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If you don’t already own a button-down shirt in a soft, natural fabric, it’s time you reconsider. A well-designed, high-quality blouse is a staple item of an eco-friendly closet. It’s the perfect investment for your capsule wardrobe.
But not all button-down shirts are created equal. Many are quickly churned out and made — completely unnecessarily — with synthetic materials and toxic dyes and finishes.
So, if you are in the market for a sustainable button-down shirt to complete your polished and timeless look, here’s what to look for:
Natural Materials
Many blouses are made using polyester, a fabric made from fossil fuels that is not biodegradable, can’t be recycled, and can shed toxic microfibers. You can also find a significant amount of button-downs made from rayon viscose, a fabric made from plants that is seemingly an eco-friendly option, but can be very destructive and toxic.
Select shirts made of natural materials, such as silk, organic cotton, or linen. Not only are they more comfortable fabrics than synthetics, but they are most likely to biodegrade if they end up in the environment. Other sustainable and skin-friendly fabrics include Tencel and lyocell.
Non-Toxic Dyes and Finishes
Some dyes do more harm than good. Synthetic dyes are petroleum-derived, and there’s very little governing the use of toxic azo and aniline dyes in the countries where most of our fashion is made. Some contain heavy metals or carcinogenic substances that are hazardous when inhaled or come into contact with the skin, especially if you ever sweat through your shirt.
Also, think twice about non-wrinkle finishes because they contain formaldehyde, a chemical known for its use in biology class to dissect animals that is also found in personal care items, clothes, and sheets. Studies have found that formaldehyde contact with the skin can develop a condition called dermatitis, which can cause itchy skin, rashes, and blisters.
The same goes with favoring shirts that require dry cleaning. Dry cleaners use a chemical called perchloroethylene or trichloroethylene, which according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is likely to be carcinogenic to humans. It can cause respiratory and eye irritation, headache, kidney dysfunction, and vision problems when inhaled.
We suggest you go with shirts that are machine-washable while considering natural or un-dyed colors. Or shop with brands that have labels related to chemical safety, such as Oeko-Tex and bluesign.
Buttons
Buttons are often made of plastic, but the sustainable fashion industry has recently seen a slight increase in eco-friendly alternatives. For example, button manufacturer Knopf Budke creates buttons made out of coconut shells, mother of Pearl, buffalo horn, bone, stone nut, and wood. They are not just a sustainable alternative but are aesthetically pleasing too. For your next shirt, search for ones with biodegradable, recycled, or eco-friendly buttons.
And with that, here are the brands we recommend that offer well-designed, classic, non-toxic, and machine-washable button-downs.
What we love: Beaumont’s button-down shirts are made ethically in Portugal and England using eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, and linen. The symbols on each piece make it easy for you to know the ethics behind what you’re buying.
Price range: $87 to $207
What we love: Sourcery’s timeless pieces are made out of biodegradable Washable Silk. The brand spent months developing it so that you don’t have to worry about dry cleaning. It’s also completely grown without pesticides in a region of China that has been producing silk for thousands of years. Its fabrics are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, which means there are no harmful chemicals used in the processing or dyeing of the garments either. You can find out all about the brand’s supply chain right on its website.
Price range: $188 to $198
What we love: Based in the USA, Ghana, and Canada, Osei-Duro uses traditional textile techniques to produce its contemporary garments. It promotes small-scale artisan production by using materials and methods such as botanical dyes in the production of its shirts. Some of its shirts are unisex and made with either cotton or silk linen blend. The brand dyes and sews everything it makes in Ghana, contracting with local artisans and manufacturers.
Price range: $140 to $220
What we love: Style, elegance, and chemical safety are all apparent in Kotn’s selection of blouses and button-down shirts. Using Oeko-Tex certified dyes on natural fibers from Egyptian cotton and linen to lycocel and merino wool, the brand offers a huge selection of timeless styles that are made to endure without the inclusion of synthetic materials.
Price range: $28 to $158
What we love: Mate the Label is a B-Corp certified brand using natural materials including Tencel, organic fleece, hemp, alpaca wool, linen, and organic cotton. Its timeless button-down styles offer versatility perfect for a capsule wardrobe, and its linen selection is perfect for warm-weather layering.
Price range: $88 to $138
What we love: Founded in 2012, FRAME creates versatile and comfortable apparel that is inspired by London and crafted in Los Angeles. It uses a mix of post-consumer recycled materials and pre-consumer environmentally safe fabrics such as recycled polyester, organic Pima cotton, and bluesign-certified silk. FRAME also uses eco-friendly wash techniques like high-efficiency lasering to reduce its water consumption and eliminate the use of toxic chemicals. Its shirts come in a variety of fabrics such as organic cotton, lyocell, and linen.
Price range: $158 to $478
What we love: Naturally derived and organic dyes are a big part of this brand’s pairing between beautiful style and non-toxic materials. Christy Dawn creates unique, classic, and timeless blouses that elevate office style effortlessly. If you’re a 100% cotton fan, the brand offers options including handspun organic cotton—and, for the linen lovers, organic linen subtly colored with all-organic dyes.
Price range: $68 to $188
What we love: Another Tomorrow creates modern, sensual, high-quality, and timeless products with only organic natural materials that support soil health, ecosystems, and communities. It uses forest-based fibers from responsibly managed forests with zero net contribution to deforestation. The brand also offers resale to extend its garments’ life further and reduce raw material usage. Another Tomorrow’s shirts are made in Italy using organic cotton.
Price range: $110 to $690
What we love: A treasure trove of unique styles and natural colorways, Magic Linen offers something for everyone. Its Oeko-Tex certified flax linen is free of harmful chemicals and made to withstand the test of time. Its natural linen process from field to closet can be found , alongside a plethora of linen blouse and button-down options to choose from.
Price range: $69 to $142
What we love: GRAMMAR has the truly perfect white shirt that is classic, timeless, and perfect for work all constructed by hand in NYC’s legendary garment district using organic cotton poplin that is sourced from an ethical producer in India.
Price range: $245 to $595
What we love: Founded in 2015, ASKET is a Swedish apparel brand focusing on replacing fast-consumption habits by creating a single permanent collection that is timeless and made under transparency and accountability. The brand also features a button-down made out of organic cotton poplin as part of its permanent collection for womenswear.
Price range: $135 to $170
What we love: The Swedish brand Filippa K aims to turn its entire collection sustainable by 2030. It aims to have 100% of its styles be fully traceable and certified and reduce carbon impact annually. If you live in Europe, you can lease a Filippa K garment for four days for 20% of the price or return your old Filippa K garment to a store for recycling. You can find shirts made out of Tencel, 100% cotton, or mulesing-free wool and with buttons made from recycled polyester, and recycled mother of pearl.
Watch out for: Some pieces include recycled polyester, which can be difficult to dye using non-toxic dye options. Avoid any recycled polyester and opt for all-natural fibers, which are outlined in the product descriptions.
Price range: $215 to $490
What we love: B Corp certified Sézane is a French apparel brand that creates high-quality, timeless clothing at a fair and accessible price. You can find organic cotton and silk, certified materials, and vegetable-tanned leather in the majority of its collections. 100% of Sézane’s shipping boxes are now made from recycled cardboard or are derived from sustainably-managed forests.
Watch out for: While much of the brand’s catalogue includes 100% natural fiber options, watch out for synthetics such as recycled polyester.
Price range: $100 to $170
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