I've been wearing my two ThirdLove 24/7 bras (reviewed here) for over a year now and though I love them, they are definitely worn out. The cups gape out even though I tightened the straps and I'm pretty sure it's from constant use (I have worn these bras daily for the last year) and machine washing them (I know I know I should be hand-washing bras). So since I'm in the market to replace my bras, I thought I might as well try out an ethical alternative {side note: back when I first did the review on ThirdLove bras, I asked their customer service for a bit more clarity on where their bras are made and their manufacturing standards and got nothing. Too bad since I do like their product and if their bras are made with as much care as they profess, then why wouldn't they be more transparent about their production?}.
Anyway, so I googled ethical bras, and Naja (<-- $10 off referral link) is one of the top companies to show up. I loved that they offer real bras with underwire and cups. I'm annoyed that most ethical underwear/bra companies only offer bralettes. I'm not busty by any means but bralettes just remind me of my adolescent years. I want a real bra please, and ethically made please. Is that too much to ask?
First off, Naja ticks off all the boxes when it comes to ethical production standards and they earn bonus points for empowering women by providing their women workers with flexible work hours, above market wages and healthcare. They are also working on improving environmental sustainability. You can read all about it here.
But well I'm disappointed to say that I'm still on the hunt for well-made ethical bras. The bra that I tried was the Anais Bra Nude 02 and though it looked really promising in photos, it just didn't fit my boobs. It was a more balcony-style bra, which I find uncomfortable. Oh and just so you know I ordered my regular size and found it fit TTS. So I have to say that it just didn't work out for me (though it might work out for you). I guess that's why I liked ThirdLove so much because it just fit me well personally.
And since I was trying to get free shipping, I also decided to try out their sports bra. I ordered the Samantha Bra in Borneo. I sized up to a medium on this one (having learned my lesson with the Outdoor Voices bra in small that I never wear). And I loved the pattern of the fabric but was not a fan of the fit. The band that sits under the boobs was really tight while the rest of the fabric wasn't so the only 'support' was coming from the band. Also the material didn't feel as luxe as my usual sports bras from Lululemon. So unfortunately this went back too.
I also ordered Naja's cheeky underwear though I have yet to try that out. I'll probably do a quick separate review of that once I wear it a couple times.
Anyway, anyone else try Naja? And does anyone know of a bras with cups and underwire that are made well and ethically? If I don't find something soon I might just reorder more from ThirdLove >_<
P.S. Did you hear, Everlane is getting on the ethical underwear bandwagon?! Though their bras are sports bra types, but the underwear looks promising (a lot like PACT's, though PACT's is made from organic cotton while Everlane's is not).
P.P.S The returns to Naja are a bit of a pain. Not only do you have to arrange to ship it back yourself on your own dime, but even 3 days after tracking says they received it no word about getting my refund...{update: as soon as I wrote this, the refund came through that evening. So FYI it takes about 3 days from receiving of shipment for the refund to come through.}