THE JOURNAL
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Call Off The Search: We’ve Found The Perfect Tees For Summer
Words by Ms Molly Isabella Smith
20 April 2021
OK, we’ll admit it, there’s no such thing as a “perfect tee”. For starters, even a plain white one won’t serve you for every single occasion. No, the warmer months require a roster of T-shirts – with prints, logos and stripes to consider on top of those plain numbers. And that’s before we even consider fabric choice. To help you narrow it down, we’ve singled out 10 of the best which are currently folded neatly on MR PORTER’s shelves and waiting for a good (and stylish) home.
01.
The logo tee
Logos are less of a passing fad and more of a staple these days. And Balenciaga, with Mr Demna Gvasalia at the helm, puts more thought into its typography than most. Riffs on campaign slogans, public transport signs and even corporate sponsor logos have all popped up in previous collections, whereas this one nods to retro skateboarding styles.
02.
The quirky tee
Style rules don’t go out the window during spells of warmer weather, but they certainly allow you to be a little bolder with your choices. So, if you’ve been asking yourself when can you wear an item of clothing patterned with a herd of elephants, now’s your chance.
03.
The updated Breton tee
JW Anderson has yet to let a nautical motif go to waste. Made from navy and off-white striped cotton, this tee is also stitched with the brand’s anchor emblem front and centre. The result is a pleasingly modern update to an all-time classic.
04.
The knitted tee
Knitwear, you say? In the heat? No, we’ve not lost our minds. Rather we’re helping you get one step closer to perfecting your mid-century-inspired wardrobe for summer with this taupe-toned lightweight silk and cotton-blend knitted tee from the Italian master of sophisticated style, Giorgio Armani. You’re welcome.
05.
The graphic-printed tee
A graphic tee wouldn’t be a graphic tee if the graphic in question didn’t require a bit of head-scratching deducing. As far as we can tell, Rhude’s Interstellar print is not a reference to the Mr Matthew McConaughey fronted space epic and rather a representation of the brand’s “Audacity to Dream” manifesto this season. In case anyone asks.
06.
The tie-dye tee
It’s beginning to dawn on us that we’ll be at quite the loss if tie-dye ever falls out of fashion favour. Until then, however, we will be making the most of the psychedelic style and wearing it at every conceivable opportunity. Aries’ version also ticks the logo requirement box.
07.
The everyday luxury tee
There’s a time and a place for prints and there’s time and a place for playing it plain and simple. An indulgent upgrade to what is perhaps the ultimate menswear essential, this tee from our own in-house label Mr P. is crafted from a supersoft blend of silk and cotton.
08.
The sporty tee
True, a specialist sportswear tee won’t help you run faster or improve your performance, that’s for sure. But in the interests of comfort, might we suggest opting for something like lululemon’s Fast and Free T-shirt, which is made from the brand’s sweat-wicking Breathe Light™ fabric and boasts anti-microbial properties.
09.
The Henley tee
Once a staple of the rowing uniform (and now more likely to be found masquerading as pyjamas), the Henley T-shirt is every bit as versatile as a classic tee, with one key difference: sleeves. Opt for one when you’re navigating those in-between days that separate spring and summer.
10.
The skate tee
The so-called skate tee is hardly a new breed of T-shirt (see also, the Balenciaga iteration first on this list), but it has risen to prominence since we all started nurturing an obsession with all things 1990s. This Saturdays NYC one meets every requirement: a super relaxed fit, sun-bleached colour and a kitschy peace logo.
