Bella Canvas Shirt Review: Sustainable, Soft and Stylish Basics
If you‘re in the market for high-quality, eco-friendly wardrobe staples, Bella+Canvas should be at the top of your list. This popular online retailer specializes in super soft tees, tanks, sweats and more for men, women and children. Chances are you‘ve seen their comfy basics on celebrities like Kendall Jenner or in your Instagram feed, as they‘ve amassed a cult following for their stylish, sustainable and ultra comfy apparel.
As a fashion lover always seeking the perfect tee, I decided to dig deeper into the Bella+Canvas brand and try out some of their bestselling styles for myself. In this Bella Canvas shirt review, I‘ll give you the full scoop on the company background, product selection, quality, pricing and more so you can see if their tees and tanks are worth the hype.
About Bella+Canvas
First, let‘s start with some background on the brand. Bella+Canvas was founded in 1998 by two friends, Danny and Marco, who started out printing tees in their garage to make extra cash after high school. They soon realized how difficult it was to find tees that fit well and decided to create their own line of premium basics to fill that gap in the market.
From those scrappy beginnings, Bella+Canvas has grown into a major fashion basics operation that does manufacturing and wholesale as well as retail. With over 87K followers on Instagram and a celeb fanbase, they‘ve clearly struck a chord with their comfy tees and laid-back, effortless aesthetic.
One thing that sets Bella+Canvas apart is their commitment to sustainability. From the beginning, the brand has focused on using eco-friendly materials and processes to minimize their environmental impact. Their signature fabric is a super soft combed and ring-spun cotton that is made in a non-toxic, water-saving dye process using 7x less water than the industry average. With every tee, they are saving an estimated 24 million gallons of water a week.
The brand says: "We defy convention and embrace the challenge of bringing premium fashion to the wholesale world. Redefining the industry in the process." And it does seem that rather than chasing trends, Bella+Canvas is more focused on perfecting everyday essentials and leading the way in sustainability.
Bella+Canvas Shirt Styles
So what exactly does Bella+Canvas offer? The short answer is all of your basic apparel needs. For women, they have a huge range of tees, tanks, long sleeves, crops, sweatshirts and even some bottoms. Men can choose from tees, henleys, v-necks, sweats and more. There are also kid‘s and baby basics like onesies, tees and hoodies.
One thing I love is that most styles come in inclusive sizes from XS-4XL and a rainbow of colors from neutrals to brights. They also have various fit options – you‘ll find relaxed unisex tees, slim fit women‘s styles, flowy silhouettes, and more to suit every preference.
Let‘s take a closer look at some of their most popular products for each category:
Unisex Bella+Canvas Favorites
In the unisex line, the 3001 Jersey Short Sleeve Tee is a crowd favorite. This versatile crewneck tee has a unisex fit that‘s not too tight or loose, with a rounded neck and slightly shorter length that hits just below the waist. It looks great on its own or layered under a flannel or jacket. I love how it comes in every color of the rainbow from neutral black and grey to pretty pastels and brights.
Another popular unisex pick is the 3501 Jersey Long Sleeve Tee. It has the same soft feel and easy fit as the short sleeve but with long sleeves for cooler weather. With over a dozen colors to pick from, you may want to stock up on a few to take you through all seasons.
Women‘s Bella+Canvas Bestsellers
Moving on to the women‘s collection, I have to rave about the 8800 Flowy Racerback Tank. This breezy tank has become my go-to for everything from workouts to errands to layering under cardigans. It has a flowy, drapey fit, curved neckline and a stylish racerback that shows just the right amount of skin. I love that it comes in solid shades as well as trendy marble, neon and stripe prints.
For women who prefer a tighter fit, the 6004 Slim Fit Tee is a great choice. It‘s cut to hug your curves without being clingy, with a longer length that‘s great for tucking or tying. This super soft tee comes in tons of color choices and works for so many occasions – I‘ve worn mine to the office with slacks or skirts, out on the weekend with jeans, and even as pajamas. It‘s just that comfortable.
Men‘s Bella+Canvas Tees
Guys, Bella+Canvas has your t-shirt needs covered too. Their Airlume Cotton Crew Tee is a classic choice that‘s great for everyday casual wear. Made of their signature soft and smooth Airlume cotton, it feels heavenly against the skin and comes in a well-edited selection of wearable shades like heather grey, white, black and navy.
If you prefer a v-neck style, check out the 3005 Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck. The v-neckline adds a bit more interest than your average crew but is still totally wearable and classic. This tee has a relaxed, easy fit and is offered in Bella+Canvas‘ wide color assortment, plus marble, neon and mineral wash options.
Quality and Comfort
Now for the most important question – how do Bella+Canvas tees feel and hold up? In my experience, extremely well. The brand uses a special Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton that is seriously soft and smooth, with a lightweight feel that drapes beautifully. It‘s also quite breathable, which is a must in my book. I‘ve found the tees keep me cool even on hot days.
Depending on the style, Bella+Canvas also uses eco-friendly materials like polyester and cotton blends, viscose, and slub knits. Everything has an incredibly soft hand feel and the variety of materials offer options for different needs – like their tri-blend and slub cotton for a more textured, vintage look or poly-viscose for a flowy drape.
In terms of quality, Bella+Canvas tees and tanks seem very well made to me. The stitching and construction feels durable and like it will hold up to lots of wears and washes. I appreciate the double stitching on the necklines and sleeves to prevent stretching or warping. Some other tees I‘ve owned get misshapen after washing, but these keep their shape well.
One thing to note is that some customers have reported slight shrinkage after washing, which is common for cotton tees. I always air dry my tees which seems to help minimize any shrinking. Definitely check the product descriptions for fiber content and care instructions before washing.
Fit and Sizing
As I mentioned, Bella+Canvas offers sizes from XS-4XL in most styles which I think is fantastic. As someone who wears straight sizes, it‘s important to me that the brands I support are size inclusive.
I find Bella+Canvas‘ size charts to be pretty accurate. In their women‘s slim fit tees, I wear my usual size small and find them to be fitted but not tight, with room to move. In the unisex and flowy styles, I also take a small for a looser, more relaxed fit – though I probably could size down if I wanted a snugger look. The men‘s tees have a standard fit that‘s not too boxy or slim.
Many customers report that Bella+Canvas fits true to size, although some recommend sizing up if you‘re between sizes or want a slouchier fit. If you‘re not sure, I suggest referencing the specific product measurements or contacting customer service for guidance. The brand offers free returns within 30 days so you can exchange sizes easily if needed.
Price and Value
Here‘s the thing about Bella+Canvas prices – they aren‘t listed on their main website. This brand started in wholesale and still does a big wholesale/bulk business in addition to selling retail. For wholesale customers, pricing is based on quantity, so you‘ll have to create an account to access specific rates.
For retail/individual customers, you can shop Bella+Canvas‘ full assortment on their site. When you click on an item, you‘ll be prompted to create a retail account to view pricing, which is based on standard individual rates.
While I can‘t share exact prices, I can say that I find Bella+Canvas tees to be very reasonably priced for the quality. Their tees are comparable to other premium basics brands I‘ve tried but less expensive. For the incredible softness, flattering fits and longevity, I think they are an excellent value.
It‘s also worth noting that Bella+Canvas runs frequent sales and promotions. If you sign up for their emails, you‘ll get 15% off your first order and be notified about deals. They also have a rewards program where you can earn points on purchases and get $10 off for every 100 points. For teachers and healthcare workers, they offer a special 30% discount.
If you plan to buy a few items, consider Bella+Canvas‘ bundle sets. Bundles of their basic tees and tanks offer a discounted price compared to purchasing separately – usually around 30% off. And standard shipping is free on orders over $50.
What Customers Are Saying
You don‘t have to take my word for it – let‘s see what other Bella+Canvas customers think. On the brand‘s website, their tees and tanks get glowing reviews with an average 5-star rating across hundreds of reviews. Customers rave about the soft, lightweight feel of the materials and the comfortable, flattering fits.
As one reviewer put it, "Fabric is extremely soft and cozy. The slim cut fit is flattering and not too baggy. Longer sleeves to tuck your hands in. Thinking about purchasing more colors."
Reviewers also love the versatility and the way Bella+Canvas tees hold up wash after wash. On Amazon, the story is similar – most styles have 4 stars and up with customers praising the comfortable fabrics, easy fit and ability to dress them up or down. "I like that it‘s available in understated colors. I buy a few and wear them almost exclusively when not in work clothes," one writes.
There are a few critiques to note – some customers found certain styles to be thinner than expected or were disappointed by shrinkage after washing. A few thought the fabric was too lightweight, although many others enjoyed the breezy feel. It‘s a good idea to check the materials and care instructions on the specific item you‘re eyeing.
Conclusion: Are Bella+Canvas Tees Worth It?
After thoroughly testing and researching Bella+Canvas, my verdict is a resounding yes. For the quality, comfort, style and price, I think Bella+Canvas tees and tanks are an excellent value and investment in your basics collection.
What really stands out to me is how thoughtfully designed Bella+Canvas pieces are. The fits are just right – skimming the body without clinging, with necklines that flatter. Plus there are so many fits and silhouettes for different looks and needs, from boxy crops to drapey tanks to slim fits. And the rainbow of color options means you‘ll find shades that suit your style, whether you‘re more of a neutrals lover or a fan of vibrant hues.
While the prices aren‘t the cheapest, I believe the quality and longevity make Bella+Canvas a smart buy. I appreciate a brand that focuses on perfecting basics instead of chasing trends, and that prioritizes sustainable practices like eco-friendly materials and water conservation. To me, the value lies in having wardrobe essentials I love and feel great in and can turn to again and again. After many washes and wears, Bella+Canvas tees look and feel as great as they first did.
My top tip is to take advantage of Bella+Canvas‘ frequent sales and promotions, especially their bundle discounts if you want to stock up on essentials. The brand‘s rewards program is also a great way to get a little something back on your purchases.
The only real downside I‘ve found is that wholesale pricing is not transparently listed on the website. For individuals, it would be nice to see retail pricing without having to create an account first. I‘m also bummed that currently, Bella+Canvas only ships within the US, as I‘d love to be able to recommend them to even more people! Hopefully they‘ll expand their retail shipping options soon.
At the end of the day, if you‘re looking for tees and tanks that check all the boxes – sustainably made, super soft and comfortable, well fitting and built to last – I highly recommend checking out Bella+Canvas. With their wide selection of styles, fits, colors and sizes for the whole family, there really is something for everyone. These have become staples I turn to time and again for both timeless and trendy looks. Give Bella+Canvas a try – your t-shirt drawer will thank you.
