Sustainable Fashion Underwear: Hygiene, Mental Health, Style, and Care
Today, we’re diving into a topic that's often overlooked but is a staple in everyone’s wardrobe: underwear. More specifically, we’re exploring the world of sustainable underwear, examining the pros and cons, and tackling some of the lesser-discussed aspects like hygiene concerns, mental hurdles, cleaning challenges, and style limitations. Whether you’re already committed to ethical fashion or just starting to explore it, this article will give you insights into what sustainable fashion underwear means.
Secondhand Underwear and Hygiene Risks
Alright, let's start with hygiene risks. The area down there is pretty delicate, and honestly, there are a lot of diseases you can get if you're not careful with your underwear choices. And to be really honest, I don’t have the money to afford rent, much less pay for unknown diseases. But in the short term, buying cheap underwear might save you some money, but in the long run, it can turn into a scary and expensive trauma journey if we aren’t careful.
Way back In 2010, a doctor swabbed a bunch of store-bought clothing for a Good Morning America segment and found all types of germs: respiratory secretions, vaginal organisms, and fecal matter. And just imagine used clothing, which can be contaminated with even more bugs that cause pediculosis (lice infestation) and scabies. So buying used underwear in the name of sustainability can become a stretch and even hazardous pursuit. You do not have to sacrifice your health and boundaries in the name of sustainability.
Second Hand Underwear, Mental Limits and Stigma
Next up, let's talk about mental obstacles that come up in buying sustainable underwear from vintage sources. There's a stigma around buying used clothing, and it's ingrained subconsciously in my head. And I am sure you have heard of someone struggling with this stigma at some point in your life too.
But imagine telling someone you thrifted your underwear—yeah, it's cringe-worthy, right? It's also pretty disgusting to me, given the intimate nature of underwear.
Sharing has its limits, let us be honest, and it is something I have not been able to get past. This has made buying from sustainable brands the only option, which can be a process in itself because many of us don’t know what brands to trust or buy from.
To buy from sustainable fashion brands is an act of being open that the sustainable claims made are true and worth our money. It will also test our values because it will pressure us to put our money where our mouth is … meaning acting on what we claim we believe in, even if it’s for something as small and invisible as underwear.
Underwear Cleaning and Care
Cleaning used underwear is another big hurdle if you buy it used. You can only clean underwear so much, you know? Even if you bleach and wash it repeatedly, it can affect the color and condition of the fabric. For instance, bleaching red underwear will just turn it pink or white. It's a hassle! Also, sourcing used underwear is a feat in itself given some thrift stores have policies to get rid of them before they even hit the sales force to avoid customers being harmed from using them.
And if you buy used you can never predict the styles that you will find. So there is no control in buying used underwear, meaning limited options in styles, colors, and patterns … especially because underwear isn't donated frequently.
I used to work at a thrift store, and it was rare to see good-condition, unused underwear come in. In fact, thrift stores often get rid of all underwear to avoid any health risks to our customers. Your safest bet is to find brands that you will wear for years to come and that you will take care of no matter the wear and tear.
Fast Fashion Underwear
Now, let's discuss new fast-fashion underwear, which can be deemed sustainable given they are often from man-made materials that take hundreds of years to decompose. These are often full of chemicals and have been touched by loads of garment workers and others in the supply chain.
Even if you buy them at Walmart or your favorite retail store, you must wash them first. However, underwear packs—usually 4 to 8 pieces—are often poorly made, easily lose their shape, and have low durability. The seams will eventually break, even if it will take years to decompose.
Plus, be cautious of polyester mixes, especially in the summer when we sweat more. Moisture combined with plastic is a recipe for disaster, trust me. Look for cotton-based underwear and options that are versatile for the pieces you already own.
Sustainable Fashion: Long-Run Obstacles
In the long run, it can be tough to justify spending so much on underwear when life is so expensive, and we're struggling to afford food and pay our bills.
I suggest you do what you can with what you have. I don’t buy underwear that often and try to take care of what I have, even the polyester ones that aren’t ideal for summer.
I know my privilege, and I want to live my values, but I am on a journey. I invite you to explore what it means to consume sustainable underwear and what it will take to stay on that journey. Let me know your insight into the different aspects of underwear choices, even as mundane as they may seem. It is in the smallest of details we can come to know who a person really is.