There’s a lot to love about the comfy-as clobber from New Zealand’s Thunderpants. Way back in 1995, this family-run business started out with a mission to create sustainable smalls in smile-worthy prints, and as they’ve grown the range has expanded to include perfectly patterned clothing for all the family.

Imagine our joy, then, to hear they’re now introducing fair trade organic yarn to their offering! For co-founder and director Josie Bidwill, the decision means they can focus on making the very best Thundies with total peace of mind. “As we don’t grow cotton here in New Zealand, the move gives us confidence we’re buying our yarn free from child labour and nasty chemicals, while ensuring farmers are fairly paid for their product,” she says. “As part of fair trade certification, suppliers have to uphold the fair trade principles of having positive impact socially, economically and environmentally. It’s impossible for us to audit this ourselves, so the change means we can get on with the job of producing Thunderpants, knowing our yarn comes from a responsible source.”

The first pairs of Thunderpants came to life after the founders hitched a ride with Josie’s mum to a textile factory shop, armed only with $30 and the vision of creating the perfect sustainable undie. Since then, ensuring Thunderpants production is kept local has been central to the brand’s philosophy. “Being New Zealand-made is key for us,” says Josie. “We’ve been making Thunderpants for 22 years and have seen countless textile factories here close over that time. Our knowledge-base is shrinking, and future designers will have a much harder time starting out if there are no local makers to help them. That’s why we feel it’s super important to keep things as local as possible – it may not always be the most profitable move, but creating local job security has such a positive impact on the community that it far outweighs higher profits for one or two people.”

As if all that wasn’t enough, the good folk at Thunderpants have only gone and designed a Peppermint stripe! It’s available in the socks, the men’s boxer and an exclusive pair of women’s Thundies just for four lucky readers of Peppermint. Giveaway winners will receive a Thunderpants Peppermint Stripe Pack, containing a pair of the Peppermint Stripe Thunderpants and a pair of Peppermint Stripe socks – a natty little combo if ever we saw one! To enter simply send your name, address, choice of size and Thunderpants style (boxers, originals or hipsters) to yesplease@peppermintmag.com with the subject line ‘Thunderpants’. Good luck!

Competition closes Friday 2 June at 4pm AEST. Unfortunately we’re only able to offer this giveaway to entrants with Australian and New Zealand postal addresses.