Who makes the best t-shirt?
A deep dive into the JJJJound t-shirt program.
Who makes the best t-shirt? This is probably one of the most common questions I see online. The problem is it’s a question that doesn’t have a straight answer. A t-shirt that is good for one person doesn’t necessarily mean it can work for someone else.
To figure out what the best option is for you is through simple trial and error. The fit, preference in fabric, and the overall details should come together to craft what you think is the perfect t-shirt for you.
Because the answer is so personal, a good place to start is by looking at brands making t-shirts with these variables in mind. JJJJound is one of those brands. They’ve been experimenting with vintage-inspired fits while focusing on the cottons they use to craft old classics in a fresh luxurious finish.
In today’s letter I went down to meet the JJJJound team here in Montreal to figure out what makes their t-shirts special. Here’s a look at 6 different styles that they currently have available, and why going with a t-shirt from JJJJound could be a great choice this season.
When it comes to re-upping on new tees for the summer I look for breathability through lightweight cottons, a strong collar that sits tight around the neck, and something that’s definitely not cropped in the fit. From my experience, JJJJound seems to pass these requirements with ease, but with the various fit styles ranging from the 70s to the 2000s, which t-shirt is right for you?
For the sake of research: I am 6’3 and got all medium sizes for today’s letter.
90s WASHED T-SHIRT
Starting off strong with what I think is one of the best fitting t-shirts from JJJJound. Ribbed collar inspired from 90s sportswear jerseys is nice and tight around the neck. Single stitch hem is also a nice touch I’ll never get tired of—it’s just a detail that you don’t get to see so much in newer tees.
This is their lightest tee coming in at 155gsm, which makes the cotton feel significantly more luxurious in comparison to their other heavier cottons in their catalog—not saying that the other tees are lacking in quality, it’s just the finish of the 155gsm is one of their stronger cottons they use.
90s 2 PACK
The 90s 2 pack comes in at $110—a $20 increase from the single 90s washed tee. Same exact fit and details throughout, the only difference here is the slightly thicker cotton, which comes in at 200gsm—a more midweight style and is the heaviest cotton option that JJJJound offers. Side note: The 90s tee is also available in a pocket version as well.
I’d say that the 90s and the 90s washed tees are great options for people who just need a good everyday shirt to wear by itself. They are both extremely soft, although the 90s washed feels slightly more luxirious on the skin. If you’re someone who sweats easily, going with the 90s washed might be a better option.
2000s T-SHIRT
This is the widest fit tee they have. Classic 2000s fit. It’s perfect for those who want a more relaxed fit in the shoulders and armpits. Definitely more free flowing and doesn’t compress to your body, which gives you more overall breathability throughout. Same combed ring-spun cotton construction as the 90s tee, giving it that midweight softness. Single stitch hem for that vintage finish.
For my bigger boys the 2000s is going to be the choice over the 90s fit.
70s T-SHIRT
The 70s tee is interesting. The slim fit mimics the style of the 90s washed tee that wraps tighter around the torso, making this an ideal undershirt. The thin bound collar also sits nicely around the neck and feels less constricting in comparison to the ribbed thick collar you’ll find on the 90s tee. The tee also has the shortest sleeve length, so less fabric and more comfortability when wearing this as an underlayer.
Although you can wear one of the thicker collar tees under a shirt, I found that I had more overall mobility while wearing the 70s tee as an underlayer.
70s LONGSLEEVE
Arguably the best longsleeve I’ve ever put on. I was worried that going with the medium size was going to be slightly short but it ended up fitting me perfectly—I’m lanky though and I could have easily went with a large size for a slightly relaxed look. This longsleeve combines the 155gsm cotton elements and the fit of the 90s washed tee with the thin bound collar of the 70s tee.
Remember, 155gsm cotton is pretty thin, so this a great choice for the summer or as an underlayer. Definitely going to pick up multiple of these.
90s V-NECK
This one is strictly for research purposes. I have never owned a v-neck tee because it’s not for me, but putting this one on didn’t make me hate it. Would I wear it on its own? Probably not, but it could be a great layer under your favorite sweater. What I like is that the v isn’t as intense here. Fit and construction is basically the 90s washed with a simple v-neck swap.
So, what’s the verdict? Based on what I tried on, I would say that either the 90s washed or the 70s tee were my favorite out of the bunch—the longsleeve is perfect though, but it’s not really a t-shirt so it’s in its own category. I like the lightweight properties of these 90s and 70s because they are ideal for maximizing breathability while minimizing any potential sweating during the heat.
While the thick collar fits tight around the neck, I think I prefer the bound collar because it’s slightly thinner and lighter overall. This detail allows the tee to move more freely around your neck while still keeping its tight shape. But also after a few wears and washes the thicker collar should loosen up slightly, giving similar mobility properties—it’s not that you can’t move around in that tee, it’s just that the collar is significantly tighter, and I know that’s a plus for many people.
Today we talked about white tees, but these fits are available in additional colors directly on their website here. What’s also great is that they offer their tees as large as 3 XL, a size that you don’t see that often.
All of their tees are made in either Canada or Portugal using extremely comfortable cottons that have their unique fits that make them perfect for specific types of people. Priced between $70 to $90, and $110 for two packs, which in today’s market is a really solid deal for a more luxurious t-shirt that’s built to last.
I think that JJJJound has come a long way through rigorous experimentation to figure out how to create a good everyday product that feels luxurious without the insanely expensive price tag, and that’s why I think they are worth trying out this summer season.
Shop JJJJound tees directly on their website here.
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