If you have made some sort of commitment to buying all of your clothing secondhand, you know underwear can be tricky. Even I get a little squeamish thinking about wearing someone else's underwear. One solution is to sew underwear (usually out of old t-shirts), but my kids complained they weren't as comfy as storebought, and in the end, they just couldn't hold up to the wash and wear regimen required for them. When you start hunting for sustainably made underwear, it can get tricky, too. Although some of the larger companies produce organic cotton underwear, I would still question their labor practices around growing and harvesting the cotton and manufacturing the product.
This is where Decent Exposures, based in Seattle, saves the day. First of all, it is a one-stop underwear shop, with options for the whole family. They began in 1986 and have remained committed to the quality of their materials and their manufacturing process. All of their pieces are made here in Seattle by people receiving decent pay and benefits and flexible schedules. A friend of mine actually did her internship there and confirmed it is a great environment for a working woman.
They keep a lot of stock on hand, but also do custom orders. At one point, you could even send them your old t-shirts and they would make them into underwear for you. Yes, the price for one pair is the same price you might pay for a 3-pack at Target, but the product is of much high quality and will last longer. Also, I guarantee the people involved in making the 3-pack did not receive a livable wage and benefits.
If it is an area of your life that you have considered making a change in, they are definitely worth checking out. I know I found them because they are local, but I haven't really come across another company like them. I'd love to hear any other recommendations or suggestions on this topic!
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