Finding a brand you love that also loves the planet is a must. When Organic Basics launched in 2015, it had one core mission: to make ‘sustainable and better made basics’. Sporting consciously-designed clothing that’s made to last, the brand has fast become one of the best-known sustainable retailers for high-quality activewear and underwear.
To put things in simple terms, the brand website states: “We put sustainable thinking at the center of everything – that means we only choose fabrics that care for our environment and we only ever partner with factories that care about their impact, too.”
Since its launch, this company has gone from strength, with retailers around the world stocking it. So, is Organic Basics really worth the hype? Let’s take a look at the brand, what the people behind it are doing for the planet and everything else you need to know.
ECO-FRIENDLY, LUXURY ACTIVEWEAR
With sleek cuts, Silvertech fabric, and high levels of comfort, there’s so much to love about the Organic Basics activewear range. While the brand is known mainly for its underwear, it would be a mistake to overlook the premium sports gear it has to offer.
Sports and Workout Bras
With a minimal design and sweat-wicking technology, the sports bras from Organic Basics are the perfect fit. The brand offers both sports and workout bras, depending on the impact level of your exercise. These pieces of gear are durable, long-lasting, and comfortable.
Yoga Shorts
Yoga shorts have been a huge trend in 2020, and so it’s worth looking at the shorts from Organic Basics. These ethically-made pieces are ideal for any type of workout. With breathable, sweat-wicking technology and a firm fit, there’s so much to love here.
Active Leggings
Featuring a combination of recycled nylon and elastane, the active leggings from Organic Basics are worth a look. These seamless, high-waisted leggings are primed for yoga sessions, workouts, or simply lounging around your home. The vegan-approved products are also sweat-wicking and have Polygiene to prevent odour.
Organic Cotton Tees
Everyone needs a plain cotton tee as a wardrobe staple. Luckily, the offering from Organic Basics includes a simple yet stylish t-shirt option. With a crew-neck cut and a slight stretch to the fabric, you can be sure that this ethically-made piece will be extremely comfortable.
LESS IMPACT ON THE PLANET
We all have an obligation to consider the impact we’re having on the planet. Making small changes to our habits and lifestyles could play a serious role when it comes to lowering our overall impact. Fortunately enough, the people behind Organic Basics have our backs.
The Silvertech Active range brought the brand even more clout. Killing 99% of bacteria means that these activewear pieces can be used for weeks without needing to be washed. Mads Fibiger Rasmussen, Co-Founder of Organic Basics, told the Evening Standard:
“Silvertech Active is made from premium Italian mechanically recycled nylon, seamlessly knit in Portugal and then treated with a safe and permanent, bluesign approved recycled silver salt called Polygiene.”
Rather than using harsh chemicals to clean your clothes, the Silvertech Active range sports an in-built cleanliness system. While you’re wearing these high-end garments, they keep themselves free from bacteria. The recycled silver salt takes centre-stage in ensuring that these fitness pieces stay fresh and clean for weeks on end.
“What that recycled silver salt does is inhibit the growth of odour forming bacteria on the fabric so it stays fresher for longer. You can treat pretty much anything with that treatment, including underwear.”
The main goal behind the Silvertech Active range is to encourage people to wash their clothes less. Clothes have a massive environmental impact, the majority of which is down to continuous washing and drying. With that in mind, washing clothes less often leads to less overall water usage and CO2 emissions. Simple.
FAIR AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
Of course, it’s not simply about helping you lower your impact on the planet. The founders of Organic Basics also take the time to ensure that the clothes they make are sustainable. According to the Good On You app, the sportswear from this brand is 96% recycled. That makes Organic Basics our most sustainable brand we stock at The Sports Edit.
That’s no accident. As Rasmussen recently told the Evening Standard, the founders have made an active decision to ensure that the brand is both sustainable and fair. Using eco-friendly materials and being choosy about the factories they use is merely a start.
“That’s our philosophy of making sustainable clothing,” said Rasmussen. “All our collections are made in ethical factories that pay their workers a fair wage. They’re made with more environmental-friendly fabrics like organic cotton and recycled materials.”
What’s more, it doesn’t end there. When it comes to transparency, Organic Basics are second to none. Last year, the brand released an Impact Report detailing the environmental impact of the company’s activities over the course of the year. The revealing report showed that Organic Basics had saved the following in 2019:
- 92 tons of CO2 emissions
- 3147625 litres of water
- 1.5 tons of fabric waste
Innovation is at the heart of Organic Basics. In 2019, the brand also released two new low-impact materials: TENCEL™ lyocell and recycled cashmere. By choosing to invest in these fabrics, rather than using cotton or polyester, the brand stays true to its goal.
Aside from creating new materials, the brand also made the move to be ‘carbon neutral’. In June last year, the company offset 1800 tonnes of carbon by partnering with CHOOOSE, an organisation that makes businesses carbon neutral by investing in carbon-reducing projects in developing countries. The brand’s first project was The Koru Wind Farm in Turkey, which reduced 83,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere.
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM (AND BEYOND)
Helping save the environment is important to the founders of Organic Basics. Last year, the business partnered with Danmarks Naturfredningsforening, giving 10% of the company revenue to planting over 130,000m² of wildflowers. Not only does these flora look fantastic, but they also give the bees and other pollinators a place to live and thrive. As a bonus, the flowers also help to restore the balance of soil, which helps new growth to emerge.
The main Organic Basics office is in Copenhagen and the founders take their eco-friendly approach seriously there too. At the start of 2020, they committed to buying second-hand furniture for the space, ordering vegan and vegetarian catering, and getting rid of plastic. These are the small steps the business founders are taking to offset their carbon footprint.
THE TAKEAWAY!
With a strong, sustainable focus and an environmental heart, Organic Basics is a true pioneer. The business founders are focussed on lowering their overall impact while offering premium activewear and underwear options. If you’re looking to add to your eco-friendly wardrobe, you can’t go far wrong with a piece from this brand.
