Could you lead me to the best place to find the ideal T-shirt for work? The market seems to be overrun with boxy, ribbed cotton shirts that don’t look polished and shrink in the wash. My dream shirt would be soft, fitting, reasonably priced, not likely to shrink after washing, and durable. Is this real? New Yorker Jess, Queens
Nothing was cooler in the late 1990s, when Helmut Lang and Ann Demeulemeester controlled the catwalks, than a slouchy white T-shirt worn with a black pantsuit. I find myself constantly remembering those times, not just because nostalgia is making that particular era of fashion look more and more alluring, or because those particular looks were the existential adult versions of the Y2K trends currently sweeping popular culture, but also because that particular combination seems particularly pertinent in navigating this back-to-work period.
(Note: This is not the “Miami Vice” scene from the 1980s with the oversized pastel jacket and T-shirt. The fashion precursors should not be confused because doing so will send you down a very difficult path.)
The fashion equivalent of wanting their cake and eating it too is a suit, or simply a blazer and pants, whether they are made of denim, leather, or whatever. It enables you to act in a safe, secure, and laid-back manner. “Slouching everywhere at home and eating cereal as dinner,” reads the T-shirt, while “bring on the data set,” reads the jacket.
The T-shirt replaces the outdated silk shell, which is nevertheless a favorite among many ladies in Washington. It’s less clumsy than a real shirt, which frequently needs to be tugged and tucked in to fit properly under a jacket, but it’s also less formal. The CEO of M.M. LaFleur, Sarah LaFleur, described it as “the building component of a current power-casual aesthetic.”
However, not just any T-shirt will do. You are unable to just pull something out of your exercise bag as a solution. You should think about the neckline, cut, and fabric (sheer is definitely not a smart option for the office). Scoop-neck, boat-neck, high round-neck, V-neck, or what? elbow-length sleeves, cap sleeves, or short sleeves?
Personally, I prefer scoop necks over lapels because I adore the openness they provide. Additionally, the eye is typically made longer by a touch of collarbone. A cut that doesn’t bunch up at the waist is what you desire. Additionally, Ms. LaFleur added, it’s crucial to examine the armhole size and neckline finishing.
Wearing this most basic of clothing has the ironic side effect of emphasizing even the smallest features. Ignore them at your peril or the hazard of your bank account. One mid-priced t-shirt will be more cost-effective than five inexpensive ones that begin to rip after the second wash since, in this situation, you get what you pay for.
Other good places to look are Petit Bateau, which has a wide variety of tee combinations, Theory (also similar), and Eileen Fisher. It’s also worthwhile to think about ditching the plain T-shirt altogether in favor of one with a little more, well, personality. There is no reason you shouldn’t think of wearing a concert t-shirt under a jacket. It will, at the very least, be a topic of conversation outside of the PowerPoint.
(In addition, I firmly believe that no T-shirt should need to be dry cleaned. It should be adequate to wash on the gentle cycle.)
I used to collect the tank tops Ms. Demeulemeester gave away during her performances like they were priceless because they were the ideal solution. They had an extended body and necklines and were composed of thick cotton. If you search the internet, you might be able to discover them on resale sites, but it will take a lot of time and money.
Answers to Your Style Questions
Vanessa will respond to a reader’s fashion-related query every week on Open Thread. You can contact her at any time by email or Twitter. Condensed and modified questions are used.
