The 11 Best Brands for Basic Non-Toxic & Comfy Tees

Image by Mate the Label

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I used to think all t-shirts were created equal. I was never sure why the bleached wrinkle-free cotton tees were so stiff and uncomfortable, and why even the lightest polyester top seemed to stick to my skin. Now I know there are few things better than an undyed organic cotton tee, for more reasons than one.

Aside from being less comfortable and breathable than natural fibers, synthetic tees are often dyed with azobenzene disperse dyes. According to Alden Wicker’s book To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion is Making Us Sick, and How We Can Fight Back, these are known skin sensitizers. They can also release a chemical ingredient called amines, which are suspected to cause genetic changes and cancer in cells when they come in contact with skin bacteria.

Now, I’m always on the lookout for soft and skin-safe t-shirts that can be dressed up or down regardless of the season. But a lot more goes into a safe, healthy, and quality tee than you might think. Fortunately, there are plenty of brands making basic natural fiber tees with skin-safe dyes—and we even got to test a few. Before we tell you all about our favorites, here’s what to look out for when shopping for sustainable non-toxic tees:

Natural & Sustainable Fibers: Like we mentioned earlier, natural fibers are just more breathable and comfortable than synthetics. Cotton, hemp, linen, and Tencel are a few of our favorites. To be sure that they were sourced sustainably, look for certifications like Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). We also recommend looking out for brands that support regenerative farming practices to ensure their fabric sourcing methods are good for the earth in the long-term.

Non-Toxic Dyes & Finishes: As Alden investigated in To Dye For, the dyes and finishes used on many t-shirts can cause harm to your body with endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Look for brands that use natural dyes made from organic and upcycled materials, and check for certifications and labels like Oeko-Tex and bluesign to be sure no toxic chemicals made it onto the t-shirt. Avoid stain-resistant and quick dry finishes, as these are typically made with perfluorinated chemicals that can harm both your body and the environment.

Durable Design & Versatility: A t-shirt shouldn’t last just one season. To keep your shirt from ending up in a landfill within a couple of years, look for brands that purposefully design their shirts with longevity in mind. Additionally, the right piece can be your best friend for both formal and casual occasions. Look for tees that can be worn with a blazer, loungewear, or a cute pair of jeans. Be sure to check the care instructions to get the most out of its lifespan!

Ethical & Responsible Manufacturing: The people who make your clothing deserve to be paid fair wages in safe and humane working conditions. Look for brands that share their supply chains with the public, and aren’t afraid to tell you how and where your tee was made. You can check for certifications like Fair Trade if you’re unsure of a brand’s ethics. Bonus points for brands that maintain short ethical supply chains by manufacturing locally!

Plastic-Free Packaging: Look for brands that have reduced or eliminated plastic in their packaging, and that use recycled and recyclable materials instead.

1. MATE the Label

What we like: Mate the Label manufactures all of its clothing in L.A with non-toxic natural and organic materials. The brand upholds a list of restricted substances to keep toxins out of its supply chain, and uses organic cotton with skin-safe dyes to make its recyclable tees. Its supply chain is located within 17 miles to maintain low emissions and fair labor standards, except for its cotton, which comes from India.

Our Review: Our sensitive skin tester is absolutely in love with this tee. It’s the best one she’s ever seen for comfort, fit, and style all in one. There’s no movement restriction, it doesn’t rub, and it lacks those annoying bulky seams that she always has to stay away from. She 100% will be buying this in other colors because she’s never found anything that matches how soft it is and how well it feels on her body.

Available in: Worldwide.

Price Range: $48-$58

2. Harvest & Mill

What we like: This vegan brand sews all of its non-toxic clothing independently in California within 20 miles of its Berkley studio. Harvest and Mill only uses 100% USA-grown organic cotton, from farmers and dye artists in Indiana and California, and uses data-driven processes to manage its supply chain and emissions. It Invests in small independent farms, factories and mills, and uses all compostable and recyclable packaging.

Our Review: The soft undyed cotton is a dream against the skin. The fit is a little loose, but it’s perfect to tuck into a pair of jeans and joggers for a lazy day at home or layer for extra warmth and comfort. It’s one of Anabelle’s favorite daily go-tos. The only downside is the sizing is limited, so Anabelle wasn’t able to pick another one up for a family member as they had planned.

Available in: Worldwide.

Price Range: $48-$115

3. Outerknown

What we like: Outerknown is a Fair Trade brand, that only works with manufacturing facilities that comply with its code of conduct. Its complete list of suppliers, two of which are certified B Corps, are available on its website. The brand supports regenerative cotton farming practices and makes its “farm-to-floor” shirts with hemp, Tencel, linen, and organic cotton.

Watch out for: There is little information on its packaging available.

Our Review: Teri really likes this t-shirt. It’s thick enough to hold its shape and resist wrinkles, but is still breathable and sot. The fit is very comfortable, and it pairs well with a wide variety of styles. It has a cute seam down the back, and it isn’t itchy at all.

Available in: Worldwide.

Price Range: $48-$68

4. Colorful Standard

What we like:  Colorful Standard makes timeless and durable basics designed to help avoid over-consumption. Its tees are made in an open-door factory in Portugal under EU standards, and it works with local suppliers to ensure quality materials and reduce shipping emissions. All of its vibrant organic cotton garments are dyed with Oeko-Tex-certified dyes that are mixed in-house. It uses recycled packaging and FSC-certified hang tags.

Our Review: This t-shirt is really long, which makes it difficult to tuck or style with many other options. But it’s fairly wrinkle-resistant, has a slightly fitted cut, and doesn’t bunch in any weird places. The fabric feels a little thin after a couple of washes, but seems to be holding up well. Teri thinks it’ll be easier to style once it’s broken in a bit more, but for now it’s a home-office tee.

Available in: The U.S., The U.K., Canada, and Most European Countries.

Price Range: $33-$48

5. Organic Basics

What we like: This certified B Corp measures carbon emissions throughout its transparent supply chain and creates long-lasting relationships with its manufacturing partners. It designs durable products with ethically sourced materials like organic cotton and Tencel, and uses natural dyes made from agricultural waste.

Watch out for: Some tees contain a small percentage of elastane, so check the product page if you have a sensitivity to that.

Available in: Worldwide.

Price Range: $55-$85

6. Prana

What we like: This Fair Trade brand uses natural and recycled synthetic fibers to craft blended t-shirts that can easily be dressed up or down. Prana shares all of its supply chain partners on its website, along with its list of restricted substances. It uses recycled shipping envelopes and FSC-certified paper bags for its packaging.

Watch out for: Only 35% of its garments are currently bluesign-approved, so if you have sensitive skin, be sure to check the product page and the restricted substances list before you buy.

Available in: Most countries.

Price Range: $45-$75

7. Another Tomorrow

What we like: Another Tomorrow makes elevated tees with farm-traceable organic cotton from Portugal. It visits all of its supply chain partners to ensure environmental and social responsibility, and each of its pieces comes with a QR code to share where and how it was made. This luxury brand uses a mix of virgin, recycled, and recyclable materials in its packaging, as well as reusable organic cotton garment bags.

Available in: Most countries.

Price Range: $95-$220

8. TenTree

What we like: TenTree is a carbon-neutral certified B-Corp that uses Tencel, recycled polyester, recycled and organic cotton, and hemp for its wide variety of tees. Its partner factories are routinely audited to ensure compliance with the brand’s code of conduct, which you can find on its website, along with a list of all of its manufacturers. The brand sends online orders in mailers made from recycled and recyclable plastic, and uses FSC-certified hang tags.

Watch out for: There is little information about its dyes available.

Our Review: Anabelle tried out a tee from TenTree’s new ocean collection, which is made with recycled sea-bound plastic. The material was a little rough, which made the fit kind of uncomfortable. The dark teal color was absolutely beautiful, though, which makes it nice to wear with a neutral jacket or blazer.

Available in: The U.S., The U.K., Most European Countries, Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, US Outlying Island, and United Arab Emirates.

Price Range: $35-$85