When I put my things in storage in NYC a few months back, I came home to Dallas with just the essentials. They were the staples that my closet couldn’t live without and the garments that I needed. In this season of stay-at-home, we’re mostly grabbing sweats – but this is a perfect time to clean out your closet, and build back a minimal closet with all the foundational pieces.
The white tee is seen as one of the most foundational pieces in menswear and it’s a great place to kick-off the first post of this “staples” series. In each post, I’ll be making the case for why the article of clothing deserves to be a staple in your closet. I’ll be recommending my favorite style as well as offering different price points & options as well!
A quick little background on how the iconic white tee made its way from underwear to everywhere: “In 1901, P. Hanes Knitting Company launched a two-piece underwear set that looked very similar to today’s white T-Shirt. The set was worn by soldiers during World War I as underwear. The original tee was seen exclusively as underwear, which meant wearing it in public was liable to cause a scene.
In 1913, the U.S. Navy adopted the white T-Shirt as the premiere light garment for its sailors. Recruits were thrilled to replace heavy wool clothing with a crisp 100% cotton tee, and the navy found the light shirts far more suitable to their needs. They were light, airy, didn’t take much space in storage, and doubled as a towel.
The arrival of paid leave created a de facto cult of sports and leisure, with more and more people favoring thin cotton shirts to formal wear. American sports teams began to tag T-Shirts with athletes’ names and numbers to distinguish them, which quickly became commonplace among supporters of the clubs.
However, the real breakthrough of the history of the white T-Shirt started in the 1950s, when Marlon Brando wore the iconic white garment in a Streetcar named Desire and James Dean revolutionized the style of a whole generation in Rebel Without a Cause. With the endorsement from two of Hollywood’s greatest icons, the T-Shirt became a symbol of rebellion and nonconformity. As the 50s moved into the 60s, the tee became a staple with anti-establishment hippies and counterculture agitators.”*
My Pick:
Buck Mason – $35
I can only speak to what fits me the best, and the tees over at LA-based Buck Mason are literally now the only t-shirt that I own. I have like 6 colors. They’re extremely breathable, lightly marbled for texture, and they hold up in the wash well. The shirts are just comfortable. They’re pre-shrunk so they fit true to size (I’m a medium!) and the garments are twice-laundered to give them such a soft feel. The fit is no-fuss.. the sleeves hit me just right and loved the crew neck. They have a straight or curved hem option, and the curved hem has really grown on me!
Runner-ups under $50:
Runner-ups over $50:
Levis, James Perse, John Elliott
In this series, I’ll be deconstructing the essential staples in your closet to better acquaint you with the foundational must-haves. They are simple, but crucial for building any outfit. I’ll be covering topics like sneakers, jeans, loafers, essential accessories, and more! Let me know if there’s a topic you’d like me to cover as well! My goal is that by the end of 2021, you are set up for success with the best staples out there!
Stay Risky,
– John
* via SANVT
