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paging Jennifer Aniston / looking for validation on expensive t's

annabelle

Veteran

This probably is wrong that I'm not looking for an objective opinion and rather for validation.

But I know you're out there. For those of us whose uniform is jeans and a t-shirt for work, and who work in an industry where we're dealing with people's money (lots of it), how are you reconciling spending big bucks on the t's? Oh, and I have an apple-y body type that is carrying some extra 10 pounds this season, so the loose fit t's are essential.

I realize that my wardrobe is my brand, but I'm feeling reluctant at the moment.

ETA all but one are made in USA

Barneys New York

Tie-Dyed Monoprix T-Shirt

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2

Barneys New York

Crewneck T-Shirt

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3

Barneys New York

Scoopneck T-Shirt

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3

Barneys New York

Calvin Terry Sweatshirt

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1

Barneys New York

Distressed Fade-Stripe T-shirt

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1

Saks Fifth Avenue

Current/Elliott The Crewneck Tie-Dye Tee

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4

Dressing

31 replies

Latest reply was from Adelfa

Mochi

Veteran

I saw the first tee online just yesterday--and noted the price.

I love tee shirts too, but no way could I justify for myself a price of more than $30-40. Maybe it's just me, but I run them ragged and they get stretched out, stained and develop holes so easily. Not great investment pieces for me, in other words. Yet I also wear them a lot, or would like to if I can find a really flattering one.

rabbit

Veteran

Well there's Macklemore's thrift shop song that talks about exactly this...

I'd think with super casual wear I'd put the money into shoes, jeans perhaps and bag. For a solid colored light weight tee, it's more about how it fits you and the materials, to my mind. So if I wanted to go high end I'd go high end in materials and ethical production for a tee shirt -- which does have a cost impact, not brand name unless it was some very unique pattern.

ETA: thinking about it, I don't know much about fashion pricing, but if it's anything like fine art pricing, the smallest, quickest pieces to create still have to price at a certain level which supports the overall brand value. They still have built in shared costs in marketing, shipping, display/retail etc. for the entire brand even though the actual object probably doesn't have that value intrinsically, and if it was offered by a different retailer (even created in exactly the same way) it could be priced lower.

BrieN

Veteran

I don't know much about your industry and its expectations, but I will say as someone from the Midwest, that if I knew you were wearing a t-shirt that cost over $200 I would be less likely to want to give you my money to invest in a project. Just in case you may come across a few folks like me out there mixed in with the movers and shakers.

Muffin

Veteran

Like Rabbit, I'd spend the $$$ on accessories, jeans, and outerwear. I have a hard time with t-shirts losing shape with wear and getting holes so I hate to spend too much. I especially get mad when this happens to a nicer $40+ t-shirt. I do have some St. James stripe t-shirts that I got from a store liquidating that are amazing wear after wear. So maybe $200 on a t-shirt that lasts and lasts (if you knew this somehow) would be worth the investment...

Sal

Veteran

I find it hard to pick which tees will last and which won't - I have got some long stayers though. I do think footwear, premium denim and a cool bag are better investments.

I do like the first, third and fourth ones here the most, for some reason I really like the third, but I am drawn to more open necks.

April

Veteran

I will say this: if you're a tee person (I am), a beautifully-fitting tee is worth a lot. But if it's a beautiful white tee, all bets are off. Because if you use antiperspirant and live in a humid place, it will go yellow in the underarms after one season. Or half of one season. (And that's assuming you don't drip red wine or marinara sauce down the front.) If you don't use antiperspirant, you'll get more time but eventually it will go yellow in the underarms.

Why antiperspirant per se -- my understanding is that it's mainly the aluminum in antiperspirants that makes those awful yellow stains.

Anonymous

I'll admit I'm confused as to the Jennifer Aniston reference, and I'm not sure what your job involves or what the wearing-a-tee-handling-big-money has to do with it - but ,....all I can say is that I've never regretted the money I've spent on higher-priced t's. Sorry for the dense-ness I have quite a few Current Elliot t's , some by Joie, and a few others, and they wear much better than those from Gap, Old Navy, BR, etc. But that's just me, and I'm off on my own planet at times too

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

If they are good quality fabric, they fit the way you want them to, they hang straight, and they are the style you want, I'd say they are worth what you are willing to spend. My biggest issue with t-shirts (or other clothing for that matter) is that sometimes the more expensive ones don't have the quality to merit the price. When they do, I'm willing to spend a bit more than I normally would for an item.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I guess it is what your willing to purchase. I purchase all of my t-shirts from the men's section of the thrift store or op-shop and they are all unique graphic or have some funny design or saying on them. I work for a major university/hospital. I say if you like it get it. for me it does not matter what others think as far as work my Supervisor and my coworkers could care less. I work in the land of the button downs and dockers.

annabelle

Veteran

I' m hearing some invitations among the crowd for me to shop for jeans and shoes.

lisap - Aniston is on record as getting her t-shirts tailored as one contribution to her look of perfection!

AJ

Veteran

FYI:
Miracle solution for yellow armpits:
1 part blue Dawn dish soap
2 parts hydrogen peroxide
1/4 teaspoon baking soda per part Dawn

I put in squeeze bottle and shake it up. Then apply to armpit stains, rub, and let sit for one hour. Wash garment as usual.

Now I don't own any pricey tees, but this works well for me.

rachylou

Veteran

I remember when the Olsen twins were starting their fashion ventures and I got an invite to buy some pricey tees. I did pause for a moment and consider it. I like their eye and silk might have been involved. But it was an online thing, and I just have a hang up about ordering expensive clothes online. I want tea service if I'm spending big bucks, lol.

I've tried some other $80 t's since then, but never have found cut or quality equal to the price. Not yet. Tailoring a tee I could see being more worth it, tho.

OT, watch out for those angel investors ..,

Anonymous

What a great question. I have asked myself this question in the past.

I agreed with Rabbit who said she'd put the money into shoes, jeans perhaps and bag. For a solid colored light weight tee, it's more about how it fits you and the materials, to my mind. So if I wanted to go high end I'd go high end in materials and ethical production for a tee shirt -- which does have a cost impact, not brand name unless it was some very unique pattern.

But as I continued to read, I agreed with April who said if you're a tee person (I am), a beautifully-fitting tee is worth a lot. And Firecracker who said if they are good quality fabric, they fit the way you want them to, they hang straight, and they are the style you want, I'd say they are worth what you are willing to spend.

I think what happened is that I agreed with Rabbit's logic, but then went on to love what April and Firecracker said because I wanted to be convinced that an expensive tee shirt is worth the money. What I came away with is that an expensive tee shirt can be worth the price if you love it. I would suggest buying one and road testing it. If it meets your needs then buy more.

Anonymous

If you're looking for an enabler, count me in: It took me a while, but I eventually realised that the reason I didn't look good in a tee was the tee, not me. Expensive tees tend to be better cut for me -- better length and style of sleeve and neckline, nicer body tailoring. Just last week as I did a season change in my wardrobe, I pondered this very question as I held up my $7.99 Uniqlos against my EF, White & Warren and Majestic tees. The more expensive brands just hung better on my figure. If I plan to wear my tee in public, I'll invest in fewer, more high end ones. If I'm gardening, on go the Uniqlos. I have friends who look fab in the latter, but I don't. I have had to get past the thinking that "it's just a tee shirt" and consider it as a shirt or blouse replacement, which, if I'm wearing it to work, it certainly is.

jill58

Veteran

My favorite and best fitting tees are from Target. I bought three yesterday for six dollars each. The ones I bought from last year are holding up just fine. Tee shirts are simply not where I'd put my money. As rabbit said, I would be apt to spend more on shoes, and handbag. Jeans and tees have never been part of my work uniform though so I may not be in the best position to comment.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Like lisap, I have purchased a few higher end tees (up to maybe $100) and have been very pleased with the quality and longevity compared to the inexpensive ones I buy (and still do buy and buy again when they get stretched, shrunk, etc.). I wear my better tees as I would wear any better top I own and use care with it.

Keix

Veteran

I don't buy expensive tees because I'm too lazy to care for them properly. Tees are one of the last bastions of my wardrobe that can just be thrown in the washer and dryer without thinking!

kkards

Veteran

well there are tees and there are tees....i'm a tee person, I wear them all the time....wearing one now, under a blazer for work. and yes i'd spend and have spent $100 a one....to my mind the question is, can you afford it, do you like it, and its is worth the X number of hours you will have worked to buy it.

catgirl

Veteran

I've got one expensive tee I couldn't resist, an oversized black tee from Joah Brown. And it's delicious - it's soft, draped, doesn't lose shape, and packs and wears like a dream. But I can't see a closet full of them because I don't wear tees all that often.

Author Linda

Veteran

I live in tees and will buy pricey ones when I think they're unique or they have the three F's: fit, fabric, and fabulous. If the fit is wonderful, the fabric high quality and I look fabulous in it, I will whip out the credit card and never think twice. But I don't have a closet filled with such items. Most of my solid color, plain, or striped tees are from Target or bought-on-sale Halogen (from Nordstrom). Those fit real well and do the job. That said, those tees in your pictures are seriously tempting!

Anonymous

It has to be really good fabric, a fantastic style, and a unique print for me to want to shell out much for a tee.

kerlyn

Veteran

Agreeing with Jill on the Target tees. I love the Mossimo v-necks and get a few new colors each year when they're on sale for $6. They wash up beautifully and have lasted several seasons with lots of wear in the summertime.

I also have to second KL. I have to be able to throw them in the washer and dryer and not fuss with them. I have other brands that ended up with awful looking twisted necklines and hems after just a few wears and washes. So I'll stick with my Mossimo tees!

That said, mine are strictly for casual wear, not work, so I am probably not in a position to comment!

Anonymous

It's your money, and if you find a tee that makes you look and feel like a million bucks, it's probably worth whatever you want to spend on it. Just make sure you're doing it for YOU, not to impress someone else who might not even notice it because they've already got a closet full of them.

Desmo April

(website)

Veteran

Tees/knit tops are a mainstay of my wardrobe. Some have been cheap and some have been (by my standards) pricey. I live for the light drapey fabric.
I am with Jennifer Aniston, I think about 80% of mine have been tailored.

jill58

Veteran

Kerlyn, the Mossimo v-necks are exactly what I was referring to. I'm actually wearing one now.

kerlyn

Veteran

Jill, me too!

Marilyn

Veteran

My priciest tees come from Club Monaco. Would I spend $200.....no.

Regarding tailoring tees to improve fit....I'm in! I recently invested in a coverstitch machine so I can do just this.

bj1111

Veteran

call them whisper weight knit cotton tops -- boom $200.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I'm going to hazard a guess that Jennifer Aniston gets her expensive tees comped, for the bragging rights that Jennifer Aniston wears their tees!

I've read multiple sources that say she gets her tees and jeans tailored for a more custom fit.

For my part, I would say $30-40 is my limit for a basic tee. I'm a spiller. If it's unique or has some really cool detail... maybe $70, tops. Again, referencing the fact that my food and coffee cannot always be relied upon to arrive 100% inside my open mouth.

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