“Where should I shop for my boudoir shoot outfits?”
As a Denver boudoir photographer, I get this question a lot. The vast majority of my clients ask about where they can purchase items for their upcoming shoot, so I’m here today to talk about ethical lingerie brands.
Not everyone wants to shop fast fashion for their boudoir shoot, so I’ve compiled a list of ethical lingerie brands that check off one or more of these ethical fashion tenets:
- Handmade, small batch, or locally made
- Sustainable materials used
- Organic materials used
- Carbon neutral
- Eco-friendly materials used
- Fair Trade certified
- WRAP certified
- Safe working environment
- Livable wages paid to employees
Without further ado, let’s get to it! Here are my recommendations for ethical lingerie brands that you can shop for your next shoot:
Blush
LA-based lingerie brand Blush has a banger mission statement for their company: “Your favorite lingerie brand. Designed by women, for women. Globally sourced, Ethically made.” Blush promotes safe, lawful, humane and ethical manufacturing, and their entire production chain respects their values as a brand and as a person. Their supply chain holds various certifications, including, but not limited to: WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production), SA8000 and BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative).
Reformation
Holy beautiful! You know I’m a big fan of lace so this is an easy recommendation to make. With pricing and styles similar to Victoria’s Secret, I guarantee you’ll find something you love from Reformation, a company that’s been carbon-neutral since 2015.
Uye Surana
If you’re looking for some punchy color for your boudoir outfits, look no further than Uye Surana, a New York-based company that offers inclusive sizing, competitive pricing, and eco-friendly intimates.
Aikyou
This one is a very personal recommendation: Aikyou, a German brand that crafts lingerie for ladies with small boobs. How cool is that?! I’ve been a long-time member of my local Itty Bitty Tittie Committee. As such, finding this brand was a self-esteem boost. Plus, they use Fair Trade-certified organic cotton that is assembled in a Fair Trade-certified workshop.
Clare Bare
Los Angeles-based Clare Bare has “upcycled” and “zero waste” shopping categories on their website where you can find one-of-a-kind lingerie that’s been fashioned from vintage fabrics found at thrift shops. Hella crafty!
Larkspur Lingerie
Also based out of Los Angeles, Larkspur Lingerie makes small-batch intimates that you can also have made as vegan (sans silk). I didn’t even know that was a thing. Way too cool!
Ayten Gasson
Silk lovers, this is for you! UK-based company Ayten Gasson crafts handmade, vegan-friendly silk lingerie that would be perfect for a boudoir shoot. This is a luxury brand so it’d be a bit of a splurge — but worth every penny!
Lé Buns
Don’t worry — if you prefer simpler intimate styles, I haven’t forgotten about you! Lé Buns offers eco-conscious intimates (and swimwear!) for those who don’t necessarily want lace and frills for their shoot. Also, I just ordered some basics from this company and I can’t wait to wear them at my own boudoir shoot soon!
Pact
Sometimes you just want a simple, cute pair of undies, am I right? Pact has those perfect-for-lounging-around-the-house cotton undies that are Fair Trade factory certified and organic. Double whammy! These would look great paired with a slouchy, off-the-shoulder sweater and knee-high socks at your boudoir shoot.
And there you have it! This list definitely isn’t exhaustive, as there are plenty of other ethical lingerie brands out there across the globe. I encourage you to start here and use these companies as a jumping-off point in your search for your boudoir outfits. Who knows what cool pieces you’ll find to add to your wardrobe?!
Thank you for taking the time to read through my thoughts and recommendations. If you’re ready for your shoot or if you’re curious about the whole boudoir process as a whole, let’s chat! Feel free to get in touch with any questions or if you’re ready to book!
-Ash
