T-shirts. The bedrock of any modern wardrobe and quite often the first ingredient in any successful outfit. In this edition of Staff Select, we’re revealing our tried-and-tested t-shirts. Some of you tee-freaks have been waiting on this one, no doubt, and we hope you’ll find some inspiration among the true variety of tees that we endorse.
We’re geekin’ extra hard today. Our endorsements run the gamut: Vintage, Japanese reproductions, USA-made, streetwear, and even some unique options we’re sure you’re not expecting. If you need some inspiration in the T-shirt department or some signposting in your quest for the perfect blank, look no further.
Why trust us? Well, we’ve all been in the game long enough to have field-tested a range of quality clothing, and the Heddels operation puts us onto some of the best clothing in the world week in, week out. Whilst our opinions and experiences shouldn’t be taken as definitive, this series will provide you insight into what has worked for us and why.
Will – Lady White Co. ‘Our T-Shirt’
I don’t imagine any other publication or magazine is as weird about t-shirts as we are at Heddels. Going one layer deeper, I don’t imagine you’ll find anyone as weird about t-shirts than me at Heddels. If I’m out and about shopping for t-shirts, I’ll literally bring a tape measure with me so I can ensure that any potential t-shirt cops fall within the realms of what’s acceptable to me in terms of measurements. Admittedly, it’s really fuckin’ weird.
Anyhoo, I thought it was important to provide that context before I reveal my pick, which is Lady White’s ‘Our T-shirt’. Unimaginative, yes. Overrated, no. There’s a reason Lady White has solidified itself as one of, if not the t-shirt brand within the heritage menswear arena.
Crafted from 100% cotton sourced from North Carolina, Lady White’s Our T-shirt has been made in Los Angeles on the brand’s tubular knitting machines. The respectable 6 oz. tee features a double needle-bound collar and a regular fit. The fabric is dry and sturdy to the touch, which’ll soften and break in with wear.
If you’re unfamiliar with Lady White, which is probably a rarity among our audience by now, it’s a US-based brand, founded in 2015, which set out to perfect the t-shirt, particularly in white. Since then it’s expanded into other sportswear, such as sweats, hoodies, and most recently notepads (I know, right?). Lady White is the manifestation of ‘quiet luxury’, but in the least obnoxious way possible. Unless you’re literally holding a Lady White garment, there’s no real way of telling it’s Lady White, so there’s no clout associated with sporting the brand. It’s purely for those interested in ethical, well-made goods that are going to stand the test of time. What more do you need?
Available in a 2-pack for $112 from Lost & Found.
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Daniel – Samurai Medium Weight T-Shirt
I’m pretty easy when it comes to tees. I don’t need the finest cotton, the finest knitting processes, or sewing machines. I just need it to fit right, and the Samurai Medium Weight T-Shirt (sold in a 2-Pack) definitely does, it’s nice and boxy.
If you’re into vintage-inspired fits on your tees, you’ll want to take a peek at these, they’re a tiny bit cropped and plenty roomy in the torso – but, because they’re designed and manufactured in Japan, they run small. I definitely recommend sizing up on these. One perk of these tees is the minimal amount of shrinkage when washing, I even put them in the dryer on low heat, and I haven’t noticed significant shrinkage, but YMMV. Check those sizing charts carefully, please.
As far as I know, they come in black, white, and navy. I own a 2-Pack of black and white each, and they get regular wear. I like them so much that I think I’ll have to pick up some more in due time.
Available for $75 from Redcast Heritage.
David – Teamster Union Made Tee
Is it too on the nose that my favorite tee is the Teamster one we sell? If so, I’m sorry. But I won’t apologize for the fact that these things are near bulletproof and made under better conditions than tees three times the price.
I first found these about three years ago when I was looking for a suitable blank for a Heddels graphic tee and knew we didn’t want to get anywhere close to Gildan. In a deep, dark corner of the web I found these hefty-looking tees with the Teamsters logo on the tag so I bought a few on a whim and the quality was good. Very good!
The tees are tubular knit, the cotton is grown, spun, knit, and dyed in the US, and they’re sewn in a Teamster-affiliated shop in downtown Los Angeles. They’re workwear in the truest sense that the vast majority of people buying these are other union workers using them as uniforms, and it’s in their contract everything they wear is union made so we have this economical, solid, and responsibly made tee.
That made me think people will probably want these without our name on them more than they would with it, so I set up a wholesale account and threw a few on our webstore. They keep selling out — we keep buying more. We’ve got long-sleeves, hoodies, and beanies made in the same factory as well. Join the team, I promise we’ll make one with our name on it eventually!
Available for $22 in the Heddels Shop.
James – Whitesville 2-Pack Tees
Predictable but powerful, the Whitesville 2-pack of tees is my go-to when it comes to the classic plain white tee.
In my view, Toyo Enterprise just absolutely nailed it with the whole Whitesville line. The whole act of resurrecting a defunct Americana label but producing that defunct brand’s clothing in Japan through a Japanese lens fascinates me, and Whiteville was my first exposure to that philosophy around 7 years ago.
On a quest for a softer, more flattering, and preferably Japanese-made t-shirt to wear when I wasn’t feeling something thicker like a Pro-Club or vintage tee (printed on Alstyle or Hanes Beefy or something), I stumbled across Whitesville’s 2-pack tees. At the time, I don’t think anyone was stocking them in the U.K., so I used a contact in Japan to proxy a couple of packs over from Hinoya. When I opened up the parcel, which contained a bunch of other stuff from brands like Burgus Plus and orSlow, I remember being most excited about the tees and their vintage-style packet which literally looks like it’s from a 50s time capsule. I slipped on one of the Whitesvilles and was immediately wowed by the softness, shape, and fit of the t-shirts. They were, and are, everything I wanted from a tee. Not too slim, not too boxy, not too long, not too short, with a robust and handsome collar and mid-length sleeves to wrap things up perfectly. Goldilocks shit, ladies and gentlemen.
These tees are — and will remain — an absolute cult classic within the raw denim and heritage clothing niche. To this day, I marvel at how soft my old ones (which have been adapted to my girlfriend due to me now needing a larger size) are. The neck has barely stretched out, and that’s after over half a decade of wear and tossing in the dryer. Sure they’ve yellowed a bit, but what else would you expect from a subtly off-white cotton after so much wear?
The only thing I will say is size up. And I mean it. Potentially even 2 sizes up if you want to wear and wash these bad boys a lot. They run small and shrink a little bit over the years, so heed my words. Get the size right and you will not be disappointed.
Available at Hinoya for $52.
Zach – Port & Company All American Tee
At one time, the t-shirt received very little attention. They have grown into a symbol of the modern world; from exercising to streetwear, they can even be found in some workplaces. My work takes me outdoors a lot so I definitely need a quality shirt for the summer heat. With the prime balance of price and durability, I’ve been very happy with Port & Company’s All American tees. The most attractive aspect for me is the material. It’s a thicker cotton (on the spectrum of t-shirts) but still soft to the touch and very breathable. It’s also thick enough to not be sheer like many other shirts.
Knit collars and regular sleeves are requisites for classic tees; “regular” refers to the typical short t-shirt sleeves that we know and love. The All American features a robust collar that keeps its crisp shape. Regular sleeves are interchangeably perfect for undershirts or stand-alone summertime wear. I’ve had my white tees for several years and finally got a black version back in December. Unlike some shirts that fade to gray in short order, the All American seems solidly color-fast…only time will tell! The Port & Company All American T-Shirt is available from Galls for $10.99.
Brad – Miscellaneous Band Tees
Some who know me might say that I have an addictive personality. Those who know me well would agree. When it comes to clothing, the only thing I’ve ever really been addicted to is band tees. I’ve collected t-shirts from my favorite musicians since middle school. Pretty much every concert that I’ve ever been to, I’ve hit the merch booth first. That’s the trick, you have to get there before the show to avoid lines.
As an avid music fan, I love the simple ability to advertise the artists that I enjoy listening to. Personal style is a physical manifestation of your personality, a bit of your inner self turned outward, and band tees express a very specific personal attribute. I wear them with jeans and shorts most often. I enjoy the juxtaposition of wearing blazers with band tees, occasionally topped off with a scarf. A look that has now been co-opted by Trent Crimm for any Ted Lasso fans.
My all-time collection exceeded any way of counting long ago, as I’ve discarded so many over the years. Right now, my collection stands at roughly thirty – a highlight of which can be seen here. Plus a few left in my childhood closet back home. The best place to buy new band tees is always directly from the artist, either at their show or from their own website. Merch sales make up an increasingly large portion of musician income these days. However, the absolute best place to find great band tees is eBay, or any second hand website.
Nav – Eyes Look Left Premium Tee
A tee that is a fairly new addition to my rotation is this heavyweight premium tee from an up-and-coming brand based out of Amsterdam called Eyes Look Left. This is their most understated tee in terms of design but the quality/fit on this thing is a revaluation amongst the many blanks or basic tees I’ve tried. The black is saturated and the simple use of a white printed graphic on the chest really sets it off without being too loud. I’ve had this tee for a while and recently worn it a lot more and can already tell it’ll be a summer staple for many years to come. Their graphic tees and whole collection for that matter are worth checking!
Ben – WWII-Era U.S. Army Issue Skivvy Tee
I’ve found a ton of t-shirts over the years. So many that I don’t know which ones to wear and which ones to keep on ice. Every day I think I’ll wear one of a hundred graphic tees but more often than not, I end up gravitating towards a blank white t-shirt.
A self-proclaimed vintage blank connoisseur, I always wanted to find a WWII skivvy t-shirt, and last summer I finally found 2 in the same trunk! I wear them often. They are perfectly worn in and feature a great double-stitched, thin neckline. They are the ultimate tees and go with everything. Can be layered or worn as the main event. Now to find a OD green version! If you want to pick up some of these for yourself, get to some fleas or scour Etsy and eBay.
