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When we’re in the middle of heat waves like this, it’s easy to have a one-track-clothing mind: light, light, light. Even when temps fall and autumn arrives, these days, most of the T-shirts we come across tout how airy, sprightly and gentle they are. Today, I’m here to tell you that’s all wrong. The best basic tee is a heavyweight tee.
Not sure, exactly, what a heavyweight tee is or if you own any? It’s not rocket science, it’s just your standard T-shirt, but made of thicker stuff. As I type this, I’m wearing a discontinued American Apparel style called The Vermont Army-T. I brought it in to be screen-printed by artist Steve Powers a year or so ago and even his crew, well-versed in the garment industry, exclaimed, “That’s the thickest shirt I’ve ever felt.”
Taylor Stitch’s Heavy Bag tees, three of which are currently discounted under $30, are not that heavy, but they’re a perfect intro to the style. The brand’s proprietary version is made using both upcycled and recycled yarns — a process which uses no water, as opposed to the 1,200 gallons a shirt would normally use — which combine to produce a beefy fabric that’ll last you at least twice as long as the typical T-shirt. (My AA shirt was discontinued well before the company’s first bankruptcy filing in 2015, and looks no worse for wear.)
Besides the quantifiable, undeniable quality, a heavy tee just feels better on the body, stronger, purposeful. There’s no riding up, snagging it on corners or fussing over it — and with Taylor Stitch, you can still count on it being as soft as anything else. Oh, and before I forget, the rule of thumb when it comes to heavy tees is to order a size up. Taylor Stitch even makes that clear in their listings. So shop below, order heavier and order larger.
The Heavy Bag Tee: Road Tripper
The Heavy Bag Tee: Buen Dia
The Heavy Bag Tee: Daily Fins
If you’re still not convinced, that’s on you. But I won’t press the issue, I’ll happily send you over to Taylor Stitch’s sale section where you’ll find many more menswear deals.
All inline images via Taylor Stitch
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