Home > A closer look at Fair Trade and Organic T Shirts and Tops
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This month we're turning our attention to fair trade and/or organic t-shirts and tops for the whole family.
Over the years I have noticed the wide variation in sizes between different manufacturers garments - a size 12 from one shop may fit quite loosely, but from another it will be skin tight. Also they often seem to get smaller, or occassionally bigger, after washing. This can make it quite tricky to guage which size you need, especially when using mail order.
So to try to assist you in your search for the perfect fit, and hopefully reduce the need to return items, I approached various fair trade / organic retailers and asked them to send me samples of their t-shirts and tops for testing. As you can see from the large number of items featured below I got a very good response, for which I am very grateful.
Each of the t-shirts was measured; washed twice according to the instructions on the care label (using an eco-friendly detergent and fabric softener); ironed; and then measured again to see if it had shrunk or stretched.
By Nature
Natura Pura Babies Organic Cotton Sweatshirt.
Retail price £14.50 Delivery £4.95 in the UK.
Available in sizes 6m - 24m (size tested was 18m).
Under arm measurement: 32cm (New) 30cm (Washed)
Length: 38cm (New) 36cm (Washed)
Cosy medium-weight close-knit fabric.
Ganesha
'Aishwarya Rai' Ladies Organic Cotton T-shirt.
Retail price £25. Delivery £2.95 in the UK.
Available in sizes S - L (size tested was M).
Under arm measurement: 44cm (New) 44cm (Washed)
Length: 58cm (New) 57cm (Washed)
Beautifully soft medium-weight close-knit fabric, available in 2 'bollywood icon' designs.
Glo 4 Life
'Speed Trap' Mens Organic Cotton T-shirt.
Retail price £25 (blanks £20). Delivery £2.00 in the UK.
Available in sizes S - XL (size tested was M).
Under arm measurement: 54cm (New) 52cm (Washed)
Length: 70cm (New) 70cm (Washed)
Lightweight soft close-knit fabric. Available in 4 colours.
Green Fibres
Unisex Organic Cotton T-shirt.
Retail price £10. Delivery £3.95 in the UK.
Available in sizes S - XL (size tested was XL).
Under arm measurement: 63cm (New) 62cm (Washed)
Length: 78cm (New) 76cm (Washed)
Lovely soft medium-weight close-knit fabric. Available in 4 colours.
The Hemp Trading Company
'Statue of Terror' Mens Organic Hemp / Cotton T-shirt.
Retail price £25. Delivery charged at cost in the UK.
Available in sizes M - XXL (size tested was XL).
Under arm measurement: 56cm (New) 55cm (Washed)
Length: 76cm (New) 77cm (Washed)
Cosy heavyweight jersey fabric that gets softer after washing. Available online via the link above, or from Virgin Megastores.
Howies
'Tea Drink of Champions' Ladies Organic Cotton T-shirt.
Retail price £20. Delivery £4.00 in the UK.
Available in sizes 8/XS - 14/L (size tested was 10/S).
Under arm measurement: 46cm (New) 45cm (Washed)
Length: 58cm (New) 57cm (Washed)
Lovely soft close-knit jersey fabric.
Moskito
Ladies Fair Trade Embroidered Kaftan Style Top.
Retail price £9.95. Delivery £1.20 in the UK.
Available in sizes S-XL (size tested was M).
Under arm measurement: 48cm (New) 47cm (Washed)
Length: 54cm (New) 53cm (Washed)
Made from a lightweight crinkle cotton fabric and available in 4 colours. Note: as this is made fom a crinkle fabric the size straight from the wash is much smaller (approx 41cm under the arm) - to maintain the size it should be pulled slightly while being ironed.
Natural Collection
Ladies Organic Cotton/Hemp Top with Moroccan Circle Logo.
Retail price £29.95. Delivery £3.95 in the UK.
Available in sizes S - XL (size tested was M).
Under arm measurement: 51cm (New) 51cm (Washed)
Length: 53cm (New) 55cm (Washed)
Cosy jersey fabric dyed with natural clay dyes. It is also available in 4 plain colours.
The Natural Store
'Cheeky Monkey' by Coyuchi Babies Organic Cotton T-shirt.
Retail price £12. Delivery £3.99 in the UK.
Available in sizes 0 - 24 months (size tested was 18 months).
Under arm measurement: 33cm (New) 32cm (Washed)
Length: 38cm (New) 35cm (Washed)
Lovely soft close-knit jersey fabric hand-embroidered with a cheeky monkey motif. Also stock a range of Tatty Bumpkin t-shirts.
Nomads
'Pretty Paisley' Ladies Fair Trade Cotton T-shirt.
Retail price £16.50. Delivery free in the UK.
Available in sizes S - L (size tested was M).
Under arm measurement: 49cm (New) 49cm (Washed)
Length: 58cm (New) 58cm (Washed)
Fine-knit jersey fabric that holds its shape very well. Available in 3 colours.
Pakucho
Womens Naturally Pigmented Avocado Organic Cotton T-shirt.
Retail price £20. Delivery free in the UK.
Available in sizes 8-14 (size tested was 14).
Under arm measurement: 46cm (New) 45cm (Washed)
Length: 60cm (New) 60cm (Washed)
Lovely soft fine-knit jersey fabric. Available in 3 more un-dyed, naturally pigmented colours (please note results after washing may be different for the other colours as they are made from different varieties of cotton).
Tatty Bumpkin
'Lion' Childs Organic Cotton T-shirt.
Retail price £15. Delivery £4.00 in the UK.
Available in sizes 1 - 7 years (size tested was 2-3 years).
Under arm measurement: 31cm (New) 32cm (Washed)
Length: 39cm (New) 36cm (Washed)
Made from a cosy jersey fabric, this unusual t-shirt incorporates 'tatty' edges at the neck and hem, and the printed design relates to a yoga-inspired position. The t-shirt is supplied with a card containing a rhyme and info on the position.
Terramar
Unisex Classic Organic Cotton T-shirt.
Retail price £15. Delivery £2.50 in the UK.
Available in sizes M - XL (size tested was L).
Under arm measurement: 55cm (New) 53cm (Washed)
Length: 74cm (New) 72cm (Washed)
Lightweight soft fine-knit jersey fabric. Available in 4 colours.
Traidcraft
Fair Trade Cotton Magenta Print Top. Retail Price £25.00
Available in sizes 10-16 (size tested was 14).
Under arm measurement: 51cm (New) 50cm (Washed)
Length: 63cm (New) 63cm (Washed)
Woven fine cotton voile blockprinted by hand, and fully lined.
Organic Cotton Caramel T-Shirt. Retail Price £18.00
Available in sizes M-L (size tested was M).
Under arm measurement: 41cm (New) 41cm (Washed)
Length: 57cm (New) 55cm (Washed)
Soft 240g ribbed jersey fabric.
Organic Cotton Magenta T-Shirt. Retail Price £20.00
Available in sizes M-L (size tested was M).
Under arm measurement: 41cm (New) 42cm (Washed)
Length: 56cm (New) 54cm (Washed)
Soft and cosy 240g ribbed jersey fabric.
Delivery £4.50 in the UK.
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