t-shirt — Notes on a Wardrobe

If you find something you love, buy two. In this case, buy five.

Notes on a Wardrobe is here to guide you on all those building blocks for a successful wardrobe. I am not into trends – yes, I love something new and cheery – my wardrobe is by no means an austere gathering of black and neutral shades (although if you have the discipline for it, I bet it makes dressing in the morning easy!). No, my wardrobe is full to bursting with colour and shapes and varying styles. Which is the way I like it.

But, when I find one of those classic pieces that I love now and know I will love going forward I fully advocate buying more than one: those favourite jeans that make my ass look pert rather than huge, and my legs look longer than they actually are; the leather biker jacket that does wonders for my waist (OK, I didn’t buy two at the same time – that would have put some serious pressure on my credit card - but it’s been a repeat purchase over the last decade when rips and discolouration have meant a replacement was necessary); and the classic crew-neck tee.

For a long time, a good t-shirt was my ultimate building block. For a night out, I’d pair it with jeans, big earrings and heels; for the weekend, trainers and a leather jacket; for work, tailored trousers and some leather flats. And so, over the years, I’ve become somewhat of a t-shirt connoisseur. And for this reason, I don’t sign up for luxury tees. I want one that I can wear liberally and bung in the wash regularly.

Historically, Gap was my go-to. Great cotton styles, a good length to stop that unsightly strip of midriff making an unwanted appearance and a nice fit – not too tight, or clingy, but still shapely enough not to make a shelf from my substantial bust. And I still like a Gap tee. My issue is that they’re inconsistent. Every season - be it the shape, the fabric, the composition - something changes. And so, when I discover the ones I like, I buy lots. Unfortunately, last summer, I went back for my classic crew and bought three (black and white, obviously, and then a rich shade of forest green), only to discover on washing that they just weren’t quite the same. They were that little bit soft which, on my curvy frame, has a tendency to look scruffy.

Arket, on the other hand, has mastered the crew-neck tee, and better than that, have (as yet) not spent unwisely by changing a formula that already works.

Available in a whopping nine block colours (with more dropping for spring) and a further five striped colourways, their Crew-Neck T-shirt is just £15. It washes well (no shrinkage or warping), has some heft to it (even in white it’s not sheer) and has a wide ribbed trim around the neckline. As we age, and our faces take on a certain ‘softness’, necklines become increasingly important. A wide trim on the neckline is vastly more flattering than thin ribbing, or no ribbing at all.

My only criticism, and I’m hesitant to make any, is the length of the sleeve. Arket, on the whole, is great for tall, long-limbed people, and that’s true of this tee, too. So, if you’re slightly shorter, you may want to consider putting a roll in the sleeve, to keep the bust perky and limbs long.

So, my top tips for the ultimate t-shirt: make sure the fabric has some heft to it (nothing too thin or sheer), the style has length (to stop our muffin tops escaping) and shape (avoid anything boxy or styles that flare out from the armpit) and a significant ribbed trim at the neckline. Or, just trust me, and buy Arket’s in all the colours of the rainbow.

Prue x

ADMIN: Everything I’ve included here, I’ve included solely because I really rate it. I may though, if you buy some of the items mentioned, earn a small commission from that purchase.