21 Of The Best Ethical T Shirt Brands For Sustainable Style
The ethical fashion industry seems to do floral dresses and linen frocks galore, but I’d argue that we don’t talk about the common ethical t shirt as much as it deserves! Eco friendly t shirts are a staple in every wardrobe.
With the help of my researcher, Stef, we’ve compiled a range of eco friendly t shirt options for you to choose from when it’s time to turn your old t shirts into tomato plant ties or use them to stuff pillows and foot stools. In this blog you’ll find organic cotton t shirts are the most common option available, with a few ethical t shirts made from hemp, merino, bamboo, and cashmere too.
What you need to know before reading this:
Price ranges are in New Zealand dollars.
The size range refers to the t shirt options (some brands have different sizes for their other products).
‘Made in’ refers to where the garments are made, not inclusive of where the fabric is made.
If I have personal experience wearing a brand’s t shirts, I have left a little ethical t shirt review.
None of these brands are perfectly ethical. No brand, or person, is.
Standard Issue
Cost: $239 - $269
Size range: XXS - XXL
Main Materials: Merino wool, okewa, cashmere, ameco, cotton
Made in: New Zealand
Returns: Within ten days
Shipping: Worldwide
Discount code: 20% off with code ETHICALLYKATE
Kate’s review: My husband, Tim is the one with a Standard Issue t shirt. He says “I like how it’s nice and tight around the arms which looks flattering with the shorter sleeve height. It’s a great light weight and the bottom tapers nicely around my waist.”
kowtow
Cost: $45 - $155
Size range: XXS - XXL
Main Materials: Cotton
Made in: India
Returns: Within 21 days
Shipping: New Zealand
little yellow bird
Cost: $10 - $59
Size range: XXS - 5XL
Main Materials: Cotton
Made in: Cambodia
Returns: Within 14 days
Shipping: Worldwide
Boody
Cost: $19 - $51
Size range: XS - XL
Main Materials: Viscose made from bamboo, cotton
Made in: China, Vietnam, and India
Returns: Within 30 days
Shipping: New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, UK or Europe, through their other regional websites
Citizen Wolf
Cost: $99
Size range: Made to fit
Main Materials: Cotton, hemp, merino
Made in: Australia
Returns: Will remake tee’s based on feedback
Shipping: Worldwide
Discount code: $25 off first purchase with code ETHICALLYKATE
Kate’s review: This is my favourite ethical t shirt in my wardrobe. I love how you input your measurements to keep on file and they make the garment especially for you. Now whenever I need a new one, I know it will be the right size - made for me! My favourite is this hemp and organic cotton t shirts made from a blend.
Icebreaker
Cost: $109 - $229
Size range: S - XXL
Main Materials: Merino Wool
Made in: China
Returns: Within 30 days
Shipping: New Zealand
Kate’s review: Super durable, classic cuts, and lots of fabrics to choose from. I love the shape of their scoop necks.
ReCreate
Cost: $29 - $209
Size range: XS - XL
Main Materials: Cotton, denim
Made in: Cambodia
Returns: Within 14 days
Shipping: Worldwide
EB+FLO
Cost: $ -$
Size range: XS - XL
Main Materials: Merino cotton,
Made in: New Zealand
Returns: Within 3 days
Shipping: Worldwide
Etiko
Cost: $28 - $84
Size range: 6 - 20, XS - 3XL
Main Materials: Cotton
Made in: Australia, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan
Returns: Within 30 days
Shipping: Worldwide
Organic Basics
Cost: $37 - $95
Size range: XS - XXL
Main Materials: Cotton, nylon, tencel, lenzing
Made in: India, Egypt, Vietnam, Thailand, and Turkey
Returns: Within 30 days
Shipping: Worldwide
Afends
Cost: $54 - $99
Size range: XS - 2XL
Main Materials: Cotton
Made in: China
Returns: Within 30 days
Shipping: Most countries worldwide
Joyya
Cost: $30 - $65
Size range: XS - 3XL
Main Materials: Cotton
Made in: India
Returns: Stock order within 7 days, not able to refund customized products
Shipping: Worldwide
Kate’s review: My husband, Tim, rocks his Joyya shirt regularly. He wears it under things, on it’s own, and relies on it as his regular hard working tee.
The Common Good Company
Cost: $45 - $73
Size range: 6 - 14, XS - XXL
Main Materials: Cotton, polyester
Made in: India
Returns: Within 14 days
Shipping: Worldwide
Amble Outdoors
Cost: $66
Size range: XS - 4XL
Main Materials: Cotton
Made in: Taiwan, China, and India
Returns: Within 14 days
Shipping: Worldwide
Untouched World
Cost: $79 - $392
Size range: S - XXL
Main Materials: Cotton, merino, possum, and TENCEL™
Made in: New Zealand and Vietnam
Returns: Within 30 days
Shipping: Worldwide
Kate’s review: Another one my husbands wears. Tim says “I enjoy the fabric, the slightly wider neck hole, and the nice weight to it.”
Maggie Marilyn
Cost: $95 - $225
Size range: XS - 4XL
Main Materials: Cotton
Made in: New Zealand and Turkey
Returns: Within 30 days
Shipping: Worldwide
Dharma Bums
Cost: $78
Size range: XS - 3XL
Main Materials: Cotton, Lenzing Modal
Made in: Australia and Asia
Returns: Most items can be returned
Shipping: Worldwide
The Classic T-Shirt Company
Cost: $122 - $206
Size range: XS - XXL
Main Materials: Cotton
Made in: United States of America
Returns: Within 100 days
Shipping: Worldwide
The ANJELMS Project
Cost: $41 - $215
Size range: XS - 3XL
Main Materials: Cotton
Made in: Australia and India
Returns: Within 30 days
Shipping: Worldwide
Ethical t shirt Q&A
Why are some of these ethical t shirt options so much more expensive than others listed?
The price varies mainly because of the different fabric types. For example, organic cotton fabric costs less than merino. The price also varies a little depending on the style of shirt. Some of the basic shirts are lower in price compared to other ethical t shirts listed that have specific tailoring and design elements.
I’m plus sized, what are my organic t shirt options?
We’ve tried our best to list a range of options that suit all sizes in this ethical t shirt blog post, however you can find more plus sized brands here.
Why do these eco friendly t shirts cost so much more than conventionally made t shirts?
The ethical t shirts listed are made from sustainable fabrics that are produced in ways that have less impact on the environment. They’re also made by people who are paid fair wages and treated properly in the workplace. Generally, these ethical t shirt options will also last longer than the cheap fast fashion alternatives you can find in shopping malls. This mades the cost-per-wear of these ethical t shirts much less than the cost-per-wear of cheap fashion that won’t last long.