The Queensland mum behind a sustainable undies empire worth millions has launched a new “back to basics” range that is winning praise from shoppers thanks to its comfort and stylish finish.
Sandy Ronalds was working as the director of a company when she realised that what she was doing went against some of her core values.
She thought long and hard about what she could do to keep doing what she loved without compromising her values — and it was then she had her multi-million-dollar idea: purpose-driven, sustainable underwear.
Catch the best deals and products hand-picked by our team at Best Picks >>
“Everywhere I looked, brands were making stuff to churn and burn, so they could hurry up and get on with selling the next thing, and the next thing,” Sandy told Best Picks.
“And, as consumers, a lot of us were along for the ride, just buying stuff we didn’t need, that we didn’t value enough, or wasn’t well-made enough for it even to have a shot as lasting as long as it should to make its existence worthwhile in the first place.”
“Most of us wear undies most days, and it’s the category of clothing you’re least likely to get from an op shop,” Sandy explained.
“It’s the opposite of fast fashion, and underwear doesn’t follow seasons or trends.”
She adds: “So, as long as we make our products well, they have the potential to live a long and happy life full of purpose!”
And thus, Nat’v Basics was born.
The latest “back to basics” range boasts comfy singlets, shorts, bodysuits, crop tops and undies.
I have been personally trialling the Chill Lounge Singlet ($29) and Chill Lounge Short ($49), and am already finding them the most comfortable pyjamas in my drawer.
But there are also plenty of other pieces I’m keen to try, including the Cheeky G Set ($57) — which promises the same comfort I expect from all Nat’v Basics pieces.
Every piece of Nat’v Basics underwear is soft, sustainable and non-toxic.
It’s designed to last a lifetime, not just a couple of seasons before being tossed into landfill.
And shoppers absolutely love the brand.
In the financial years of 2021-2023, Sandy made a staggering $8.9 million, with 48 per cent growth between 2022 and 2023.
Since the brand launched, they have sold “over 600,000 units”.
“There are so many bestsellers, but our Cheeky G is definitely top of the bunch,” Sandy says.
“Our Cheeky G, as the name suggests, is a G-string brief. It was our first style we launched.
“Our second style was our Classic Brief, which is a high-waisted, full-coverage brief. Quite the opposite of a G string, but we’ve found that a lot of customers keep coming back for both of them.
“I guess that some days you want to stay comfy while avoiding a VPL, and other days you just want to feel like your undies are giving you a big old hug!”
Both of the pairs of underwear, Sandy says, are made with Nat’v Basics’ singature Lenzing Tencel Modal fabric.
This is made from the wood pulp of beech trees “purposefully grown in renewable forest farms by an Austrian company”.
“They are then woven into unbelievably soft fabric using a highly efficient closed loop production process that recycles and reuses the water and solvents at a recovery rate of more than 99 per cent,” Sandy says.
“It really is incredible.”
For more information and to shop the new Nat’v Basics range, head here now.
