This startup makes some of the most comfortable, sustainable tees I've ever worn

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• Fresh Clean Tees makes ultra-soft tees with a wide range of sizing.
• The focus of the brand is to make tees that actually fit your body type. 
• These tees emphasize your assets and downplay the parts you're not quite as proud of.

Fresh Clean Tees, a young direct-to-consumer brand with a large social media presence and a growing legion of fans is quickly becoming the go-to source for men's basics. They offer tees in several styles, tons of colors, and a nice range of sizes (small to 3XL and tall), and they sell them for under $20. Besides the sizing and a cut that emphasizes your chest and arms, the company has a super easy return policy. 

One area where the company is trying to make significant strides is sustainability. They hope to replace all their synthetics with organic and sustainable fabrics by 2025. "Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that consumers don't need to make a choice between price, comfort and environmental impact, and I think we're very much on pace to ensure we achieve our goal," founder Melissa Parvis shared. 

Currently, Fresh Clean Tees uses 100 percent recyclable packaging, has eliminated single-use plastic elements, and only works with factories that are certified by Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), an organization that makes sure supply-chain providers are being socially and ethically responsible. 

While the company currently uses synthetics and non-organic cotton, they are moving towards more sustainable fabrics and work with factories certified by a trusted third-party organization to ensure ethical worker and environmental standards. The brand also donates a portion of each sale to the Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit environmental group that works to protect and preserve the world's oceans. Fresh Clean Tees has already donated $250,000 this year. 

Design, style, and fit

I tested out three of the Fresh Clean Tees products: the V-Neck Tee, the Long Sleeve Henley, and the Cali Pullover. The first thing you notice is the softness of the fabrics, especially the T-shirt and henley, made from a proprietary fabric blend called StratuSoft, which blends polyester, cotton, and rayon. The Cali Pullover, which is a thicker material, is made from a fabric that's 60% cotton and 40% polyester. I also like that there are no itchy tags to bother you  — all the info you need is printed on the inside of the shirt.

The company has made a name for itself in part thanks to its sizing, the addition of 3X has been a "huge hit," according to Melissa, and the company is considering adding 4XL. They recently introduced Tall Tees, which feature a longer torso. The brand also has an impressive color range, from Heather Grey to Flash Green.

First impressions

The weight, feel, and classic looks of all three styles I tested won me over. The Long Sleeve Henley is lightweight enough for summer if you're looking for a change from a regular T-shirt, since it can be dressed up a bit more. It has a three-button placket and raglan sleeves for more mobility and a sportier look. The Cali Pullover is a thicker material, but still light enough for summer evenings, yet substantial enough to get you into fall. 

The bottom line

Every one of Clean Tees' products I tested impressed me. They had an exceptionally soft feel, a good amount of stretch and breathability, and a perfect fit. The construction looked good — I didn't find any loose threads or snags — and there were no issues with shrinkage or color fading after several washes. And if you don't like your tee, you have 100 days to return it. In other words, there's really no reason not to try it.