This review is a piece of our Great White T-Shirt Review series, in which we tested nearly two dozen plain white t-shirts to help you understand what’s on the market today. In it, we tested for qualities like fit, construction quality, fabric density, shrinkage, and see-through-ness, amongst many others.
Many tees try to emulate the look and feel of t-shirts from the 1950s. For better and for worse, Left Field feels like the only brand that really gets it right on the money.
By The Numbers
- Fabric: 100% cotton
- Made in: USA
- Postwash Fabric Density: 1.67g/LI (Heavy)
- Postwash Total Weight: 182g
- Construction: Tubeknit
- Postwash Measurements (inches):
- Front Length: 23.75
- Pit to Pit: 22
- Shoulder to Shoulder: 18
- Hem Width: 21.75
- Neck Width: 7.5
- Sleeve Length: 7.25
- Sleeve Height: 9
- Sizing Recommendation: True to Size
- Shrinkage: 4.79%
- Weight Loss: 1.62%
- Price Per Shirt: $37.50
- Available for $75 at Heddels
Fit
The Left Field tee is cool, it feels like a t-shirt designed for mean muggin’ off a tenement stoop on an August afternoon. The fit itself is a less tailored version of Lady White, but while Lady White strives for an idealization of the era, Left Field is more interested in giving it to you raw.
Fabric
Left Field uses a heavyweight tube-knit fabric that still has a good deal of character. You could call it irregularities and imperfections, but a fabric with this hand serves the overall vision of the garment.
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It also performs admirably in the sheerness test.
Construction and Details
You’re looking at the details, a big impressive woven label and then a tacked on woven American flag. I understand the interest in including the Made in USA message, but I think it detracts from how special the old-timey brand label is. I really like the ribbing they used on the collar.
Construction is solid. My only complaint is that there’s maybe a millimeter of fabric that escaped the overlocker on the sleeve and bottom hems, which will be soon to fray.
The Verdict
The Left Field Tube Tee is well conceived and pretty well executed. I would recommend it to anyone interested in a well made vintage style shirt who wants something with more edge than Velva Sheen or Lady White.
Consider if:
- You’ve ever worn a club jacket for a club you were actually a part of
- You’ve earnestly told someone to “stay golden”
- You have a preferred brand of 40
Avoid if:
- You’re afraid of getting blood on it (or ketchup)
- You think Positrac came standard on ’64 Buick Skylarks
As mentioned, this was just one of many other reviews of plain white tees. Have a look at the full comprehensive review including all the other t-shirts.
