If you’re in the market for organic cotton tees, look no further! Here’s our hand-curated list of great options.
It’s no secret that cotton is one of the most popular clothing materials in existence.
But what tends to fly under the radar is the impact that cotton has on the environment.
One of the biggest problems with conventional cotton production is that it uses large amounts of toxic pesticides and fertilizers that erode soil and pollute water supplies.
Unfortunately, since cotton is so ubiquitous, it’s not like the fashion industry can just do away with it overnight.
That’s why there’s been a push in recent years toward switching to organic cotton production. Organic cotton is functionally the same as conventional cotton, but it comes with fewer downsides.
How is Organic Cotton Better Than Regular Cotton?
First off, I have to point out that organic cotton isn’t perfect.
For example, some sources have argued that organic cotton actually requires more water than conventional cotton.
And there’s no doubt that organic cotton production suffers from many of the same issues as any other form of large-scale material production.
Cotton producers tend to keep their info private, so it’s hard to find traceable statistics on the impact of conventional vs. organic cotton, and this muddies the waters even more.
However, while organic cotton isn’t perfect, I believe that it’s still better than conventional cotton in many ways.
The number one benefit of organic cotton is that it’s grown without toxic chemicals.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) defines an organic fiber as one “grown without the use of synthetic pesticides (such as insecticides), or herbicides and GMOs (Genetic Modified Organisms).”
It’s hard to argue that avoiding excess chemicals is bad, even if there are no clear facts and figures on how much better organic cotton actually is.
In addition, as more producers switch to organic cotton, growing techniques become more advanced and thus more sustainable.
Of course, the best action to take when it comes to clothes is to simply buy less. But it’s also important to pay attention to what you do buy.
Organic cotton is a step in the right direction. As consumers are showing more interest in organic materials, companies are listening and changing the ways they source their fibers.
Quick Take
Short on time? Here are our top picks for the best organic t-shirts you can buy right now:
Our Pick
Everlane – Organic Cotton Crew T-shirt Black
Elevate your wardrobe with this timeless tee crafted from premium GOTS-certified organic cotton. With sizes ranging from XS to XXL, finding your perfect fit has never been easier. Indulge in eco-friendly fashion with this classic tee and make a sustainable statement.
Budget Pick
Upgrade Pick
Olderbrother – Sports Tee
This Sports Tee is made from a heavy organic cotton jersey that’s hand-dyed in fermented persimmon fruit and iron. The result is one of the cleanest, most natural T-shirts you’ll ever wear.
Read on for more info and the complete list…
The Best Organic Cotton T-Shirts for Men
Recently, organic cotton has become a popular choice for T-shirts, so here’s a roundup of 8 of the best 100% organic cotton tees in random order:
Pact Softspun Crew Neck Tee
To those who follow sustainable fashion, Pact is a household name. The brand’s Softspun Crew Neck is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton produced in a Fair Trade factory in India.
Available in three colors and four sizes, this crew neck is a great essential that’s also modestly priced at just $24. Pact claims that producing this shirt organically saves 24 gallons of water.
Organic Basics Rib-Flex Tee
Most stretchy shirts require a small amount of elastane, but not Organic Basics’ rib-flex tee. The company started with 100% organic cotton and gave it a ribbed texture for a natural stretch without any synthetics.
The Rib-Flex Tee comes in three colors and is available in sizes from S to XXL. At $62, it’s not exactly cheap, but you have to think about what you’re paying for: organic, synthetic-free production.
If you’re into organic cotton and want a shirt that moves with you, then this may be an investment to make.
Tentree Organic Cotton Boxy T-Shirt
If you’re looking for an organic cotton shirt with a relaxed fit, then check out this oversized tee from Tentree.
It’s made from a 4 way stretch organic cotton material and features a subtle embroidered logo on the chest. The price tag of $40 isn’t too bad, so if you enjoy a slouchier shirt, this may be the one for you.
Check out our Tentree review for more information on this sustainable brand.
Everlane Organic Cotton Crew
Everlane is known for its minimal take on menswear, and that’s especially apparent when looking at the brand’s Uniform capsule collection, which features everyday essentials.
Featured in that collection is the Organic Cotton Crew, a classic-looking tee made from GOTS-certified organic cotton. It’s available in multiple standard colors as well as seasonal shades, and it comes in sizes XS to XXL.
A single shirt retails for a fairly modest $30, but what’s better is that you can pick up three for $60, netting you a free shirt.
Read our Everlane review to learn more about the company’s ethics and sustainability.
Harvest & Mill Men’s Organic Crew Tee
Harvest & Mill is the only brand on this list that uses exclusively 100% organic cotton. That’s an impressive feat, but what’s almost as impressive is how timeless and durable their garments are.
The Organic Crew Tee is no exception. This 4.3oz organic cotton jersey shirt is made to be an everyday tee that goes with anything and everything.
The shirt is offered in both natural (completely undyed — the color is the actual color of cotton) and black, and it comes in five sizes from XS to XL.
Each T-shirt is priced at $48, which is pretty good for completely USA-manufactured organic cotton. That said, you can save ten bucks by picking up a 2 pack.
Patagonia Regenerative Organic Certified™ Cotton Lightweight Tee
Patagonia has been practicing sustainability for decades, so it’s no surprise that it offers more than a few organic cotton garments.
The company also cares about traceability, which is why its Regenerative Organic Certified™ Cotton Lightweight Tee uses cotton from farms practicing the highest organic standard. If that weren’t enough, it’s also sewn in a Fair Trade Certified factory.
The 4.6oz jersey fabric is lightweight yet durable, making this a good year-round shirt. You can choose from multiple colors and an extended size range of XXS to 3XL.
Fjällräven Övik
Fjällräven is best known for its wildly popular backpacks and outerwear, but this Swedish brand also offers a lot of high-quality basics that tend to go unnoticed.
Consider the Övik men’s T-shirt, a comfort-fit organic cotton jersey tee with an unmistakably Nordic look. It’s available in four colors and six sizes ranging from XS to XXL.
Reasonably priced at $45, the Övik is a great way to add some Scandinavian style (and function) to your closet.
Olderbrother Sports Tee
This plain cotton shirt costs $135. And believe it or not, there’s actually a good argument for this price because Portland-based Olderbrother is one of the cleanest, most truly sustainable brands out there right now.
This Sports Tee is made from a heavy organic cotton jersey that’s hand-dyed in fermented persimmon fruit and iron. The result is one of the cleanest, most natural T-shirts you’ll ever wear.
Even though this shirt is alarmingly expensive, it’s also sobering to realize that’s what it costs to produce a truly natural T-shirt by hand.
Obviously, this isn’t for everyone, but if you have the budget and want to support slow fashion in action, there’s probably no better company to give your money to.
Closing Thoughts on Organic Cotton
Buying organic cotton is an easy way to reduce the environmental impact of clothing, and thankfully there are plenty of options.
While all the shirts in this list are 100% organic cotton, there are many shirts out there that are made with a blend of organic cotton and other fabrics (usually other natural fibers).
There are also shirts made with recycled cotton which is a very sustainable fabric.
Finally, when shopping for organic cotton shirts, look out for some sort of certification — GOTS is generally considered to be the best.
Organic cotton may not be perfect, but it’s a much better alternative to conventional cotton that doesn’t force you to compromise in any way. Next time you’re buying cotton clothing, it’s worth keeping an eye out for organic.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
