The Basic T-Shirt

 Who doesn't own at least one T-shirt? Someone once said "to err is divine, to wear a t-shirt is just plain comfortable".

Okay, I made that up, but it's true: nothing beats a good, old-fashioned worn-in basic t-shirt. Nothing, as far as I'm concerned!

How can you tell if a T-shirt is of good quality? How do you know how long it will last? What are the best fundamental brands? So, my friends, I'll answer your questions for you.

A high-quality basic t-shirt does not have to be expensive; it simply needs to be well-made and made of the appropriate fabric. So, what exactly does "well-made" mean? This usually means a seamless collar, taped neck and shoulders, and double needle stitching throughout the entire garment.

In terms of fabric, you should look for pre-shrunk 100% cotton jersey fabric that is ringspun or combed cotton. Ringspinning and combing are processes that soften cotton, making it noticeably softer than basic cotton.

Many companies produce T-shirts made of ringspun or combed cotton, but my favorites for women are the Hanes Beefy-T, the Devon & Jones Vintage Tee, and the American Apparel Fine Jersey Tee. All of these are extremely soft and only improve with repeated washings.

T-Shirt Layering

Women's fashion nowadays revolves around layering T-shirts. By simply changing the color and style of the T-shirts and layering them in a different order, you can create a variety of looks. With workplace dress codes becoming more relaxed, you can now get away with wearing a comfortable skirt or khakis and layering away!

American Apparel (Classic Girl) and Hype are two of the best brands for layering. Both of these brands use high-quality lightweight cotton that allows for multiple layers without feeling heavy.

The American Apparel Boy Beater" tank and the Hype Sheer Cotton Long Sleeve Tee are two excellent layering tees. These two items are available in basic black and white, as well as a few other color options such as green and pink to add some flair. For work or play, layer the tanks under everything, such as a suit jacket.

They're long enough to cover the top of even the most low-waisted pants, and form fitting enough that they won't be too bulky under your other shirts. Layer the Hype Sheer Cotton Long Sleeve Tee under anything in the fall and winter, including other t-shirts, sweaters, blazers, and jackets. Both of these items are available in a variety of colors and are under $10.