We all need T-shirts. Yet, not every T-shirt is made with care for the planet or its workers.
That’s why I’ve compiled a list of 20+ brands, each rated on ethics and sustainability. These ratings reflect factors like fair wages, organic or recycled fabrics, responsible water use, and transparent supply chains.
What do we mean by a “sustainable T-shirt”?
It’s a shirt that respects the environment from the start. That can mean using organic cotton, recycled materials, or zero-waste packaging. It also involves fair labor conditions, so every person involved is paid and treated well.
Patagonia
Patagonia uses recycled polyester, nylon, wool, and organic cotton. Its products emphasize durability and repair, with a transparent supplier list and Fair Trade Certified factories. Some facilities pay living wages.
Patagonia runs the Worn Wear program to extend product life. The “Don’t Buy This Jacket” campaign reflects its anti-consumerism stance. As a B Corp, it follows Fair Trade USA and FLA codes but isn’t fully sustainable yet, aiming to expand living wages across its supply chain.
Everlane
Everlane uses some organic cotton and recycled fibers, with classic designs that aim to reduce waste. It publishes certain factory locations and photos but doesn’t provide full audits or living wage verification. Although it promotes “radical transparency,” there’s limited proof of worker empowerment.
The brand set science-based CO2 reduction goals, eliminated some toxic chemicals, and launched an eco-denim line. Critics point out partial transparency, a risk of greenwashing, and an anti-union controversy in 2020.
Reformation
Reformation sources TENCEL™, recycled fibers, and organic cotton, plus Bluesign® and OEKO-TEX certified fabrics. It avoids virgin viscose from endangered forests and traces most of its supply chain, paying some workers a living wage. Fair Trade sewing, a Los Angeles factory, and audited overseas partners reinforce its labor standards.
The brand faced allegations of racism in 2020, prompting leadership changes. It plans to expand living wages, phase out leather, and follows the Five Freedoms animal policy
Pact
Pact uses 100% GOTS organic cotton for all tees, with no toxic pesticides. It partners with Fair Trade Certified factories in India, ensuring safe conditions and supporting small cotton farmers. Shipping is carbon-offset, packaging is plastic-free, and it offers textile recycling for old clothes.
As a Certified B Corp with strong third-party certifications, it faces no major red flags and backs every claim with verifiable standards.
MATE the Label
MATE the Label sources GOTS organic cotton, linen, and TENCEL™, relying on non-toxic, low-impact dyes. Everything is made locally in Los Angeles under fair conditions, with a women-led workforce. It’s Climate Neutral Certified, donates 1% of sales, and keeps a low transport footprint by producing near home.
A Certified B Corp with transparent practices, it has no notable red flags, though prices run higher due to its ethical production.
Quince
Quince mixes organic fabrics like cotton and linen with conventional cashmere, silk, and leather. It claims “responsibly-made” but provides little detail on factory conditions or living wages, and it’s not Fair Trade certified.
The brand uses minimal packaging and some certified down, but its emissions strategy is unclear. With no major sustainability or labor certifications, Quince risks greenwashing by marketing “sustainable luxury” at low prices.
For Days
For Days uses 100% GOTS organic cotton and designs tees for closed-loop recycling. It offers a Take Back Bag that turns old clothes into new yarn, cutting waste and promoting a circular model. Some production occurs in the U.S., but there’s limited detail on overseas factories.
While carbon-neutral shipping and plastic-free packaging are plusses, the brand focuses more on end-of-life recycling than transparent labor practices. Good On You rates it “Good,” though some doubt whether all returns are truly recycled.
Harvest & Mill
Harvest & Mill sources organic cotton from California and Texas, including undyed, unbleached options. The entire process stays in the U.S., from farm to sewing – which ensures fair pay under local law and slashes transport emissions. It also uses compostable packaging and minimal water, since no dyeing is involved.
As a small, family-owned operation, it’s highly transparent but not a B Corp. Limited sizing is its main challenge, not ethics.
Classic T-Shirt Co.
Classic T-Shirt Co. uses 100% GOTS organic cotton, with U.S. production in California. Its thick, durable fabric and small-batch approach reduce waste. Fair labor is ensured by American standards, and there’s no evidence of worker issues.
Packaging is plastic-free and recycled, and the brand partners with 1% for the Planet. While prices run high, this reflects actual production costs rather than greenwashing.
tentree
tentree sources organic cotton, TENCEL, hemp, and recycled polyester, planting ten trees for each product. Some factories align with Fair Trade or Fair Wear standards, and as a B Corp, the brand focuses on ethical labor and carbon neutrality.
It has a Net Zero goal for 2033, shares transparent updates on its tree-planting projects, and aims to guarantee living wages across its supply chain.
ARMEDANGELS
ARMEDANGELS avoids conventional fabrics, opting for GOTS organic cotton, TENCEL, recycled fibers, and non-mulesed wool. It holds Fair Wear Foundation Leader status, invests in living wages, and regularly audits facilities.
Climate neutrality, plastic-free packaging, and pioneering sustainable denim reflect its high ethics, backed by multiple certifications and no major red flags.
Kowtow
Kowtow sources 100% Fairtrade organic cotton for tees, plus some TENCEL, linen, and ZQ merino. It discloses a full supplier map and follows a rigorous Code of Conduct. Regenerative farming, a repair program, and compostable packaging keep its carbon footprint down.
The brand is Fairtrade- and GOTS-certified and approved by Canopy for responsible viscose. Shipping from New Zealand can add emissions, but bulk transit helps offset that.
Yes Friends
Yes Friends makes T-shirts with GOTS organic, Fairtrade cotton in a solar-powered, SA8000-audited factory in Bangladesh. Workers earn about 50% above the minimum wage, with a goal to reach a true living wage. The brand discloses its cost breakdown, keeps margins low, and avoids cutting corners on ethics.
Packaging is plastic-free, and the solar factory cuts carbon emissions. With “Great” ratings and proof that a £7.99 tee can be ethical, Yes Friends shows radical transparency to dispel greenwashing doubts.
Threads 4 Thought
Threads 4 Thought uses TENCEL™ Modal from beechwood, recycled polyester, and some organic cotton. Factories are Fair Trade USA or WRAP certified, spanning Kenya, China, India, and Haiti. The brand uses 95% recycled water in modal production, reduces waste through recycled materials, and supports environmental causes.
Threads 4 Thought was an early mover in sustainability. It now sells through big-box retailers but maintains audits and certifications to ensure high ethical standards.
Christy Dawn
Christy Dawn sources about 80% of its fabrics from deadstock, reducing waste and preserving vintage materials. Its Farm-to-Closet line uses regenerative organic cotton, grown in partnership with small-scale Indian farmers. Dresses are sewn in an owned Los Angeles workshop for better quality control and fair pay.
The brand uses recycled or compostable packaging, repairs garments, and isn’t formally certified due to its deadstock focus. However, it’s praised for transparent, positive impact.
Outerknown
Outerknown employs organic cotton, recycled nylon (ECONYL®), hemp, and TENCEL™, with over 90% of its fibers chosen for lower environmental impact. It’s Fair Labor Association–accredited, maintains a public factory list, and collaborates with Fair Trade Certified facilities.
As a Climate Neutral Certified brand, it aims for net-zero emissions by 2030 and offers a repair program to encourage circularity. Outerknown is also a B Corp, demonstrates clear accountability, and addresses any supply chain issues as they arise.
Kotn
Kotn sources premium Egyptian cotton directly from Nile Delta farms. It pays above-market rates, has built 19 schools to combat child labor, and is moving toward full living wages. The brand practices regenerative farming, keeps packaging minimal, and has carbon-neutral corporate operations.
Certified as a B Corp with a score of around 90, it’s rated “Good” by independent reviewers. Although not all cotton is organic yet, Kotn openly works to improve.
Boody
Boody focuses on bamboo viscose from organically grown bamboo, blended with organic cotton or LYOCELL in some products. Its Chinese factories are WRAP-certified, and it ranks in the top 5% for community impact as a B Corp.
Boody uses a closed-loop viscose process, carbon-neutral shipping, and minimal packaging. FSC-certified bamboo, OEKO-TEX standards, and PETA Vegan approval reinforce its eco-ethical stance. With a B Corp score over 100, it faces no major concerns.
Afends
Afends centers on hemp and organic cotton blends, along with recycled polyester and some ECONYL. Its main production is in China and Vietnam under Sedex/BSCI audits, and it also runs its own hemp farm in Australia. The brand invests in solar power, biodegradable packaging, and durable streetwear designs.
Afends holds GOTS certification for cotton and a “Good” rating from independent assessors. Although it could share more labor data, its commitment to regenerative hemp and transparency is evident.
Etiko
Etiko uses 100% GOTS organic, Fairtrade cotton for its tees and ensures living wages from farm to factory in India. It’s carbon neutral, uses plastic-free packaging, and promotes recycling.
Certified by Fairtrade International, GOTS, and B Corp, it holds a top rating for ethics and doesn’t compromise on its values.
Dorsu
Dorsu sources deadstock fabric in Cambodia, turning cotton jersey remnants into limited-run garments. All cutting and sewing happen in-house with a small, fairly paid team. The upcycling model saves resources, reduces waste, and avoids overproduction. Although it lacks formal certifications, it’s highly transparent.
KnowledgeCotton Apparel
KnowledgeCotton Apparel prioritizes GOTS organic cotton, plus recycled wool and PET. It’s a Fair Wear Foundation Leader, audits 100% of tier-one suppliers, and pays some living wages.
The brand aims for carbon neutrality, offers durable basics, and carries multiple certifications (GOTS, GRS, B Corp). Rated “Good” for ethics, it stands out for transparency and responsible production.
ASKET
ASKET uses premium cotton (89% traceable, moving to organic) and responsibly sourced wool and recycled poly, avoiding silk and leather. It traces 89% of its supply chain in Europe, showing detailed supplier info online. Its “Permanent Collection” eliminates seasonal overproduction, and it provides an Impact Receipt detailing each garment’s CO2 and water use.
Although ASKET isn’t formally certified, its radical transparency earns it a Good rating, and it runs a take-back recycling program. It admits it’s not fully sustainable yet and plans to verify living wages across its supply chain.
Colorful Standard
Colorful Standard makes T-shirts with 100% organic cotton in over 40 colors and uses recycled merino wool for accessories. Everything is produced in its own solar-powered factory in Portugal, following EU labor standards.
The brand uses Oeko-Tex certified dyes and recycles water in its dye process. It focuses on seasonless basics to cut waste and holds organic (OCS/GOTS) and recycled (GRS) certifications.
Organic Basics
Organic Basics sources GOTS organic cotton, TENCEL™, and recycled nylon/wool, all Oeko-Tex certified. Its European and Turkish factories are BSCI-audited, and the brand itself is a B Corp with a strong worker score.
It offsets emissions at the office, encourages “wear more, wash less” through Polygiene tech, and offers a recycling program for old items. With high transparency, Organic Basics avoids greenwashing and backs its claims with data.