Where can I buy good quality t-shirts that actually fit well?

August 7, 2009 6:50 AM

Where can I buy good quality t-shirts that actually fit well?

I like wearing t-shirts, I like ones with fun designs, and I like plain ones.

However, most of the ones I get seem to be cut really badly. They're too tight under the arms at the front (I'm quite a broad shouldered male). This leads to them getting stinky too quickly.

Before you say, "get a larger size", I should point out that they fit usually fit well everywhere else, and the larger ones are way too baggy.

So, can the mefites recommend some quality brands that might fit me better before I give up and start wearing more formal shirts? (I'm in the UK, if that makes any difference).

posted by jonesor to clothing, beauty, & fashion (17 comments total)

Hmmm. Sounds like you need more of an athletic cut.

I can't speak to the UK, but maybe you can find an equivalent; in America, I've found that the men's plain t-shirts at Banana Republic have that more athletic cut than others I've found. They may have BR Stores there, I dunno.
posted by Thistledown at 6:53 AM on August 7

Do they have Urban Outfitters in the UK?

I normally wear a size medium, but wear a size L of whatever their house brand is. May work well for you.
posted by glenngulia at 6:55 AM on August 7

Have you ever tried Boden? Not cheap, but they do have sales and you can usually find decent coupon codes if you search around. This is a link to plain ones, but they have other stripey ones if you go back to the main page.
posted by dancinglamb at 6:56 AM on August 7

I was about to post the same question! I was even going to ask if anyone know of any place that sold custom sized t-shirts, or sizes that are finer grain than S,M,L,XL.

I am looking forward to positive answers!
posted by TheyCallItPeace at 6:56 AM on August 7

Woot Shirts?

I get most of my fun tshirts from woot. For $10 get yourself a test size of any of their daily designs. If, in fact, the shirt seems to fit well, you'll be hooked on the daily shirt thing pretty quickly.
posted by teabag at 7:17 AM on August 7

Sounds like you need more of an athletic cut

Actually, athletic cut would generally be for the reverse problem, where a normal cut shirt isn't tight-fitting enough through the torso. You need anti-athletic-cut, which isn't a standard thing.
posted by smackfu at 7:28 AM on August 7

American Apparrel.
posted by stratastar at 7:36 AM on August 7

Athletic cut would probably fit better, but I don't know of anyone that makes athletic cut tees. Btw, athletic cut means cut larger in the shoulders and arms, narrower in the waist.

I'm pretty broad shouldered myself, and I like the way American Apparel shirts fit.
posted by electroboy at 7:44 AM on August 7

I would suggest James Perse if money is not a concern.
posted by spec80 at 7:48 AM on August 7

I have a similar problem (tall skinny guy with wide shoulders, so shirts are either floppy/baggy or the side of the end of the sleeves stick out and I get armpit rash).

My advice: Despite its godawful advertising and the role it plays in the dissemination of some of the most horrendous fashion trends, American Apparel actually has some decently fitting t-shirts and a variety of cuts to choose from.
posted by molecicco at 7:51 AM on August 7

Duluth Trading Company has my fave shirts, currently.
posted by Danf at 7:54 AM on August 7

Ralph Lauren
posted by Zambrano at 8:29 AM on August 7

I posted a similar question a few weeks back.
posted by charlesv at 9:15 AM on August 7

Have you tried a t-shirt with a 50/50 blend of cotton and polyester? It'll have a bit more stretch than a 100% cotton shirt and may accommodate your shoulders better. American Apparel has a few t-shirt styles in the 50/50 blend.
posted by wiretap at 12:05 PM on August 7 [1 favorite has favorites]

I second American Apparel and Woot (shirt.woot).
posted by qmechanic at 1:43 PM on August 7

Thirding American Apparel - they have stores in the UK now, so you could even go in and try them on before buying.
posted by saturnine at 8:30 PM on August 8

I've tried American Apparel shirts and can confirm that they are "the mutts nuts".
posted by jonesor at 2:20 AM on September 4