Would you buy one, plastic-free bra?
A curated list of bras made from 80-100% natural fibers ✨
A funny thing happened three months ago. I had been thinking about buying a new bra, when Reddit emailed me about bra recs on some granola subreddit. How did Reddit know I was looking?! This Wacoal Cotton Bra was highly recommended on the thread as comfortable, functional, crunchy, and under $50 — so I ordered it.
When it arrived, I noticed it was cotton everywhere except… the part that actually touches your boobs. I’m talking “100% cotton” on the outside face of the bra cups (in between the plastic bra cups and the t-shirt) and shiny plastic on the inside, where it actually touches your boobs. What?!
That moment sent me down a nerdy rabbit hole, an adventure quest if you will, searching for bras with inner linings made from natural fibers.
Here’s the first bra I found with only 5% plastic (lycra, polyester, elastane, spandex, acrylic, etc.) touching the nips:
I began texting friends for recs and bouncing around all corners of the internet, from silky dominatrix wishlists to crunchy zero-plastic subreddits. Despite the “sustainable,” “non-toxic” marketing out there, 99% of bras are at least 80% plastic. Sure, “sustainable” can indicate “upcycled” plastic, “fair” wage practices, “transparent” supply chains… but if the criteria was “free of fossil fuel-derived fabrics,” nothing met the criteria.
I just needed to know: are there bras made without any plastic and practical to wear every day? (Ideally, under $60)
For this letter, I clicked on thousands of bras to investigate, which is why it took three months of research. I stumbled upon ascetic searchers who gave up and resigned to not wearing bras at all… comments where people resorted to binding their chests Mulan-style because they didn’t want the elastic (plastic!) in sports bras. And apparently some people are allergic to latex and polyester too?
Three main findings:
“Cotton” or “Silk” does not always mean cotton or silk. This “Cotton Bra” from Lane Bryant is 55% polyester, 15% spandex, only 30% cotton. Brands will also say “vegan silk” or “silky” when describing polyester or elastane to fool us into associating plastic with a natural fiber. Example: “Ultra luxe Belgian stretch nylon with the glossy feel and sheen of silk.”
If you want foamy padding or seamless edges, it’s impossible to avoid plastic. What’s realistic is to divide what touches the nips vs. everywhere else, or to bring down the percentage. There are brands that will say things like “seamless cotton blend” or “Breathable, double-layer cotton-blend fabric” with 10% cotton.
They don’t want you to know what the bra is made of? This one really surprised me — it’s almost as if underwear brands are ashamed of all the plastic in the bras? Or maybe it’s just copywriters gone wild, but here are a few examples.
In one brand, I clicked “Fabric & Details.” Instead of the “fabric” I was told the “detail” to buy two pairs of panties for each bra 😂 I still don’t know what it’s made of; they never emailed me back. For other brands, I emailed or chatted with AI chatbots named “Barbra” to learn that plastic content was omitted from the website description:
If you’ve read all this, you can probably tell that I wouldn’t have much to share if the criteria for Silky Crunch bras was 0% synthetics (acrylic, polyester, elastane, rayon, spandex, et al). After all, a bra may contain underwire made of plastic or metal, stretch straps, metal hooks, etc.
The following Silky Crunch bras have at least 80% natural fibers in the inner cup and less than 20% plastics.
I chose this threshold not because there would be too many bra options if we did 50-70%, but because brands are either responding to consumer demand by having 80% or higher, OR obscuring fabric detail by only using a teensy bit of cotton.
Silky Bras: At least 80% natural fibers and cute enough to be seen.
Now for the fun part. Fleur Du Mal has two silk bras: the Unlined or Molded Luxe Triangle Bra ($118). The Molded one is plastic foam inside, but all the parts that touch the skin are silk. Up to 38DD.
Araks has the most gorgeous natural fiber bras at a luxe price point. I burn for the Gita Underwire Bra (92% silk, 8% elastane) in every color they offer, but she’s $160. After visiting the Araks in NYC by private appointment, I purchased the Briar Bralette (70% organic cotton, 30% upcycled cotton) for $90 because I will wear it once a week for many years, and the yellow was so cheerful! According to the associate, 34G/F is on the upper end, but you can have a digital consultation for the perfect fit.
Agent Provacateur’s padded Molly Underwire Bra is silk on the outside, 100% cotton inside the cups! Up to 36F. $235-250 but several colors are currently on sale for $75.
Jane’s Vanity in Portland, OR emailed me back with luxe options like Emma Harris’ demure Celeste, Rochelle, and the spicy metallic set from Freolic, all padded and lined with silk. The largest size I saw was 36C. I love that there’s a store like this, there should be one in every city! In my mind she’s like the modiste in Bridgerton.
The La Perla Silk Underwired Bra ($490) is… scrumptious, and more of what I was hoping to find from the $60 to category. If I were a lingerie stylist for a rich older woman, this would be my pick! Up to 34E. This is the first time I’ve ever filtered Highest to Lowest while shopping hahaha. I was hoping to find an outrageous natural fiber bra for over a thousand bucks that’s made from corn silk or something, but all of these expensive designer bras are made of plastic.
The LEHHO Silk Bra Top ($250) is underwear as outerwear and comes in 4 perfect shades up to a size 8. Pure silk with mother-of-pearl buttons and metal strap-adjuster all add up to zero plastic, oof. I own the Wool Bra Top ($250), 98% wool outside and 100% cotton inside. I wanna disclose that the creative director and designer is my talented cousin Shinhye. (But I won’t make any $ if you purchase.)
Finally, this round-up wouldn’t be complete without the once-viral Khaite Cashmere Bralette that’s currently heavily discounted at Saks Off 5th ($520 $220) in multiple colors. I’m in awe of their new Silk Bralette ($780), with its timeless shape and 100% silk composition. Up to size L.
Note: Most of us are not buying $100+ bras. I’m sorry if you feel I’m oblivious to be sharing such bras. I believe Silky Crunch readers deserve to see what the smartest softwear developers are drawing, cutting, and sewing for real bodies, without the constraint of producing the cheapest things. We deserve to see beautiful bras, even if we can’t own them!
Scrunchy Bras: At least 80% natural or non-plastic, semi-synthetic materials derived from plant fibers.
If you want more coverage, Intimissimi’s Tiziana Cotton Bra ($39) is padded and lined with cotton. At 82% Cotton, 10% Polyester, 8% Elastane, she’s the Silky Crunch pick for a padded bra. The Lara Cotton Bra ($39) is 84% cotton, 16% elastane. Though Lara is unpadded and unwired, a layer of mesh between the cotton inside and outside the cup provides shaping and support. Up to 36C/38B.
The Fruit of the Loom Cotton Stretch Extreme Comfort Bra ($26 for 3 on Amazon) is the best bounce for the ounce at 90% cotton and 10% spandex. The sizes go up to 42DD. The Spaghetti Strap Sports Bra ($15 for three) has rave reviews as the go-to bra you wear at home or for light workouts. * Silky Crunch Pick. I ordered the sports bras and I’m impressed by the quality and stitching for the price.
This La Coochie Scoop Bralette ($34) is 95% organic cotton and 5% spandex. The sizing goes up to 3XL, i.e. 42DDD. Plastic-free packaging and tagless for less itch.
The Branwyn Merino Wool Bralette ($48) has the best reviews of any bra I researched for this letter. The Busty Bra ($58) looks even more supportive, sizing up to 44G. At 81% extra fine Merino wool, 12% nylon, and 7% Spandex, it makes the cut for the Scrunchy List by 1%!
The Aussie Hara Earth Stella Low Cut Bra ($54) is 90% lyocell and 10% spandex. Closed loop bamboo lyocell manufacturing is less hazardous in waste products than other semi-synthetics like rayon or viscose. If you want something that feels as soft as the poly/elastane bras we’re used to, this is it. Some gorgeous color options. Up to 3XL or 46.
UK-based Stripe & Stare’s Padded Bra ($60) is 95% Tencel and 5% elastane, with padding and support for glamorous shapes. Goes up to size 4X, i.e. 42E.
Simply Merino is a Canadian brand with a Bralette ($50) that’s 92% merino wool and 8% elastane up to 3XL, or 49-52.
Pact is a sustainable B Corps brand with 95% organic cotton bralettes up to 42D.
Crunchy Bras: Zero plastic, even in elastic or straps!
Pansy has biodegradable bras that use 100% organic American cotton, organic cotton thread, natural rubber, etc. I like all the colors of their Smile Bra ($56) which is fully compostable, except for the metal strap adjusters. Their sizes go up to 5XL (44F to 46B) * Silky Crunch Pick
The LacyLinen Jenny Bra ($82) on Etsy is 100% organic linen and goes up to a size 40G. She’s made to order in Poland and has a global fanbase.
The Cottonique Drawstring Bra ($45) is 100% cotton, ties in the front and gives shape without any spandex. It’s made of organic cotton and looks like an accessible option for folks who have a hard time hooking the bra in the back too. The size goes up to 42DD. It’s the Silky Crunch pick for being accessible. * Silky Crunch Pick
I appreciate that The Very Good Bra ($57) company provides a lot of information that I couldn’t find for most other brands, e.g. the liner fabric and thread composition. Made in Australia from 100% organic cotton, she has very good reviews and sizes up to 38E.
The Rawganique Merino Wool Bra ($78) uses 50% natural rubber/cotton elastic. Really interesting options for the crunchiest of us! Size L is a 34DDD.
Honorable Mentions:
Saw this funny brand, TL care ($7 for 6 on Amazon). Bra companies selling $200 plastic nursing bras tell mothers to put these cotton rounds between their bras and nips. Could be a nice insert for sports bras or whatever though, which is why I ordered them.
Savage X Fenty has a cotton Nursing Bra for under $50!!! 100% jersey cotton cups and the body is 93% cotton too. This is the best nursing bra I saw from a mainstream brand, and for some reason it made me happy. 4X, 44D to 46DD.
Nood Shape Tape ($29) is 97% hemp and 3% nylon, and comes in 3 or 4 inches in five different skin tones. (added 1/5: SILKY10 for 10% off)
Subset Triangle Soft Bra ($62) is 95% organic cotton and up to 3XL or 55F. This is the largest size I found! Subset puts a lot of emphasis on using organic cotton and natural rubber, but uses recycled nylon for the straps and band. My favorite color, Garnet, is currently $31.
Buttress & Snatch’s bespoke silk mastectomy bras look regal and badass. Based in the UK.
Coucou Intimates with achingly sweet organic cotton bras ($65), but I read and heard(irl!) some bad reviews, including disappointment after multiple washes. Size XXL or 42DD. If you feel differently, please leave a note!
Silky Crunch may earn some money if you make a purchase through one of the links above.
I stopped myself here to share the fruits of my research. There are certainly other brands with natural fibers in the inner cup not mentioned here; you could also email your favorite brands to inquire!
Feel free to comment on bra brands not mentioned here in this Bra Brands List, which includes all the brands I peeped. I also share picks for nursing bras.
Final Thoughts 💖
There are hundreds of articles listing the “best” and cheapest bras, where you will never find a single one that’s any less than 80% plastic. Those listicles (Buzzfeed, New York Mag Wirecutter, etc) are why I’m wearing the “Feathers” Natori bra (93% nylon, 7% elastane: 100% plastic) right now, one I’ve owned for years.
Please don’t be mad at me for this nerdy adventure quest, for buying one plastic-free bra for myself. This is NOT a call to throw out your daily bra for the sake of buying more stuff! I’m not throwing out any of my bras, so my Lululemon sports bra from 2011 is safe from the landfills… for now.
Yes, and? Scientists have known for decades that crude oil plastics have tangible, measurable effects on human reproductive systems. May I share one example that’s not too depressing? Polyester has been linked with male infertility: polyester scrotum slings, in mice and humans, have the potential to be a painless and reversible contraceptive. Why aren’t there studies about polyester’s effects on female fertility?
Aside from health, fossil fuel plastics are also an environmental and societal issue. These plastics made from crude oils benefit the trillion-dollar fossil fuel industry at the expense of our health and planet.
Now let’s get to chatting about natural fiber bras… Would you buy one plastic-free bra?
Academic sources:
Zurub RE, Cariaco Y, Wade MG, Bainbridge SA. Microplastics exposure: implications for human fertility, pregnancy and child health. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024 Jan. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38239985/
Shafik A. Contraceptive efficacy of polyester-induced azoospermia in normal men. Contraception. 1992 May. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1623716/
Related:
Wow, this is an unbelievably amazing list and amount of research! Thank you so much for this! I’m currently doing my best to buy all natural fibers when I buy new clothes but hadn’t thought about fun/sexy bras yet (not really wearing them at the moment as I’m nursing). I currently mainly wear Mate the Label sports bras which are 92% cotton 8% spandex, and which I love. Can’t wait to try some of these!
What a list! I’m stocked up on OG ARQ organic cotton bras but now that they’re out of business I’ll def be referencing this when it’s time to replace things. Ty!