https://wearsubset.com/blogs/behind-it-all.atom Subset - Behind It All 2025-02-05T22:43:14-05:00 Subset https://wearsubset.com/blogs/behind-it-all/the-non-toxic-self-love-gift-guide-that-puts-you-first-this-valentine-s-day 2025-02-05T22:43:14-05:00 2025-02-11T19:28:54-05:00 The Non-Toxic, Self-Love Gift Guide That Puts You First This Valentine’s Day Amrita Uttamchandani To celebrate Subset's newest color Quartz, we're sharing our favorite non-toxic products that wrap us in self-love this Valentine's Day. 

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Subset's Non-Toxic, Self-Love Gift Guide

In a world that’s often filled with unnecessary toxins—in our products, our relationships, even our thoughts—it’s time to detox. Subset’s new Quartz color collection celebrates softness, strength, and clarity, much like its crystal namesake. But why stop with your wardrobe? This season, we’re taking a stand for all things non-toxic—from your underwear drawer to your self-care rituals.

Whether you’re treating yourself or shopping for someone who deserves a little extra love, this gift guide is packed with sustainable, non-toxic, and meaningful finds. Because we prefer products much like we prefer our relationships: non-toxic. 

The Quartz Collection: A Hug You Can Wear

Let’s start with the foundation of it all: you. Our Quartz collection brings a soft pink hue to our much-loved line of organic, non-toxic innerwear. It’s the kind of color that feels like a deep breath or a quiet moment, and it’s designed to pair beautifully with everything: from cozy weekend sweats to your favorite sustainable denim.

Made with GOTS-certified organic cotton, Subset’s innerwear is free from harmful chemicals and dyes, making it as kind to your skin as it is to the planet. Each piece feels like a gentle reminder to prioritize yourself: soft, supportive, and completely uncompromising. It’s more than just underwear—it’s a declaration of self-love.

So, while you’re slipping into something that treats your skin with care, why not extend that philosophy to the rest of your life? 

Below, we’ve curated a list of gift ideas [that we’re in love with] to help you or your loved ones live a little softer, a little clearer, and a lot less toxic.

 


 

Non-Toxic Gifts That Keep Giving

1. A Weighted Blanket That Feels Like a Hug

  • Product Pick: Bearaby Cotton Napper
  • Why It’s Non-Toxic: Made from organic cotton and free from synthetic fillers, this weighted blanket delivers comfort without compromise. Perfect for grounding yourself after a long day.
  • Self-Love Spin: Cozying up under a weighted blanket is a reminder to pause, breathe, and prioritize your well-being.

 

2.  A Candle That Won't Pollute Your Air

  • Product Pick: Primally Pure Candles [Sweet Floral Sage scent]
  • Why It’s Non-Toxic: Made with clean-burning beeswax and housed in recycled glass jars, their candles are free from chemicals and fragrances. We also love their recycling program [reminds us of ours!]
  • Self-Love Spin: Lighting a candle sets the mood for mindfulness. This one creates a toxin-free space to find your calm, reflect and recharge.

 

3.   A Water Bottle That’s Better for You and the Planet

  • Product Pick: Aarke Stainless Steel Bottle
  • Why It’s Non-Toxic: Stainless steel keeps your water clean and crisp, without leaching harmful chemicals like PFAs or microplastics. We like using this one as our go-to water source, carbonated or not.
  • Self-Love Spin: Staying hydrated is a simple but powerful way to care for yourself, and this chic bottle makes it feel luxurious.

 

4.   Clean Skincare That Actually Works

  • Product Pick: Herbivore Phoenix Rosehip Face Oil
  • Why It’s Non-Toxic: Herbivore’s skincare gives your skin a beautiful, radiant glow with all-natural ingredients. And it feels great on your skin.
  • Self-Love Spin: Enhance your natural beauty without masking it. Because your skin deserves the same love you give everyone else.

 

5.  Non-Toxic Innerwear That's as Honest as You Are

  • Product Pick: Subset Quartz Triangle Soft Bra & Mid-Rise Bikini  
  • Why It’s Non-Toxic: GOTS certified organic cotton, ethically made, and dyed without harmful chemicals—this is innerwear that puts you first.
  • Self-Love Spin: Nothing says “I care about myself” more than upgrading your most basic layers to soft, safe and sustainable styles in the sweetest hue. 

 


 

The Power of Non-Toxic Choices

When you surround yourself with products that are as intentional as Subset’s organic cotton collection, you’re making a statement: you’re worth it. Non-toxic choices aren’t just about avoiding harm—they’re about embracing care, clarity, and love in every area of your life.

This Valentine’s season, let’s give gifts that truly nurture. Whether it’s the perfect pair of organic cotton briefs or a touch of blush that shows off your inner glow, these gifts are more than just gestures—they’re tools for living with love and intention.

Slip into a Quartz Essential Robe, light a fragrance-free candle, and pour yourself a mindful matcha. Here’s to safe fabrics, soft moments, and a life free from the toxic stuff—because you deserve nothing less.

 

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https://wearsubset.com/blogs/behind-it-all/find-your-fit-what-bra-size-are-you 2022-05-15T14:00:00-04:00 2025-03-20T23:57:25-04:00 Find Your Fit: What Bra Size Are You? Hannah Smith Finding your bra size is no easy feat. So the Subset Pros share measurement guides and expert tips to help you find your perfect fit. 

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Without a reliable set of industry standards, bra sizing can feel like a gamble from brand to brand - leaving it to you to order, try, return, repeat. And to be totally honest, we don’t love that for you.

To set things straight, we're as clear as can be about how you can expect Subset to fit, but if it doesn’t work out, Bralettes with no signs of wear and their original hangtags can be exchanged for the right size or returned to refund within 30 days. So before you purchase your next Subset Bra or Bralette, let’s get into the nitty-gritty to make sure you find the right one for you!

How to Measure Your Bra Size

Fun fact: It is widely reported that anywhere from 70-80% of people are wearing the wrong bra size - so we highly recommend measuring yourself as the basis for size selection when shopping our Bras and Bralettes!1

Bra Measurement Guide

To get the most precise size possible, we recommend measuring your chest in two key areas: the bust and the band. The bust measurement refers to the fullest part of your chest, and the band refers to the measurement around your ribcage below your bust.

Our sizing chart has suggested sizing for combinations of these measurements, and we find this to be the most accurate. Scroll down to the end for a sneak peek at our sizing guides!

A Few Measuring Tips from the Pros

There are some additional tips for ensuring the most accurate measurements. 

  • Firstly, do not slacken, angle or pull the measuring tape too tight - allow the measuring tape to remain comfortable around your body, parallel to the ground all the way around your chest. Any skewing, tightening or loosening of the measuring tape could result in selecting the wrong size  - which nobody wants.
  • When you go to take the measurement, inhale normally and note the measurement before exhaling. This will ensure the most accurate measurement for comfort and ease of wear.
  • If you have a roommate, friend, or partner handy, have them measure for you - if you can avoid moving your arms, you will get a more accurate reading!

Bra Styles for Every Body

When deciding on a size, it’s also important to keep in mind if you want adjustability in your style selection.

  • The Scoop Bralette is a pull-over-the-head design - and while it does not feature adjustability in the arms or bust, is certainly super secure.
  • The Tank Bralette - also a pull-over style includes adjustable recycled nylon straps with eco-coated rings and sliders to help tailor the Bralette even further to your body in both support and chest length from your shoulder to your ribs.
  • For adjustable support and fit around the chest, our Triangle and Keyhole Soft Bras both feature hook-and-eye closures in the back, in addition to adjustable shoulders. 

Compare Your Old Bra

If you’re used to alpha-numerical sizing, our sizing chart offers suggestions for equivalencies across Subset's size range. For example, a 32B would be a Small whereas a 36D would land at a Large. And if you need any clarity while shopping, our Fit Experts can always help you select a size based on your measurements, or existing bra collection. 


Try on Tips

As we said, Bralettes with no sign of wear and their hangtags still on are eligible for exchange or refund. Here are a few guiding principles when it comes to trying on at home, risk-free!

  • When trying on for the first time, make sure your skin is free from deodorant, oils, lotions, or self-tanners that might stain the fabric and make your return ineligible.
  • If applicable, start first by placing the bust band on the loosest hook. As you wear it, the Bralette will stretch and you can adjust for that by using tighter hooks over time. If you’re using the loosest hook and find the band is digging into your ribcage or riding up in the back, you’ll likely need to go up one size.
  • If your Bralette has adjustable shoulder straps, save these for last. Once your bust band is secure, use the D-ring sliders to adjust your shoulder straps comfortably. Not too tight that they dig into your shoulders, but tight enough to not slip off. 


Subset's Bra Measurement Guide

Footnotes

  1. “Breast size, bra fit and thoracic pain in young women: a correlational study.” Cameron, Fitzgerald, Wood. 13 March 2008. https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights/style-thats-sustainable-a-new-fast-fashion-formula

 

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https://wearsubset.com/blogs/behind-it-all/the-top-3-toxins-to-avoid-in-your-clothing-especially-your-underwear 2022-04-04T11:25:00-04:00 2025-03-20T23:54:50-04:00 The Top 3 Toxins To Avoid In Your Clothing [Especially Your Underwear] Hannah Smith When you shop for clothing, including your innerwear, be on the look out for the top toxins that will wreak havoc on your body [and the planet], and see how Subset optimizes for non-toxic materials every step of the way.

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 Organic Cotton

Unlike most undergarment manufacturers, at Subset, we know that cancer-causing substances have no business up in your business. So we go above and beyond to use GOTS certified organic cotton and Oeko-Tex certified dyes and finishes, both of which are guaranteed free from harmful toxins.

You might be asking yourself, “Why on earth do we need certifications to prove what you’re putting on your body isn’t harmful?” The simple answer is:

 

Most materials used to make your clothes are unregulated, unreported, and unsafe.

 

Learn more about what you avoid in your intimates - and what we at Subset will never use.

Top Toxins To Avoid

 

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a word you know and that you likely have a negative connotation around. The truth is that it is a known carcinogen, but it’s also commonly found on clothing. 

This chemical is a powerful anti-wrinkling agent when used on textiles, and is in turn used to keep clothes looking in tip-top shape throughout their lifecycle, in the stores and in your drawers. In fact, most clothing is treated with this substance to be wrinkle-free.

But that got us wondering: do you iron your undies? We didn’t think so. 

Subset's Non-Toxic Take: We make products with no formaldehyde - because it’s potentially harmful to wear, but also harmful to the communities who work with it in the supply chain process. 


Toxic Dyestuffs

There is little regulation when it comes to dyestuffs, which can also vary from country to country. In the European Union, azo-dyes are banned due to their link to cancer, but here in the US, there are no particular restrictions on their usage - this is why we chose the best on your behalf.

Many dyes even contain trace amounts of heavy metals such as lead and mercury, which are commonly avoided in the EU.

Oeko-Tex is the certification that ensures products are free from over 100 substances that are known to be harmful to human health - but are otherwise allowed in everyday household objects - including your clothing.

Subset's Non-Toxic Take: You can rest easy knowing that your Subset Sets are certified organic and free from harmful chemicals.


Volatile Organic Compounds [VOCs]

There are also toxins we cannot see that can wreak havoc on your health, without your knowledge. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are just that - they evaporate off of the products they live on at an alarmingly low temperature. These can be found on tons of products, from paint, to cosmetics, to cleaning products.

When these VOCs evaporate, they release a handful of harmful chemicals and gasses, from methane to formaldehyde. Not only does this pose a potential harm to your bod, but it poses one to the planet - it’s the primary creator of smog.

Synthetic and natural fabrics alike are often treated with chemicals that produce VOCs.

Subset's Non-Toxic Take: That's why opting for a natural fiber that’s certified free of these chemicals like GOTS-certified organic cotton continues to be the better choice for you and the planet all around.

All the toxin talk piqued your interest? Learn more about Subset's stance on non-toxic materials here.

 

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https://wearsubset.com/blogs/behind-it-all/why-sustainable-fashion-is-important 2021-10-15T16:51:00-04:00 2025-03-21T00:01:35-04:00 Why Sustainable Fashion Is Important Kinful Get to know what "eco-friendly" really means, and how toxic the fashion industry is today.

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Did you know the fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world?

In fact, it uses up to 98 million tons of non-renewable resources every single year1. That’s why turning to earth-friendly options within the supply chain is incredibly important.

Ditch Your Toxic Relationship

But these days, all kinds of brands are chirping about “sustainability,” “eco-friendliness,” and “all-natural ingredients” – what’re you supposed to believe?

Subset Ditches Toxic Relationships

At Subset, we pride ourselves on cutting through the BS and leading with cold hard facts - we’re here to clean up the fashion industry from the inside-out, and we’re happy to tell you exactly how. Read on to learn more about the effects the fashion industry has on the planet and how Subset is making a difference.

Why Is Fashion So Toxic?

When it comes down to it, the fashion industry is toxic from the get-go. Thousands of different chemicals are used to produce, dye, and finish the textiles that make up our clothing. And while some chemicals do not pose a threat to our wellbeing, many key chemicals used in textile production have knowingly harmful effects on both human and environmental health – but are still used regularly by mainstream brands - such as published carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.

Moreover, only a fraction of all textile-related substances have actually undergone toxicity testing for safety to work with because the ingredients for many of these chemicals are protected by “trade secrets” and cannot be tested for human safety.  In many of the countries that produce clothing, factory wastewater is severely under-regulated, meaning a lot is not cleaned or treated. This contaminated water impacts drinking and bathing water and enters the local food system, often in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

With no synthetic pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers in sight, organic cotton is overall much safer and more regenerative for the earth. The organic cotton that makes up your Sets, which comes from the Maharashtra region in India, is almost entirely rainfed. In one study, rainfed organic cotton was found to use up to 90% less water than irrigated conventional cotton! Because of the practices of intercropping, crop rotation and the use of only natural fertilizers, the same study found that organic cotton reduces the chance of soil erosion by up to 90% and the risk of water pollution by 26%! 

Plus, in order to ensure toxic chemicals are nowhere near your nethers,  Subset only utilizes Oeko-Tex certified dyes and finishes and GOTS-approved processing methods. You can rest easy knowing that your Sets are 100% non-toxic and better for the environment, seed-to-shelf. 

Need any other reason to make the #TopDrawerSwap? We didn’t think so.

 

Footnotes

  1. “A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future.” Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017, https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/a-new-textiles-economy
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https://wearsubset.com/blogs/behind-it-all/why-organic-cotton-underwear-matters 2021-10-05T14:06:04-04:00 2025-03-20T23:59:04-04:00 Why Organic Cotton Underwear Matters Kinful Synthetic fibers like polyester are a trap [for bacteria that is]. Organic cotton helps your skin down there breathe, as it should.

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PSA: Undies have a lot more to do with vaginal health than you might realize!

Around the world, about 300 million people suffer from yeast, vaginal, and bladder infections each year1,2,—in part due to the synthetic fabrics that don’t breathe and the harmful chemicals found in our undergarments and menstrual care products.

Knickey Cotton

The vagina is a complex biome that can easily get thrown out of whack if not treated with care. In fact, it’s one of the most absorptive organs of the body and links directly to reproductive organs. As a result, 75% of humans with a vagina will get a yeast infection at least once in their lifetime, more than 40% will get multiple, and 8-10% will experience chronic infections every year... yikes!3

How? Materials Matter.

Synthetic performance fibers such as nylon, polyester, acrylic, and lycra actively trap heat and prevent air flow, creating a bacterial breeding ground that can lead to infection, irritation and all kinds of discomfort4. Have you checked out the contents of your top drawer lately? Chances are your undies are made mostly from these materials [which PS, are covered in chemicals].

Subset Organic Cotton Underwear

Organic Cotton is Healthy.

At Subset, we’re all about comfort and feeling good in your skin - and that means providing you with a fabric that is better for your body: organic cotton.

In fact, most OBGYNs recommend a natural fiber for your nethers instead of synthetic fabrics because of its breathability and ability to prevent moisture retention5. Natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, wool, or linen, are inherently breathable and prevent moisture-trapping. This means that as sweat [and odors] accumulate, the fabric actively regulates heat and maintains airflow, for all-around comfort and better hygiene. 

At Subset, we go above and beyond with a certified organic product - so you and your body can breathe easy. Want to experience the difference? We’ve got you covered. Check out our inclusive range of organic cotton underwear styles made to fit every body here.

 

 

Footnotes

  1. Denning, David, Matthew Kneale, Jack Sobel, Riina Rautemaa-Richardson, “Global burden of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: a systematic review.” The Lancet: Infectious Diseases, 2 August 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(18)30103-8.
  2. Flores-Mireles,* Ana L., Jennifer N. Walker, Michael Caparon, Scott J. Hultgren, “Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options.” Nat Rev Microbiol., 8 April 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4457377/
  3. Bennington-Castro, Joseph, “What Is a Yeast Infection? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.” Everyday Health, 3 September 2020, Accessed 14 May 2021, https://www.everydayhealth.com/yeast-infection/guide/.
  4. “Clothing.” National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health, February 2010, Accessed 28 September 2021, https://ncceh.ca/content/clothing.
  5. Rekstis, Emily. “8 underwear rules to live by for a healthy vagina.” Healthline, 10 September 2019, Accessed 28 September 2021, https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/underwear-hygiene
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