We've Re-Opened! Celebrate with $10 off in-store or online May 19, 2020 15:45

After a two-month closure, we've missed you dearly and we've impatiently awaited our re-opening! Today is the day, our doors are back open for in-person shopping experiences. Are you looking for comfy ethical fashion pieces made in KC by local sew teams? Come shop with us! We're a local small business and would love your support.

Celebrate with $10 off

New flagship store hours:

Have you shopped with us before in our Westside Kansas City store? On nice days, our garage and front doors will be wide open for a contact-less entry!

A Few New Shop Protocalls to Kindly Consider:

Work from Home Loungewear You Need in Your Life May 16, 2020 15:18

There's a difference between wearing your pajamas all day and feeling like a sleepy slob and wearing your pajamas all day and not realizing it because the pieces feel appropriate for outerwear, too. Have you been dreaming of the perfect athleisure outfit that you can wake up in and then wear on your zoom calls with co-workers and while simultaneously juggling your kids being home from school? The best part of working from home is feeling comfy and not so dressed up. Stay comfy while looking fashionable on your zoom calls and working from your dining room table.

Welcome to MADI Apparel - where all of your day-to-night and night-to-day  transitional loungewear dreams finally come true! Meet the best loungewear to work from home in for men and women.

At-home-workout athleisure apparel that duals as work-from-home apparel

 

Bamboo tie-back tank.

Untie to lounge and tie back when you start your at-home workout. Pairs perfectly with our bamboo leggings to make a comfy and sustainable workout set for women.

Tie-back tank pictured from the front.

This ultra soft bamboo tank is biodegradable, compostable and very versatile. Cheers to ethical athleisure workout clothes for women!

French terry bamboo leggings paired with our wide band soft cup bralette.

The leggings are fast-drying, odor-preventing, self-wicking and ultra soft. French terry means the fabric on the inside of the leggings is looped, like a towel. These are perfect for walks and runs, lounging around the house and for plane rides when we start traveling more. Our wide band no underwire bralette is made with sustainable modal fabric. It's a silky soft, buttery fabric that feels airy against your skin. Adjustable bralette straps are rare, but featured on this bralette. Pair the Madelaine wide band bralette with these leggings or with our sporty girl wide band panty that's currently on sale!

Eco-friendly pajamas that dual as daytime loungewear for men and women

Tie-back tank and bamboo pajama pants.

Such a cozy set to wear to bed, lounging around the house or a quick run to the store.

 

Try our staple basic bamboo white tee paired with our stretch fleece tencel and organic cotton joggers for men.

Get ultra cozy with our modern take on a classic set of men's long underwear.

Both the long underwear pants and long sleeve shirt are made of bamboo french terry. The looped fabric on the inside adds an extra level of luxurious comfort.

Wear the pants to bed, around your house or under a pair of gym shorts!

 

Work-from-home loungewear that duals as business casual

Okay, there's no reason you should be wearing uncomfortable dress pants right now while working from home when you can easily hide your bottom half from your co-workers and clients on your zoom calls. We like to call this "business on top, casual on bottom."

Henry is wearing our sustainable joggers in our tencel and organic cotton blend and our staple unisex v-neck.

When you head back to the office and have to wear normal business attire like dress pants and dress shoes again, pair with our bamboo long-sleeve. It's classic, modern, comfy and dressy when you pair it with other business casual apparel.

Summer is around the corner. Try our Anna Bamboo Day or Night Shift Dress.

This dress was designed by our founder as the ultimate transitional piece. It's meant for day wear, night wear or both. It makes a perfect travel dress - pack flight and dual this dress as both pjs, a swim cover-up and a night out for dinner. You can easily dress up this piece for a day at work or brunch with friends.

 

For every item you purchase from us, we donate a pair of urgently requested new underwear to organizations all over. Right now, shelters are at capacity, and basic sanitary and hygienic necessities like new underwear are sparse.

If you're big into supporting local businesses right now, supporting MADI Apparel will support not only our small business but others that we contract. All of our fabrics are ethically made and sourced from small business fabric suppliers and manufacturers. All of our products are designed by our founder and made in Kansas City: they're cut and sewn by local women-owned sew teams. Thank you for supporting us and for supporting fair labor made in USA.

 

 

Now Offering: Mother's Day Local Gift Sets (limited time only) April 30, 2020 18:33

Mother's Day is coming up! Maybe alone time is slim to none these days, but during the moments she does get some time to herself, let's make sure they're 100% relaxing!

We've partnered up with local KC women-owned small businesses and curated our favorite locally-made gifts that moms love wearing and using for self care moments! Each product is designed or physically made locally by the founders, and every founder (except MADI Apparel founder, Hayley) is a real life mom!

We've curated two Mother's Day Gift Sets: a spa-like de-stress kit and a set for new mamas! Please note: each business is a small batch manufacturer and these sets are limited in stock.

Stress-Free Mama Mother's Day Gift Set includes:

Bamboo or modal pajama set (top and shorts) by MADI Apparel

About the garment:

More details about ordering our Mother's Day gift sets

*Sets are available for curbside pickup, only. We won't be able to ship.

*Sets will be ready for pickup in our KC flagship store (1659 Summit, KCMO) during these curbside hours: May 7th (3-6pm), May 8th (3-6pm), May 9th (11am-3pm)

Earth Day Sale on Biodegradable Staple Basics April 26, 2020 15:25

Happy Earth Day!

What is Earth Day?

Organizations worldwide demonstrate support for environmental protection and to increase awareness and appreciation of our planet.

MADI Apparel is unique to the underwear and apparel market as we are the only brand focused on Making a Difference in EVERY WAY. Each of these aspects includes treating our planet and the people who inhabit it with kindness and respect.

We do our part to honor the Earth by making daily, conscious decisions to create the lowest carbon footprint that was can. We're proud that 90% of our pieces are elastic-free and biodegradable. We want to thank you for sticking by our side over the years with a 20% off discount on all of our 100% biodegradable pieces.

Sale starts morning of Earth Day until Sunday 4/26 at midnight. Any pieces you choose from this collection/page will automatically receive a 20% discount in your cart!

Note: All of the products we make are eco-friendly in some way. All fabrics are ethically sourced, some are made in the USA and extremely long-lasting, most are biodegradable and organic, etc. This particular sale is solely for our 100% biodegradable menswear and womenswear products. That means: no elastics, no lace, just organic comfy fabric that will last you for years and then break down into the soil at the end of it's life cycle.

Every element of our brand is focused on environmental sustainability - even down to the packaging - because it matters! When you shop with us, your order is packed in a hand-stamped, eco-friendly, reusable muslin pouch. You'll notice you won't see any tissue paper - just your new sustainable basics tucked inside a pouch you can travel with or keep your toiletries in for years to come. Your package will hit your doorstep in a completely compostable shipping mailer.

Earth Month: Manufacturing Eco-Friendly Apparel April 21, 2020 17:22

You've known us as an eco-friendly fashion brand since 2014, and in honor of Earth Day 2020, we thought it would be fun to lay out all of the areas that make us an earth friendly brand that consumers can trust and support!

Earth Month: How to Shop Eco-Friendly Underwear April 16, 2020 10:26

This year, April 2020, is the 50th anniversary of the celebration of Earth Month!

What is Earth Month?

Organizations worldwide demonstrate support for environmental protection and to increase awareness and appreciation of our planet.

MADI Apparel is unique to the underwear and apparel market as we are the only brand focused on Making a Difference in EVERY WAY. Each of these aspects includes treating our planet and the people who inhabit it with kindness and respect.

How to shop for eco-friendly underwear

We know how difficult it can be to make earth-friendly decisions when buying new clothing, because it's almost always not the cheapest option. Our brains have been hardwired to "accept" the cheapest price tag, even when it's the most harmful choice.

*Remember, cheap price tags = cheap labor, cheap fabric, HIGH cost on the impact of the the environment and on the health of sewers.

If you're an avid thrift shopper, underwear can be difficult, because although thrift stores sell it, most people would choose to buy it new. Also, underwear is the only item that cannot be donated used in non-profit organizations that house men and women.

When shopping for ethically made underwear, pay attention to the following things:

-How much is the price tag? If a single pair costs less than $10, chances are either the fabric, labor or quality was compromised

-What is the fabric makeup? If you see over 10% in spandex, nylon or polyester, this means you're buying underwear made of unnatural fabrics full of plastic.

-Where was it made and who made it? This can be hard to tell from the label, but do a quick google search. For example, if you found our garment in a store and wondered who made it - you'd see "made ethically in kc". But, if you weren't able to find that on our tag, you could google us and find a whole section about our local, fair labor production. Companies who are proud of their manufacturing practices won't hide anything about the process.

Why packs of underwear CAN BE harmful to people and the planet

Here is an eight pack of underwear for $8.99. Great deal - YES. It feels a little too good to be true though, doesn't it?

What's the true cost behind this underwear pack?

Let's do a little retail math.
$8.99 for eight pairs of underwear means the price of each pair in this pack is $1.22.

Divide that number by four to get the traditional cost to produce each individual garment in the pack, and you have $0.28. Twenty eight cents to produce a pair of underwear. To land on a cost this low, something (or multiple things) have to give. Meaning - ethical measures are compromised somewhere in the production - whether it's harmful fabrics, unfair wages, low quality production, etc.

To give you an idea, it costs us roughly twenty times this much to make a single pair of underwear. In fact, our 4-pack of underwear retails at $136. An eight pack of underwear would retail about $244 - and that's after large discounts.

Granted, there are multiple values we stay true to that make our manufacturing more expensive:

• We believe in small batch production (eliminating waste and seasonal fashion trends).
• We source ethically-made, organic and sustainable fabrics like OEKA textiles from factories that pay their employees fair wages and use the highest standards of quality production.

 

Here's an example of another cheap panty pack using harmful fabrics. This is a 5-pack of underwear for $5.97.

The fabric makeup is 55% nylon, 35% polyester, 10% spandex - aka 100% plastic underwear.

• We employ local people in our city to cut and sew our products. This grows the local economy (instead of creating jobs in cities across the world). It also ensures fair labor and safe working conditions. We visit our cut and sew teams on a monthly basis to oversee production and check in.

• We work with US and Canadian fabric suppliers that work as a middle-man to help us source fabrics that fit the above criteria. Some of the larger manufacturers work directly with the manufacturer and are able to produce fabric in larger bulk quantities for a lower price. Increased bulk fabric production also leads to additional waste, though.

These standards not only cost more, but they're important - and we won't compromise.

Are all underwear packs harmful?

No! As mentioned above, we - and many other eco-friendly underwear manufacturers - sell panty packs that are completely ethically made. As mentioned, though, most underwear that cost less than $15 per pair should be seen as a red flag. Of course, brands are able to give discounts when selling packs in bulk, so packs will always be much cheaper than individually sold underwear. Don't be afraid to buy panty packs, just take a look at the fabric makeup, cost and how they're made first!

We'll break down how retail and wholesale prices are normally determined...

First, the manufacturer (brands that make their own products, like MADI Apparel) buys the fabric and pays for labor to make a garment.

Next, the manufacturer usually sells the produced products to distributors - also known as stockists - who buy the products at a discounted wholesale rate from the manufacturer. The wholesale rate is usually determined by taking the cost to produce the garment and multiplying that cost by two. The wholesale rate is also usually half the price of the retail rate (cost x four), that way the stockist may double the cost the paid for the garment and still make a healthy margin on the sale.

Lastly, the manufacturer usually sells their produced products via retail outlets - aka direct-to-customers (b2c) like through their own website and their own brick-and-mortor stores. The retail price is traditionally determined by multiplying the cost to produce the garment by two to get the wholesale rate and then doubling that again to get the retail price.

Remember when buying new garments to take a look first at the price tag, then the fabric makeup, where it's made, etc. Just a short analysis will go miles in making a conscious decision to help protect people and the planet in your shopping decisions. Thanks for your efforts in making earth-friendly shopping decisions! We love ya!

Requests for underwear donations are HIGH! Here's how you can help. April 10, 2020 18:10

The devastating effects of COVID19 are leaving over 17 million people without jobs and seeking aid. This has led to a spike in homeless populations in cities all over the US and an increased need for basic necessities like food, shelter and clothing. Read for how you can help!

Underwear donations for Tanzanian young girls rescued from sex trafficking and child marriage April 2, 2020 13:48

For every MADI item you purchase from now until Sunday at midnight, we will donate a pair of urgently-requested new bamboo underwear to young girls living in Tanzania. We're SO excited to announce a brand new partnership with M.A.R.B.L.E - a non-profit home for young girls in Tanzania who were rescued out of sex trafficking, child marriage and other circumstances leading them to seek shelter and the comfort of a loving home.

The Last White T-Shirt You’ll Ever Need March 5, 2020 22:39

Every male should have a classic white staple t-shirt in their wardrobe. In fact, most men probably have several. The problem with white t-shirts is that they seem to need to be replaced year after year—or even month after month. 

At MADI Apparel, we understand how bad that is for not only your wallet, but the planet as well. That’s why we’ve designed a staple basic  t-shirt that will stand the test of time. Made with some of the most green products available in the industry, our sustainable white t-shirt is designed to last longer, dry faster, and look better than other white t-shirts for men. 

Introducing the last white t-shirt you’ll ever need, from MADI Apparel. 

A white t-shirt that will last

Our bamboo t-shirts can be washed and dried for year after year without losing color or softness. Gone are the days of buying packs of basic white t-shirts from the grocery store—say hello to your new best friend that will be with you for years to come. 

Other benefits of bamboo t-shirts include:

• Fast-drying
• Odor-preventing
• Self-wicking
• Antimicrobial

And the best part? Once it’s lived its life, it is biodegradable. We call that the gift that keeps on giving. 

“The best white t-shirt”

Some white t-shirts leave a lot up to the imagination. They’re boxy, stiff, and ultimately just unflattering on most men. We knew there was a better way. 

Made of 95% organic viscose from bamboo and 5% spandex, our bamboo men’s shirts are equally as comfortable as they are flattering. The bamboo makes them ultra soft and luxurious while the spandex helps highlight muscle tone while still being slimming.

Our customers tell us this is one of the best white t-shirts they have ever bought. And that’s saying a lot, seeing as most t-shirts only last 30 wash cycles. 

Products that give back 

Our sustainable white t-shirt is designed to give back to the community and the world. First, it’s made from one of the most sustainable products available in the clothing industry: bamboo. Bamboo is super sustainable because it’s fast growing and requires little water, fertilizer, and no pesticides to grow. It also absorbs tons of carbon dioxide and oxygen as well. Best part: bamboo fabric is biodegradable! When your staple tee reaches the end of it's wearable capabilties, it will break down in the environment.

Our men’s bamboo clothing also gives back in another way: to women.

There aren’t many men’s brands out there that give back to women. We wanted to change that. Although we started as a women’s intimates company in Kansas City, we wanted to expand our reach and our impact because men deserve long-lasting basics that make a difference in their communities.

We believe that we are better together—and our line of sustainable basics for men proves it. 

How to wear a white t-shirt

Working men on construction sites wear white t-shirts. James Dean rocked white t-shirts. White t-shirts play a big role in men’s wardrobes. Why? Because it goes with everything. It’s a safe bet on those days when you’re not sure what to wear. 

There are many ways to wear a white tee shirt for men. From business casual to lazy Sunday, a white bamboo t-shirt is a wardrobe staple for men. We offer a basic scoop neck t-shirt and a white v-neck t-shirt, depending on your wardrobe style. 

Our basic crew neck t-shirt for men is designed to be worn in a variety of ways. Here are a few of our favorite ways to wear our staple tees:

 

	On its own. There’s nothing more classic than a white t-shirt and jeans. From a dinner date to a night out on the town, our classic white tee will look good wherever you go.
	To bed. Our soft t-shirt is so comfortable that you’ll want to wear it to bed. And because the fabric is breezy, you’ll stay cool all night. Plus, the anti-wrinkle fabric means you can wake up and hit the day running without having to change into a new shirt.
	With a blazer. Our favorite way to do business casual. Pair a white t-shirt with a blazer to add a little flair to your traditional office attire. Add a pair of white tennis shoes or swap the blazer for a bomber for a cool vibe.
	To the gym. Because our white bamboo shirts are self-wicking, they dry faster and more effectively than some other types of fabrics like cotton.
	Wherever you go. From the beach to the mountains and everywhere in between, our white t-shirt is along for the ride.

No matter how you wear it, our bamboo white t-shirts are, undoubtedly, one of the best white t-shirts for men (and with their community impact, for women as well). 

30 Nonprofit Founders that Will Impact the World in 2020: featuring founder Hayley Santell February 18, 2020 13:43

Our founder Hayley Santell was recently featured in CAUSEARTIST's 30 Nonprofit Founders That Will Impact the World in 2020.

According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS), more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations are registered in the United States. Behind every nonprofit organization is a talented, dedicated, nonprofit founder with a compelling mission and a transformational vision. These nonprofit founders profiled below exhibit the essential attributes of an impactful nonprofit leader, and their organizations will undoubtedly better the world in 2020.

Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas: Give Her What She Really Wants This Year February 4, 2020 09:11

This year, we challenge you to seek out thoughtful Valentine’s Day gifts instead. Ditch the one-time, cheesy gifts that don’t make much of an impact and give her something that will last as long as your relationship—like our made in the usa bamboo underwear and bamboo basics. 

New Year's Resolution: 5 Ways To Be More Sustainable In 2020 January 22, 2020 19:14

2020 is the year for being better and doing more. As we head into a new decade, we implore you to find ways that you can help your environment and local community.

2019 Stocking Stuffer Ideas: The Sustainable Edition December 14, 2019 13:22

If you’re looking for last-minute stocking stuffer ideas or ways to spread sustainable holiday cheer this season, we have some awesome ideas for you! From local Kansas City gift ideas to ethical basics they can wear all year long, these options make the perfect gift for your earth-loving friend. 

Small Biz Saturday: 5 Reasons to Support Small Businesses November 22, 2019 18:58

Every single business in operation today was at one time a small business. Small businesses play a crucial role in our economy all across the world. As part of our 5-year anniversary celebrations, we compiled a list of five reasons why you should support a small business.

Better Together: Sustainable Basics for Men November 6, 2019 09:37

At Runway to Impact, we announced our newest adventure at MADI Apparel: sustainable clothing basics for men. As part of our Better Together mission, we want to offer all sexes the opportunity to improve their wardrobe and their impact on the environment through ethical staple basics that make a difference.

Sustainable fashion: 5 ways to shop sustainably in 2019 September 23, 2019 13:07 2 Comments

At MADI Apparel, we adhere to the highest standards when it comes to sustainability in our slow fashion collection. From pre-production to post, we want to change the fashion industry from the ground up through sustainable fashion practices that make a difference.

MADI Makes: Empowering women through job training September 5, 2019 18:01

Today, MADI Makes helps women in our community learn job-related skills to create better opportunities for themselves and their families. On October 3, we are hosting our annual fundraiser for MADI Makes called Runway to Impact.

5 in 5: Lessons in Being a Startup Social Entrepreneur August 17, 2019 14:21

Over these last five years, I've stumbled through a rigorous learning curve creating a startup company in Kansas City. Here are five tips that I've learned over the last five years as a social entrepreneur — both good and bad — that may come in handy when starting a business.

Why you should wear bamboo clothing this summer August 9, 2019 13:15 3 Comments

Summer is the time for vacations, pool days, and hanging out in the sun. Bamboo fabric is the perfect complement to a busy summer in Kansas City or anywhere else in the world. Here are 5 reasons why you should ditch the cotton clothing and switch to bamboo underwear this summer.

Plastic-free July: Plastic-free clothing brands (+ zero-waste tips) July 23, 2019 17:04

Every year across the globe, 120+ million people give up single-use plastic for Plastic-Free July. Unfortunately, many fast fashion clothing brands use fibers that are forms of plastic — like high percentages of polyester, nylon, acrylic, and more. At MADI, we strive to create change from the bottom up, and that starts with using only the highest quality sustainable fabrics for our ethical women’s lingerie products. We aren't perfect, but we're CONSCIOUS.

Empowering Women Re-Entering Community From Prison July 8, 2019 17:36

In May, for every purchase we donated a pair of sustainable bamboo underwear to women living at Journey House — Journey to New Life's temporary housing solution for women ex-prisoners returning to the Kansas City community.

5 years later: MADI Apparel Fifth Anniversary lookbook June 26, 2019 10:51

In 2014, MADI Apparel started with one mission: to make a difference. Now five years later, it has expanded its ethical and sustainability goals. MADI Apparel helps create jobs in Kansas City through local employment and uses only the highest quality ethical fabrics.

Come Celebrate Our 5th Anniversary! June 13, 2019 09:44

Join us June 20 for CAMP MADI, our 5-year anniversary party! To celebrate our 5-year “something wooden” anniversary! Expect sales and specials, yard games in our urban backyard, smokey cocktails and all things "canned, and most importantly: s’mores !

Founder Hayley Featured in Forbes' Victoria's Secret Story May 15, 2019 12:04

Big thank you to Forbes.com for featuring MADI Apparel founder Hayley Besheer Santell in their story on Victoria's Secret Fashion show leaving television.