Parade Underwear Review: My Honest Take on the Internet‘s Favorite Sustainable Skivvies
Hey there, lingerie lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the perfect pair of underwear – you know, the kind that makes you feel simultaneously comfy, confident, and cute AF. Well, I think I may have found the holy grail with Parade underwear.
Parade is a sustainable underwear brand that‘s been all over my Instagram feed lately, and for good reason. Their mission is to make eco-friendly, ethically-made undies in ultra-fun colors and prints that celebrate every body. With sizes from XS-3XL, Parade is all about inclusivity and making underwear that helps you feel like your sexiest, most authentic self.
As someone who cares about both style and sustainability, I was super intrigued by Parade‘s approach. I mean, recycled fabrics, carbon-neutral production, and donating to reproductive health organizations? Sign me up. But of course, I had to put their undies to the test myself before fully hopping on the bandwagon.
In this Parade underwear review, I‘ll give you my honest take on their bestselling styles, from fabric and fit to how they hold up in the wash. I‘ll also dive into Parade‘s sustainability and ethics practices, customer reviews, and more so you can decide if their undies are worth the hype. Let‘s get intimate!
Overview of Parade Underwear
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let‘s start with the basics. Parade is a relatively new underwear brand, founded in 2019 by Cami Tellez when she was just 21 years old. Frustrated by the lack of inclusive, sustainable options in the underwear market, Tellez set out to create a line of undies that would make people feel good in more ways than one.
Parade‘s whole motto is "sexiness for everyone" – meaning they celebrate all bodies, identities, and expressions of sexiness. They offer five core underwear styles (thongs, cheekies, briefs, hipsters, and boyshorts) in a rainbow of unique colors and prints, with new limited-edition drops every few weeks. Most pairs are made from either their signature Re:Play fabric (a silky blend of 85% recycled nylon and 15% elastane) or a super lightweight, semi-sheer Silky Mesh.
One of the coolest things about Parade is their commitment to representation. They showcase their underwear on models of all shapes, sizes, skin tones, ages, and abilities, with no airbrushing. While their actual size range is pretty standard (XS-3XL, fitting sizes 0-24ish), it‘s refreshing to see a brand celebrate diversity and show how their products look on real bodies.
As a certified B-corp, Parade also takes sustainability and social impact seriously. All their underwear is made in Oeko-Tex and SEDEX-certified factories that ensure fair wages and safe working conditions. Parade also uses recycled and recyclable packaging, and donates 1% of profits to Planned Parenthood.
So far, Parade has generated some serious buzz, with features in Vogue, Forbes, and Refinery29 and over 140K Instagram followers. They‘ve raised over $14 million in funding and sold over 1 million pairs of undies. Not bad for a two-year-old brand! But what‘s it actually like to wear Parade underwear? Let‘s find out.
My Experience with Parade Underwear
Full disclosure: Parade sent me a few pairs of underwear to test out for this review. But don‘t worry, all opinions are 100% my own and based on my honest experience!
The first thing I noticed about Parade underwear was how incredibly soft and weightless their Re:Play fabric feels. Seriously, it‘s like wearing a cloud on your bum. The material is silky smooth and cool to the touch, with a barely-there feel that‘s super breathable. I was a bit worried the recycled nylon might feel scratchy or synthetic, but nope – it‘s probably the most luxurious-feeling eco-friendly fabric I‘ve tried.
I‘m typically a size medium in underwear, so that‘s what I went with in Parade‘s Universal sizing. The fit was spot-on, conforming to my curves like a second skin without any pinching or gapping. I tried the thong, cheeky, and brief in Re:Play, and the hipster in Silky Mesh. Here‘s a quick breakdown of each style:
| Style | Coverage | Rise | Fabric | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thong | Minimal | Mid | Re:Play | $9 |
| Cheeky | Medium | Mid | Re:Play | $9 |
| Brief | Full | High | Re:Play | $9 |
| Hipster | Medium | Mid | Silky Mesh | $10 |
The Re:Play thong and cheeky quickly became my go-to pairs for everyday wear. The laser-cut edges and bonded seams mean no VPL under leggings or dresses, and I didn‘t have to adjust them at all throughout the day. The gusset is also nice and wide, which I appreciate for comfort and breathability.
For days when I want a bit more coverage, the Re:Play brief is perfection. The high-waisted silhouette offers some subtle tummy smoothing, and the full-coverage bum never rides up or shifts around. I also love the festive colors and prints Parade offers – my tie-dye and cherries prints always make me smile when I put them on!
As much as I adore the Re:Play fabric, I will say the Silky Mesh hipster took some getting used to. The material is ultra-lightweight and slightly sheer, which looks cute but feels more delicate than the Re:Play. I found it prone to stretching out slightly by the end of the day, so I might size down next time. It‘s also not as seamless under clothes, so I reserve it for looser outfits.
Overall though, I‘m incredibly impressed with the quality, comfort, and style of Parade underwear. The Re:Play fabric in particular is a total game-changer – it‘s hard to believe it‘s made from recycled materials! Parade has become my new go-to for everyday undies, and I love that I can feel good about supporting a sustainable, inclusive brand in the process.
What Do Other Customers Think?
Of course, you don‘t have to just take my word for it – Parade has thousands of rave reviews from happy customers! With a 4.8 average rating based on nearly 10,000 reviews, it‘s safe to say I‘m not the only one obsessed.
Comfort is hands-down the most common praise in Parade reviews, with countless customers calling their undies "the most comfortable ever" and "like wearing nothing." Several reviewers even say Parade has ruined other underwear for them because nothing else compares!
Customers also frequently mention Parade‘s inclusive sizing, ethical manufacturing, and fun, mood-boosting designs. "Finally, an underwear brand that GETS IT," one reviewer writes. "Sustainably made, actually inclusive, and makes my booty look bomb. Parade is the real deal!"
As with any product, there are a few less enthusiastic reviews in the mix. A handful of customers found the sizing inconsistent or too small, while others thought the Silky Mesh fabric felt flimsy for the price. Parade‘s customer service also receives a few complaints about slow email response times.
However, the vast majority of Parade reviews are glowingly positive. I did notice the brand makes a point to respond to negative reviews and seems genuinely committed to making things right for unhappy customers. Overall, it‘s clear Parade has earned its cult following for good reason!
Sustainability and Ethics
Okay, let‘s talk sustainability. As someone who tries to vote with my dollar and support eco-conscious brands, Parade‘s commitment to sustainably and ethically made undies is a huge selling point for me.
All Parade underwear is made in Certified B Corporation factories that prioritize safe working conditions, fair wages, and a low carbon footprint. Their core Re:Play fabric is made from recycled nylon that would otherwise end up in landfills, and their packaging is 100% recycled and recyclable.
Parade is also carbon-neutral in their production and shipping, and partners with Native Energy to offset their emissions. As a member of 1% for the Planet, they donate 1% of their annual revenue to environmental nonprofits.
I also love that Parade uses their platform to give back and support social causes. They‘ve donated over $100,000 to Planned Parenthood and the Black-Led Movement Fund, and regularly speak out about reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial equity. In such a divided time, it‘s refreshing to see a brand take a stand for the issues that matter.
Of course, the most sustainable underwear is what you already own. No brand is perfect, and greenwashing is sadly rampant in the fashion industry. But based on my research, Parade seems to walk their talk and make a genuine effort to minimize their environmental impact and support progressive causes. That‘s something I can definitely get behind!
Final Verdict
So, is Parade underwear worth the hype? In my expert opinion – 100% yes. Parade has managed to tick all my boxes for the perfect pair of underwear: insanely soft and comfy, sustainably made, size-inclusive, and actually cute to boot! The fact that they‘re a young, women-led brand committed to celebrating all bodies and doing good is just the cherry on top.
At $9-$14 a pair, Parade is definitely pricier than your average underwear from Target or Aerie. But in my experience, you get what you pay for when it comes to undies. Parade‘s thoughtful design, high-quality sustainable fabrics, and ethical manufacturing justify the price tag for me. Plus, they offer 20% off multi-packs if you want to stock up and save.
Since comfort is so personal, I always recommend trying a new underwear brand for yourself if you can. Luckily, Parade offers free shipping over $50 and hassle-free returns and exchanges within 30 days if you don‘t love your first pair. They also have a rewards program where you can earn points towards future purchases.
All in all, I‘m thoroughly impressed by Parade underwear and will definitely be a returning customer. They‘ve made me rethink what I put on my body every day and look forward to getting dressed from the undies up. I mean, underwear that looks good, feels good, and does good? That‘s a cause I can get behind – pun very much intended.
Obviously, your mileage may vary – we all have unique bodies, budgets, and preferences when it comes to underwear. But if you‘re in the market for sustainable, size-inclusive skivvies that make you feel like that b*tch, I highly recommend giving Parade a try. Trust this thong-wearing, planet-loving bum – your booty will thank you!
