3 Takes on the Cotton Hi-Neck T-Shirt
with Jordan, Sam, and Matthew
The relationship between a man and a T-shirt is rarely neutral. It’s often built on a habit and a certain refusal to overthink things. To understand why, we put the Cotton Hi-Neck T-Shirt in the hands of three different people, each creative in their own right, and watched what happened. We let them do what they normally do, wear it, live in it, and make sense of it in their own way. Then we quizzed them about the experience, and the habits that form around a good T-shirt.
Jordan Bunker
Photographer & content creator
How many T-shirts do you own and how do you settle on that decision?
I’ve just done a count up for you and I’m currently sat at 20 t-shirts. It’s a mix of short, long, merino and hi-necks. Most are plain and foundational, but there are a couple graphic tees in there too.
Where did the Cotton Hi-Neck T-Shirt land in your T-shirt hierarchy?
I think sometimes you’re looking for a detail to elevate a t-shirt. That could be the weight of it, maybe the cut or in this case it’s the hi-neck. I think whenever a top has that extra consideration, there’s a justification to be able to wear it without an additional layer as it can hold up on its own.
How do you think about fit, is it something fixed or does it change over time?
Personal style can be as cyclical as you want it to be. Should you be in tune with what’s being spoken about within fashion then the skinny to straight to wide and now back again is happening. I think I’m quite confident in choosing what I like and how I like to wear it, but it’s interesting to see these trends unfold. Elements might change overtime, but for the most part the foundations of my fit are constant.
Does understanding how a garment is made change your relationship with it?
Massively. It’s a conversation I’m always trying to have with anyone who will listen. We need to think more about the number of hands clothes pass through when being made. There’s so many skilled craftspeople in the supply chain and often we see clothes on a hanger with little to no details about the provenance. I think if we can make that connection between maker and wearer, perhaps more people will begin to slow down and appreciate what they have in their wardrobe.
“We need to think more about the number of hands clothes pass through when being made… I think if we can make that connection between maker and wearer, perhaps more people will begin to slow down and appreciate what they have in their wardrobe.”
Do you think wear adds value, or takes it away?
I’m quite proud in a way that so much of my wardrobe is several years old. It’s testament to the quality of the garment. I wouldn’t say there’s a stigma around old clothes as such – the second-hand market is championed now more than ever - but the main narrative within fashion media is centred on newness and we need to change that. Clothes age and we should learn to appreciate and celebrate that.
Sam Binstead
Photographer & film maker
How many T-shirts do you own and how do you settle on that decision?
I have 6. It’s not really been a decision I’ve settled on as such, but more the result of a series of decisions over the last 10 years of when to replace things, when it’s a good time to add something, or whether things need a little mend here and there.
Where did the Cotton Hi-Neck land in your T-shirt hierarchy?
My style has definitely gotten more casual over the last few years. I was a big shirt guy in my 20s, but in my 30s I’ve found a nice pair of trousers and a good t-shirt way more appealing on the day to day. The Hi-Neck gives a slightly different look that's a bit more ‘put-together’ than other necklines, so it sits somewhere around a ‘I want to be comfy but feel good’ on the hierarchy.
How do you think about fit, is it something fixed or does it change over time?
Definitely changes for me. My weight fluctuates quite a bit so I try to make sure things still look good if they’re fitted or hanging a bit looser.
What’s the pet-peeve detail that instantly ruins a T-shirt for you?
Bad fabric. When it feels too thin, or is made from a really cheap feeling cotton. Absolutely 0 tolerance policy on polyester/blends.
How much thought is too much thought for a T-shirt?
I think any marketing that claims ‘its going to change your life’, or that ‘you’ve never seen a T-Shirt like it’, or that it’s ‘the best t-shirt in the world,’ someone's thinking about it too much. Is it made from a good long staple cotton, by people paid fairly, and does it fit you right? Yeah that's probably a pretty dang good t-shirt.
“Is it made from a good long staple cotton, by people paid fairly, and does it fit you right? Yeah that's probably a pretty dang good t-shirt.”
Matthew Spade
Content creator
How many T-shirts do you own and how do you settle on that decision?
Probably around 20/25, I tend to hold on to old favs as long as possible. I find the older ones either get better with age or are spot on for lounging / sleeping in or DYI jobs. I don’t consciously have a number I stick to but it’s something I wear everyday I’ve probably got more than most, but they’re my base.
Where did the Cotton Hi-Neck T-Shirt land in your T-shirt hierarchy?
Something I am really picky about is the neckline of a T-shirt, as I am quite conscious of my slimmer neck and a fairly small pea-shaped head. So anything wide or slightly relaxed can tend to not really fit what I’m going for. The Hi-Neck seems to work perfectly for me to be honest, and works under knitwear or shirts nicely. I hate a crinkly bacon neck.
Is the perfect T-shirt a myth?
Without being hands-on with all stages of making it would be hard to say it’s perfect. Not saying it couldn’t be attempted but I think without overseeing each process, it could be tricky business. Also, what does perfect mean? The sourcing of cotton, the use of water, fair wages, along with how the actual item fits. SON is enabling us to come close.
Do you think T-shirts tell a story about the person wearing them?
Yeah I think so. How they wear over time is a reflection of that particular person. The amount of washing, what else the wearer is wearing (indigo denim may bleed onto the tee in some way) or doing as a trade, and how the cotton will naturally begin to wear on the stress points over time. I see this as a positive, personally.
Hi-Neck, now that you’ve tried it or regular O-Neck?
I’m leaning to the Hi-Neck more than I pictured, it feels like it’s a more flattering choice for my body type. Tucking it gives a smarter appearance too, which I’m really enjoying; making me feel like I’m chilling out at a bar on the Amalfi coast.
“I’m leaning to the Hi-Neck more than I pictured, it feels like it’s a more flattering choice for my body type. “
Further Reading
