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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.
