FM40 Style - The Perfect Basic T-Shirt
Finding your perfect T-shirt can just be has hard as finding your perfect pair of jeans. My two priorities when looking for T-shirts are they must have a V-neck and be 100% cotton. The J.Crew vintage V-neck I purchased last year had both criteria, but as I discussed in a previous post the V-neck is a touch too deep. My wish list for spring/summer included basic t-shirts and as mentioned I had my eye on Boden's, so I got paid and trigger-happy with my 20% discount code clicked on them and ordered navy, white and grey. That evening a lovely reader Annabel asked me if I had ever tried American Vintage Jacksonville T-shirt (now this is the same lady who pointed me in the direction of my Ba&sh top, which I love) so I am trusting her advice here and I headed over to Matchesfashion to look at them. I have looked at them in the past, but the price, £45 for a t-shirt has normally put me off and it's not 100% cotton, but a cotton and viscose mix. However, the major selling point is the A-line shape which I feel will be flattering to my problem area ...... my tummy.
Since having the children my core is not what it was, so I cannot afford anything tight and clingy in this area. Going back to my new year resolutions, buy less, but better quality, I re-evaluated my Boden purchases and thought I could have 3 OK T-shirts or 1 fantastic one. So, I ordered the American Vintage and thought I would try them all on and compare ...... you never know the Boden one may be the winner.
Firstly, we will review the Boden BODEN V-NECK T-SHIRT
The plus points are the lovely, good quality soft cotton and flattering V-neck, not to deep, but not too high. The negatives, I didn't find it flattering for my problem tummy area, it sort of clung to this area and I would be pulling at it all day. I am trying on the size 12 here, sizing up did cross my mind, but then again I would think the V-neck and shoulders would then be too big. This T-shirt is perfect for everyday if you don't have a mummy tummy. You can see better on this picture below that it highlights the squareness of my body in this area.
Now, the turn of the AMERICAN VINTAGE JACKSONVILLE T-SHIRT
What did I like about this t-shirt, firstly the colour, I ordered the colour called carbon, which is a lovely charcoal-grey colour, like washed black. Again, it has the V-neck that I like, but the added touch of rolled raw edges. What I adore is the loose fitting A-line fit that just seems to glide over my problem area, I purchased the medium. The small negative is that it is not 100% cotton, it is cotton blend (52% cotton and 48% viscose) which does give it a nice silky feel, but the flattering fit has won me over.
So there is another item to tick off my wish list for spring/summer, being greedy as I am, I would also like this T-shirt in the white and light grey now..... more things to save for! If you don't have £45 to spend on a single t-shirt and don't have a square, lumpy mummy tummy like me then the Boden V-neck T-shirt is a great option and it now only £15.20 with Boden's fabulous diminishing discount promotion which has started here.
Have a wonderful weekend and once again I have to thank Annabel ....... thank you!!
Annmarie
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Ooh I love a good t-shirt underneath a blazer Annmarie & may have to look into the American Vintage ones at some stage - thanks for the tip off :-)
ReplyDeleteJane xx
My Midlife Fashion
T-shirts are a perfect base for your signature style of jacket and jeans. X
DeleteLove your reviews the pictures are so helpful! Must ask your opinion please as am considering a pure collection boyfriend cashmere sweater - how do you find the sizes and fit compare to the j crew tippi? I already have a tippi but want something more relaxed luxe for the weekend. Thanks so much and keep up the great blog! JC x
ReplyDeleteI get a M in the Tippi jumpers and in the pure collection boyfriend sweater (which I love) I got a size 12. The PC boyfriend sweater is perfect for a more relaxed feel, the longer length is very handy. Thank you for your kind comments. Xx
DeleteYou are so lovely, Annmarie. Thank you. I'm glad the t-shirt was a success. I love them and I also think the sleeves are very flattering on the old 40+ upper arms! They are thin, so I always wash mine in a laundry bag.
ReplyDeleteYou can sometimes pick the Jacksonville up in end of season sales. By the way, I should have mentioned before that there's a website called www.the-dressingroom.com (nothing to do with me, I promise!) that sells a good selection and which offers 10% off a first purchase and free UK shipping. And I've just had a look and some of them are £43 rather than £45, so with the discount that would make it just under £40.
As you know, I ordered the Boden Pollys and have had an email staying they are going to be delivered today so am hovering by the front door eagerly awaiting them! What do you bet they'll arrive about 5 mins after I've departed on the school run? Annabelx
Thank you for your advice, I spotted them on the dressing room and nearly ordered with discount, but I ordered something else from Matches (details on the blog next week-I promise) so I sneaked it in that order. I do hope you like your gold shoes and the fit is ok! Xx
DeleteI love the look of the grey tee but I'd have to really consider paying £45 for it! I'd be interested for a follow up post on how it washes/wears please :) x
ReplyDeleteYes I will let you know if it was worth the £45 after a few washes. X
DeleteHi Carol, I was on the same hunt for new breton tops and found these ones in Next. They are lovely on and a great price (8.50 GBP). Definitely worth checking out. I bought a few colourways myself.
ReplyDeletehttp://ie.nextdirect.com/en/x553202s3#697018
Sorry my link above doesn't seem to be working. I'll try again....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.next.co.uk/x553202s2#692527x55
I really like your new t-shirt Annmarie and it is a great shape and lovely fit. I have the same issue with t-shirts and tummy zone and in recent years have been very happy with the Cos curved hem t-shirts (also viscose blend). I will buy another couple this year-already have them in grey and black. They aren't as expensive as the American Vintage one so you may be interested in checking them out also.
ReplyDeleteJust adding the link but not sure if it'll work. They are Lycocell not viscose sorry and are 25 GBP.
Deletehttp://www.cosstores.com/gb/Women/Tops/T-shirts/Curved-hem_jersey_top/10673111-8420226.1#c-421995
£25 that sounds good, thank you for the tip I am off to check them out. :) xx
Deletei love American Vintage, they are generous with the sizing, so it might be worth going down a size (you still get the length). Unfortunately they are an expensive habit as the long sleeved ones are fab as well, but they are a better buy when you get your discount offers from matches!
ReplyDeleteYes come discount and sale time I am going to stock up on them. I am really impressed. Xx
DeleteI can totally see why you have gone with the American vintage T-shirt Annmarie as that is exactly how I like to wear mine as I can't stand anything too clingy around the middle, I think the looser fit is so much more flattering! What a great tip off from the lovely Annabel,,,I am heading straight over to The Dressing Room to have a look now! xx
ReplyDeleteYes she is a superstar!! :)
DeleteYes Carol the drape is nicer with the viscose, I spotted some nice viscose t shirts in whistles also and I am sure they had s breton. H&M are also good for basics Carol, if you find one let me know. Xx
ReplyDeleteAnnmarie, If you still looking for another grey scoop neck tshirt I can highly recommend the Wishbone Gaby scoop neck available now from John Lewis at sale price of £18. It is 100% viscose with a beautiful chiffon edging and the most fabulous drape. I team with an unstructured white blazer and skinnies or cropped tailored trousers with a heel and it looks really good. I'm a small 12 and the M fits perfectly. Don't know how you feel about all viscose but somehow it feels and looks really good quality (you might have to run it by Susie So So first for her expert advice). Liz
ReplyDeleteMeant to say available online at John Lewis. Liz
ReplyDeleteThank you I will check that one out, yes Susie is the queen of fabrics. X
DeleteThe American Vintage one is a winner here. I don't like mum tum cling either. I actually did well with a couple of Forever21 tees which were priced around £3. Quite soft and just loose enough. I don't wear tees that much now that I think about it - I don't think they are that flattering on me unless worn with something over the top. It's just one of those things I've got in my head though :/
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone ....., I only wear t-shirts mainly now with a jacket layered over them. X
DeleteI have bought the american vintage ones for years and love them. Very flattering to all those unflattering areas! They wash really well too. With regards to the White , they are more transparent but as they are not too clingy its ok. I love em!
ReplyDeleteI love the fit, wore it for the first time yesterday and wAs very please. X
DeleteI do love the shape and feel of American Vintage and have had many over the years.....But, the fine cotton ones just do not last, even when hand washed they still seem to go into tiny holes? I really love how you don't feel you are wearing them, but have not had that much success so far! The viscose Jacksonville, is much better though, but a jacket purchase last year looked like a rag after a few washes.......Thought it was just me, but lots of friends find the same with the thin cotton ones? Hope you get on well with your Jacksonville one, the shape I have to say is brilliant! Helen xx
ReplyDeleteOh no - I will stay clear of the cotton ones then. I must admit my J.Crew as a little hole Which has just appeared where the button of my jeans must rub .... Annoying!! Another reader has said to wash them in lingerie bag, which I may do to take extra care when washing. X
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