Divine Chocolate is what's known as a 'all that can be' Fairtrade brand. That means every ingredient we can source via Fairtrade means, we do. That's our cocoa, sugar, vanilla... even the almonds in our Bakewell Tart Dessert Bar!

But did you know that your clothes can be Fairtrade too? When you opt for Fairtrade cotton, you’re making the same choices to put people and planet at the heart of your everyday decisions - even down to your pants!

We've worked with our Fairtrade friends, Y.O.U to share information about how small changes, like sustainable, Fairtrade cotton underwear, can make a big difference. So grab a piece of your favourite Fairtrade chocolate bar and have a read about the good work Y.O.U are doing.

Y.O.U Underwear - Changing the World, One Pair of Pants at a Time

The clothes we choose can say a lot about us and tell a story - of where they come from, who made them, and what they mean to you. With Fairtrade cotton, you can make sure the story is a positive one.

Cotton has an extensive supply chain, meaning lots of people are involved in its production; a simple t-shirt (or pair of pants!) has gone through lots of steps, and many pairs of hands, before it reaches you. As part of the Fairtrade Foundation, Y.O.U Underwear ensures every person in this supply chain is paid a living wage as standard.

Fashion’s dirty secret

Humans have been growing and wearing cotton for thousands of years, and there are many different varieties of this widely-used ancient plant. Cotton is usually grown in tropical and sub-tropical environments where it receives lots of sunshine and moisture. Countries like India, China, Brazil, and the US, as well as areas of central Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, produce most of the cotton grown around the world. 

While people have been growing and weaving cotton for centuries, recent rapid growth in the fashion industry - particularly fast fashion - has meant that demand for cotton has ballooned, and 20 to 27 million tonnes of cotton are produced every year. That’s the equivalent of around 27 t-shirts for every person on Earth!

This boom in production has had catastrophic consequences for small scale cotton farmers and for the environment. 16% of global insecticides and nearly 5% of global pesticide use comes from cotton. When these synthetic chemicals are introduced to the environment, they poison the land and local waterways, as well as stripping soil of its nutrients. Cotton farmers often end up selling their produce for minuscule profits or even at a loss as they get more and more pressure to reduce prices and increase output. An estimated 100 million rural households are reliant on the cotton industry for their income. The cotton market is volatile and prices can fluctuate dramatically leading to instability for many families. The industry is also at risk of child and slave labour, and widespread chemical usage can be very dangerous for farmers and workers. 

What is Fairtrade cotton?

All of this paints a bleak picture of the cotton industry but thanks to the Fairtrade certification, there is the possibility of a different story for farmers and the planet - one where you can make a difference!

Y.O.U Underwear is a company that set out to make a difference from the very beginning. It started with a desire to help alleviate period poverty in Africa and the UK by working with a Buy One Give One model, meaning they donate one pair of underwear for every pair sold. However they knew that the underwear they produce could never come at the expense of the people who make them or the health of the planet. That’s why Y.O.U chose to use only Fairtrade certified cotton to ensure a fairer supply chain.

The Fairtrade Foundation works with small scale farmers to support them in creating fairer and more reliable working conditions. The certification ensures farmers and workers have been paid at least a minimum wage and that child labour is prohibited. 

The Fairtrade minimum price helps to protect farmers against fluctuating market prices, making their income more reliable. They often work with farming co-operatives and encourage smaller scale farmers to increase their profits through adding value to their product as well as supporting training and improvements to working methods. 

The Fairtrade Foundation also work with farmers to promote the use of environmentally safe practices and implement methods which benefit local wildlife. The use of healthy pest management is encouraged over chemical pesticides, and this often leads to longer term and more reliable output due to healthier soils. 

Additionally, the Fairtrade premium is offered to democratically chosen local leaders who decide, along with their community, on how to distribute it. This can go towards local projects like boreholes for water supply, school improvements, sports pitches, or cooking equipment. This means that communities can free up more of their wages for other things and allows greater autonomy over local changes. They also work to increase autonomy for local communities through training and workshops - particularly supporting women to step into leadership roles.

Super soft cotton underwear

The cotton used to make Y.O.U Underwear products is grown in the rain fed regions of Maharashtra, Odessa, and Andhra Pradesh in central and southern India. These farmers work as part of the Chetna Organic project which aims to rebalance the ecology of over-farmed areas through the use of organic methods. Organic cotton makes up about 73% of Fairtrade cotton as the principles and standards of each certification often go hand in hand. 

Y.O.U Underwear make underwear for EVERY body and aim to be as size inclusive as possible, carrying UK sizes 6 to 22 across their women’s range and size XS to 3XL in their men’s products, as well as thoughtful sizing in their girls’ collection, designed to make buying your first bra a comfortable experience. Y.O.U know the importance of real bodies being reflected in underwear advertising, which is why they never alter people’s appearance in photos and always strive to include a diverse range of shapes, sizes, ages, and ethnicities. 

Their organic cotton underwear and loungewear is designed to make you look good, feel good, and do good! And the benefit of Fairtrade and organic cotton is that the fibres are softer and more durable, so feel silky soft against your skin!

Through using Fairtrade cotton, Y.O.U Underwear hope to allow their customers to choose a better option for both people and planet.