Everlane white v-neck | $15 at Everlane
LnA Short sleeve v-neck | $48 at Shopbop
James Perse casual tee | $50 at James Perse
We touched on this before, but I’ve been increasingly disappointed in basic t-shirts’ level of quality. I’ve always worn basic tees more than the average person, so I’ve not shied away from paying more for them, and I’ve never found one at the Gap or Old Navy that I liked. I also prefer to buy most of my clothing “made in the US”. But lately, price doesn’t equal quality, at least in terms of my expectations.
My holy grail white t-shirt is and will always be the James Perse casual tee; it fits my body the best, I love the scoop-neck, the length of the tee and the sleeves. My latest white one got a hole after only a few wears, so James Perse sent me a new one. They’ll work with you too, if you buy a tee from James Perse and get holes or have a major quality issue, they will work with you to resolve the issue. I sent my ‘holey’ tee back for them to take a look at and asses the problem. Hopefully the more we contact designers and send defective products back, they’ll get the message that we’re not satisfied paying $$ for clothing that doesn’t stand up to wear.
I also love LnA because of the longer length, thinner material, and that it nips in more at the waist, but they don’t hold up very well, and it’s better if you don’t dry LnA at all – I tend to use these more for layering. Now though, I’m pretty much a convert to Everlane. I have three of their v-neck tees, one white large, one burgandy medium and one black medium. I think the medium fits better, but overall, the fabric is comparable to James Perse and so far they seem to be holding up very well.
Here are my three favorite white tees on me:
From left to right:
James Perse casual tee | $50 at James Perse (size 3)
LnA Short sleeve v-neck | $48 at Shopbop (size L)
Everlane white v-neck | $15 at Everlane (size L)
(jeans – haven’t decided yet if I’m going to keep these… | shoes)
More White t-shirts I love:
What are your favorite white tees?
i’m a JP girl too – but i got the Everlane one’s – and i agree – for the price i’m sold – i don’t have to feel bad if it gets dirty etc
erika ~TiptoeButterfly~´s last blog post ..Black Attack
totally agree – and i’m impressed with how they hold up washing and drying…
Grechen, you look great. I love those No. 6 Clogs and the everlane tee. I usually wear a Vince crew neck (maybe called the little boys shirt? or something like that). Can’t wait to break out the clogs here, if spring every comes.
lapwing´s last blog post ..Spring 13// Leather
Where’s the like button? This is a great post. Thanks.
White tees are one of those “almost but never perfect” kind of items for me to shop for. I had to retire the white tee that I did have (which was from Target) and start looking for a replacement. I generally don’t like to spend too much on them because they end up looking faded and pit stained after awhile.
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thank you! i love the vince tees, but don’t like crew necks very much on me, i wish they would make a v-neck short sleeve tee…
i would literally die if i couldn’t live in a year-round-clog-climate 😉
i guess i have enough white tees that no one gets worn enough to get stained…i should count them, i probably have 10 white v-neck tees…
Do you have any tips for finding the JP tees at a discount? Any particular sites that stock them and offer promos or coupon codes? I think the Stevies look great on you! 🙂
you’ll never find the black or white JP casual tee on sale, but you could get them with a code at shopbop or any of the other sites that carry JP when they have them – JP’s sales are a great way to get lots of other colors on sale, usually for $29 or so – I always stock up on colors then. tee-zone.com has codes frequently, but i don’t think they carry the casual tee…nordstrom has good sales on JP also. i try to post whenever i find JP on sale over at http://www.grechenscodes.com in a “sale picks today” post.
i do love the stevies, but i think they could be tighter around my hip/butt area, my butt sags a bit too much. i wore them around the house and they’re stretching more than i like – i need more cotton!!!
oh, and bloomingdale’s is starting their F&F sale 4/1 – 20% off and they carry a nice selection of JP
I did not know this about James Perse! I almost cannot wear white – it gets dirty too easy with me and then wears out from gettin washed too often! Might have to get a couple James Perse t-shirts to combat my messy personality 😉
You should definately keep the jeans – the colors not too light and they’re quite flattering 🙂
You look great!
I like all three of those brands. JP has historically been my favorite. I just got two LnA tank tops and I love them so far, let see how they hold up since they say hand wash/hang dry (which I do a lot so I don’t mind). And I just ordered two Everlane t’s – one for myself and one for my super picky SO who needs everything to be “soft” (he LOVES Splendid stuff). I am hoping that both he and I like them.
And, i love those clogs!! I have been drooling over them for months. I need to just get them.
ohh, I forgot. Have you seen this report: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/publications/Campaign-reports/Toxics-reports/Big-Fashion-Stitch-Up/
I have been trying to buy only clothes/shoes/accessories that are made in the US (or another country I trust in terms of labor/chemicals/etc). It is HARD since most things are made in China now. I am generally getting a lot of things from Splendid, JP, LnA, etc. And with shoes/bags it is even harder. At least I am not spending much money any more. but, when I do the pieces can be pretty expensive.
Anyway, interesting read!
I have a very old LnA tank top, more of a cami-style, that I love, but it looks SOOOO ragged now! i try so hard not to dry my tees, but unless i separate them out from the regular whites, i usually forget one or two.
and yes, you need to get the clogs already 😉 these are 4 or 5 years old and they’re still my favorite pair. they’re my go-to shoe.
thank you for that! i definitely try to buy made in the US clothing – since JP, splendid, etc. are favorites, it’s pretty easy, but i’ve lapsed into too many H&M pieces lately, and i feel bad for that. bags and shoes are nearly impossible to find made in the US, off the top of my head i can’t even think of any! except JW hulme and maybe marais?
I don’t mind buying bags and shoes that are made in Italy (hah, who doesn’t). I have been coveting a few on this site: http://www.campomaggi.it/home/
I just got ordered this purse from Cynthia Vincent (different design, the one I ordered appears to be gone and much cuter…it sold out quickly!) that says “made in the US.” It is hard to find out where exactly things are made when ordering online since a lot of times it will say “imported” only.
And for shoes I am looking to get the small boutique clogs, etc. Most Rachel Comey seems to be made in the US, no? I got a pair on sale recently that I LOVE. And a lot of Rag and Bone is made in Italy. They have a cute pair of sandals I really want, but can’t bring myself to pay $300 for.
Are the clogs good during the hot Texas summer? That is one thing holding me back 🙁
I have TOO MANY white t-shirts – but they are an absolute essential. James Perse is my favorite. I have a few long sleeve Splendid’s that I love but only in the cooler months.
I haven’t tried Everlane – but now I might.
yes! i wear them. not as much as more open sandals, but i definitely wear them.
I am obsessed with campomaggi but the one bag I want (the woven hobo) is always sold out. I think the website is http://marcopolini.com where you can buy them online.
Rachel Comey is made in the us. Also no6.
I don’t wear tee shirts very often, but the two brands I love are James Perse and Soft Joie (the jersey tees not the linen ones). My JP tees keep their shape well and most of the Soft Joie line is soft (like the name implies).
I bought all of my JP and Joie tees at TJ Maxx or Nordstrom Rack.
Linda´s last blog post ..“love, having no geography, knows no boundaries.”
I love soft joie but haven’t ever bought any. I see it at last call all the time.