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T-shirt Budget, UPDATE, (tee found)!

Greenjeans

Veteran

Hi, everyone. This post may count as therapy for me. Interested in your feedback.

I am re-building my wardrobe from scratch and am currently thinking about t-shirts. 'Til recently my strategy has been to go to drugstore when desperate and get the 3-pack from Hanes or whatever and take it out of our household budget for toiletries/groceries. It's my wardrobe dream to find a line of t-shirts in a cut and fabric I like a lot and then repeat them in a bunch of different colors. I am open to upping the price I pay per tee but haven't yet set a limit.

Thinking about my mom's influence: She is an expert bargain hunter who loves to browse. It's her strategy to shop the discount stores early and often and pick up steals when she finds them. She is in stores often enough to identify and pounce on new inventory when it comes in. I'm sure the average price she pays per top is well under $20 per item.

I don't have the patience for this kind of browsing. Also, I live in a place where there is a higher cost of living and there are way fewer discount shopping options. Also, I'm discovering that discount shopping doesn't really work for me because then I end up with a bunch of rando stuff, some of ill-fitting, just because I saw it on sale.

So, I'm browsing t-shirts online and finding the ones I like tend to fall in the $30 to $50 range. I also like a few that are even more than that but would gulp to go over $50. This feels expensive to me (and I know it would horrify my mom) and is more than what I've spent in the past. At the same time, I am open because my current set of tees is a mess and I need some I can wear in public and not just around the house/to yoga.

I don't need to spend just to spend. But I'd like to find a line of tees that I feel better in. get five or so, and then not have to think about it anymore. I also like the idea of all the cuts/fabrics being the same so they become a neutral-feeling part of my wardrobe.

Do you know what I mean?

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36 replies

Latest reply was from Emily K

delurked

Veteran

I think I understand. I tend to spend more that some around me on clothing. They spend more in other areas that are important to them.

As far as t-shirts, I have purchased more and less expensive, but I also can't think of a tee I've gotten that's over $50 (but I probably have, and would be open to it if I loved it and thought it might be worth it). What I've learned for my own situation is that tees get pilled, holes, etc. and need replacing sooner than I'd like them to. I am trying to stay away from poor fabrications, but I need a lot of short sleeve tops, and it's not always apparent what will hold up ahead of time. I am getting better about stepping away from something that looks like it won't last the season.

I also do not have a figure that will be flattered by a Hanes 3 pack. Maybe at one time, but at this point, I'm looking for things I feel good in, and I will be more selective and spend accordingly to get them.

For myself, I'd want to make sure I like something before I order five of them. I'd order one or two and put them quickly into rotation to see if it's worth it to purchase more. Low cost just for a bargain isn't a bargain if it doesn't get worn, or makes you feel not so great when you wear it. I aspire to less with better quality, but I also personally desire variety, so minimalism isn't my own cup of tea. If I were offering a suggestion, I would say find three or four different tees you like. Order one of each. In a month you will know what you like the best, and stock up on those. The rest can become workout tees. I think you need more data to find what you like unless you just happen to luck out on the first order.

I got that Poetry catalog, and like the looks of the tee you show. I hope if you get it you will review it here for us.

JAileen

Veteran

I wear long sleeve tees every day in cool weather. I just bought a bunch of new ones from Eddie Bauer. There are probably better ones, but the fit is good for me, and they were 40 percent off, so not too expensive. My old ones were starting to pill. I was kind of mad, but when I figured the number of wears, it was actually quite a lot. So I put the old ones in my donate bag, and put the newly washed ones in their place.

Greenjeans

Veteran

Thanks, delurked. I love your idea about test-driving a few before going all-in with one line.

• My husband has a concert tee printed on bella + canvas stock (so soft!) which I adore. May be able to get plain ones on Amazon very inexpensively, so will add to the to-try list.

• I am wearing a Zara tee today that I like OK and was under $10, but Zara = so much variety! so perhaps not a good fit for this goal of having a bunch of different colors in one cut/fabric.

• Thanks for recommending Eddie Bauer, JAlleen! Somehow, they are never top of mind for me though I've had good luck with their fit when I've tried things on, so adding to list of things to consider.

Zella Bella + Canvas - Unisex Short Sleeve V-Neck Jersey Tee - 3005

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Greenjeans

Veteran

The things I'm connecting with on the Poetry tee (my find at the top) are the photo, the fluid, feminine fit that is neither boxy nor tight, and the color. A lot of women's tees feel too girly, cheap or overtly sexy (low cut) to me.

anchie

Veteran

I usually wear t-shirts only for lounge, sleep and beach and I wouldn't pay more than 30€ for a t-shirt. I don't expect them to last more than 1-2 years, but I had some that wore like iron and lasted 5+ years and it was not related to their price. I recently bought Ralph Lauren linen t-shirt for 30€ on sale with original price around 75€ and it developed hole after the first wash. And at the same time I got some 10€ H&M organic cotton t-shirts that I am very happy with.

delurked

Veteran

Anchie - I also agree the price is no indicator of how an item will hold up, especially on shirts.

Lynn

Veteran

Maybe try Uniqlo tees. Well made especially for the price.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I think T shirt preference it pretty personal. When I find a style I like I usually duplicate it because I find it's the only one I end up wearing anyways. Sometime they're in the higher cost range sometimes not. I think you just have to try a few and when you find "the one" you can duplicate it. I got lucky this year year and really like Madewell's V necks and they are in the $20 range. I have also liked Caslons in the past.

Madewell Whisper Cotton V-Neck Pocket Tee

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Whisper Cotton V-Neck Pocket Tee

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Caslon Rounded V-Neck Tee

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Traci

Veteran

The poetry tee you showed reminds me of a cut Old Navy has been carrying pretty regularly for the last few years.

Luxe Curved-Hem Scoop-Neck Tee for Women

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LaPed

Veteran

I can relate to this. I always really liked the unisex cotton jersey tees from American Apparel, and since they shuttered I've been somewhat adrift, t-shirt-wise. All my AA t-shirts have been demoted to loungewear since they're finally starting to show small holes, fraying etc. Most of them are between 5-10 years old, so I've gotten my $'s worth.

I want to like Everlane's t-shirts, but I find they're a bit thin. The men's are better, but the men's XS is too big for me. The Box Tee fits me really well (see find), I just wish the fabric had a bit more substance.

I've had good luck with Uniqlo, as well -- their graphic tees and also their solid Supima tees in a variety of cuts. Lots of variety, good price, hold up well to washing.

I just ordered a long sleeve henley tee from Tradlands (plus a woven shirt as well) during their Labor Day sale, when the prices were finally approaching my comfort level (they're sending out substantial discount coupons to subscribers): https://tradlands.com/collecti.....y-viridian

The Tradlands tops are very promising, quality-wise, but I'm not sure I'm ready to invest in multiples, given the cost. Will the Tradlands henley really hold up 4x longer than a Uniqlo henley, or bring 4x as much joy? I guess time will tell...

The Cotton Box-Cut Tee

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Women Supima Cotton Tank Top

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binkle

Veteran

I've tried Poetry tees and liked them very much. Quality fabric, nice drape. And the colors all coordinate. If I pay up for a nicer tee, I wash them on delicate and always hang dry, for longevity.

Greenjeans

Veteran

Great observation, Anchie. As someone who wears tees to do stuff they get dirty doing, the last thing I need is one expensive tee that needs special care.

Uniqlo! Yes, thanks Lynn. I bought three linen shirts from them last year that I adore. One I wear a lot, one sometimes, and one hardly at all, all because of how I feel about their colors.

Nice collection of finds, AviaMariah! I love how even though the three you show here are different, they all have the same feel. And I agree that this is strangely personal. Fabric is a big deal to me. And color.

Thanks, Traci! I have one Old Navy tee I got last year that I like surprisingly well. This one looks even nicer than the one I own. In general, I struggle with women's versions of the classic men's tees. I either want a masculine tee. Or something more feminine. This one with the curved hem an not-too-low-scoop skews just-feminine-enough for my taste. I will check out their colors.

Yes, La Pedestrienne, I think you and I share a sensibility. Everything you show here appeals to me, and yes, I feel the same way about the price. Ideally I'd like to find an inexpensive line of men's tee with a high-v neck in in a soft fabric that flatters in the way the Tradlands tees flatter their models. And Hanes is not doing it for me.

Thanks for the endorsement, Binkie! I may have to try at least one of these.

Keep the ideas coming! I am signing off to get some work done this afternoon but will check in again soon.

Style Fan

Veteran

I live in T shirts. I wear them almost everyday. I wear short sleeve ones, 3/4 sleeve ones and long sleeve ones. I will pay what is necessary to get good quality Ts that are flattering for my body shape. My absolute favourite Ts (which may not work for you) are the 3/4 sleeve scoop neck Ts by Three Dots. I have 4 of these (cream, ivory, olive green and dark brown). They fit me perfectly.
I am looking for a short sleeved T but have not found the perfect one. I have tried James Perse but I have not been impressed.
My long sleeved Ts are the easiest because they are usually hidden under a sweater. I want them to be comfortable, scoop neck, earth toned colours and not too baggy. I have found a good one at Mark's (Canadian store) for a very reasonable price. I bought 2 dark brown and one orange last year.

Three Dots Women's 3/4 Sleeve Scoop Neck Tee

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Revolve Clothing

Slub Crew Neck Tee James Perse

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Liz

Veteran

I'd strongly suggest going to several stores and trying on their different lines of t-shirts before you start ordering online -- unless your body type is very similar to the model's.

T-shirts have no structure of their own, especially when you get away from the beefy men's Hanes t-shirts. So the fit is going to be really dependent on your body shape compared to the shirt's cut.

I found the vintage soft t-shift line from Loft matches what I look for in a t-shirt, but their other lines don't work for me. At other times, I have found a line or two of Target t's that work.

ETA: Unless I was buying the t-shirt to wear in a stylish way as part of outfits (e.g. under a blazer to work), I wouldn't spend $$ on it. I expect t-shirts to pill, shrink, and show wear sooner than other items.

Vintage Soft Tee

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Sheryl

American Giant makes T shirts in a few styles in a really nice, soft, thick slub cotton that seems like it should hold up reasonably well. I have one of their dresses in that material, and I love it.

catseye

Veteran

Have you tried Uniqlo? They are inexpensive but higher quality than a lot of similarly priced ones. I like their supima cotton ones. They also have other fabric ones you can try.

ETA, Just saw that you tried them before. But do try the cotton ones too. I don't think they have the most fashionable colors either. So you may only find the basic colors there.

Greyscale

Veteran

I hear you on this. Four years ago I got lucky and found two winners: a Uniqlo supima dolman tee and a Gap v-neck. I bought about 6 of each (for less $15 a piece) and I've worn them into the ground. But, I haven't managed to find replacements that are perfect, so I've been spending money here and there on one-off attempts that fail.

Those tees really were/are the cornerstone of most of my outfits. I throw one on most days, and rely on my jeans and sweaters to add interest.

I have to say, when I've splurged once or twice on fancy tees, I haven't gotten any more value from them than solid cotton Gap or Uniqlo tees. I'll spend more on upscale brands for everything else, but not tees. The exceptions are tees that are unusual in some way, like an oversized asymmetric one I bought at Oak.

Joy

Veteran

Read this:
https://youlookfab.com/2013/06.....p-sleeves/
I found it helpful. What is your preferred neckline? I used to like Gap tees as thick enough not to cling and a feminine cut, but they are what they once were.

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

Tees...I have considered the subject more lately because I decided to upgrade my collection of house/errand tees.

First, I wear tees mainly when I'm doing behind-the-scenes things--at home (and I work at home), maybe a local errand or two, going out to a casual breakfast with the husband. My point here is that for me, tees are generally not a big fashion statement; I wear other things for that. So I rarely pay much for tees--they're not where I invest my fashion dollars.

Another thing about my tees: I can't wear men's or unisex ones. They utterly don't fit my figure. So I always look for women's cuts. (I disagree with the poster who said tees don't have structure. They can.)

So, given the type of thing I look for and my lack of interest in paying a lot for something that is not going to be treated as precious and may last only a few years if that, I've found that (given that Target is retiring its Merona and Mossimo lines) one the best places to get bargain-priced tees in a decent variety of colors has been Kohl's. I've just added 6 nice tees that, after discount codes and the like, cost me between $5 and $9 each. No James Perse for me, ever.

Women's SONOMA Goods for Life Slubbed V-Neck Tee

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Women's Croft & Barrow Essential Crewneck Tee

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Petite SONOMA Goods for Life Essential V-Neck Tee

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Women's SONOMA Goods for Life Slubbed V-Neck Tee

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The Cat

Veteran

Years ago, I bought 5 T-shirts (same model, but different colours) at H&M. Paid the equivalent of 7 or 8 dollars pr. item. Excellent quality (cotton with a little stretch -- and neither too thin nor too thick) and my preferred shape (round neck -- neither too high nor too low -- and a little longer than many others). They have been washed countless times, but still look and feel new.

Hope you will be able to find some T-shirts which will suit YOUR preferences, at a reasonable price.

Greenjeans

Veteran

Thanks for the feedback, StyleFan. It's interesting you tried the James Perse and were not impressed. (You'd think for that much it'd meet every expectation, right?) If/when you find your perfect short sleeve, let us know. I am interested.

Ha, Liz! Trying on many in stores is sound advice that I won't be taking (because horror of this activity). But I do think you're on to something and will think on it . . . So glad to hear LOFT works for you. I am often drawn to their tees with a graphic element but have yet to find a line that works yet. Will keep on my list.

Thanks, Sheryl! American Giant is a new brand to me. (And that's why I'm here!)

Yes, Uniqlo is on my list, catseye! Their current offerings aren't a match color-wise, but I'll keep my eyes peeled and maybe check out the men's side? Always interested in their graphic tees.

"Those tees really were/are the cornerstone of most of my outfits. I throw one on most days, and rely on my jeans and sweaters to add interest." Yes! I hear you, Greyscale. My lifestyle is super-casual. I do a bunch of things throughout the day that have me on the floor or otherwise getting dirty so what you had a few years ago is my dream: a few reasonable tees that feel fine and integrate/can dress up or down easily.

Great link! (Yes, I like those sleeves!) Thank you, Joy.

Thanks for the perspective, Suzanne. I found some 100% cotton towels at Kohl's last year that are wonderful. So why not check out their tees? I love how you know what you want out of a tee.

Ah, that sounds like an awesome find The Cat! Thanks for the inspiration.

Greenjeans

Veteran

So, here's a re-cap of what I've learned about what I want in a tee from participating in this thread.

• Tees play an important role in my casual wardrobe. I wear them a lot. I think of the Hanes tees I currently wear as invisible. (As in. "don't look at me today while I'm wearing this dumpy tee!") I am ready to up my style in this category.

• To-date I've been most comfortable in a crew neck because I don't like showing cleavage. But am open to exploring boat neck and a high-cut v-neck as more flattering options?

• Texture is important. I know 100% cotton works and am open to exploring natural fiber blends (like linen/cotton, hemp/cotton, wool, etc.)

• Color is important. Ready to ditch the all white tee and hoping to find a range of colors that integrate well with whatever else I'm wearing. That's the big draw to me with the Poetry tee.

• Sameness. One thing I do like a lot about the Hanes tees is how they all feel and fit the same and feel clean and comfortable, like a second skin (this is maybe how Angie views camis)?

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Ah yes, the illusive perfect tee. Angie says they don't exist, and I respectfully disagree. Why shouldn't they? All we want is decent fabric, nice drape, and a neckline that suits us. Why is this so difficult?

I think you will find it difficult finding one that fits you as well as you like, AND that comes in colours you like. I think you need to be prepared to find a few different styles, just for the colour thing alone.

I have managed to find quite a few I like, over the last few years, after I got fed up with the cheap ones I was getting. This year I found that the ones I enjoyed wearing most were linen v-necks, from J Crew and Banana Republic. The fit and drape of them was exactly what I was in the mood for. The white ones from both these lines was too thin... which is part of the reason you may need to shop around more than you want.

Many of these are old, but here is a selection of what I've got in my closet.

Banana Republic

Short-Sleeve Stripe Modal Vee Tee

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Banana Republic

Short-Sleeve Linen Vee Tee

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Banana Republic

Spacedye Drapey Tee

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Stem High/Low Knit Tunic Top

Sale

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New linen T-shirt

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Banana Republic

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424 FIFTH Relaxed Pocket Jersey Tee

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Banana Republic

Slub-Knit V-Neck Tee

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Banana Republic

Slub-Knit V-Neck Tee

Sale

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texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I don't wear tees as much as I used to - but I do own a lot of them. Everlane tees are mostly always $15. Loft almost always has some decent ones in the same price range. If you want heavier weight tees I'm not sure. I live in the heat so all of mine are pretty light weight by choice and usually cotton or cotton linen blends. I found Talbots tees (in the past) to shrink a lot, even with careful laundering. Madewell tees have suited me well but they are lightweight, slub type cotton so prone to getting little holes if you don't like to semi-tuck the front.

Greenjeans

Veteran

"Ah yes, the illusive perfect tee. Angie says they don't exist, and I respectfully disagree. Why shouldn't they? All we want is decent fabric, nice drape, and a neckline that suits us. Why is this so difficult?"
I know, right, Elizabeth P? Nice finds, by the way. Thank you.

Good ideas, Texstyle. I'm going to give the Everlane men's tees a try.

Greenjeans

Veteran

Oh, one more thought while I'm thinking of it . . . I have had some good luck with COS tees. They are priced well when they are on sale, a little more sporty than I tend to go for, but sometimes interesting colors, cuts and patterns.

https://www.cosstores.com/us/Women/T-shirts

K.M.

Veteran

Greenjeans, I second the Uniqlo recommendation, although the Supima ones I got recently are slimmer than the flowy one you posted.

I also suggest you look at J.Crew Factory's selection for great value and a variety of fits. For a flowy and lightweight one, I love the Featherweight Slub. It is slightly oversized with relation to their other tees, and the material feels like a soft cottony linen. I couldn't use the YLF Collect button but here is a picture. I also like their tissue tees, although they are not everyone's cup of tea because they are so thin.

I have a couple of short-sleeve tees from Ann Taylor from a few years ago that have kept their shape and color beautifully. They are ultrasoft, with a silky feel, and they are slim but not tight. I haven't checked their offerings recently but I would look at them given what you seem to be looking for.

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Staysfit

Veteran

Tees have remained a mystery to me. I think I have found a good one, but it shrinks, or gets a hole in it after four wears, or the collars stretch out after a few washes even if they haven't been put in the dryer and were washed in cold water on a delicate cycle. I spend as little as possible and purchase as few as necessary at the moment.

3style

Veteran

Anything made from 100% cotton fabric is very scarce this summer. The only places where I have seen good cotton t-shirts for under $30 if you watch for sales are Lands End and Talbots. The ones in the drapey style like the photo you shared tend to be in this season's fashion colors. The more traditional cuts tend to have more variety. I also second H&M if you can handle cotton with a bit of spandex. They last for a long time if you don't stick them in the dryer. Personally, I can't fit almost anything from uniqlo on top, as I have a large chest and big shoulders. I take a medium on top in most US brands and often find things are too big or long through the midsection.

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