The T-Shirt

Transitioning to a more sustainable wardrobe: the t-shirt edition! Why are we starting your sustainability adventure with a t-shirt? First, it seems that every sustainable fashion brands start with a t-shirt, so there is a wide range of styles and price points. As important, t-shirts are a year-round item as a layering piece with a sweater in winter, alone as a top with shorts in summer or under a jean jacket for spring and wall. I like mine fitted, soft, and not particularly long. I was a huge fan of Everlane's pima micro rib tee, but transparency isn't the same as sustainability, so I've moved on to other brands. 

Building a more sustainable wardrobe means you will be visiting the "About" section of websites more often. If a brand is concerned about their supply chain's impact, they are going to want to share that information. If you can't find anything about how or where a brand is making their clothes, email them. 

​

​My new favorite t-shirt is the fitted crew by Kotn. The Kotn crew is made from 100% cotton micro-rib jersey, and the neckline hits perfectly below my collar bone. The tee comes in 7 different colors and retails for $28. Read the fabric, details, and care notes before buying. If you plan on throwing it in a machine rather than hand washing, the company suggests that you go up a size.  I should mention all of the shirts I am writing about come in different colors. 

---

If you like your tees to fit a bit looser, there are two other designs to check out: an essential crew and a relaxed v-neck. For those of you who like a higher collar, try the band tee in black. 

Kotn has a traceability tab at the top of their website. They are working hard to develop long-term relationships with suppliers and make a point of giving back to the community. I emailed the company several times to ask questions about everything from returns to their supply chain, and customer service was friendly and quick to respond. 

​

 
Another brand you might want to check out is the Classic T-Shirt Company. It has earned reliable reviews for being sustainably and ethically produced. I tried the women’s v-neck and short sleeve crew. After the v-neck was washed, it fit perfectly, but it was a little long out of the box. The crew tee had a neckline that was too high for me, so I returned it. Customer service was terrific, and I got an email after I made my purchase asking for feedback.

​

---

Here are some other eco-friendly options to get you started:

• Amour Vert-  Ballet Tee ($58); Softest V-Neck Tee ($48); Slub Tee ($38); and, Organic Cotton Tee ($32)
  
• ASOS DESIGN- Organic Crew Neck ($9.50)
  
• Eileen Fisher-  Scoop Neck Cap Sleeve Top. ($118.) and  Crewneck Tee ($68)
  
• Stella McCartney Ministar T-shirt ($230)
  

​