Sometimes all we need is a T-shirt. It may be basic, but it’s a hard-working item in any woman’s wardrobe. However, a simple ethical and sustainable T-shirt in a fit that’s right for your body type, not too heavy not too light – is harder to find than you may think. I spent hours researching brands for my client last year, who had very specific tastes and after colour analysis, we were after specific colours. In today’s post, I share some of the best brands I found online that offer enough variety to satisfy the fussiest of fashionistas without breaking the bank!
As a trained colour analyst and personal stylist, I often find my clients struggle to get the basics in the colours that suit their complexion, so here is my list of options for affordable ethical and sustainable T-shirt brands for women, that you can order online.
1. Colourful Standard – Colour Crew Neck T-shirts
This T-shirt brand is both ethical and sustainably produced T-shirts in every colour you could need. They also have a great deal of information available on their website to help you understand if this is a brand you want to wear with pride.
Highlights:
- Crewnecks
- Organic cotton
- Colourful T-shirts (plenty of colours available for those who have warm or cool-toned skin)
- Shapes are best for those who want a fairly fitted look
- Also, have a collection for men too.
Visit the Colorful Standard website
See their sustainability page here
NB. I have not personally used their products so cannot vouch for them beyond what I’ve seen online. I have reached out to them but they have not yet responded.
This brand is not a member of the Ethical Brand Directory.
2. The White T-Shirt Company – Classic T-Shirts & Tops
This T-shirt brand is both ethical and sustainably produces T-shirts and other basics in classic monotone colours. They also have a great deal of information available on their website to help you understand how their T-shirts are made and a wonderful about page where you can find out about the White T-Shirt Company story and how Penny the founder didn’t want to compromise on her values, successfully setting up a company that’s kind to our people and the planet.
Visit the White T-Shirt Company website
I have personally used their products and I CAN 100% vouch for the quality. I have interviewed the founder, featured them in a 2 catwalk shows and have worked with them on a stylist collaboration. I even recommended them when I was on the BBC News.
Highlights:
- Crewnecks and V-necks
- Organic cotton
- Perfect for cool-toned skin types – basic colours like black, navy, grey and white
- Shapes are best for those who want a fairly fitted look – but they do have some which are a looser fit (shown above)
- These tend to be quite thick as the quality of the cotton is so high, so if you prefer very thin T-shirts, this brand may not be right for you.
- Also, they have a collection for men too.
Visit The White-T-Shirt Company website
See their ethics page here
See their production page here
NB. I have personally used their products so can vouch for them. I have several T-shirts, bodysuits and more. I send my clients their way and buy my partners T-shirts from them for him too. I have used their T-shirts in a fashion shoot, on the catwalk and I can say – I am a firm fan.
The White T-Shirt Company is a member of the Ethical Brand Directory however they are temporarily closed.
See their brand listing here
Use discount code: EBD10 for 10% off your first order.
3. Amour Vert – Lightweight Colourful Tees
Amour Vert specialises in sustainable and ethically made clothing for women. They are committed to protecting the planet while also making clothes we love.
Amour Vert partners directly with mills to develop their own fabrics, they work hard to achieve blends that are not only sustainable but soft and long-lasting as well. And as if that wasn’t good enough or every t-shirt you buy from Amour Vert, they plant one tree in partnership with the American Forests.
Highlights:
- V-necks (which are harder to find in colour than you may think!)
- 50% Organic Cotton / 50% Modal Slub
- Colourful T-shirts (a range of colours available for those who have warm undertones in their skin)
- Shapes are best for those who want a fairly relaxed look
- Also, have a collection for men too.
See their sustainability page here
This brand is not a member of Ethical Brand Directory.
NB. I have not personally used their products so cannot vouch for them beyond what I’ve seen online. I have reached out to them but they have not yet responded.
4. Thought Clothing – Relaxed Tops & T-shirts
Thought Clothing is a sustainable Australian clothing brand set up in 1995 with the mission of living more thoughtfully. They source natural and sustainable yarns as well as upcycling leftover fabric while focusing on simple and timeless silhouettes for their clothing.
- V-neck design
- Bamboo range, made from a blend of bamboo and organic cotton.
- Comes in three neutral colour options.
- Perfect for a relaxed look
- Men’s range
Visit the Thought Clothing website
See their commitments page here
This brand is not a member of Ethical Brand Directory.
5. People Tree – Lightweight Organic Cotton T-Shirts
People Tree is a conscious clothing brand for women, founded in 1991 with the mission ‘Every product is made to the highest ethical and environmental standards from start to finish’.
People Tree’s designs are contemporary and playful, they have even collaborated with organisations such as the V & A to create some amazing collections.
Highlights:
- Made with organic cotton
- Range of styles including a tie detail for a more flattering fit
- There is a range of styles and colours, and you’re bound to find your perfect top
See their story here
This brand is not a member of the Ethical Brand Directory.
6. Know The Origin – Organic Cotton Boxy T-shirts
Know the Origin was launched in 2016, founder Charlotte was inspired to set up the brand after the tragic collapse of Rana Plaza a Bangladesh garment factory in 2013 in which over 1,100 workers lost their lives.
Over at the Know the Origin website you can shop a vast range of sustainable and ethical brands ranging from beauty and fashion to homeware.
Highlights:
- Made with 100% organic fair-trade cotton
- Range of colours perfect for spring
- Relaxed design
- Boxy cropped shape, loose for comfort and cropped at the waist to flatter
Visit the Know the Origin website
See their story here
This brand is not a member of the Ethical Brand Directory.
7. Loskey – V-neck T-shirts in Cool Neutral Colours
Loskey is an ethical and sustainable women’s clothing brand that specialises in t-shirts.
The brand’s founder Lori Cunningham founded the brand with the mission to support women within the garment industry, by creating a woman-dominant supply chain and to create the perfect t-shirt.
Highlights:
- Made with 100% GOTS-certified organic slub cotton
- Small range of neutral colours, you’ll find the one that matches your colours
- Flattering V- neck line
See their story and mission here
This brand is not a member of Ethical Brand Directory.
8. Threads for Thought – Colourful T-shirts for Women
Threads for Thought was founded in 2006 with the aim of creating a low-impact product while supporting in-need communities and changing the narrative towards ethical and sustainable fashion within the industry.
Threads for Thought create clothing for the whole family. They enforce their mission at every step of their process.
They source the world’s most sustainable materials and ensure all the factories they work with have the highest certifications in the industry, ensuring that workers are given the best conditions as well as an effective sustainable production process.
Highlights:
- Massive variety of colours and shapes, guaranteed to find a match for every body shape and colour pallet
- The range of designs includes vest top, crew neck and V-neck
- All tops are made using a number of different sustainable blends that include organic cotton and recycled polyester
Visit the Threads for Thought website
See their sustainability page here
This brand is not a member of the Ethical Brand Directory.
9. Ninety Percent – Tencel T-shirts and Tops
Ninety Percent is a women’s sustainable and ethical clothing brand, named as such because 90% of their dispersible profits are donated to charity.
Ninety Percent was founded with the mission of doing the best for the customers, producers and the planet. On their website, they have their factories clearly featured on their website and you can see where each garment was made as well as read about the working conditions under which it was made.
They also feature a guide to every material they use and what it really is. With this brand, you really know what you are getting.
Highlights:
- Made using tencel
- Soft, lightweight breathable fabric
- Range of styles
Visit the Ninety Percent website
See their sustainability page here
This brand is not a member of the Ethical Brand Directory.
10. Komodo – Organic and eco-friendly T-shirts
Komodo have been committed to creating eco friendly fashion since 1988. They are one of the original ethical and sustainable fashion brands – whilst not all their pieces are to my taste, they do have a few great pieces that are perfect for a sustainable capsule wardrobe.
Highlights:
- Organic, natural and eco fibres
- Recycled PET, from plastic bottles
- GOTS certified and a member of the soil association.
- Styles are on offer are classic and oversized
- Colours tend to be on the ‘warm’ spectrum – with a few cooler colours
- They have a men’s collection too
Visit the Though Clothing website
NB. I do not personally own any of their products. I have ordered items for my clients and I did use them once in a live styling session and catwalk session at Pure London in 2019
This brand is not a member of Ethical Brand Directory.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide? If I have missed any, feel free to drop the names of T-shirt brands you love below. Let’s make this a really useful guide for everyone!
Roberta
