We are excited to announce that Self-Care Shirts has been recognized as the Best Self-Care Shirts in the U.S. of 2025. This prestigious recognition celebrates the brand’s exceptional impact on mental health advocacy and its innovative approach to wearable self-care. Founded by Alyssa Ostroff, Self-Care Shirts is more than just a clothing line—it is a movement focused on making emotional healing visible, wearable, and accessible to all.
Born from Adversity, Built on Resilience
The story of Self-Care Shirts begins in a place of personal struggle. After losing her federal design job in 2025, Alyssa faced a difficult decision: to stay in grief or to transform her pain into purpose. Choosing the latter, Alyssa turned to her background in design and over a decade of therapy to create a collection of affirmation-based apparel that speaks directly to the experiences of those navigating mental health challenges, trauma, and grief. What began as personal art shared online quickly grew into a thriving business that offers much-needed validation, comfort, and solidarity for people healing from emotional pain.
Alyssa’s personal journey with childhood trauma, C-PTSD, and complex grief fuels every design, making each shirt not just a fashion statement, but an emotional tool. As she so poignantly states, “I’m not just designing shirts. I’m designing survival tools.”
The Power of Affirmations and Art
Self-Care Shirts stands out for its ability to fuse emotional healing with creativity. Each piece of apparel is a reminder that mental health matters, and it’s okay to wear your healing journey with pride. The designs—such as “Rest Is Productive” and “Make Your Therapist Proud”—serve as affirmations that support mental health, offering wearers a gentle nudge to prioritize self-care. Alyssa’s goal is clear: to help others feel seen, heard, and understood through wearable art. "Art gave me a place to grieve and grow—and now it gives others the same," she shares.
A Commitment to Social Responsibility
In addition to providing emotional support through its designs, Self-Care Shirts is committed to making a difference in the mental health community. The brand donates 10% of all profits to the 988 Crisis Lifeline and The Trevor Project, further solidifying its dedication to supporting those in crisis and advocating for LGBTQIA+ youth. Alyssa’s vision for the brand is one of compassion, not just for her customers, but for the broader community in need of mental health support. "When healing becomes visible, it becomes contagious," she believes, and Self-Care Shirts is leading the charge in making that a reality.
Client-Centered Design
What truly sets Self-Care Shirts apart is its authenticity. While many mental health apparel brands may rely on generic slogans or mass-produced designs, Self-Care Shirts is rooted in real, lived experiences. Each design is grounded in Alyssa’s personal healing journey, ensuring that every shirt serves as a genuine affirmation for those who need it most. Customers like Scott, who shares, “These shirts are amazing!! The custom design is so unique and the messages are powerful,” and Kristin, who adds, “The shirt is awesome! As one who is a staunch advocate for mental health, this is a great message to wear and a great conversation starter!” are just a few examples of the powerful connections being made through this emotionally honest brand.
A Brand for Healing and Empowerment
Self-Care Shirts is not just an apparel company; it’s a beacon of healing and empowerment. By offering a tangible way for people to express their mental health journeys, Alyssa is fostering a broader cultural conversation around self-care, emotional healing, and the importance of making mental health visible.
For anyone who has faced trauma, grief, or emotional pain, Self-Care Shirts offers not only comfort and support but a sense of solidarity—a reminder that you are not alone in your journey.
Discover more about the collection and join a movement that turns healing into a visible, wearable statement.
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Self-Care Shirts is leading the way in mental health apparel, and we are proud to recognize it as the Best Self-Care Shirts in the U.S. of 2025.
At Evergreen Awards, we honor excellence across three key categories—Organizations, Products, and Individuals. By recognizing success in all its forms, we shine a light on the achievements that inspire progress and set new standards for greatness.
