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A white dress shirt is a staple in any smart and versatile wardrobe, but which brands are doing them better? And what does a more sustainable white dress shirt look like?
White shirts are a wardrobe staple. Here’s why you should opt for a more sustainable one
A high quality white shirt isn’t just an essential for business attire, it’s a building block for any capsule wardrobe thanks to its versatility. Sure, you can wear it under a suit or blazer, but you can also style it with blue jeans; the sleeves rolled up and a neck scarf to finish the look. Or how about under a sweatshirt with the collar peeking out? Worn open over a tank top in summer? Tucked into a long skirt? There are so many ways to wear a white shirt beyond the typical office environment. Yes, it is certainly worthy of the often overused descriptors “timeless” and “investment piece”.
There are plenty of white shirts on the market, but beware of the brands that are churning them out cheaply, with poor quality synthetic fabrics that aren’t breathable, and in the process exploiting workers and suppliers by driving down purchasing prices and not paying living wages to those who make every shirt. Instead, look for brands that have committed to doing better by people, the planet, and animals in their actions, and importantly, clearly disclose details of what they’re doing.
Here, we’re sharing some of those brands, alongside guidance on how to buy a more ethical white shirt. Every brand in this round-up has been rated by Good On You’s analysts for their sustainability and rate “Good” or “Great” against our world-leading methodology.
The markers of a good white shirt
What makes a good and more ethical white shirt? Fabric quality and responsible production, certainly. A sharp cut and details that improve the garment’s longevity, such as a high stitch-per-inch count in the seams and, ideally, French seams, which are highly durable. Good quality buttons are important, too: many high-end brands use mother-of-pearl, but if you’re vegan, you’ll want to avoid this and opt for Corozo ones (made from nuts) instead. And if the buttons must be plastic, they ought to be made from recycled plastic at the very least.
What is the most sustainable fabric for a white shirt?
The best materials for a more responsible white shirt are lower impact options such as organic cotton, organic linen, and TENCEL Lyocell.
Fabric choice and weave are really important to achieving your desired look and level of formality, because organic cotton-poplin (like those from Citizen Wolf, Asket, and Another Tomorrow, below) has a light, crisp handle that works best for the most formal situations, or as a breezy summer option.
Meanwhile organic cotton-Oxford (see Yes Friends and Carpasus options) has a denser weave and slightly more informal appearance that’s best matched with chinos in a smart-casual style. And then there’s TENCEL Lyocell, a drapey fabric that hangs softly, as you’ll see from Wilda.Eco and Akyn’s shirts.
17 smart white shirts from more responsible brands
This round-up of top picks from better brands includes more affordable options from Yes Friends, Armedangels, and No Nasties. The latter’s asymmetric cut is one of several cool alternative takes on the classic wardrobe item in this curation. See also: The Summer House’s embroidered placket, Sukkhacitta’s subtle handwoven jacquard fabric, and Akyn’s signature oversized gold cuff fastenings. These options are great if you work in a creative office, or want to bring personality to your outfit. If you’re set on a classic style, though, then Neem’s shirt is for you. So is Asket’s option, which comes in different lengths, and Organication’s cotton and linen-blend shirt is ideal for warm weather. Discover all the options here.
Yes Friends
Yes Friends is a UK-based fashion brand that creates more affordable clothing for everyone. Yes Friends’ first product, classic cut t-shirts, cost less than £4 to make and the brand only charges £7.99. Using large scale production and direct to consumer margins means Yes Friends can charge you an affordable price for its more responsible clothing.
Find the range inclusively sized in 2XS-4XL.
No Nasties
Another leader when it comes to responsible fashion, No Nasties makes simple and stylish clothing from Fairtrade organic cotton in India where it is actively working to grow the ethical consumer market.
Find styles in sizes 2XS-3XL.
Colorful Standard
Colorful Standard is a Danish clothing brand that makes organic fashion essentials for men and women. The brand doesn’t care much for seasons or trends, instead, it creates timeless and long-lasting products to avoid the downward spiral that is over-consumption.
Find most items in sizes XS-2XL.
TWOTHIRDS
TWOTHIRDS sees itself as a brand for people who are awake and aware of the immense value of our oceans, but also have a thirst for style and substance. It manufactures all its products locally to reduce its carbon footprint, as well as audits all of its final stage of production.
The clothes can be found in sizes XS-L.
ASKET
ASKET has been creating timeless wardrobe essentials since 2015 with revolutionary sizing and fair pricing. The brand disregards seasonal collections, cuts out all the middlemen, and only sells directly to you—putting its entire focus on building a single permanent collection.
Find the range in sizes 2XS-2XL.
The Summer House
Offers
The Summer House – Handwoven Basket
Beautiful clothing for dates, dinners, art evenings, and social moments – elevated, effortless pieces designed for small occasions. Receive a complimentary handwoven basket on orders above USD500 with code SUMMERBASKET (Ends: 13 JUN)
Checkout code: SUMMERBASKET
The Summer House – Top (US, CA, EU, UK, AU, NZ)
Exquisitely hand embroidered statement top with fine cut work edges. A garment that is designed to be an heirloom. Exclusive 20% off tops with code SUMMERTONI (Only available in the US, Canada, the EU, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.) (Ends: 13 JUN)
Checkout code: SUMMERTONI
The Summer House – Site-wide
Beautiful, conscious clothing for dates, dinners, art evenings, and social moments – elevated, effortless pieces designed for small occasions. Exclusive 15% off with code GOODSUMMER (Ends: 13 JUN)
Checkout code: GOODSUMMER
The Summer House – Complimentary Scarf
Beautiful clothing for dates, dinners, art evenings, and social moments – elevated, effortless pieces designed for small occasions. Get a complimentary limited-edition scarf with an exclusive print on orders above USD300 with code SUMMERSCARF (Ends: 13 JUN)
Checkout code: SUMMERSCARF
The Summer House creates beautiful womenwear in India using locally made, lower-impact fabrics. It also partners with local artisans and NGOs to provide opportunities to those in the region. Look out for its elegant prints and flowing silhouettes.
Find the range in sizes XS-XL.
WILDA.ECO
WILDA.ECO makes vegan fashion focusing on minimalism, timeless design, and inclusive sizing. Its clothes are personalisable for different heights.
WE-AR4
WE-AR4 is a US based design-to-wear essentials brand for an effortless style. Founded by fashion industry veterans, it merges intelligent design and uncompromising style. Rather than developing new materials, it rescues existing ones, choosing to “thrift” high-quality leathers and luxury textiles left over from other brands, giving them new life, and uses certified lower-impact materials.
Find the range in sizes XS-L.
Organication
Organication is a German brand that uses more sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell, and other environmentally friendly fibers.
Neem
Hailing from the UK, Neem makes men’s clothing with a focus on ensuring a transparent supply chain and safeguarding our environment.
Find most items in sizes S-2XL.
Beaumont Organic
Beaumont Organic is a UK-based slow fashion brand that blends simple style with responsible production practices. Founded by Hannah Beaumont-Laurencia, the brand also has its own charitable foundation which supports people in Fiji.
Find the range in sizes XS-L.
CARPASUS
CARPASUS is a Swiss menswear brand that makes fine shirts, ties, socks, and pocket squares. CARPASUS uses GOTS certified cotton and manufactures locally to reduce its carbon footprint. It also traces its supply chain and ensures workers are paid a living wage.
Find most products in EU sizes 36-46.
Akyn
Founded by sustainable fashion industry legend Amy Powney, Akyn makes contemporary and timeless womenswear using lower impact materials.
G-Star RAW
Amsterdam-founded G-Star RAW specialises in raw denim. “With innovation, sustainability and creativity at our core, we aim to bring pioneering styles and challenge industry standards, while constantly trying to improve our impact on people and planet,” the brand says.
Editor's note
Feature image via Beaumont Organic, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion and beauty brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.
We updated this article on 3 June 2026. Our editors frequently make updates to articles to ensure they’re up to date. We updated the copy, our round-up of brands, and product picks.
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