So I've found the perfect bamboo T-shirt: eco-friendly, fairly made, quite affordable, with a perfect fit. I even have my color and size picked out.

But I'm not buying one -- yet. Read on --

First, here's why Tees For Change's Bamboo Raglan Sleeve Tee's perfect. Made of a 70% bamboo, 30% organic cotton blend under fair trade conditions in Turkey, these tees are soft and light -- perfect for summer -- and have raw edges to go with its modern cut.

Tees For Change as a whole's a very green company which not only plants a tree via American Forests' Global Releaf for every shirt sold, but also donates T-shirts to a variety of events and causes, including American Cancer Society Relay for Life and New Orleans Green Project. In addition to bamboo-cotton blend T-shirts, Tees for Change also makes 100% organic cotton T-shirts and tanks -- which are made sweatshop-free in the US!

Even better, the shirts are much more affordable than most eco-friendly fashions. Tank tops go for $28; T-shirts for $32. I have my heart set on the eggplant bamboo raglan sleeve tee -- especially because it matches this pair of purple plaid pants I have --

So why haven't I bought the shirt yet? My problem is the slogans. The eggplant tee has "practice kindness" emblazoned in white letters across the chest. And while I'm all for people practicing kindness, I find such messaging too -- didactic.

Unfortunately for me, these instructive messages seem to be part of the "point" of Tees For Change. Andreea Ayers, the woman who started the company, apparently got started by making herself a T-shirt with the slogan “Be Courageous” across the front, as a personal response to those who didn't support her home birthing plans for her first child. Thus, Tees for Change's tagline is "sustainable tees on a mission." Buy a shirt, and you have to wear a "mission" across your chest.

Mind you -- the slogans ARE nice affirmations. But messages like "live mindfully" or "today matters" are ideas I'd rather think or perhaps speak about than wear emblazoned across my chest. I could see wearing the shirt with the "practice yoga" message to, say, yoga class -- but that's 'bout it for me.

But maybe that's just me.... Other bloggers certainly think otherwise! Valerie of Zoë b Organic Weekly says the statements "are proof that you can look good, do good, and feel good, all at the same time." And Lorie Sigua of Poise says the shirts "reinforce your conviction to change your outlook for the better and encourage you to actualize your existence to the fullest."

How do you feel about such messages on your T-shirts? Do you wear affirmations on your chest?

Regardless of the affirmations, Tees For Change's business model's certainly inspiring in and of itself. You can hear Andreea Ayers chat about her eco-business in a podcast on Startup Story Radio.

Images from Tees For Change
____

BlogHer Contributing Editor Siel also blogs at greenLAgirl.com.