About our fabrics
Taking the utmost care in fabric sourcing
Because we are a proudly eco-centric business, we have pledged that every fabric used to create every single ColieCo product will meet one of the following criteria:
The fabric is made from an inherently sustainable and sustainably processed natural fibreThese include the fabric made from TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres used in our TENCEL™ Intimate collection and the silk alternative fabric made from organically-grown and closed-loop processed bamboo found in our Bamboo collection |
The fabric is made primarily from recycled materialsThese include the RPET fabric used in our Prints collection, which is made primarily from reconstituted plastic drinks bottles |
The fabric is reclaimed from fashion industry deadstock, line-ends or off-cuts otherwise destined for landfillThese include all of the mesh fabrics used in our Mesh collection (and elsewhere in the ColieCo range) and all of the lycra fabrics used in our Swimwear collection |
At present, sustainable and sustainably processed natural fibre fabrics make up around 30% (25% TENCEL™ Intimate, 5% bamboo silk), recycled fabrics (all RPET) around 10%, and reclaimed fabrics around 60% of our fabric mix.
Learn more about our eco-centric approach
Our fabrics
Because we are determined to deliver you garments of the highest quality, we will only ever use materials we judge to be of the highest quality.
TENCEL™ Intimate(96% LENZING™ Lyocell, 4% elastane) The fabric used in our TENCEL™ Intimate collection is super soft and gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. TENCEL™ Intimate cellulosic fibers embrace the body with long-lasting softness to help skin feel pleasantly cool and dry throughout the day and night. As a result of their smooth surface, the fibers offer an exquisitely gentle quality that creates a 'barely there' feel. These fibers also naturally manage the transportation of moisture, contributing to breathable fabrics that provide a less favourable environment for bacterial growth. All TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are derived from sustainably grown wood harvested from certified and controlled sources, and processed using a closed loop system which recovers and reuses the water and solvents used. The result is that the production of TENCEL™ Lyocell requires 85% less water than the production of cotton. This is one reason why fabrics made from TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are widely recognised as being amongst the most environmentally friendly options for clothing. Fabric manufacture: Barcelos, Portugal. Fabric manufacturer certifications: Higg Index, GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. Fabric certifications: Lenzing certified. Fibre processing: Lenzing, Austria. Fibre processor certifications: EU Ecolabel, EcoVadis, ISO9001/14001. Fibre certifications: USDA, FSC, PEFC, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. Dyeing: Barcelos, Portugal. Dyer certifications: Higg Index (environmental, social and labour modules), OEKO-TEX STeP, GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS. Both the fabric manufacturer and fibre processor guarantee all workers are paid a full living wage in accordance with the Global Living Wage Coalition definition. |
 |
 |
RPET recycled polyester(85% RPET, 15% elastane) Our RPET fabric is lightweight, super smooth, and stretchy. It is made in Europe from 85% RPET recycled polyester - 100% of which comes from recycled PET plastic drink bottles - and is sustainably printed for ColieCo in Portugal. RPET requires less energy to produce than virgin polyester, with around 75% lower CO2 emissions. It also requires around 90% less water than virgin polyester - a negligible amount compared with water super-intensive natural fibres like cotton. And maybe most importantly, it helps keep plastic bottles out of landfill, and out of our waterways and oceans. The fabric carries both OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 and Global Recycled Standard certifications. Fabric manufacture: Italy. Fabric certifications: GRS, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. |
Bamboo silk(100% closed-loop bamboo viscose) The bamboo silk fabric used in our ARAYA collection is soft, light, lustrous and highly breathable. It is made from ECOCERT certified organically-grown and rainwater-fed bamboo sourced from FSC certified forests, and manufactured in a closed-loop process with OEKO-TEX STeP certification. This process involves capturing both the chemicals used to break down the raw bamboo and their by-products, and recycling them through recovery and enrichment combustion, preventing waste and any potential for the pollution of the outside environment. Water used through the process is captured, treated and recycled in-factory. The fabric also carries OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification, meaning that it is guaranteed free from harmful substances and perfect for your skin. Not only does our bamboo silk tick the sustainability and quality boxes, but as the rest of the ColieCo Lingerie collection, it is also a 100% vegan material. Fabric manufacture: Yanjiao, China. Manufacturer certifications: OEKO-TEX STeP. Fabric certifications: OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. Fibre processing: Hebei, China. Fibre processor certifications: OEKO-TEX STeP, ISO 9001. Fibre certifications: ECOCERT, OCIA, FSC, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. Dyeing: Yanjiao, China. Dyer certifications: OEKO-TEX STeP. Both the fabric manufacturer and fibre processor guarantee all workers are paid a full living wage in accordance with the Global Living Wage Coalition definition. |
 |
 |
Reclaimed mesh(nylon, elastane) Our power mesh fabric - a strong, firm knit with a four way stretch and a super smooth finish - is sourced from suppliers who reclaim unwanted deadstock, line-ends and off-cut material directly from end-manufacturers producing collections for some of the world's largest lingerie brands. This material can include entire rolls that have been rejected by manufacturers due to small flaws in the fabric, which they are unwilling to work around. With intelligent garment design and minimal-waste cutting processes, we are able to keep these fabrics out of landfill and offer them a second chance at life! |
Reclaimed swimwear lycra(80% nylon, 20% elastane) The lycra we use in our swimwear collection is deadstock fabric, rescued by our suppliers having been rejected and abandoned by luxury swimwear brands. This can happen because the brands have decided not to use the fabric having misbought, overbought or abandoned planned lines. Historically, much of this fabric would have ended up in landfill or the incinerator. This luxury matte fabric is a super soft and stretchy nylon/elastane blend, knitted in Italy, and features UV protection and chlorine, suncream, oil and pilling resistance. Fabric manufacture and dyeing: Bergamo, Italy. Manufacturer/dyer certifications: ISO14001, Higg Index (environmental, social and labour modules). Fabric certifications: OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. |
 |
 |
Our elastics(polyester, elastane) All of our elastics are manufactured in Europe by suppliers carrying OEKO-TEX STeP certification for sustainable textile production. They all also carry OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification, meaning that they are guaranteed free from harmful substances. Our thread(100% RPET) Because the details matter, in 2021 we began the transition to 100% RPET thread. This super high quality thread is manufactured in Europe from recycled PET plastic drink bottles, ensuring that even the stitches in your garments have been placed with the environment in mind. The thread carries both Global Recycled Standard and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certifications. Our hardware(24K pure gold finished zamak) The hook fastenings, rings and sliders we use across our collection (with the exception of our HEARTBREAKER suspender belt and thigh harnesses) are sourced in Europe and made from 24K pure gold finished zamak. This premium quality hardware does not tarnish, is 100% nickel-free, and is also OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified. |
TENCEL™ Intimate
(96% LENZING™ Lyocell, 4% elastane)
The fabric used in our TENCEL™ Intimate collection is super soft and gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.
TENCEL™ Intimate cellulosic fibers embrace the body with long-lasting softness to help skin feel pleasantly cool and dry throughout the day and night. As a result of their smooth surface, the fibers offer an exquisitely gentle quality that creates a 'barely there' feel.
These fibers also naturally manage the transportation of moisture, contributing to breathable fabrics that provide a less favourable environment for bacterial growth.
All TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are derived from sustainably grown wood harvested from certified and controlled sources, and processed using a closed loop system which recovers and reuses the water and solvents used. The result is that the production of TENCEL™ Lyocell requires 85% less water than the production of cotton. This is one reason why fabrics made from TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are widely recognised as being amongst the most environmentally friendly options for clothing.
Fabric manufacture: Barcelos, Portugal. Fabric manufacturer certifications: Higg Index, GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. Fabric certifications: Lenzing certified. Fibre processing: Lenzing, Austria. Fibre processor certifications: EU Ecolabel, EcoVadis, ISO9001/14001. Fibre certifications: USDA, FSC, PEFC, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. Dyeing: Barcelos, Portugal. Dyer certifications: Higg Index (environmental, social and labour modules), OEKO-TEX STeP, GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS.
Both the fabric manufacturer and fibre processor guarantee all workers are paid a full living wage in accordance with the Global Living Wage Coalition definition.
Learn more about TENCEL™ Intimate fabrics
Shop the TENCEL™ Intimate collection.
RPET recycled polyester
(85% RPET, 15% elastane)
Our RPET fabric is lightweight, super smooth, and stretchy. It is made in Europe from 85% RPET recycled polyester - 100% of which comes from recycled PET plastic drink bottles - and is sustainably printed for ColieCo in Portugal.
RPET requires less energy to produce than virgin polyester, with around 75% lower CO2 emissions. It also requires around 90% less water than virgin polyester - a negligible amount compared with water super-intensive natural fibres like cotton. And maybe most importantly, it helps keep plastic bottles out of landfill, and out of our waterways and oceans.
The fabric carries both OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 and Global Recycled Standard certifications.
Fabric manufacture: Italy. Fabric certifications: GRS, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100.
Bamboo silk
(100% closed-loop bamboo viscose)
The bamboo silk fabric used in our ARAYA collection is soft, light, lustrous and highly breathable.
It is made from ECOCERT certified organically-grown and rainwater-fed bamboo sourced from FSC certified forests, and manufactured in a closed-loop process with OEKO-TEX STeP certification.
This process involves capturing both the chemicals used to break down the raw bamboo and their by-products, and recycling them through recovery and enrichment combustion, preventing waste and any potential for the pollution of the outside environment. Water used through the process is captured, treated and recycled in-factory.
The fabric also carries OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification, meaning that it is guaranteed free from harmful substances and perfect for your skin.
Not only does our bamboo silk tick the sustainability and quality boxes, but as the rest of the ColieCo Lingerie collection, it is also a 100% vegan material.
Fabric manufacture: Yanjiao, China. Manufacturer certifications: OEKO-TEX STeP. Fabric certifications: OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. Fibre processing: Hebei, China. Fibre processor certifications: OEKO-TEX STeP, ISO 9001. Fibre certifications: ECOCERT, OCIA, FSC, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. Dyeing: Yanjiao, China. Dyer certifications: OEKO-TEX STeP.
Both the fabric manufacturer and fibre processor guarantee all workers are paid a full living wage in accordance with the Global Living Wage Coalition definition.
Shop the Bamboo Silk collection.
Reclaimed mesh
(nylon, elastane)
Our power mesh fabric - a strong, firm knit with a four way stretch and a super smooth finish - is sourced from suppliers who reclaim unwanted deadstock, line-ends and off-cut material directly from end-manufacturers producing collections for some of the world's largest lingerie brands.
This material can include entire rolls that have been rejected by manufacturers due to small flaws in the fabric, which they are unwilling to work around.
With intelligent garment design and minimal waste cutting processes, we are able to keep these fabrics out of landfill and offer them a second chance at life!
Shop the Mesh lingerie collection.
Reclaimed swimwear lycra
(80% nylon, 20% elastane)
The lycra we use in our swimwear collection is deadstock fabric, rescued by our suppliers having been rejected and abandoned by luxury swimwear brands.
This can happen because the brands have decided not to use the fabric having misbought, overbought or abandoned planned lines. Historically, much of this fabric would have ended up in landfill or the incinerator.
This luxury matte fabric is a super soft and stretchy nylon/elastane blend, knitted in Italy, and features UV protection and chlorine, suncream, oil and pilling resistance.
Fabric manufacture and dyeing: Bergamo, Italy. Manufacturer/dyer certifications: ISO14001, Higg Index (environmental, social and labour modules). Fabric certifications: OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100.
Our elastics
(polyester, elastane)
All of our elastics are manufactured in Europe by suppliers carrying OEKO-TEX STeP certification for sustainable textile production.
They all also carry OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification, meaning that they are guaranteed free from harmful substances.
Our thread
(100% RPET)
Because the details matter, in 2021 we began the transition to 100% RPET thread.
This super high quality thread is manufactured in Europe from recycled PET plastic drink bottles, ensuring that even the stitches in your garments have been placed with the environment in mind.
The thread carries both Global Recycled Standard and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certifications.
Our hardware
(24K pure gold finished zamak)
The hook fastenings, rings and sliders we use across our collection (with the exception of our HEARTBREAKER suspender belt and thigh harnesses) are sourced in Europe and made from 24K pure gold finished zamak.
This premium quality hardware does not tarnish, is 100% nickel-free, and is also OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified.
Did you know?...
...that every time you wash your clothes, they shed tens of thousands of microfibres, which break off and enter washing machine waste water. This waste water ultimately arrives in rivers and oceans, contributing to the pollution of marine environments.
Microfibres shed by clothing made from synthetic materials like polyester and nylon are of particular concern, because they contain plastic.
Our GUPPYFRIEND washing bags not only reduce the amount of fibres which break away from synthetic clothing, they also collect those fibres which do break away, so that after washing they can be easily removed and disposed of conscientiously.