In my never-ending quest for the perfect t-shirt (one that’s funny, funky, perfectly political and sustainably manufactured), I’ve compiled yet another post full of shirts that I would love to own! My first t-shirt post, Expressing Your Inner Green, was a huge hit (and fun to write), so I thought it might be fun to find even more eco-friendly t-shirt sites and present people with some fun ideas for updating their wardrobe with the coolest tees around.

Based in Minneapolis, MN, Northern Sun is a 30-year old company that embraces environmental principles and passes their believes on in the form of organic t-shirts decorated with eco-slogans. In looking over their shirts, I found so many that I personally liked that I couldn’t choose just one to post here, so I’ve selected a few of my favorites to pass along.

This “Make Art Not War” design is by Shepard Fairey (the artist who created the ever-present iconic Obama image), and I actually first came across this image on the streets of Cambridge, MA. Fairey’s street art really spoke to me when I saw it, and I took several photographs that I eagerly passed along to friends and family. I really appreciate Fairey’s message of political dissent, and like the fact that his art is so accessible.

Northern Sun also makes this “Tree Hugging Dirt Worshiper” shirt, the bike-friendly Recycle Organic shirt (the bicycle design above), and a funky “Support Local” design that would look great on my favorite plant lover. Northern Sun organic t-shirts range in price from about $20-$30, can be purchased in wholesale batches, and are available in a range of colors and sizes.

The Naked Hippie is another eco-committed company, and uses recycled packaging, paper, receipts and frame board in the distribution of their organic t-shirts. The company only works with organically-certified vendors, and only uses materials and methods in the production of their products. And unlike any other store I’ve ever visited or found online, The Naked Hippie actively encourages its users to “Shop Naked!”

If you want a shirt that makes a statement about the need for a new energy policy in the US, you might? like The Naked Hippie’s “Go With the Wind” design. On sale and available via the company’s website? for $30, this t-shirt is made from 100% organic cotton and gets its message across rather effectively. I also really like the cow on the front of this “Hormone Free” tee,? and think it adds a bit of humor to the serious issue of Bovine Growth Hormones in our dairy products.

If you’re looking for the perfect way to express your political views, this Peace Dove T-Shirt from Shirt Magic of Lewiston, California may be just what you need. Available in 100% organic cotton or in a 55% hemp/45% cotton blend, this $15.00 t-shirt is printed with non-toxic inks and manufactured in sweatshop-free facilities. I especially appreciate Shirt Magic’s stance against using Plastisol Inks in their products, and like their overall eco-attitude toward manufacturing organic hemp and cotton products. In addition to t-shirts, Shirt Magic also sells hemp clothing (hoodies, socks, underwear, etc), and will screen print your designs on their cotton or hemp t-shirts.

If you have an interest in actually designing, and possibly talking about eco-friendly t-shirts, than definitely check out the Artevist website. According to the company’s “About Us” page, Artevist is ” for people who love T-shirts: wearing them, designing them, and talking about them.” The site has all kind of online community elements available to users too, and encourages people to get involved in the conversation and participate in making eco-statements with wearable art.

Community members are able to vote for user-submitted t-shirt designs, and winning designs are turned into the shirts sold on the site. I like this “Breathe” shirt by artist Luke Ramsey. Made from 100% organic cotton and printed using non-toxic inks, this shirt can be purchased for $30 and is a constant reminder to slow down, let go and remember to breathe.

Wearing eco-tees is a great way to make a statement about the importance of living sustainably and with eco-principles. Every time you buy organic you support companies that share your philosophies, and every dollar you spend on organic goods is a step toward a more sustainable future. Eco-tees take this message a step further, as you’re able to share your beliefs (and sometimes a laugh) with the people you encounter every day.

OK, when it comes to my bedding, I can be somewhat of a diva. I don’t like to sleep in hotels unless the sheets are soft, clean and cozy (which rules out an awful lot of hotels), and I have shamelessly purchased bedding for boyfriends whose standards for soft linens hasn’t quite matched mine! Hey, if I’m going to spend 8 hours a night sleeping atop something, it really should be soft and comfy!

LOOP is an organic linen company that makes fine linens for the home and for hospitality/wholesale. With a focus sustainability (the company’s mantra seems to be “Sustainability is our core value,” LOOP is concerned not only with producing high-quality organic products, but also strives to educate consumers about the harm that is done to the environment through conventional cotton growing practices. While I do not own, nor have I ever felt LOOP linens, they look like they’re pretty soft. And if I were actually in the market for new sheets (and not just vicariously window shopping through the research I’m doing for this blog), the company sends out fabric swatches upon request.

LOOP sheets aren’t cheap, but their prices are comparable to those of other non-organically produced, high-end sheet sets. For about $200, you can buy a sheet set that includes a full sheet, a fitted sheet and 2 standard pillow cases (all sheet sets I’m listing are for queen-sized sheets). According to the website, these organic sateen sheets have a 250-thread count, are made by expert weavers, and are cut with deep pockets to accommodate mattresses up to 14 inches thick, with strong elastic around each end to ensure a tight fit. The company also sells handmade hemp linen accent pillows with a “birch” design that is screen printed for an antique sun-faded look.

I found some beautiful organic sheets in a most surprising place – Pottery Barn! That’s right – the mammoth, over-priced furniture company is going green (or at least greener), and linens seems to be one of their prime organic focuses. Although I am somewhat skeptical about the manufacturing processes involved in mass-producing anything organic, I will also admit that I like how these sheets look, they aren’t horribly expensive, and the fact that Pottery Barn is trying is a good thing that should be recognized and (possibly) rewarded with my green dollars. The design gurus at Apartment Therapy also wrote about Pottery Barn’s switch to organics in a local post which you can check out here.

Check out this Tile Organic, a 200-thread-count sheet set that is made from 100% organic cotton percale, which is grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. The Moroccan-tile inspired sheets are sold in sets that include a fitted sheet, a top sheet and 2 pillowcases, are machine washable and emerge “smooth and soft from the dryer” after each wash. Sheet sets range from $79-$129 and are only available through the Pottery Barn catalog or via their website. You might also want to check out the Watercolor Organic Bedding Ensemble. On sale for $189.99-$269.99, this set includes a duvet cover, 2 shams, 2 pillowcases, a fitted and a flat sheet. This stripy sheet set has a 200-thread count and is made from 100% organic cotton.

Eileen Fisher is a designer best known for her women’s clothing line, but she has also started making luxurious organic bedding that’s beautiful and presumably soft too! While the sheet set offered on her website is a little expensive ($70 for one pillow case seems somewhat outrageous to me), the fitted and flat sheets retail for $80 each, which puts them on par with other high-end organic linens. The Pintucked Organic Cotton Bedding pieces are crafted with an attention to detail, have a 200-thread count, and are 100% organic cotton. Personally, I like how the comforter looks – it reminds me of my own (which is super fluffy and perfect for curling up underneath). Eileen Fisher is committed to working with eco-friendly fabrics in the production of her clothing and home goods, and has created a “Celebrate the Earth” page on her website that explains her company’s eco-policies.

If you’re looking for something warm and beautiful that’s also earth friendly, you might like this Organic Shaker Patchwork Quilt by Gaiam. I’ll admit that I’m kind of a sucker for quilts, though I usually prefer the handmade, personalized crazy quilts that my mom has been known to make. In this case though, the quilt looks so good that I don’t think I mind that it’s (most likely) mass produced and (definitely) imported. The quilt has a 180-thread count, is made from 100% organic cotton, and has matching shams that can be purchased separately. Priced from $240-$300, the quilt is fairly priced and looks like it could keep the most eco-friendly of us warm throughout the winter. Gaiam also carries a line of Organic Cotton Vintage Paisley & Solid Knit Sheets that are 200 gram-weight and made from 100% organic cotton, colored with low eco-impact dyes and finished without chlorine bleach or chemical softeners. The sheets come in muted hues like bark, mauve and green tea, and range from $15.99 (for 2 pillowcases) to $119 (for a set that includes a fitted and a flat sheet).

The items listed here include just a few of the many, many organic and eco-friendly linens I found online. Every time I write a post that includes eco-products I’m amazed at the wide variety of items on the market, and the growing number of eco-retailers and manufacturers out there who are committed to creating products using sustainable and eco-friendly practices. While I don’t have the time or the space to list everything I see, I am compiling a list (that will one day hopefully be a guide) of eco-products, so feel free to send me links to sites you like that offer the kinds of products I list here.

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