THE JOURNAL
We can often neglect the seemingly simpler, more essential, unsung items in our wardrobe – deeming them less worthy than big-ticket items we present to the world as a reflection of who we are. A coat makes an immediate, stark impression, so we must select the correct one carefully, considering what it says about us and our intentions. Similarly, shoes state our motivations and, perhaps, deep-seated personality traits – what music we listen to, or the places we like to visit. A T-shirt on the other hand is something that goes under something else. A layer to protect the skin from a jacket. Well, with warmer weather on its way, and with increasingly blurred boundaries for what is formal and informal, we are here to say that a selection of fresh, thought-out T-shirts should be a priority in 2022. Here’s a good selection to get you started.
01.
The Maison Kitsuné logo tee
UK-based graphic artist Mr Anthony Burrill is best known for his typographic creations, but for this collab with Maison Kitsuné it’s really the stylised landscape that takes centre stage. It’s open to interpretation but there’s a certain Mount Fuji feel to our eyes, which is appropriate given the brand’s Japanese inspiration.
Wear it with
02.
The wavy Mr P. T-shirt
A new motif for Mr P. this season, the swirl pattern on the Wave T-shirt is achieved through the mercerisation process of treating cotton with a solution that helps to increase its strength, makes it more receptive to dyes and imparts a lustrous silky appearance. In other words, this is not your average tee.
Wear it with
03.
The embroidered Thom Browne tee
April showers have brought about appliquéd Thom Browne flowers, and these are even kind to the hay fever sufferers among us. Made from soft organic cotton with a relaxed, comfortable fit, Mr Thom Browne’s playful take on the staple grey tee will keep you looking blooming good all summer long.
Wear it with
04.
The SAINT LAURENT Breton
The old French sailor’s uniform is an essential for every man’s wardrobe and this one by Parisian fashion powerhouse SAINT LAURENT comes with a twist. If you look up close at the cream-and-blue Breton tee, each stripe is made up of thinner hand-drawn lines. It’s all in the details.
Wear it with
05.
The ERL Ivy League tee
ERL’s SS22 collection is filled with references to quintessentially American style, so it’s safe to say that this class of 1979 Ivy League-inspired tee is one of the best examples. Cut from breathable cotton, it’s printed to resemble a yearbook, complete with signatures on the front and list of names across the back.
Wear it with
06.
The painted Givenchy top
What do petrol cans, clowns, anti-freeze, jack-o’-lanterns and bleach all have in common? They’re all painted onto this Givenchy T-shirt, of course. Featuring artwork by New York-based artist Mr Josh Smith, it’s pretty macabre as T-shirts go but will certainly get you noticed at parties.
Wear it with
07.
The luxury basic TOM FORD tee
A blue T-shirt is a blue T-shirt is a blue T-shirt, right? Wrong. Mr Tom Ford does things differently, which means you’ll probably never want to take this one off. Washing (with care) is advised, however.