown of a Hemp-Based Towel Set

sustainable-hemp-towel

Hemp Towel Set

Material Content | 55% Hemp, 45% Organic Cotton

Price | $50

Cost | ~$17.75

This particular case is going to be more interesting when it comes to breaking down the total cost because Anact currently works with a licensing agent. As a result, you cannot see a complete cost sheet breakdown like the one in my previous post, but this still provides an overall price of manufacturing.

To place an order for a towel set, Anact has a minimum requirement of 2000 units. This is why it can be so difficult for a new brand to create a sustainable product because manufacturers have specific order quantities that they expect you to follow. Fortunately, Anact had a very successful Kickstarter campaign, which allowed them to place an order with all of the backers they received.

See below the breakdown on their minimum order of 2000:

  • $11.35 to manufacture a single towel set ($22,700 total)

  • 8.40% Duty

  • 15% Additional duty due to Chinese trade war

  • $7,500 Freight

  • $35,511.80 Order Total

hemp-bath-towels

Their Kickstarter pre-sold $41,000so they were able to place their first bulk production order. The remaining inventory leftover ~1,700 towel sets were used for their go-to-market strategy. The margin for each towel set is 64%. 

After the Kickstarter, they are left with $5,500 left to market and promote $85,000 worth of inventory. Each time Anact sells a towel set, they make around $33 that they put back into the business to cover packaging, shipping, returns, standard business costs, marketing and PR.

With my last post, I had a lot of people ask me ‘well where is their actual profit?’, and the reality is, businesses within the first 3-5 years don’t generally make one. There are just too many moving parts in a start up for the owner to take home anything.

But, as I mentioned before, with brands like Anact who are working to change the narrative of hemp, we can hopefully see much more of this fiber in the future, and see these brands grow and become more successful and accessible to the general public.

More True Cost Series You May Be Interested In:


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WANT TO FIND SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory features hundreds of sustainable brands across various categories. Enjoy browsing and shopping with our exclusive discount codes for Sustainably Chic viewers…


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