Wear a dark t-shirt and affordable Henley – Readers' letters #08

Hello everyone, today we are going to talk about t-shirts and henleys.

Although it's not yet the season to just wear a t-shirt outside, we're going to look a little more into the question: what color to choose, how to wear a dark t-shirt, where to find accessible henleys or t-shirts. very thick shirts?

How to wear a dark colored t-shirt?

The question

My answer

I think you have in mind the conventional vision of layering where we start with a first light layer, and where we add darker layers on top. So if your t-shirt is dark, what should you do?

The general idea is to build a harmonious outfit around the t-shirt, which will be rather discreet.

In a first configuration, you can start from your t-shirt and build an outfit in neutral colors, in sober and soft chromatic tones: khaki, beige, blue, brown.

In a second configuration, you bring more contrast through other dark or light colors, and you put on light pants or sneakers.

Owning an anthracite t-shirt myself and enjoying a ray of sunshine, here are three looks where I apply these tips to give you concrete examples:

Look 1: no hassle

Uniqlo t-shirt, Oliver Spencer overshirt, BonneGueule x Marchand Drapier chinos, German Army Trainers sneakers

Here, the t-shirt is framed by a navy blue overshirt, beige chinos, and a little color is added with the light sneakers.

You will also notice the workwear touch to this look , to give it an identity: overshirt with shoulder pads and 4 chest pockets, beige chinos (original color of this military clothing) and sneakers taken directly from a military wardrobe.

Look 2: dressier

SuitSupply blazer, LodinG belt, vintage Allen Edmonds brogues, Colonel Mustard clutch

By replacing the overshirt with a blazer, the sneakers with brogues, and tucking the t-shirt into the pants, you achieve a look that's a little more dressy, but not too much. In short, casual chic 😉

Look 3: color contrast

Black Flag coach jacket, SuitSupply joggers, BonneGueule sneakers

Here, the idea is to make a strong color contrast between the t-shirt (dark), the pants (light), the upper of the sneakers (dark) and the sole of the sneakers (light). The olive jacket, a rather soft color, brings fluidity and binder to the outfit, so that it is not made up only of very dark and very light pieces.

T-shirt tucked into the joggers, the look is a little more elegant. T-shirt out, the visual effect is more relaxed.

What colors of t-shirts should you choose apart from the classic white/grey ones?

The question

My answer

In addition to whites and grays, you can look at blue, off-white/ecru/cream, red tones (burgundy in particular), greens, or anything that revolves around light beige, earth.

And because once again, a photo is worth a thousand words, here is a photo of a large part of my personal t-shirt collection:

There are Drapeau Noir, Patrons , Uniqlo and Monoprix here.

Notably missing is my Seagale henley , but there is olive green, burgundy/plum, white/ecru and a flashier yellow t-shirt .

Don't forget that in addition to colors, you can also play on:

• Materials: cotton, linen, cotton/linen, merino wool
• Textures: mottled, speckled, embossed aspects
• The patterns: stripes especially on a sailor top
• The collar: buttoned on the henley, contrasting, etc.
• The length of the sleeves: the Drapeau Noir t-shirt in the center is long-sleeved for example

In short, there is plenty to do.

You will find our other tips and look inspiration for the t-shirt in the article we dedicated to it here .

Where to find affordable henleys?

The question

My answer

First of all, if you haven't already done so, I invite you to read the article that Jordan dedicated to henley : it tells you about its history, gives you look inspiration... and lots of recommendations for brands.

That being said, here is what I can offer you for a lower budget:

• The German brand Schiesser offers basic henleys with a good choice of colors for under 40 euros.

A bold burgundy.

• Uniqlo offers an embossed henley for 20 euros. Available in off-white, heather gray, olive green and black, it contains 21% polyester and is cut wide .

Heathered and embossed.

• For around fifty euros, you will find some at SuitSupply , with the usual service offered by the brand (free delivery and returns).

A deep navy.

• Finally, you will find Henleys at GAP for a modest sum (between 15 euros on sale and 35 euros outside sales). I invite you to go through the gap.eu website to have it delivered to France, or to go to the store.

Olive green: it works!

Where to find thick t-shirts?

The question

My answer

The thick t-shirt, in addition to being robust and practical for keeping warm in winter, also has a very appreciable vintage character. You will find them at these brands:

• Maison Cornichon offers a collection of t-shirts made in France woven on vintage circular looms 195 g/m2, 210 g/m2, and two “extra heavy” t-shirts with a material weight of 290g/m2.

This sailor-style t-shirt with navy collar is very successful.

• 3sixteen with its pack of 2 t-shirts weighing 225 g/m2
• after conversion a weight of 283 g/m2
• Arket offers a “heavyweight tee-shirt” weighing 220 g/m2

Hey, we make t-shirts and Henleys too!