It’s hard to imagine now but t-shirts were once seen as symbols of rebellion: Marlon Brando and James Dean caused shock waves with the cinema-going public in the 1950s when they appeared in what was regarded at the time as being underwear. But now plain white T-shirts are one of the must-haves in any wardrobe. Wear them alone with jeans in the summer or under shirts or knits in the winter, they work all year round.
But, much as the Editors are big believers in investment buying and know you should never scrimp on tailoring or shoes, a plain white T-shirt won’t last forever and shouldn’t cost the earth (we are not in the market for €500 versions at the moment). So, we have test-driven a few good-priced basics for the past months and can report back on which are our favourites.
Arket Basics Mid-Weight T-shirt
This is probably Graham’s favourite of all of them. A not-too-long length with a good slim-but-not-tight shape, it has the perfect sleeve and is clean and sharp enough to wear under a blazer. After months of use, the neck rib is still flat and smooth. And it’s a damn good price too. (Have a look here.)
Uniqlo U Crew Neck Short Sleeved T-shirt
This is Robin’s go-to for white t-shirts. It’s slightly heavier in weight and has a nice dry touch with a more ribbed texture. The shape is regular and relaxed and the neck rib also has good staying power, remaining flat and tidy after many washes. We also love the fact that it’s a more warm, less optical white colour which adds a softer tone when you are layering it with colours or black. (Have a look here.)
Samsoe Samsoe Christian T-shirt
A 100% organic cotton version is a bit more expensive but this lightweight t-shirt is super soft and nice to wear. It is by far the most white too: even after many washes it has a brilliant optical white look. One downside is that the rib at the neck is quite soft so after a while it becomes a bit distorted and twisted but that can be nice for a more relaxed attitude. (Have a look here.)
Bareen Classic Fit T-shirt
This is the most recent one to be tested so it hasn’t gone through quite the same wear-and-wash as the ones above but the signs so far are very promising. Nicely made with a bound neck that keeps it in shape, it’s made from a jersey which is slightly more heavy and boardy but still soft. It washes very well and doesn’t lose shape at all. (Have a look here.)
The Hansen Julian T-shirt
The nearest we get to an investment T-shirt, this isn’t so cheap but is very good quality. Made from 200g jersey, it’s heavier than most but it keeps its shape beautifully and is still soft to the touch. The neck is bound with cotton tape which is a nice detail and helps it stay flat and the t-shirt is made in Europe so ticks more sustainability boxes. You get what you pay for with this one. (Have a look here.)
