MEET THE WHĀNAU

Ōtautahi Apparel was built from the same energy that drives our retail clothing brand, CHOOSE SARCASM.

CHOOSE SARCASM has sent over 2,000 orders all over Aotearoa, Australia, the UK, Germany, Singapore, the USA and more! And we've had over 100+ five star reviews.

We were getting asked if we could make some gear for other small businesses, events and community groups.

So we used our connections and suppliers to help make high quality custom gear for others that people actually wanted to wear.

We wanted to bring the same creativity, attention to detail, and quality to our custom work, creating apparel that’s made for your team, your kaupapa, and your community.

Proudly whānau run and Māori owned, Ōtautahi Apparel has one simple goal:

Make gear that feels good, looks good, and lasts.

WHY WE CARE.
Honesty & customer Service

No fluff. No hidden costs. No overpromises.

Just great service, fair pricing, and custom gear that speaks for itself.
Style and quality

We've found that if it doesn’t look good, it won’t get worn.

We design and print gear that people actually want to show off, not just tick off a uniform list.

We start by ensuring we sell high quality, durable clothes because they'll last longer and you'll wear them longer too.

We also offer a pre-order model to help reduce our waste.

By pre-ordering you help us reduce overproduction and we only produce what's needed so we can reduce waste, improve quality, support fair labour practices, all while saving some money.

Not sure about you, but we like the sound of that.
Comfort counts

Your gear should feel as good as it looks.

We choose fabrics and fits that move with you, not against you. Because comfort isn’t optional, it’s essential.
Kaitiakitanga

Better fabrics, better choices, less waste.

From printing locally to working with certified suppliers, we’re committed to doing things that give back, not take away.
Supplier Certifications
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100

This means you can have full confidence that every component, down to the smallest thread, button, and accessory (even the heat set print), has undergone rigorous testing to ensure the absence of harmful substances.

This means the clothes are harmless to your health.

Learn more here.

Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) Certification

WRAP, the only independent global organisation of its kind, advances safe, lawful, humane, and ethical practices in production facilities, benefiting workers, manufacturers, buyers, and consumers through socially responsible supply chains worldwide.

Learn more here.

Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI)

This is a global business association dedicated to helping companies improve their environmental, social, and governance performance across supply chains.

Learn more here.

Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)

A network of 2,500+ members committed to cotton that is grown to the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) Standard, which supports and trains farmers to:

  • Protect the environment
  • Develop equitable working practices
  • Improve resilience and income

This standard is a rigorous, accountable and transparent approach to more sustainable cotton farming.

Learn more here.
Textile recycling

We proudly work with ImpacTex, a New Zealand-owned leader in textile recycling. Through their innovative approach to textile recycling and recovery, ImpacTex increases the lifespan of unwanted garments, uniforms, linen and textiles through 100% recycled and 100% recyclable panels.

Learn more about them here.

Not sure about you, but we like the sound of that.

Sustainability.

'Sustainability' can be a little overused and sometimes a bit misleading, so we follow Kaitiakitanga.

Kaitiakitanga is about guardianship and protection of the environment. This isn't just something for Māori but all humans who actually care about their impact now and into the future.

As tangata whenua, Māori believe in taking care of the environment not just now, but for future generations.

That's why we care about where we get our kākahu.