The way to my heart? Through my t-shirt.

A friend gave me an Alternative Apparel tee before Christmas, and it fits me like a glove. It seems the Longest Torso in America (me) may have a secret twin who is AA's fit model.


[I wear mine with fingered gloves - and a bomber jacket. Colder flight pattern.]

After three days without even CONSIDERING taking it off, I:
1. was obsessed
2. went to the website
3. discovered an organic line AND an Eco line; became more obsessed
4. couldn't help but wonder whither the cotton came from
5. sent an Inquiring Minds email
6. waited
7. neglected to check my someonemightcare email address
8. waited in vain

I finally took a stroll through my in-box this week and found a friendly missive from Erin, Alternative Apparel's Product Specialist. I told her what I wanted to know, and here's what she sent back:

For our Alternative Earth line, anything that states that it’s 100% organic cotton is certified organic cotton. Our organic cotton is currently sourced from New Mexico, Thailand, and Peru, and we keep copies of the organic certificates on file. All our Eco-Heather and Eco-Vertigrain styles have partially recycled and partially organic threads alongside our traditional ones to keep the softness that we’re known for. When we’re able to create a 100% sustainable heather blend that’s as soft as our other products, we’ll definitely start producing it. Also, none of the dyes we use in our Alternative Earth line contain heavy metals or toxic substances and are not petro-chemically based. They have a higher rate of absorption so less dye is needed to color the fabric and in turn less water is used to rinse them. At our dye-houses, a water filtration system clears the used water of excess chemicals, toxins, and dyes, and cycles the water for reuse.

The rest of our line is produced using traditional methods with an emphasis on fair labor practices. Alternative is not currently Certified Fair Trade, but all of our factories abide by the Fair Labor Standards. The Alternative Earth line was introduced as a transition from the traditional apparel to a sustainable line, and one day we hope to complete the transition. In the meantime we’re taking a step in the right direction and doing the best we can.

Please let me know if you have any more questions! Thank you so much, and have a great day!

Man I love good customer service.

Now, am I advocating the purchase of new t-shirts if you don't need them? No.

Am I saying Alternative Apparel is the number one most sustainable t-shirt you could ever possibly own? No. I haven't gotten my PhD yet.

Did Erin just breed a ton of goodwill for the brand and a hefty order from me? Absolutely.