How much should you pay for an ethically made T-shirt?

Paying more for a T-shirt does not reliably mean it was made ethically. Gordon Renouf, co-founder of Good on You, says, "Our ratings show that price is not a reliable indicator of ethical production." Dr Eleanor Scott notes a higher retail price can reflect "branding, marketing, retailer margins – rather than necessarily better labour or environmental standards." Research by the University of Leeds and the Waste Resource Action Programme found price had no bearing on durability: of the top 10 best-performing T-shirts it tested, six cost less than £15 and outperformed many more expensive versions, including one costing £395.

Renouf adds that "a very low price is a strong warning sign," and that "A £3 or £5 T-shirt cannot accommodate living wages and responsible materials sourcing." Affordable brands can still score highly on ethics. Yes Friends sells a basic unisex T-shirt from £12, while Rapanui starts at £18, Brothers We Stand at £20, THTC at £30 and Not Basics at £29.99.

United Kingdom, Leeds

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