T-shirts: how to choose

How to choose t-shirts

Begin with how you will wear it. A tee that sits alone needs a neckline and line you like on its own, while a layer needs a clean shape that will not bunch under a blazer, cardigan or jacket. Our product pages describe several shapes: straight, loose, regular and slim. Read those words first, then look at the neckline, because a round neck, a crew neck and a V neck sit differently at the collarbone.

Sleeve length changes the use. Short sleeves keep the arm free and suit warm afternoons, market Saturdays and travel days; long sleeves run to the wrist or fall under a coat, and some styles are cut loose through the body with a round neck. If you want a base layer, choose a light profile such as the 120g cloth t-shirt. If you want a tee to wear alone, a midweight jersey at 200-240 gsm has enough body to keep its line.

Fit notes on our product pages are worth reading before you choose a size. Some straight cuts sit close to the body without pulling, so take your usual size or the larger one if you fall between two, as the fit runs smaller than EU and US sizing. Other styles are loose through the body and are sized S to XXXL, with advice to take the larger size if you are between. Where a chart is given, use your bust and waist measurements and size up if you sit between two sizes. One letter print style follows Asian measurements and sits one to two sizes below EU sizing, so check its chart carefully.

Materials, details and fit

Cotton gives a soft, dry surface that reads matte rather than shiny, and it is breathable against the skin. You will find it in plain tees, a V-neck leisure style, a buttoned V-neck with gentle pleating and a grey straight-cut tee. A cotton blend gives an even, plain surface, as on the loose button-hem long sleeve. These are simple materials, so the difference between one piece and another comes from cut and detail rather than decoration.

Polyester appears in several pieces: a plain loose fit long sleeve with a wide round neck, a striped round neck long sleeve in 100% polyester, a ringer graphic tee in midweight jersey at 200-240 gsm, and a minimalist slim-fit white long sleeve with a spliced seam across the front. Polyester has a smooth, dry hand and enough body to hold a line through a working day. A 95% polyester, 5% elastane blend adds a little stretch and recovery, as in the textured curved hem white t-shirt.

Details do quiet work. An irregular button hem gives a plain long sleeve a point of interest; contrast ribbing at the neck and sleeve edges frames a graphic with a retro ringer outline; fine stripes bring rhythm; a curved hem follows the hip; and a letter print gives a crew neck its character. Fit follows the same principle: straight cuts fall evenly, loose cuts leave room through the body, regular cuts skim without pulling, and slim cuts sit close through the chest and sleeve before dropping to the hip. Choose the line that matches the layer you have in mind.

How to style them

Wear a plain tee alone with denim, shorts or a skirt, or layer it under a blazer, cardigan or jacket. A white long sleeve tucks neatly into tailoring or wears loose over denim, while a grey straight-cut tee sits beside denim, black tailoring or a bright skirt. Keep the rest simple when the tee has a print or a graphic, and let a striped long sleeve carry a working day under a blazer.

The hem decides the proportion. Tuck a straight or regular tee into trousers for a neat waistline, or leave a loose cut over a waistband for an easier line. A curved hem can fall loose or tuck at the front; a button hem can sit over wide-leg trousers without fuss. A lightweight tee layers under a jacket without bulk, and a long sleeve style sits beneath a coat on the walk home.

Necklines set the tone. A V-neck opens the collarbone and gives a softer line for wearing alone, while a round neck sits close to the collarbone and keeps the line clean for a blazer. A buttoned V-neck adds a little ceremony for warm afternoons and layered evenings. Short sleeves work with wide-leg denim and flat shoes, while wrist-length sleeves look considered with tailored trousers or a skirt.

Care and storage

Turn cotton and polyester tees inside out before washing and use a cool, gentle wash to help the surface stay smooth. Avoid overloading the machine, and keep heat low where you can; a low spin helps a light cloth keep its shape. Check the care label on each piece, as blends and finishes can differ.

Dry tees away from direct heat. Cotton and polyester generally dry fairly quickly, and hanging or laying flat helps a straight or loose cut keep its line. If you iron, use a low setting and press on the reverse, particularly on a textured surface or a printed graphic.

Store folded in a drawer or on a shelf so necklines keep their shape. The lightweight cloth t-shirt arrives folded in a plastic bag, ready to store in a drawer or pack in a weekend bag. Keep like colours together if that helps you dress quickly, and give a white tee its own space so it stays crisp.

Standout pieces

• Cotton Straight-Cut Short Sleeve Tee: A clean straight cut in soft cotton with short sleeves and a plain finish, useful under a blazer or on its own.
• Lightweight Cloth T-Shirt, 120g: At 120g, this light cloth tee keeps a low profile for layering or warm days, with a simple shape and plain cloth finish.
• Striped Round Neck Long Sleeve T-Shirt: Fine stripes, a close round neckline and wrist-length sleeves give this 100% polyester long sleeve a clean line for work or denim.
• Textured Curved Hem White T-Shirt: A softly textured white tee with a curved hem and a 95% polyester, 5% elastane blend that brings a little stretch.
• Buttoned V-Neck Cotton Tee: A quiet row of buttons traces the V-neck of this soft cotton tee, with gentle pleating and a pullover cut.