The perfect grey t-shirt
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| Emmanuelle Alt keeping it simple. |
Let’s forget about the flamboyance and fuss of Fashion Week and talk about the essential grey t-shirt. A year-round base layer – as worn under slouchy jumpers and statement jackets by the French fashion elite – that quite happily goes solo in summer. It’s important, non?
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| Isable Marant goes for Casual Glamour |
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| Photo: Sartorialist |
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| Random photo: Pinterest |
For some time now I’ve been looking to replace my signature grey marl American Apparel t-shirt. Mainly because I don’t like to put money in the pockets of pervy Dov Charney but the final straw came on a recent trip to New York where I encountered the surliest shop assistant on the planet. What happened to Have a Nice Day?
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| That was my grey marl t-shirt. |
So. The official American Apparel boycott is now on and I feel much better for it. When it comes to the perfect grey t-shirt, shape and shade are important, and so far my favourites all seem to be by luxury American brands: T by Alexander Wang (I have one of these in navy), James Perse and Theory.
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| T by Alexander Wang |
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| Theory |
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| T by Alexander Wang |
But Gap is always good for reasonably priced basics and the new creative director Rebekka Bay (ex-Cos) is freshening things up:
Though I do like to fly the flag for British fashion and have recently been test-driving the new Basics range designed by Jo Davies of Black White Denim. The quality is fantastic and being tall, the super-long length is perfect for layering and suits me right down to the ground. Well, just below hip level. But you know what I mean.
Where do you buy your t-shirts?
Discussion (41 Comments)
For well-priced, everyday tee's, I favor Gap and Ann Taylor Loft, but I do love the longer length tee shown and will look it up
I could live in jeans, a tee and a jacket…it is always good to know what is new on the market! Thanks!
Have you tried your new J Crew for t-shirts? Do you have Banana Republic? Also good for them. The maddening part of replacing t-shirts is manufacturers keep changing the SHAPES. I always buy multiples when I find one I like as I KNOW they won't be cut the same the next year.
My favourite white with grey pattern and plain grey t-shirts were bought in France from J. Riu a couple of years ago. Sadly they had to be discarded at the end of last year because the white wasn't so white and I spilt something on the grey (sobs!) I've been looking for replacements for a while. I avoid longer lengths as I'm short, but I'll check out Gap, Banana Republic, plus any other suggested stores, when I visit London at the end of the month!
Everlane
Great Tshirts ethically made. I won't buy elsewhere anymore.
Cathy – darker shades of grey, more of a charcoal colour are good.
Une Femme – I need to take a closer look at Everlane.
Michelle – I love J.Crew tees but the grey marl is too pale for me. As Cathy says when the grey strands appear, it has to be exactly the right shade of grey.
I'm sorry you had such horrible service – surprising since I've always rated USA as being pretty serios about providing excellent customer service unlike UK.
Anyway a grey slouchy tee is also one of my must have basics (as well as white, navy and black). It took me forever and in the end found it at Gap last year – it's viscose, the darker shade of grey but not too dark and wears/washes brilliantly. It's the viscose that gives me the right amount of slouch without bulk so it's perfect on its own or as layering.
Good luck with your search!I need to replace a white T shirt and have looked all over without success. Uniglo is good for layering but I want something a bit shorter.
In USA, and they have limited colors, but I love Blue Canoe. Also Target sometimes has nice shirts.
I agree with you on American Apparel. Charney is one if Canada's worst exports. I buy through Everlane. Love the quality and price.
I want to try Everlane but they don't ship o/s. Gap here is much more expensive than in the US; likewise for all US brands. I had a gorgeous Club Monaco t-shirt that I actually wore until it fell to bits … And I'd buy James Perse if I could justify the expense. In short, still looking for the perfect t – there are some good Australian brands (Bassike and Jac + Jack) but they are always too long or just not quite right … and expensive. Sigh.
Hi, yes Jo let us test drive a few of her basics range, and I have to agree the pieces are of an amazing quality. A great concept so well thought out……And such a lovely friendly, seriously talented lady to boot! x
Some of the best are from SmartWool. Easy to maintain, and they can be worn several times before laundering.
Great tips! I'm always on the hunt for the perfect white t-shirt otherwise:) xo Caroline
I am sorry to be the only one to disagree with you here but she looks like a bag lady in the first photo. Is it recent, because she hasn't changed that "look" for years?
Banana Republic essential is my go to for gray, esp since I prefer a v neck!
Vince.I bought it at Bergdorf's in NY.(A NYC trip splurge! ) Bought the grey rayon with v neck and set in sleeve. Drapey soft knit with a subtle sheen. Looks like new even after washing. Nice enough for cocktails,or the beach, with black or white poplin shorts. ( I live in Florida and I wear this one all the time!)
Vince is great – nice cut and quality, J Crew Perfect Fit. I don't know if GAP finally signed a fair contract for workers. They were one of the las holdouts, and i have been boycotting. No on AA for the same reason. I can't support the Perve.
In fact, I just bought a grey T at J. Crew. Grey with metallic silver stripes across the front, that is. I'm expecting to get tons of wear from it. . .
I would love it if Gap was able to regain standard quality (as in wardrobe standard) as it was about a decade ago. I am at a loss for finding a decent deep v neck t that isn't so thin (and long) that it develops those little holes by the belt mark on ones pants.
These days I rely on banana republic. They have the thickest cotton. I don't want to see my bra through my shirt really. At my age – no one does.
no t-shirts for me outside the sleeping room! even in gray – what i really love. have to use solid fabric to feel dressed.
Club Monaco also makes some very nice tee's. That's usually where I stock up>
I recently found the perfect grey tee on the H&M men's department.
Would definitely recommend that one!
http://saintsartorial.com/2014/06/01/the-perfect-grey-t-shirt/
Great shirt design. It so interesting. I would like to suggest Pepagora. Pepagora is the B2B portal that has more Buyers and Sellers. Signup freely in Pepagora @ http://www.pepagora.com
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I found a great grey Calvin Klein tee at Macy's recently that's been working for me. My all time favorite grey tee is truly vintage and from Gap. Bring back the good stuff! Great tees are so hard to find and they're wardrobe basics for every age! Aren't they?