Is this a good basic layering tee?

catgirl

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ca.....tback=1594

Has anyone tried it? There's a nice range of colors, so I'm not stuck with just black. And is a little lumpiness (bra lines) okay with a layer like this, as long as it's under another layer?

14 years ago

Shopping

33 replies

Latest reply was from Mo

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Depends what you want to wear them with. Casual - probably very good choice.

I don't have it, btw, just reading the details on the linked page. It is made of cotton, not sure if it's 100%. I prefer some elastane. Does it need ironing? Also, is cotton warm enough layering piece for you?

The sleeves look a bit long as well.
...
I really need to go to sleep...

p.s.
It's never easy, I know.

14 years ago

Cilleena

Veteran

Una, I tried their SS layering Tee. Very nice quality and rather silky feeling. Not as much stretch as I prefer in a tee, but not bad. It didn't cling too much, so I'd think any bra lines would be fine. This is the SS tee, so maybe it's different, but it's the same brand.

14 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

i have this in the heather charcoal and i love it. my adoration is surpassed only by this from the same line.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ca.....tback=1200

the latter may be too low cut, but i love the silky hand. it's thinner and slipperier so i find it more comfortable to wear under jackets and sweaters.

14 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Definitely worth a shot! Nice colors.

14 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

I like it as a base layer where you will always be wearing something on top. I don't like it as a base layer sans scarf/jacket if you're indoors.

14 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I think Angie had this in the store last year--I don't know if it is exactly the same. It was "Caslon Rib Knit Tee" and I see this is the "Perfect Tee."

14 years ago

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

I'm not a big fan of shirts that are 100% cotton, they tend to lose their shape more quickly I think, unless it is a very tight weave. But if others like this one then worth a shot!

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Sylvie, I would only wear it as a base layer. I never wear tops like this the way the model is wearing it. At lunch today I saw a woman wearing a shirt like this alone with a scarf, and it was all my worst fears - lumpy and bunched in the mid-section, back fat, emphasizing everything I would want to hide.

Frankly, the reason I'm such a big fan of waist surrendering is that I never feel sleek in fitted tops, just self-conscious.

14 years ago

Anonymous

I sometimes buy old navy t's, long and short sleeve to wear under. The price point lets me buy many colours and pitch out or give to goodwill the next year

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Looks good to me! I have a handful of Splendid thermal tees that I use as layering tees - they are fitted but don't cling, so if that's true of these as Cilleena says, they should work. I would still stay away from things that cling in the tummy area, because you can still notice that quite a bit if your jacket is left open.

14 years ago

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I agree with the others who mentioned you might want to look for a t-shirt made from a cotton blend containing something like elastane, lycra, spandex. Those "ingredients" improve the recovery of a fabric, so it doesn't end up sagging and bagging badly.

I wouldn't want people to see me in only my base layers. Lumpy and bumpy would be right! However, they're wonderful to wear under things.

Thicker knit fabrics are better at covering up the lumps and bumps though. Thin and drapey fabrics show off every little bit...unless they're really loose and voluminous.

14 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

I haven't tried that one, but here's one I really like as a layering tee that's reasonably priced as well, and comes in bunches of colors. There's a crew-neck and scoop-neck version:

http://www.landsend.com/pp/Lon.....22_-1.html?

http://www.landsend.com/pp/Lon.....57_59.html?

I guess it comes in a v-neck, too, and short-sleeved.

I have a couple of the scoop-neck ones and find them pretty forgiving of the occasional little bulge.

14 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

I'm another fan of those Landsend tees. The fabric mix is very nice. And they are fitted without clinging.

14 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Una, maybe I'm overlooking something, but do your "basic layering pieces" necessarily need to be your standard plain T-shirt style and cotton?
I know I personally always feel a lot better in something with a bit more detail (ruching, shirring, faux wrap, a more relaxed style...), it's definitely more forgiving too:-) NOT saying that you need that, but if I were to go for knits, I'd definitely feel more confident and more put together in tops like the ones below (Ann Taylor always has great options in this category). They can still act as basics, work great under jackets, blazers, any style cardi...
There are often more interesting colours to choose from. Patterns and stripes could work too.

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=8003

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=6600

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=7039

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=9498

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=5819

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=6600

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=2689

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=6600

14 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Here are some more, apologies if this is overload...

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=3015

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=9499

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=5065

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=9496

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=1012

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=2689

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=1000

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=9234

14 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

I have to agree with Inge as far as work wardrobe goes. I do love the LA tees for casual layering, but for work I would go for something fancier than cotton.

14 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Dittoing Inge re work basics. They don't have to be plain ordinary cotton ts. They just have to be relatively simple, not attention grabbing in themselves. And comfortable.

I have a variety; some like the Ann Taylors and some cotton Ts. Don't forget, I work mostly at home and do the MOTG thing (cotton Ts, mostly) and sometimes in the public eye doing reading and presentations (Ann Taylor style tops, which I often pick up inexpensively at Winners, our version of TJ Maxx, or on sale at end of season.)

14 years ago

Carole

Veteran

It looks good to me. The Caslon brand seems to run big, at least on me.

14 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

i love the tops that inge linked to...but frankly, those prices are really steep (in my book) for what is essentially a glorified t-shirt. i would be happier to pick these up if the prices were at least in line with the caslon tees.

14 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

I'd be wary of anything without stretch. How about these:

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=879664012

14 years ago

D'Ellen

Veteran

Inge - I'll have what you're having!

14 years ago

marianna

Veteran

My favorite layering tee from Nordies is this one: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/am.....ultback=85

The colors are obviously really limited, but it feels so good on (good cotton), and holds its shape throughout the day.

14 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I love my long sleeve merino wool tees from Costco. My only complaint is that they are on the short side for me - but perfect for skirts and wide leg trousers. Even though it is 100% merino wool they are stretchy enough for comfort and hold their shape wonderfully for years. I prefer them to cotton and rayon 1000%! They are tissue thin, very pleasant to the skin and not itchy at all. I can wear them in all seasons except summer.
As a bonus because they are wool they are anti bacterial and resist sweat odor. With the price of $15 and array of colors they are a very good basic.

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

inge, I like a whole bunch of the ones you linked to (thanks for all that effort!) but AT does not ship here (well, it's $25)...

I did check out the Caslon ones and they are nice but maybe a little casual.

14 years ago

Patty

Veteran

Geez Inge--you post great inspirations!!!!!!!!

14 years ago

HeleenH

Veteran

I wear the long sleeved tee type clothes under clothes all the time, where most of it is hidden. I prefer a scoopneck so you don't see (much) of the t-shirt. I like Inges options for wearing on its own or some of them combined with a jacket. They don't seem to be winter clothes, rather better spring/autumn days and summer. Which is probably why some of them are on sale.

14 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

The Caslon are nice, but as most have said cotton makes them a bit casual. These are pricey, but super soft and a little more sheen due to the modal blend to make them dressier:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....ltback=100

Just to give you even more confusion with the options...

14 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

Inge, nice choices, and I would love a lot of them for under a simple blazer for a work look.

But then there are times when you just need a plain/simple tee for layering.
Sometimes it's because the outer layer is more elaborate and needs to take center stage, and sometimes in winter I wear a plain long-sleeved scoopneck under things as my cold-weather version of a camisole.

Of course, I'm always on Team Plain and Simple or whatever that team is called! I'm afraid a black layering tee is practically part of my "uniform". Now I'm trying to branch out a little...

Sveta, I'd love to see those merino ones! I'm not a Costco member, but sometimes have a chance to go with my daughter. What is the neckline?

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Una, there are a few Caslon tee's that look like this and I'm not quite sure which one this is. I've had them all on clients, but I will need to get my ducks in a row before I comment

14 years ago

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