Shopping for compostable underwear that is comfortable, healthy on your skin, and also looks special on your body is not an easy endeavor. Most underwear on the market is either very basic – plain cotton fabric, in plain design – or looks elegant and sexy, but it’s 100% polyester.
Growing up in Italy, I’ve always had a strong passion for design, aesthetics, and everything that looks great in general. However, in recent years, I started giving more importance to comfort and health, particularly in clothing, apparel, and accessories that come in contact with the skin. Raise your hand if you ever bought a bra that looked fantastic, but it was incredibly uncomfortable to wear, leading to scratching all along the chest circumference?
Yes, that has happened to me several times. Therefore, talking about its importance for both comfort and health, I was excited when I received the opportunity to try the JulieMay Rosie – Silk & Organic Cotton Lace Full Cup Wireless Bra and Thong, and I have to say — it’s one of the most comfortable and elegant lingerie sets I’ve worn in a long time.
I first came across the JulieMay brand when I was desperately trying to find underwear not made of synthetic fibers, but natural fibers, for my platform I’m Plastic Free. I discovered that JulieMay was a UK-based brand that made allergy-friendly underwear – ethically handmade (see the video of their factory) – with no synthetics, no latex, no harsh chemicals, no exposed elastics, and nickels free. They’ve been accredited by AllergyUK as their products are friendly for people with allergic reactions to synthetic fibres and sensitive skins. In fact, all products have been scientifically tested and approved by qualified dermatologists. They have been also endorsed by Menopause Experts to be a good option for people experiencing hot flashes and new allergies from menopause.
The company was established in 2018 by female entrepreneur Tiffany Chiu, after her mother, Julie, developed increased skin rashes. Recognizing a lack of hypoallergenic intimate apparel in the market, she set out to fill this gap… and she did that very successfully!
I also love the fact that they support several charity organisations from Uncommon Threads, act, The Bra Recyclers, Galop, Plastic Bank Recycling etc.
The first thing I check when buying underwear, or actually, when buying anything I should say, is the material composition, unless I buy second hand, but that doesn’t apply to underwear. For the Rosie set I tried it is, as confirmed by the manufacturer:
The brand ensured to me that they use only 100% fair trade mulberry peace silk that is produced without harming or killing the silk moths. This combination of silk and organic Pima cotton in the fabric is and feels incredibly luxurious, and what makes the product unique, in my opinion.
Pure soft silk is used as an overlay in the inner crotch of the undies and in the cup interiors because it absorbs moisture and prevents odour when in contact with sensitive parts. In fact, silk has been proven to have antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, as demonstrated in scientific studies (1) performed with this material.
The inner lining is pure cotton, making it hypoallergenic and perfect for sensitive skin. Overall, the craftsmanship is impeccable — everything on this set feels well-stitched and durable, and I’ll update this blog article on how it looks after washing it.
Image Credit: JulieMay Lingerie
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These are the sizes I ordered:
I used this chart to select the right sizes, and it was extremely helpful to me.
The bra was the perfect size, while the thong could have probably been one size less, but it still fits well, and I honestly prefer underwear when it’s a bit loser and comfortable than too tight.
The first thing I noticed while wearing the bra was how lightweight yet supportive it is. I’ve used bras with wires that came out when washing them, I even used to stitch them back in place… So, having a wire-free bra that still provides support, thanks to a full-cup design, while being totally comfortable on your skin is great. If you prefer a padded bra (great for small breasts!), they offer a couple of styles with removable cotton padding, designed for catching small leaks during breastfeeding, post surgery, and also to offer slight size balancing.
The bra band feels snug but not restrictive, and the soft organic cotton lining doesn’t irritate the skin. I love the feel of the silk lining in the cup interiors.
The thong is equally comfortable — no digging, no awkward bunching, just a smooth, breathable fit.
I also noticed that both the bra and the thong had no tags! Nothing is worse on your skin than an itchy tag, I usually remove labels on fabrics, so this is another great point for sensitive skin, it’s already done!
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The lace detailing on this set, with a bow in the middle of the bra, is beautiful. This silk and lace overlay adds a delicate, feminine touch. I ordered the “red” color, but it’s not actually red, it’s more a “dark coral pink” color, which I truly love, because it feels sophisticated rather than overly girly. I love the fact that it’s pretty enough to feel special with all the lace embroidery, but it’s also still functional for everyday comfortable wear.
The hooks and adjusters in the bra are made of acrylics, because they provide a safer option for nickel-sensitive people. Please remove these, as well as the bow, before composting the bra. The threads, embroidery lace & trims are made of cotton. The manufacturer states that the dyes are non-toxic, so the set should be safe to compost.
Related: 5 Organic Non Toxic Blankets and Throws in Super Soft Natural Fibers
If you’re looking for a sophisticated wire-free bra and thong set that doesn’t compromise on support, beauty, or sustainability, the JulieMay Rosie set is an excellent choice. It’s perfect for sensitive skin, eco- and health-conscious shoppers, and anyone like me, who values both comfort and elegance in their lingerie. I highly recommend this set!
I hope this JulieMay Lingerie set review was useful. To experience the comfort and support of their luxury underwear for yourself, use the code PLASTICFREE at the checkout for a 15% discount on your orders. They ship worldwide.
Check out the Rosie set on the JulieMay website
(1) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7500605/