Two Pack T's
Look, Men’s clothing is easy.
Ignore the thrown down from on high ‘rules’.
That doesn’t mean board shorts in court, or tracksuits at Ascot, because arguments regarding clothing suitability in very particular formal settings are at their heart practical guidelines you can take comfort working with.
The rest of the time, if it looks good and you feel good in it, that’s ok.
Now, there are classics, those all-time greatest hits, which are there for the simple reason, they work and combinations of these again, work.
Most days, I wear a version of what I am wearing right now, blue jeans and brown boots, alongside my favourite belt and always some sort of shirt, today a checked flannel, yesterday a heavily washed and worn twill cotton, tomorrow morning undoubtedly a denim pearl-snap I’m breaking in.
Jeans, boots, belt, shirt, easy.
Not a ground or rule breaking uniform, just one that I think looks good, and I feel good in.
It is missing something, that simple thing I wear each day, a t-shirt. Always a t-shirt.
Could be a long sleeved thermal, sometimes a grey marl, but mostly a short sleeved white one, of the kind that comes in packs of two.
Millions of words have been written about the white t-shirt, from underwear to outerwear, a piece of sporting equipment turned counter culture icon and the basis of the modern male wardrobe.
And not a month goes by without a published definitive list of the best.
I have little to add to the millions, beyond that a plain white t-shirt is to wardrobes as the canvas is to pictures and crockery to food, simply, the little things matter, make all the difference when right, and when wrong? Disaster.
As for the definitive list, just two. Two 2 pack t-shirts, one which became a long time staple after many years of kissing frogs, the other I bought on a whim a few months back and I think is pretty great.
Firstly; The Real McCoys 2 pack, a made in Japan take on an American classic. Tubular construction (no side seams), reinforced neckline in heavyweight but not too heavy cotton. Hugely comfortable, very flattering and like all McCoys items built to withstand life and improve with each wash and wear.
I pick up a new pack each time McCoys re-stock. Every few years there may be a tiny change but these are imperceptible unless like Hitoshi Tsujimoto you are obsessed with the smallest details and I guess the changes are part of the ongoing McCoys mission for perfection.
The McCoys is a classic, frankly ‘the’ classic in this field and worn by pretty much every stylish man I know, it’s something I suspect I’ll carry on wearing for rest of my life and would be my only recommendation if I hadn’t ducked in a store to avoid a downpour.
That downpour dodging, lead to a dalliance with another two pack, the Double RL made in America pocket T.
With side seams and slightly capped sleeves in a not off white, just warm white. It is a different experience, whereas the McCoys T is consistently nominated and winning the best supporting garment gong, tucked into jeans and sometimes left like that or mostly sitting beneath sweats, under shirts and next to knitwear, the RRL, can do all that, but wants the main prize and do so in a way that is talked about fondly as a classic for years to come.
You may, have seen a certain photo of Mr Lauren; perfect fade on jeans; great tan; cowboy hat; bottle in hand and on torso a t-shirt that’s a bit James Dean, tad Marlon Brando and very Ralph. This is that.
Golden hour white, 50’s cigarette pack pocket, it wants to be worn tucked, driving trucks, walking plains and strolling boulevards, slightly, softly ruffled as you set about your day. Pick up a guitar, ride a horse or just stand in the kitchen making coffee, sending emails, day dreaming.
