If you’ve landed on this page, you’re likely searching for some eco-friendly and ethical tees that won’t put you in credit card debt or managing an outstanding balance on Afterpay. Whether you’re in need of a fair-trade organic basic tee or a tee with cool prints, we hope this curated list of conscious t-shirt brands cuts your online search time so you can spend more time in the natural environment and less time staring at the screen while surfing the net!
Of course we recommend purchasing second-hand first whenever possible – but if you don’t have time to search, are feeling lazy or just don’t like the idea of gifting someone a thrifted t-shirt (seriously, I wouldn’t care if I was gifted one but I’m going to bet I’m in the minority) here are some ethical and sustainable t-shirt brands that offer affordable style tees – all consciously made.
1. Boody
We’ve featured this brand before and we’ll feature them again because Boody manufactures basic t-shirts for men and women (and other basic wear really) that are super affordable – and we’ve received rave reviews from members within our team and our readers too. Made of organic bamboo that is Oeko-Tex 100-certified which basically means that no harsh and harmful chemicals were found in its processing, the company also holds a WRAP certification which audits factories independently to verify worker health and safety and that basic human rights are upheld. Bamboo – even if organically grown – isn’t the most eco-friendly fabric though. Read this post for more information.
Women’s basic tees come in two styles: V-neck and crew neck. Most styles are available in three colours: black, white and grey marl. Women’s sizes from S-XL.
Men’s tees come in similar styles to women’s and similar colours with the addition of dark marl. Men’s sizes from S-XL.
Prices: Prices start at AUD $39.95 (USD $29.18) for both men and women’s tees.
Shipping: Standard shipping in Australia $8.95 and free shipping on orders over $60 in Australia and over $80 in New Zealand. Worldwide shipping is available but make sure to check if there’s a website in your country which will reduce delivery costs. This page outlines partner sites across the globe and lists shipping details and costs.
Where to buy: boody.com.au
2. Kotn
For stylish, classic and super affordable tees you can’t go past Kotn. This Certified B Corporation produces men and women’s t-shirts and essential wardrobe basics that are responsibly made from sustainably grown Egyptian cotton. Kotn tees come in a variety of relaxed and form-fitting styles and colours and at prices that won’t break the budget.
Prices: Starting price for t-shirts US$25.
Shipping: Based in Canada, international shipping available.
Online shop: kotn.com
3. Know The Origin (KTO)
For super cool, eco and ethically tees head over to Know The Origin. Their men and women’s t-shirts are fair-trade manufactured in India and are made of organic cotton. Comes in a variety of basic styles and colours – but with a youthful design twist; think front pockets and cropped tees.
Prices: Starting price for t-shirts £22.00 (US $28)
Shipping: Based in the UK, standard delivery is £3.00 (3-4 working days) to anywhere in the country. Delivery to others parts of Europe: £10 and other international locations £12.
Online shop: knowtheorigin.com
4. Organic Basics
Launched in 2015, Copenhagen-based sustainable fashion label Organic Basics creates eco-luxe basics – without the high-end price tag. Sourcing GOTS-certified organic cotton and ethically manufacturing in Europe, this eco-friendly label is committed to making basic t-shirts for women and men – that last. The brand is also dedicated to continuous improvement and ongoing minimisation of environmental impact which gets a big tick from us as true sustainability is a journey, never a destination.
Women’s and men’s basic tees come in just black and white. Sizes range from XS-XL.
Price range: Women and men’s tees starting price DKK 229 (USD $35).
Shipping: Worldwide shipping available comes at extra cost. Just use the shipping calculator during checkout stage to get accurate shipping costs.
Where to buy: organicbasics.com
5. Synergy Clothing
Another pioneering ethical brand we’ve featured a couple of times before, Synergy Organic Clothing was born in 1993 after founder Kate Fisher travelled to Nepal and was inspired to create an eco-conscious business that empowered people. Founded as a fair trade and sustainable fashion business, the American label continues to remain true to its eco-conscious roots, manufacturing its garments using GOTS-certified organic cotton grown in India, and manufacturing in Nepal in accordance with fair labour practices.
The brand produces ethical tees for women and men in a variety of styles and colours, including basic tees through to screen printed tees. Tees are dyed with low-impact, plastisol free dyes to minimise eco-footprint and reduce harmful chemicals entering the natural environment. Sizes for men and women range from XS to XL.
Prices: Women’s tees start at US $30.80 (A $42.17) and men’s tees from US $33.60 (A $46)
Shipping: Free shipping on domestic US orders over $100. International shipping available at extra cost. This page lists shipping fees.
Where to buy: synergyclothing.com
6. Fairtees
If you live in Australia or New Zealand and are looking for fair-trade certified eco-friendly tees, make sure to check out Aussie brand Fairtees. The brand caters to men and women, offering a broad range of ‘basic tees’ and in unisex styles too. Tees are made of GOTS-certified organic cotton or eco-friendly fabric modal. The deliveries are packaged in recycled paper to reduce plastic packaging waste.
Women’s classic styles on offer include round neck, crew neck and striped. Many block colours on offer, including the classic colours of black, white and grey.
Men’s basic styles similar to that of women’s, but just not as broad a range.
Prices: Prices start from AUD $26 (US $19) for a women’s classic tee and $27 (US $19.70) for a men’s tee.
Shipping: Based in Australia and ships only to Australia and New Zealand to reduce shipping-related carbon emissions.
Online shop: fairtees.com.au
7. PACT
PACT is a widely-known affordable eco-friendly label (within the sustainability community anyway ha!) based in the United States that produces basic tees for men, women and kids. All t-shirts are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton (not always 100% though, some are blends, make sure to check) and produced under certified Fair-Trade conditions.
Women’s eco-friendly tees come in a range of styles, such as V-neck, relaxed-style, scoop neck and lounge tee. Tees come in a broad range of basic colours such as black, white, charcoal Heather, Heather grey, navy and sky. Women’s sizes range from XS-XL.
Men’s organic tees come in five different styles ranging from casual crew neck through to a slim polo t-shirt. Most styles are available in black, white, charcoal Heather and Heather grey, Men’s sizes from S-XL.
Price range: Men’s tees start at USD $20 (A$27), women’s tees from $16 (A$22). Buy in bulk and receive a discount.
Shipping: Free delivery within the USA for orders over $79. Costs apply to Canadian deliveries. Worldwide shipping not available at this time.
Where to buy: wearpact.com
8. Thought Clothing
Another ethical brand well ahead of its time, Thought Clothing, formerly known as Braintree Clothing, launched in 1995 and continues to offer a conscious range of affordable ethical clothing for men and women – although they produce more t-shirt styles for men than they do for women.
As an approved Fellowship 500 member of the Ethical Fashion Forum and a pioneer within the industry, Thought Clothing implements a range of sustainability practices; from using eco-friendly fabrics such as hemp, organic cotton and recycled materials and manufacturing in factories that comply with strict codes of conduct. We just love the variety they create and the classic transeasonal designs – and of course, the affordable prices too!
Men’s tees range from sizes S-XXL and women’s from sizes 8-18.
Prices: Men’s tees priced from £18 (US $23) and £19.00 (US $24.26) for women
Shipping: FREE delivery across the UK on orders £60. Worldwide shipping available. Shipping costs can be found here.
Online shop: wearethought.com
9. Back Beat Rags
This youth-focussed Californian-born brand offers super cool, super wearable tees that conscious female millennials will love. All tees (and their entire clothing range in fact) are locally made in Los Angeles, produced by a small, family-owned business to keep environmental footprint minimal. Tees are made from eco-friendly fabrics such as GOTS-certified organic cotton, recycled cotton, hemp and Tencel and the brand uses 100% post-consumer recycled packaging.
Back Beat Rags t-shirt styles are vintage inspired but with a fresh twist, think classic Californian streetwear modernised for hipsters and skater/surfer girl types. Team these tees with cool ethical kicks and you’re ready to get up to mischief with mates. Note: The brand manufactures women’s tees only.
Prices: T-shirt prices range from US $25 – $45 (including sales items)
Shipping: Worldwide shipping available. Details can be found here.
Online shop: backbeatrags.com
10. econscious
The US-based brand ecoconscious creates tees made of hemp, organic cotton and recycled fabrics satisfying the sustainability factors many shoppers are now looking for. It also manufactures t-shirts in factories in locations such as Mexico, China, India and Pakistan. The brand works with factories “who share their commitment to manufacturing quality products and providing a safe and healthy working environment for their employees” and regularly visits them throughout the year to perform audits and ensure compliance to their high code of conduct standards regarding wages, child labor and OHS practices. For vegan and cruelty-free shoppers who want peace of mind, the brand is also PETA-approved.
econscious produces a variety of basic tees in a variety of block colours (there’s heaps of colours to choose from, the biggest range we’ve seen for a tee brand yet!) for both men and women – and all very affordable!
Men’s and women’s tees size range S – 2XL.
Prices: Men’s tees priced from US $17 (A $23.28) and women’s from US $18 (A $24.65)
Shipping: FREE shipping within the US for orders over $50. Worldwide shipping available. Shipping costs can be found here.
Online shop: econscious.net
11. Fair Indigo
Fair Indigo, a small business based in the US, produces a variety of consciously-designed tees for men and women. Rather than offering a stock standard product range, Fair Indigo allows you to “shop your values” and choose garments accordingly. As such, they are organised into different categories to help you shop: Fair-Trade, USA-made, Recycled Fabrics, Alpaca, Recycled and 100% cotton so as to offer tees to suit a variety of shoppers with varying budgets.
The business believes in common decency in business and pays its workers fairly and are also “treated like family”. The business also uses OEKO-TEX® certified dyes, which is gentle and safe and free of toxic chemicals that are harmful to people and planet.
Women’s tees sizes range from XS to XXL and men’s from S to XL.
Prices: Men’s tees start from US $19.99 (A $27.37) and women’s tees from US $32.90 (A $45)
Shipping: Ships to US addresses only. FREE standard shipping in the US for orders over $75.
Online shop: fairindigo.com
12. Etiko
This B-Corp certified ethical fashion label was one of the pioneers of sustainable fashion in Australia, using GOTS-certified organic cotton in its products and achieving Fair Trade certification. Because of its ethical production, transparent supply chain and sustainability practices, Etiko has won numerous awards and consistently achieves top rankings in fashion reports such as Baptist World Aid’s Ethical Fashion Report and in shopping rating apps such as Good on You. It produces tees for men and women.
Men’s and women’s tees come in different styles and colours such as basic tees, block colours, V-neck and printed. Men’s sizes range from S-XXL. Women’s t-shirt sizes range from S-XL.
Prices: Women’s tees price range A $25 – $45 (US $18 – 33, these include sales items). Men’s tees price range A $35 – $50 (US $25.50 – $36.50)
Shipping: Worldwide shipping available. Details can be found on the website.
Where to buy: etiko.com.au
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Prices and details are correct at time of publishing. The curated list is based on the writer’s research and does not fully take into account all the ethical considerations that are unique to each individual. Before making a purchase, we encourage you to do your own research paying particular attention to the supply chain and your own particular set of ethics. You can also check out online shopping tools and apps that provide further product information and brand ratings here. This list contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase we may receive a commission which helps us to cover the rising operational costs of this site. For more information on our policies, visit this page.
Title image credit: Synergy Organic Clothing
