Finding Ethically Made Shirts Pt 2

When I first wrote about finding ethically made t-shirts in September 2006, I thought I'd find a good company or two and be done with it. Not exactly. This had turned into a constant quest as companies go out of business, quality declines and/or products are discontinued.

But I've continued my quest to only use ethically made shirts because as I said before:

"It was really important for me to find cool shirts that were made ethically. I hate really thick, boxy shirts. And I didn’t want to buy from a company in a distant country that barely pays its workers. Of course I couldn’t even consider American Apparel. How could I print “Girls Rock” on a t-shirt that was made by a sexist company?"

Anyway I wanted to share what I've learned and want you to understand what's behind the t-shirts you order from Sticker Sisters. I'm also pleased to announce that all our t-shirt are now being printed at a local woman-owned print shop!



Highly Recommended

Royal Apparel
This is where we are getting most of our shirts now. Everything is sweatshop free and made in the USA. Plus they have many organic options. And of course the shirts look and fit great and are made of super high quality, sturdy materials.

A.S. Tees
We are not getting any new t-shirts from A.S. Tees right now because of a change they made in the stitching and sizing of a particular shirt we were getting from them. Located in South Carolina. 100% U.S. made even down to the yarn.

Other Companies You Can Look Into

These are companies I haven't personally used, but seem decent.

Bare Apparel
They say all of their garments are 100% made in the USA.

Econscious
Products aren't made in the USA, but they claim to follow very high standards in the workplace and with the environment.

For more information about suppliers and all things t-shirt, check out the T-shirt Forums.

Reason #3051 to Boycott American Apparel

Not that you need another reason to steer clear of this sexist company.

If you're thinking, "What?! I thought American Apparel was this super cool sweatshop free company," please read my post on finding ethically made t-shirts.

A 2004 quote that American Apparel CEO Dov Charney made to The McGill Daily is getting a lot of attention on blogs today. He's quoted in the article saying:

"Women initiate most domestic violence, yet out of a thousand cases of domestic violence maybe one is involving a man. [And this] has made a victim culture out of women."

This is surfacing right now because there is an ad (which might be fake) floating around that incorporates the quote. I hope the ad is fake, but that doesn't make his very real quote any less appalling. As Womanist Musings writes:

"The list of facts debunking his bull*#@& is a mile long. There has been ample evidence of his hatred of women and the only question that remains is what we are going to do about it."

Well, I know what I'm doing about it. Sticker Sisters will remain committed to using blank shirts that are made by sweatshop free & sexism free companies (you won't find any American Apparel here!). I'll continue to steer clear of American Apparel shirts for my own wardrobe. And I'll keep writing and talking about my dislike for American Apparel and suggesting alternatives every chance I get.

**1/30/2009 Update**
American Apparel responds to Bitch Magazine's blog post. Doesn't change my feelings and I hope it won't change yours!

Finding Ethically Made Shirts

**Updated 1/28/2009**

That’s what I’ve been dealing with for the past few months. I’d been thinking about making shirts for a long time, but they always kind of scared me. There are so many styles and colors and sizes to consider! But I finally decided to take the plunge and it ended up being a ton of fun.

It was really important for me to find cool shirts that were made ethically. I hate really thick, boxy shirts. And I didn’t want to buy from a company in a distant country that barely pays its workers. Of course I couldn’t even consider American Apparel. How could I print “Girls Rock” on a t-shirt that was made by a sexist company?

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More about American Apparel:
American Apparel: Trading sweatshops for sexism
Clamor Magazine: American Apparel Exposed
One Angry Girl explains why you should girlcott American Apparel
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So I started my hunt. I was really excited by one company that sells union made shirts. But when I opened my package of samples they were thick, stiff, and didn’t fit right at all. And to top it off, one of them had a hole! I was starting to think I’d never find anything so I called up a friend who’s been active in Students Against Sweatshops and other anti-sweatshop organizations. One thing led to another and I finally found a couple of companies that seemed decent and had cool shirts. Of course I don’t know everything about these companies, but I’ll tell you what I do know…

Royal Apparel
**1/28/2009 UPDATE**
This is where we are getting most of our shirts now. Everything is sweatshop free and made in the USA. Plus they have many organic options. And of course the shirts look and fit great and are made of super high quality, sturdy materials.

A.S. Tees
**1/28/2009 UPDATE: We are not getting any new t-shirts from A.S. Tees right now. **
Located in South Carolina. 100% U.S. made even down to the yarn.


Apparel Agents
**1/28/2009 UPDATE: Apparel Agents is no longer in business**
This is where most of the adult t-shirts come from. And I can vouch that they’re the softest shirts I’ve ever owned. They do everything from milling the fabric to sewing the shirts at their facility in Los Angeles, which I’ve been to. Former American Apparel workers started the company. I read somewhere that they left after American Apparel engaged in union busting tactics, but I don’t know the full story.

Alternative Apparel
This is where the blue, contrast stitch Action Not Glamour shirts come from.

Here’s what they have to say about their “No Sweat” policy:

"We require all manufacturing to comply with the applicable laws and regulations of the localities, states, and countries in which they operate. We visit each factory at least four times a year to monitor production and to insure the quality of life for our employees. We enforce total compliance with local labor laws that include child labor regulations as well as adequate living wages and the most current emergency equipment. Currently, we have manufacturing facilities in five different countries, including the United States. We provide not only employment, but also lifelong job skills to those who are lacking opportunity. We plan to continue to improve the lives of our employees globally and provide a positive and productive work environment."