5 March 2025
Top English books you should read on the clothing industry and a sustainable lifestyle
- Lifestyle
Transform how you think about your wardrobe, starting with the basics: your underwear. Men’s underwear, brought to you by trailblazing brands like Merz b. Schwanen, De Ionescu, Dedicated, Recolution, Colorful Standard, and A‑dam, aren’t just fashion statements — they’re commitments to a healthier planet and a healthier you. In this article, we’ll dive into the world of eco-friendly men’s underwear and demonstrate how this seemingly small choice is an impactful stride towards a sustainable lifestyle and personal well-being.
Pioneering brands
Merz b. Schwanen, Dedicated, Colorful Standard, and A‑dam aren’t just labels; they’re torchbearers of sustainability in men’s underwear. These brands redefine the concept of responsible fashion with a focus on organic and recycled materials, ethical labour practices, and fair wages. Their transparent and efficient production methods significantly reduce environmental footprints, setting a new standard in the fashion industry.
What makes underwear more sustainable?
Contrary to popular belief, more sustainable underwear doesn’t mean wearing the same pair for days! Instead, it’s about choosing underwear crafted from high-quality, plant-based materials like organic cotton and bamboo.
These natural materials are not only gentle on the environment but also kind to your skin whilst offering unparalleled comfort. Forget synthetics! After all, your underwear is the first thing you put on and the last thing you take off, and fossil fuel fibres won’t provide the breathability your skin needs.
The durability of natural materials means less frequent replacements, saving you money and further reducing your ecological impact. In essence, natural underwear is a win-win for the environment, your comfort, and your wallet.
Comfort and quality
With these pioneering brands, there’s no need to choose between sustainability and comfort. Brands like Dedicated, Colorful Standard, A‑dam, Recolution, and Merz b. Schwanen offer a range of men’s underwear that scores high on both. From boxers to briefs, these brands cater to all preferences, ensuring that your choice is more eco-conscious and comfortable.
Timeless style
No need for dull tighty-whities! The collections from these brands offer a variety of styles, colours, and designs, proving that more eco-conscious underwear can be trendy and divers. With options like A‑dam’s stylish prints or Merz b Schwanen’s timeless appeal, you’re all set to impress, even in the most intimate of settings.
Caring for the planet can start with your boxers
Discover the best brands and where to find them below!
Dedicated
Dedicated is on a mission to redefine fashion with a conscience. As they state on their website: “Dedicated’s mission is to lead the development of a more sustainable fashion industry, using fibers with a lower environmental impact than the industry norm, and to take market shares from the conventional fashion industry.”
Their underwear collection for men comes in organic cotton and Fairtrade cotton options. You can choose for basic black, or put some more colour in your pants with the fun printed editions. (You can even opt for aubergine emojis!)
For those in Belgium, a treasure trove of Dedicated’s items awaits at Harvest Club, and Paplou. Discover the brand at MOOSE in the CITY and HOST in Antwerp, Inslag in Ghent, Fresh in Bruges and at Freedom Aalst and Dendermonde. Or head to Supergoods’ stores in Antwerp and Mechelen to find your wardrobe staple!
In The Netherlands the brand can be found at BrandMission in Amsterdam.
And that’s not all – Dedicated’s elegance is also proudly on display in Berlin at Slow Friday, HIT-IN.TV and supermarché, at Him & Laya in Hamburg and roberta. in Düsseldorf! Step into a world where style meets sustainability and discover Dedicated’s collection today!
De Ionescu
The Transylvanian brand De Ionescu expanded its collection with linen boxer shorts for men! As the designer Ionut states: “Slip into these boxers and channel your inner Vincent Vega, dancing with confidence and style.”
The natural materials ensure the breathability of the fabric, enhancing your daily comfort. As you can discover on the website, the boxer shorts are exclusively handcrafted in Transylvania, using linen from Spain. The fabrics are dyed in a wide range of colours using GOTS-certified dyes, so they are certainly safe for close-skin contact!
These boxer shorts are perfect for men who prefer a classic style while choosing natural materials.
Colorful Standard
Colorful Standard is set on their dedication towards more sustainable clothing, making recycling possible with their commitment to using 95% organic cotton in their clothing and men’s underwear line. It’s a choice that blends sustainability with style seamlessly.
Explore the vibrant world of Colorful Standard in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. Their eye-catching range is available at fashionable locales such as Harvest Club and Harvest Club Basics in Leuven, Fonetik in Aalst and MOOSE in the CITY in Antwerp. In Kortrijk, you can find the brand at Zimba, The Golden House. Or, experience the brand’s full glory at Antwerp’s exclusive Colorful Standard shop.
In Berlin you can find the brand at Conscious Fashion Store, or go to one of the green guerillas stores in Cologne and Düsseldorf. For The Netherlands you’ll find Colorful Standard at Tally-Ho and Pek & Kleren in Amsterdam.
A‑dam
A‑dam is at the forefront of more sustainable undergarments, offering a line of men’s underwear crafted from GOTS-certified organic cotton. So, unless the idea of strolling around in your birthday suit appeals to you, quality boxer shorts are a staple in everyday life.
You can easily find A‑dam’s selections in multiple COSH! Member retailers. Discover the brand in Belgium at the Brooklyn stores in cities like Ostend, Bruges, Knokke, Roeselare, Ghent, Kortrijk, and Waregem. Or at Harvest Club in Leuven, SOFlien in Essen and Fonetik in Aalst.
Looking to check out A‑dam in Germany? Head to the green guerillas stores in Düsseldorf and Cologne, Yavana in Düsseldorf or WESEN in Berlin.
In The Netherlands you’ll find the comfy basics at Het Faire Oosten, Eerlijk Waar!, VEGA-LIFE and BrandMission In Amsterdam, or at Sus en So in Utrecht and Hilversum
Discover comfort and style with A‑dam and embrace a wardrobe that’s kinder to the earth and your body.
Merz b. Schwanen
Indulge in timeless comfort with Merz b. Schwanen’s staple GOOD ORIGINALS boxershorts. These are an exceptional blend of classic style and modern sustainability. The key to their unparalleled comfort lies in the circular-knitted soft waistband, meticulously crafted to ensure maximum comfort without any compromise. Adorned with genuine mother-of-pearl buttons, they bring a touch of elegance to the classic front opening.
Made from organic cotton, they’re gentle on your skin and the environment. The 2‑thread fabric is durable, sturdy and fully recyclable and a commitment to circular fashion. The seamless waistband and open, form-stable legs enhance the comfort, making them a perfect fit for everyday wear.
Proudly made in Germany, these boxer shorts are a testament to artisanal craftsmanship. The unique 245g (8.6oz) fabric is traditionally woven on original loopwheelers, a process steeped in patience and experience. By choosing Merz b. Schwanen’s boxershorts, you’re embracing a legacy of quality, comfort, and ecological responsibility.
Recolution
Recolution, a Hamburg-based brand, redefines comfort and style with more eco-friendly boxer shorts. They are mostly ethically manufactured in Europe and claim to ensure more environmentally responsible production methods, using organic materials such as GOTS-certified organic cotton. And they’re certified vegan by PETA!
Each pair offers unmatched softness and durability. Recolution’s boxer shorts stand out not just for their quality but also for their contemporary designs, merging functionality with a sleek, modern aesthetic. Perfect for a more eco-conscious man, these boxer shorts blend everyday comfort with the brands sustainability standards.
Find your ideal pair in Germany at Slow Friday and supermarché in Berlin, Him&Laya in Hamburg or at one of the green guerilla stores in Cologne. The brand is also available at Kleiderei Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Freiburg and Stuttgart.
In Belgium you can find Recolution at Anders Getint ant Sway in Leuven.
Step Up Your Game With Sustainable Men’s Underwear
Gentlemen, your choice of underwear can be a powerful statement. By choosing more sustainable men’s underwear from forward-thinking brands like Recolution, Dedicated, Colorful Standard, A‑dam, and Merz b. Schwanen, you’re not just choosing comfort and style; you’re consciously deciding to reduce your environmental footprint, enjoying high-quality, timeless underwear that aligns with your values.
It’s time to step up and make a difference. So, choose natural and organic fabrics, feel great, and vote with your wallet.
