All Pantee sets are made from deadstock fabrics (95% cotton for comfort, 5% elastane for stretch). When we launched our first collection, we began by upcycling deadstock t-shirts into Pantees but have since expanded into using deadstock rolls of fabric so we can further our impact. We maintain very strict standards about the grade and quality of the fabric that we use to ensure there is no difference in the product. Either way it’s the same quality & the same impact. 

Deadstock fabrics are those that for whatever reason do not get used for their original intended purpose. There is a huge amount of overproduction that occurs in the fashion industry, and as a result a mind-blowing amount of clothing/fabric goes to waste. It’s extremely difficult to know exactly how much due to lack of transparency within the industry, but some studies suggest that as much as 30% of clothes made are never even sold.

To be honest, it’s very difficult to know exactly. Some deadstock will be sold on via secondary markets, but the sad reality is that a lot of it will end up in landfill or incineration. By using deadstock fabrics, we are able to extend their lifespan and reduce their impact as a result. It also allows us to reduce our demand on new made-to-order fabrics that can be incredibly water and waste intensive to create by using those that are already in existence.

Pantee bras and briefs also contain elastics (underband, waist band and straps), thread to stitch them together, and fabric brand patches on The Crop and High Waisted Briefs. You may have noticed that to date all coloured Pantee sets have contrasting white or black elastics. This is because we have never dyed our elastics to match the fabric in order to save water and avoid using chemical dyes.

Pantee socks are made from 80% BSCI/OEKO-TEX Organic Cotton, 17% recycled polyamide and 3% elastane.

Pantee underwear is cut and sewn in our facility in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Finding a manufacturing partner who not only shared our values and ethics but was willing to do something a little different - make underwear from deadstock t-shirts - was a great challenge. We had many no’s along the way, but it is true what they say… you only need one yes. 

Our production facility is run by Erdem, owner of a Buying House and Sampling room in Dhaka. Once we came to a dead end with factories due to low minimum order quantities, Erdem kindly offered us his sampling room and team of skilled machinists to help kickstart our business. We co-bought a specialist underwear machine and the rest is history. 

Since day one we have had a great working relationship with Erdem, with strong communication and transparency we feel proud to manufacture in a facility where we can guarantee fair wages, healthy conditions and zero forced or child labor. In fact, Erdem’s team are paid above the average living wage and receive a bi-annual bonus.

Our Production Manager, Karen, has visited our manufacturing team 3 times since we began working with them in late 2020.

Pantee socks are produced in a SEDEX approved factory in Portugal that holds BSCI Cotton and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 accreditations.

Yes! All Pantees are made in small batches to match demand. We produce a consistent stream of Black & White sets, but all of our colours are limited edition due to being made from deadstock fabrics. We launch our colours based on what fabrics are available vs what is on trend and once they’re gone they’re gone.

Orders are packed in recycled and recyclable cardboard boxes or paper mailer bags that are printed with water based ink and lined with biodegradable tissue paper.

Our swing tags are made from recycled paper and can also be recycled after use. Each swing tag is attached using string and a tiny safety pin.

We currently source our boxes from a UK based packaging provider and are in the process of transitioning our other packaging items such as tissue paper and stickers to them too.

Starting from April 2023, you may receive your products may be lined with an #INVISIBLEBAG.

INVISIBLEBAGs are water soluble, compostable, biodegradable, proven to be non-toxic & leave no harmful residue on earth. They're made of a water soluble and biodegradable combination of Polyvinyl Alcohol (known as PVA), starch, glycerin and water.

As a new brand, Pantee has a rare opportunity to build end-to-end sustainability practices from the start. Despite holding sustainability at the core of our business, we know there are areas in which we can improve and have clear sustainability targets for the future.

First, we are currently exploring options for what we can do with our own deadstock. Sadly, despite keeping our stock orders lean and not over-producing, we still end up with a small amount of deadstock from products that have been sent out to customers and returned. At the moment, we have a very small amount but are looking into how we can responsibly recycle these so we have a sustainable solution for the future. 

Another area in which we can approve is how we receive Pantee products from our manufacturing partners. Currently, we receive all our samples and products by air. We are working towards a point where we can ship products instead – a lower carbon alternative. In the meantime, we are actively looking into how we can track and offset the carbon emissions created during transportation from factory to fulfilment.