How to Choose a Designer T-Shirt: Fits, Necklines & Building a Premium Rotation

Alright, we hear you... how hard can it actually be to pick a designer T-Shirt. Get a nice colour, in the right size, from a brand you like. Wear with jeans, pick good shoes. But it's actually more nuanced than that. The t-shirt is the most worn item in our wardrobe, therefore having a good selection is pretty worthwhile. So, in the interest of answer a few burning questions on t-shirts, and how they work (outside of arms in, head through the top, don't spill food on it), we've put together something of a guide to talk you through it. 

The obvious step would be knowing the size of your top half. So, grab a tape measure (a soft one, not the metal one in your tool kit) and you want to measure around the fullest part of your chest. Store in your notes app on your phone for reference later.

We've taken the time to measure pit to pit on as many of our designer T-Shirts as we can physically squeeze into an average working day. The pit to pit is exactly what you think, it's left armpit to right armpit. Then with the help of your GCSE Maths from years gone by, double the pit to pit... and you've got the chest size of the garment. If you've got a chest size of 41/42 and the garments pit to pit is doubling up at 46, then it's fair to assume there will be some leeway on the fabric. In the clothing world, we call it a 'relaxed fit' or 'oversized' or 'boxy loose' among many other synonyms of the word baggy.

**We've also measured the length from neckline to hem, so you can gauge how long it'll be through the body.

Across the board, designer T-Shirts are categorised by the following fit; Slim, Regular and Relaxed. Same rules apply for Polo Shirts as well. 

And we try to keep it as simple as that. So here are some visual cues: 

As it stands, the v-neck had it's heyday circa. 2011 and it got deeper and deeper as we got more seasons of Geordie Shore. For most of us, resorting back to a crew neck was the real saving grace and we've been sat with it for some time now. But, even the round neck has variety, and that neckline, as well as it's thickness, can definitely change the silhouette of your designer T-Shirt. 

Brands like MKI Miyuki Zoku and REPRESENT often sit higher at the neckline, allowing for the boxier fit of the t-shirt, where the sleeves fall looser from the shoulder. Plus, the ribbing is generally thicker, so they layer with intention under a sweatshirt or jumper. Then, classic brands like Polo Ralph Lauren and Fred Perry keep it nice and simple with a regular crew neck shape, with detailing like Fred Perry's Ringer Tee, with additional colours that pipe around the neckline. 

For everyday softness and breathability,  cotton, especially combed or ring-spun is a cracking place to start. For a smoother finish and longevity you can opt for a Pima or Supima cotton. Cottons blended with elastane or polyester generally retain their shape well and they're easier to care for. 

In warmer months, lighter weight, breathable cotton, and stepping away from the slim fit makes wearing a T-Shirt considerably more comfortable. For structure and presence: heavyweight cotton for a more substantial, boxy feel.