Natural Radiance—Slip Into Something Soft

By Jennie Nash

Even though the word lingerie implies more than a bit of self-indulgence, buying a fetching little number can provide a good deal more than retail therapy—it can be a great chance to do your body (and the planet) some good. And you can do it in style. No need to settle for frumpy, basic unbleached briefs and bras if you want to wear eco-friendly underwear. The same revolution that brought organic cotton clothing to high-end retailers such as Patagonia and American Apparel also brings us healthy lingerie that looks cute, playful, and—gasp!—even sexy. Going organic with your underwear follows the same principles as going organic with your apples. "Every time you choose organic over nonorganic, you create a healthy environment for yourself and others," says Lori Wyman of the Organic Trade Association. "After all," says Wyman, "We all live downstream from someone." It takes about a third of a pound of pesticide to produce a standard T-shirt, so buying organic can keep a measurable amount of toxins out of the soil and off your skin.

What makes that pesticide dose even more disturbing? Most of the cotton plant—minus what gets spun into cloth—ends up in our food supply one way or another. Processed foods, from cookies to tuna fish, often contain cottonseed oil. Beef and dairy cows get fed cotton straw, cottonseed meal, and the waste from cotton gins. But because farmers grow cotton mainly for its fiber, cotton escapes the regulations applied to food crops. Many of the chemicals in the pesticides sprayed on cotton have been linked to cancer, birth defects, endocrine disruption, and even nervous system disorders. Above and beyond their human impact, pesticides can be fatal to birds, fish, and other wildlife.

Organic underwear, on the other hand, comes with an abundance of silver linings. According to Rebecca Klein, the founder of Organic Exchange, a nonprofit organic agriculture group, organic cotton needs to be grown in rotation with other organic crops to avoid depleting the soil. "When you make the shift to organic cotton," she says, "it also expands the supply of available organic food."

Choosing to buy organic cotton also offers a way to "wear" your talk: The proof of your eco-ethics lies about as close to home as you can get. Who knew that the right bare necessities could have such an impact? "By buying just two articles of organic cotton, people are making the choice to live better, not just for themselves but also for the people who grow the cotton," says Klein.

Organic basics
Wyman, too, wears her talk—specifically a bra from Blue Canoe, a bodywear company based in northern California. Giving women an attractive, organic option in bras and underwear since 1991, Blue Canoe has inspired a devoted following, drawn to such irresistible colors as buttercup, terra-cotta, and blackberry and to the company’s comfortable designs for all shapes and sizes. Blue Canoe uses the least toxic dye on the market—a fiber-reactive dye that binds to the fiber and doesn’t wash away or leach off. Its underwear styles range from thong and bikini to boy shorts, while its bras come in banded, crossover, shirred, yoga, and maternity styles.

If you’re looking for a more traditional bra and panty in organic cotton, you may want to check out Silver Linings from Christine Erteszek, the daughter of intimate apparel legend Olga. Silver Linings offers finely spun organic cotton panties in four styles. These pieces feature a gusset made of XStatic, a nontoxic, silver-treated fabric that puts antimicrobial fabric and odor-eliminating properties right where you need them most. Silver Linings also features one of the only organic alternatives to underwire bras out there.

Enlightened loungewear
Everyone knows how comfortable it is to sleep in a soft, old T-shirt, but thanks to Good Karma Lingerie, you can go one step better with a seductive thigh-length organic cotton negligee. Made from supersoft, ring-spun fabric, one figure-flattering style includes a pretty lace inset empire waist and a shape that will hug your curves. The nightie comes in unbleached cotton printed with sumptuous yellow hibiscus flowers and sprays of hot pink and turquoise leaves. Good Karma also produces tap pant–cami sets with similar patterns and attention to fit—the result of co-owner Linda Fassa’s 12 years as a high-end fashion model. "I know what looks good and feels good," says Fassa, "and what you wear underneath can change the way you feel all day and all night."

Good energy
Feel like a pick-me-up is in order? Retail takes therapy to a new level with lingerie designed to impact your chakras (energy centers). Be Present offers a line of organic cotton chakra thongs in seven colors that correspond to the seven chakras of the body (the specific chakra symbol adorns the front of each thong). Need more grounding? Wear root chakra red for stability and inner strength. Feel like you need a hug? Heart chakra evergreen helps attract compassion and unconditional love.

Although shopping can often feel like a drain on your principles as well as your wallet, buying organic cotton offers partial redemption. Changing the world through bras and bikinis may seem far-fetched, but the revolutions with the most staying power often start out closest to home.

Organic Online:

[www.aboutorganiccotton.org]
[www.organicexchange.org]
w[ww.theorganicreport.com]
[www.beyondpesticides.org]

For Men Only 

Organic bras, camis, and knickers of various cuts and colors abound, but until recently the male of the species has had only a rack of organic tighty off-whities and bland boxers from which to choose. Now color-conscious companies like Rawganique [www.rawganique.com], which offers a line of organic hemp and cotton underwear in lush earth and indigo tones, bring welcome relief to a beige-stricken industry. Of course, if everyday, pesticide-free comfort is all you need, bGreen [www.organicselections.com], Cottonfield [www.cottonfieldusa.com], and Red Dog Sportswear [www.reddogsportswear.com] have you covered. Einav Keet