These are the female founded Scandinavian underwear brands you need to know about

Nice undergarments aren't simply a treat for others to enjoy, it’s for us who wear it. In recent years the industry has finally become more aware of this notion and have started to manufacture underwear that looks good but feel even better. This is due in part to the amount of female lingerie-brand founders who focus just as much on design as on comfort. (Finally.)

Here are six of the best selections:

Swedish-bred, Berlin-based designer Sofie Andersson wanted to create comfortable and sexy lingerie, without compromising the planet. Her solution is Anekdot, which uses certified recycled nylons made in Italy, with the highest percentage of recycled fibres and fine quality that they could find on the market. "We are an up-cycling brand and for the lingerie collection we source our materials from precious leftovers from the luxury fashion industry, including off-cuts, surplus, production errors, miscalculations and unwanted or forgotten fabrics due to fast paced trend cycles," Andersson expands. "Our production takes place with local seamstresses in Berlin and Poland which dramatically reduce our carbon footprint, and we use sustainable packaging without plastic."

And the underwear looks as good as it feels. "Underwear is the first garment we put on our bodies in the morning and wear close to our skin all day," she explains. "If you wear underwear that embrace your natural self, I believe it makes you shine a more vibrant version of you. I’m sure that it empowers you to be bold, dare to make things differently, stand up for yourself, see things from new perspectives, trust the core of your being, do what feels right, and make choices that aligns with your true values."

Swedish duo Marie Stolt and Maria Lager want to make underwear for all women, of all ages and sizes – which is apparent in their inclusive use of models. Understatement underwear’s comfortable and wire-free bralettes come in numerous colours and materials and their panties promise to not “ride up” in uncomfortable places. "We believe that comfort builds confidence. Feeling comfortable in your skin, and in your underwear, the first layer on your body, is where it all starts," explains founder Maria Lager. "This is why comfort is at the core of all of our products. We really want to make products that feel as good as they look."

For Understatement, sustainability is to ensure that your product lasts. "We spend a lot of time and effort finding the right, high-quality materials to make sure that all of our pieces last. Laces from Germany, Microfiber from Italy, the best waistbands all the from Japan," Lager explains. " We swap out raw materials for more sustainable options where we can: our microfibers are made from recycled polyamide, some of our laces are made with organic cotton and recycled elastane, and our full swimwear line is made with Econyl: a recycled nylon made from fishing nets and other ocean plastic. Our upcoming loungewear line will be made with Organic Cotton and Modal."

Danish sisters Arina and Anya Woron share a passion for sustainability - and good underwear. "Before launching our own line, the experience of having to buy a bra was anything but confidence boosting or empowering," they explain. "The discomfort of wires etc. and the fact that almost everything for our smaller bust sizes was with push-up pads or looked like a starter bra, just added to that feel; that comfort is not a priority and femininity has a certain look."

Their brand, which bears their last name, produces both utterly comfortable (GOTS certified) cotton underwear and dreamy lace creations made from recycled ocean plastic. And it's all about fit. "When the underpants aren’t riding up and the bra isn’t chafing or trying to suffocate you, when one’s body just finally says “aaaah, I’m good right now”, then it’s as if magic happens," the sisters explain. "We use clothing to express ourselves, but sometimes, it’s what we wear below the surface that makes us feel most powerful."