Why should you spend more money on a shirt just because it is fairly produced? Why is it actually better to buy ethical shirts instead of one of those ridiculously cheap, yet really quite shirts you can find in the fast-fashion chains?
Well, the answer is actually pretty clear. Fast fashion isn’t cheap. Someone somewhere is paying for it.
Maybe you have heard about some of the heartbreaking disasters that have happened in the garment industry like the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh. Such disasters shouldn’t be able to happen and make you realize just how important it is to be aware of who made your clothes and what kind of working conditions they have.
Fast fashion isn’t cheap. Someone somewhere is paying for it.
I am not demanding that you never buy a pair of cheap underwear from a fast fashion store again. I am just saying you should be conscious of what you spend your money on and bear in mind that it simply is impossible for a shirt to be sustainable and cost 10$ at the same time.
However, it is possible to find truly ethical shirts on a budget. This article will guide you to some of the most sustainable and ethical brands for blouses, shirts, and tops.
1. Two days off
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From: United States
Ethics: Made to order, locally source in North America
Why we love them:
Two Days Off believes that a simple wardrobe with thoughtful pieces you not only feel comfortable in, but also feel comfortable with the production of.
The brand makes made-to-order styles and a few very small batches of some styles in order to cut down on textile waste and distance themselves from the fast fashion mindset of production. Because all style is made-to-order also means that you are able to buy each sustainable pieces in all sizes and colors.
The clothes are made in LA, and every piece is made with a great eye for simplistic details, quality, art craft, and love. This is the ultimate sustainable brand if you are looking for an ethical t-shirt in a minimalistic, yet modern design, made in a highly ethical way.
2. People Tree
From: United States
Ethics: Fair Trade
Why we love them:
People Tree was the first clothing brand to achieve the World Fair Trade Organisation’s Fair Trade Product mark. Since its launch, the brand has been committed to making a change within the fashion industry and putting ethical production and sustainability on top of the agenda.
Their mission is to support producer partner’s journey towards economic independence and control over their own environment. People Tree have been setting an example for ethical fashion in the industry for many years now, and still continues to be on the top of the list of the best ethical fashion brands.
Their design is playfull and different. They have beautiful ethical shirt for every occasion – and at great, budget friendly prices.
Shop the shirt from People Tree
3. No Nasties
From: India
Ethics: Fair Trade
Why we love them:
No Nasties makes budget-friendly ethical shirts, which is perfect for your Capsule wardrobe. Its shirts are simplistic and perfect to either add to a pair of jeans or more printed and colorful items. Who doesn’t love timeless pieces?
They are using organic, fair trade products in their ethical shirts and make sure you know who made your clothes. Because you have the right to know this. The brand is then highly transparent in their supply chain, so you know exactly what shirt you are buying and by whom.
4. The R Collective
From: Hong Kong
Ethics:
Why we love them:
The R Collective is a social impact fashion brand making minimalistic, and ethical shirts from waste fabrics. The brand is on a mission to reduces waste and emissions in the fashion industry. This is done by upcycling pre-loved fabrics and rescued waste textiles.
Its long-lasting relationships with their manufacturers around the world, its goal to make fashion a force for good, and its promise to create clean, safe, and fair working conditions in their factories make them the ideal brand when shopping for simplistic, ethical shirts.
Shop the R Collective shirt here
5. Cristy Dawn
From: United States
Ethics: Produce in the U.S and secure living wages
Why we love them:
In the eyes of Christy Dawn, a piece of clothes can only be considered beautiful if the process used to produce it protects the beauty of the Earth and its people. In a playful and light universe the brand is creating ethical shirts with a vintage boho vibe, Shirts that are modern, yet, timeless at the same time.
The brand produce its clothes in the U.S in order to make sure the workers are payed a living wage and the production conditions are fair. Let yourself explore Christy Dawns dreamy univers and fall in love with the light and playful printed ethical shirts.
Shop the blouses from Christy Dawn
6. Harvest and Mill
From: United States
Ethics: Sourcing and crafting in the U.S
Why we love them:
At first Harvest and Mill was created first out of a need for more locally sewn and USA grown organic clothing. Today they are designing high-quality, yet budget friendly organic and ethical shirts in a timeless design.
Everything is made in America from their 100% organic cotton to the spinning of the yarn and the production of the ethical shirts, which are happening just 20 miles from the main offices in San Fransisco. So if you are looking for truly ethical, soft, timesless shirts this is your brand.
7. Noctu
From: The UK
Ethics: Traces its whole supply chain and produce in the UK
Why we love them:
If soft, organic loungewear is what you looking for, then Noctu is the answer to your prayers. The ethical shirts are made with GOTS certificated cotton, and all colors are natural and soft.
In order to make sure every sustainable pieces of clothes is made with care the production takes place in the UK. That way Noctu can make sure all working conditions are proper and safe. If you want to feel like you are being wrapped in soft clouds, Noctu is definitely a brand for you.
8. Living Crafts
From: Germany
Ethics: Ensures living wages
Why we love them:
This organic brands designs the softest organic and ethical shirt you could imagine. Apart from designing organic everyday pieces with a touch, Living Crafts uses non-toxic dyes in all its clothes, traces all of its supply chain, and does not use fur or leather.
These two ethical shirts are both perfect for everyday wear but they can also be dressed up with a pair of pretty heels and nice pants for a party look. That makes them ideal for your capsule wardrobe.
9. Kowtow
From: New Zealand
Ethics: Formal statement covering all labour
Why we love them:
Minimalistic lines, simplistic design, and eye-pleasing colors are what characterizes Kowtow. The eye for detail and elegance clearly shines through in its timeless designs. These items never go out of style but still manage to avoid being dull and boring.
The brand is engaging with a slow production chain, its cotton is Fair Trade, and they trace their supply chain in order to make sure workers are paid a fair living wage and work under fair conditions. Let yourself be inspired by their simplistic design and minimalistic ethical shirts.
10. Saint Basics
From:
Ethics:
Why we love them:
There are at least four reasons why you should love Saint Basics. It almost has a zero-waste process (95%), it is only using natural fabrics so it is vegan, the clothes are produced in Portugal under fair conditions, and it makes incredibly soft sustainable basic shirts.
This is a feel-good basic brand, which makes you feel confident and comfortable. The ethical shirts are made from eucalyptus, which is 100% recyclable and biodegradable.
Not only are these shirts ethically responsible but also very environmentally friendly. Pair the colorful shirt with a pair of sustainable jeans or use it under a cute dress
11. Amout Vert
From: The U.S
Ethics: Produce in the U.S, follow the whole lifecycle of the garment
Why we love them:
Amour Vert is not just green. They have a strong love for green (fashion). Well, it is after all right there in the name. It follows the full lifecycle of its clothes, to make sure they vouch for every single step of their supply chain.
Its ethical shirts are made in limited quantities to ensure the highest production standards and to eliminate any excess waste. That is also why 97% of its products are made in California where the brand is located. As the pictures show the brand is a master at making fashionable ethical shirt which looks luxuries in an effortless way.
12. OhSevenDays
From: Turkey
Why we love them:
Unique, timeless, and charismatic seem to be the words that come to mind when browsing through OhSevenDays’ admiring design pieces. It is no coincidence that its clothes have a luxury vintage vibe to them.
All the ethical shirts are made from deadstock fabrics thereby securing less fabric end up in landfills. These two ethical shirts are definitely one-of-a-kind pieces you don’t see everywhere. They would look amazing in the summertime with a nice shirt or a pair of well-fitted organic jeans.
13. Sanikai
From: Switzerland
Ethics: Clothes sewn by hand in Switzerland
Why we love them:
This Swiss brand has a strong love for detail, quality, and handcraft. Each style is carefully made by young and talented dressmakers, and are swen by hand in order to make the most beautiful and sustainable pieces.
These two ethical shirts are made in a simplistic design, but it is not hard to see that they are made with a great deal of love and expert knowledge. They would each be perfect items for a capsule wardrobe. Their minimalistic design makes them easy to match with other items, but their cute details also give a bit of edge and stylishness to the look.
14. Organic Basics
From: Denmark
Ethics: Partner with certificated factories
Why we love them:
Organic Basics make, well, organic basic clothes. This is a top sustainable brand if you are searching for an ethical basic top. The minimalistic shirts are soft, crafted with care, and made to last. But not only does this brand design easy-to-wear items, but it is also sustainable to the core.
In order to make sure all workers are working under fair conditions and payed a living wage the brands is only works with trusted, certified factory partners. These ethical shirts are made from organic, GOT certificated cotton, and will probably be the softest shirt you ever owned.
15. Grammar
From: The U.S
Ethics: Produce in the U.S, ensure living wages
Why we love them:
Elegant ethical shirts with modern details. That is what you will find if you browse through Grammar’s small clothing collections. But Grammar does not only has its eyes on design. Ethics and sustainability play a big role too. The brands trace every part of its supply chain and ensure fair living wages to all its workers.
A crispy (organic) cotton shirt is one of the most classic items in the wardrobe. These timeless, simplistic garment designs is exactly what Grammar strives to create. Styles, you can have in your wardrobe season after season and still be as thrilled when you pull them out of your closet.
16. Milo+nicki
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Processed with VSCO with e4 preset
From: The U.S
Ethics: Ensures living wage, produce in the U.S.
Why we love them:
Luxurious Boheme seems to be the first word that pops into mind when looking at Milo+nicki’s collections. Effortless chick comes right after. However, this brand is about so much more than cute clothing. Transparency, integrity, and understanding are words connected to their whole supply chain.
To make clothes, which inspire and encourage women is one of its main goals. You can say they design garments that inspire the female spirit. The design of its ethical shirts manages to combine class with uniqueness. The result is light bohemian items you want to wear all summer.
17. Aware…The Social Design Project
From: Australia
Ethics: Fair Trade,
Why we love them:
In a world where fast fashion is increasing social inequality Aware want to make people, well, aware, of what is going on, and what you can do as a consumer to make a stand and support ethical fashion.
With their one-of-a-kind and colorful Fair Trade pieces, they want to tell the story of the people who made your clothes. And they want you to do the same. In one of their unique ethical shirts, you will definitely stand out from the crowd and make a statement about how fashion should be.
Want to know more about ethical fashion?
We have covered some of the most amazing brands out there if you are looking for sustainable and ethical shirts. These all have a great ethical rating and don’t just say they care about the workers in the fashion industry. There are actually actions behind those words.
But maybe you have gone through this article without quite knowing what ethical fashion truly is all about. Well yes, it sounds good and everything, but what does it really mean? If that is the case (or you just want the meaning of the term refreshed) you can read all about what ethical fashion is here.
Love,
Anna
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