Best Organic Cotton Bras: Non-Toxic Brands You Can Trust

Finding an organic cotton T-shirt? No big deal. Finding an organic cotton bra? A much more nuanced—and dare I say—difficult proposition. Bras are not simple constructs. They require precise fit and support, and they’re made from multiple components: cups, bands, straps, elastic, thread, and even hardware like hooks, rings, and sliders. Even bras that claim to use organic cotton often fall short once you look closely at the label. To avoid falling into the greenwashing trap, here is a basic guide to finding a truly organic cotton bra.

*Affiliate Disclosure: I do have affiliate links in this blog post. If you purchase something from my link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.  This comes at no cost to you but is paid by the company.  I do not take becoming an affiliate with any company lightly.  If I am, it’s because I believe in the company and their product.

*Suzi (Gurl Gone Green) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Why Choose Organic Cotton Bras? 

Choosing organic cotton bras reduces daily chemical exposure, protects sensitive skin, and supports a cleaner, more ethical textile industry. Organic cotton offers a safer, more breathable alternative to synthetic bras, which often contain petroleum-based fibers, chemical finishes, and dyes that can irritate the skin or disrupt the body’s delicate ecosystem.

Synthetic vs Natural Fibers

Synthetic fibers are man-made fibers derived from petroleum or chemical processes. Examples include:

• Polyester (PET)
• Nylon (polyamide)
• Elastane (spandex)
• Microfiber blends

Synthetic fibers allow for lots of stretch, that’s why it’s nigh impossible to find a sports bra that doesn’t include some sort of spandex. Synthetic materials are smooth, can offer structure and support, and can withstand lots of wear and washings.

The tradeoff is that synthetic fibers trap heat and moisture, they can shed microplastics, and are usually treated with various chemicals including those found in moisture-wicking finishes, anti-odor coatings, stain-resistant PFAS, and more.

Natural fibers that come directly from plants or animals and are minimally processed.

• Organic cotton (the most common)
• Hemp (rare)
• Bamboo viscose (semi-synthetic)
• Silk (uncommon)

Natural fibers allow for more air flow, they are gentle on the skin, absorb moisture, are biodegradable, and have far fewer chemicals than their synthetic counterparts. 

While the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion, it’s worth noting that bras made with natural fibers, especially pure cotton, don’t have a lot of stretch, have a more relaxed or natural fit, and don’t hold a shape as well as synthetic fibers.

Organic Cotton vs Conventional Cotton

A product label that boldly proclaims 100% cotton seems purchase worthy, until you dig a little deeper and find out that not all cotton is created equal.

Organic cotton, especially GOTS-certified, will not be grown or processed with any synthetic pesticides or herbicides, GMOs, chlorine bleach or formaldehyde finishes, azo dyes with carcinogenic amines, or toxic heavy-metal dyes.

Conventional cotton is often grown with a slew of pesticides, herbicides, GMO’s and chemical fertilizers. Processing can also involve chlorine bleaching, harsh dyes, resin finishes, formaldehyde-based softeners, anti-microbial coatings, fragrance or silicone finishing sprays.

Usually the reason for switching to a natural fiber like cotton, is to reduce chemical exposure.

Health Impact

Organic cotton is going to have fewer chemicals, so it’s going to be better for sensitive skin, and safer for the breast and lymphatic areas.

Conventional cotton because of its chemical residues and harsh finishes can irritate skin and expose the breast and lymphatic areas to chemicals and potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Environmental Impact

Organic cotton doesn’t use any toxic pesticides, uses less water and has cleaner dyeing processes and thus contributes to healthier soils.

Conventional cotton on the other hand, uses a lot of chemicals and water that can lead to polluted waterways and contribute to soil degradation.

Related Content: Best Organic Cotton Underwear Brands (For Women)

What to Look for in a Truly Non-Toxic Bra

1. GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton

Sadly, there is a lot of greenwashing and questionable business practices in the organic cotton industry. For example, some manufacturers will use toxic dyes on organic cotton. 

Many brands use the term, “organic cotton” loosely, but a GOTS certification ensures that the cotton meets the strictest and most comprehensive standards for cotton and the entire production process.

A GOTS certification requires that cotton be grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or GMOs. It also sets a standard for maintaining the health of the soil and how water is used in the growth process.

GOTS prohibits the use of over 1,000 chemicals and either prohibits or has strict limitations for the following toxic chemicals:

• Formaldehyde (used in wrinkle-free finishes)
• Chlorine bleach
• Heavy metals
• Azo dyes
• Phthalates
• Toxic solvents
• Flame retardants
• PFAS (permanent “forever chemicals”)
• Nickel and chrome dyes
• Endocrine-disrupting softeners

You may have also seen the OEKO-TEX certification on cotton products, this is a good place to start, but it’s not as comprehensive as a GOTS certification. OEKO-TEX only tests the finished product, whereas, GOTS is a guarantee of organic farming, ethical labor, environmental protection, and transparent sourcing. 

2. Low-Impact or Undyed Fabrics 

Low-impact or undyed fabrics are important to look for because they reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and thus safer for sensitive body parts. Aside from the physical health benefits, they also minimize environmental damage and increase production transparency. 

One of the shady business practices of the fabric dyeing department is the use of dyes to cover up poor fabric quality or to promote claims such as, anti-odor or moisture-wicking, with heavy toxic coatings.

Consider this, many conventional dyes contain heavy metals, petroleum-based solvents, formaldehyde resins, and azo dyes that release carcinogenic amines.

Undyed fabrics are just that—undyed, while low-impact dyes fall into one of the following categories:

• Fiber-reactive dyes
• Plant-based dyes
• GOTS-approved dye systems
• OEKO-TEX certified dye houses

With dyeing being one of the most polluting aspects of the fashion industry, undyed and low-impact dyes reduce the amount of water and energy used and harmful chemicals generated and released into the environment.

3. Minimal Synthetic Fibers

Organic cotton is great for so many reasons, let us count the ways, but one of its downsides is lack of shape and support. This is why synthetic fibers are used—to make a bra that people will want to wear. 

Bras require certain performance features that organic cotton alone cannot provide. Elastane (spandex) is one such synthetic fiber that can greatly enhance an organic cotton bra. 

Using 5-10% elastane in a bra can improve the stretch, support, shape, durability, even the cost of the bra, while still maintaining a significantly cleaner bra. Elastane is also used in creating the elastic bands for bras because it stretches to fit and can withstand many washes. You can find bra bands made with natural rubber elastic, but they tend to be expensive because it’s harder to source.

Synthetic fibers to stay away from:

• Polyester
• Nylon
• Recycled Polyester (this can be okay for other pieces of clothing, just not for bras)
• Acrylic 
• Polypropylene or Polyurethane Foam Layers (usually in padded cups)
• Plastic coated elastic bands

4. Safe Elastic, Thread, and Hardware

When it comes to elastic, your best option is GOTS-certified natural rubber with a 100% organic cotton covering, if that’s not an option, look for OEKO-TEX certified elastane, Bluesign-approved elastane, or elastane that states it has a non-toxic finish. 

Natural rubber plastic is at the top of the list because as the name implies, it’s made from the sap of the rubber tree. There is no petroleum, PFAS, plastic microfibers, it’s biodegradable and yet it provides good stretch and recovery. 

When it comes to thread, GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton Thread is the best, but if that’s not an option, look for TENCEL™ or Lyocell Thread.

What you’ll find is that polyester thread is almost exclusively used in bras, unless it’s a super clean, non-toxic brand.

When it comes to hardware such as hooks, rings, and sliders, metal plating, the lacquers, glues, and nickel in them, can all be potential irritants. That’s why nickel-free stainless steel is the best option because it’s hypoallergenic, non-leaching, and doesn’t rust. If stainless steel isn’t an option, look for undyed or unlacquered brass, or non-coated aluminum. If none of the above options are available, then the next best, is plastic hardware that is OEKO-TEX certified.

5. Avoiding Greenwashing in “Eco” Bras

A lot of brands use meaningless adjectives like eco, natural, or sustainable to market their bras, even when they are anything but eco, natural, or sustainable. A closer look at the label reveals that the bra contains mostly synthetic fabrics or has harmful dyes or if you dig a little deeper, uses poor environmental practices. It’s more important to look for certifications and transparency rather than “clean” adjectives. 

Some red flags that brands are being superfluous more than sincere is when their bras have bright colors without dye disclosure, they don’t have certification numbers and they use recycled polyester as their main fabric, or are cheap. 

The reason why recycled polyester can be problematic is because it’s usually made from recycled bottles, sheds microplastics and contains harmful finishes, plus it’s not breathable or compostable.

Fast fashion brands like H&M, ZARA, American Eagle have been called out for misleading customers with their sustainable collections. Even Everlane was identified for greenwashing practices because their clothes including bras had an overreliance on synthetic materials. In general, it’s difficult, if not impossible, for mass production and sustainability to coexist. If a brand lacks transparency or third party certifications, take it as a sign to move on.

6. Underwire Dilemma

Organic cotton and wireless are usually mutually exclusive, but not a complete unicorn. A few brands do make underwire bras using organic cotton and even use natural rubber elastic and  OEKO-TEX–certified hardware. However, it’s important to note that you can get good support without underwire if the bra has a strong band, good cup design, and high-tension natural rubber.

Best Organic Cotton Bras (Brand Roundup)

**I typically wear a True Co. bra and I will say nothing feels as good as that did unfortunately!  It feels so smooth on the skin and lightweight.  However, it’s made of polyester and that’s why we are here- to find a more sustainable option.  I just wanted to share that in case you’re familiar with True Co. bras. 

Are organic cotton bras worth it?

When you consider how often and for how long you wear a bra every day, I think organic cotton bras are worth the investment. Start with one. Test it out, see what you think. Organic cotton bras have come a long way in their construction and style, plus, if you don’t like one brand’s fit, return it and try out another brand. I hope that my reviews will steer you in the right direction but if not, most brands do have a good return policy that I recommend using before deciding that organic cotton bras aren’t worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are organic cotton bras better for your skin?

Organic cotton bras are better for your skin because they are softer, more breathable, and less likely to irritate skin than synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers are usually processed with pesticides, chlorine bleach, formaldehyde-based finishes, and heavy metal dyes which can cause contact dermatitis, rashes, or other forms of skin irritation. 

Organic cotton, as long as it’s GOTS-certified, reduces the amount of harmful chemicals your body absorbs through friction and heat especially on those 12+ hour long wear days. 

2. Do organic cotton bras provide enough support?

Cotton bras can provide enough support as long as they are well constructed because support comes from the band, cup structure, and stitching. Usually bras with a strong, wide band made of natural rubber elastic, and double layer cotton support panels are going to provide enough support for all cup sizes and activities. The only exception is running and HIIT which may require a higher elastane content and compression for comfort.

3. Are organic cotton bras completely plastic-free?

To be completely plastic-free, an organic cotton bra must use 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, natural rubber elastic, organic cotton thread, metal hardware like stainless steel or brass, no foam cups or adhesives. This is a tall order, so even most organic cotton bras contain some form of plastic. Most organic cotton bras use some elastane, synthetic elastic, polyester thread, along with some plastic hardware.

This is far better and non-toxic than synthetic bras, but just because a bra uses organic cotton doesn’t mean it is completely plastic-free.

4. How do you wash organic cotton bras?

• Wash in cold water
• Use a gentle, non-toxic detergent
• Use a mesh laundry bag
• Wash on a gentle cycle
• Air dry
• Reshape while damp

5. Do organic cotton bras stretch out over time?

Cotton by nature stretches out over time. However, when it comes to bras, how much it stretches really depends on if it contains any elastic or any elastane. High quality elastics include natural rubber (GOTS-certified) or elastane (OEKO-TEX certified). 

If an organic cotton bra is well-constructed, it will keep its shape longer than a 100% organic cotton bra that really serves as a bralette.

Have you found an organic cotton bra you love? Share the brand below!

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