lately, i’ve been on a quest for the perfect white tee.  i know, it sounds trivial.  but really, the right white tee – the one that drapes just so, is sheer without being too revealing, and holds up to the kind of constant wear a classic like this gets – is an almost impossible find, particularly if you want to spend less than a paycheck to get there.

so far, i’ve tested james perse, alternative apparel, gap, american apparel, alexander wang, splendid, three dots, la made…oh, the list of tees in my drawer makes my head spin.  but the one that’s really impressing me right now is by a little company i’d never heard of until a wise friend mentioned them:  marine layer.

based in san francisco, and run by a guy who feels basically the same way i do about tees (they should be excellent, and they shouldn’t have to cost so damn much!), they’re dedicated to the simplest possible goal:  making soft, well-constructed, perfectly-fitting t-shirts.  and they do it surprisingly well.

their tees are just the right thickness, making them wearable without a layer underneath – you can thank the slub weave in the fabric for that.  the construction details are vastly superior to any of the lower-priced brands mentioned above, yet their price point isn’t much higher ($35 for a classic tee).  and they’re insanely soft and cozy, giving you that “ha, i got to go to work in my pajamas!” feel.  plus, i love that they only offer a v-neck style for women, as i’m firmly convinced it’s the most flattering for 99% of us.

while i’m still on the hunt for a dressier white tee to wear under blazers and the like, marine layer is definitely my new go-to for casual affairs.  oh!  plus, free shipping and free returns, and you know how much i heart that.

i’d love to know if you have any favorite go-to tees to suggest!

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