The ancestor of the t-shirt, the union suit was a one-piece undergarment that covered the skin from ankles to shoulders.
At the turn of the 20th century, it was split into two parts for practical reasons, comprising long johns on the bottom and a henley on top. Adopted by the US Navy around the First World War, the top half lost its buttoned placket and long sleeves to become the t-shirt we know today.
Later on, it only took Montgomery Clift (A Place in the Sun, 1951), Marlon Brando (The Wild One, 1953) and James Dean (Rebel Without a Cause, 1955) wearing this garment to turn it into a wardrobe icon. A legendary staple that has not aged a bit in over a century.
5 key steps to choosing the right t-shirt
Vying with jeans for the top spot among the world's best-selling garments each year, the t-shirt is available in endless varieties. The downside: there are millions of options on the market, sometimes for the better, but often for the worse.
To help you make the right choice, here are five key factors to consider before buying a men's t-shirt:
- The fabric. The t-shirt sits directly against your skin, which is why choosing natural fibres such as cotton, wool, linen or hemp is essential.
- The design. The more understated and timeless your t-shirt is, the less likely you are to tire of it. We therefore recommend clean designs with a regular fit, a crew neck and sleeves hitting mid-bicep.
- The weight. To ensure a clean drape and lasting quality, we advise against choosing a t-shirt that is too light (below 150 g/m²). Conversely, a weight over 250 g/m² will likely be too heavy and uncomfortable for spring and summer.
- The country of manufacture. We cannot encourage you enough to buy locally, or at least European-made. This ensures you support a strictly regulated industry, far from the human, health and social crises that fast fashion turns a blind eye to.
- The finish. Take a close look at the details of the t-shirt you have your eye on. By checking the stitching, inspecting the collar and assessing the overall quality of the finish, you will get an accurate sense of its durability.
The new Hast t-shirts
Historically, we have always offered the t-shirt in its most classic form: a 100% organic cotton model available in 6 timeless shades. An essential foundation for any proper wardrobe, to which you asked us to add more distinctive options.
We heard you, and are pleased to introduce our new range of cotton-linen t-shirts designed for sunny days.
- Our pair of striped t-shirts. Broad horizontal stripes reminiscent of the Breton top or fine, closely spaced stripes: this is the choice available with these new graphic tops in 70% cotton and 30% linen. In both cases, we developed a fluid, lightweight jersey that is ideal for summer. Wonderfully subtle, this pattern adds character to an outfit and turns a classic piece into a cornerstone of any contemporary wardrobe.
- Our new colourful t-shirts. Alongside the most essential shades such as the white, ecru or grey t-shirt, we have enriched our palette with a new range of distinctive colours. Vibrant and soft tones designed to elevate any outfit throughout the year. Crafted in a substantial 70% cotton, 30% linen jersey (235 g/m²), they will see you through the depths of winter to warm summer evenings. For the colouring, we chose the garment dye process for these t-shirts, for all the reasons detailed here.
How to wear Hast t-shirts
While you can certainly keep things simple by wearing your t-shirt untucked over your trousers, there are other ways to style this piece for a sharper, more daring look.
For instance, you only need to tuck it into your trousers to create a sharper silhouette, nicely defined at the waist.
A bolder choice, the t-shirt and shirt combination is an Ivy League classic. You can opt for contrast, wearing a light shirt over a dark top; choose monochrome harmony by layering two shades from the same colour family; or go for a mismatched look by pairing a patterned t-shirt with a plain shirt.
The epitome of smart casual, the t-shirt and suit jacket combination is also well worth considering. It brings together the simplicity of the former and the refinement of the latter for a perfect match.
A final option: you can try layering by combining a t-shirt, shirt and blazer. In this case, each piece should be chosen carefully to ensure harmony between colours, proportions and textures.
Caring for our t-shirts
To care for your Hast t-shirts, simply machine wash them on a standard 30°C cycle. To prevent misshaping, select a spin speed between 400 and 600 rpm, then leave them to dry flat on a clothes rack away from direct sunlight.
A final word
As the most widely sold garment in the world, the t-shirt represents both the very best and the darkest sides of fashion. A cornerstone of every wardrobe and a symbol of mass consumption, choosing it consciously has become essential.
At Hast, we offer fair and honest pieces, spun, dyed and crafted in Portugal using fine, certified natural materials. Responsible, eco-conscious designs available on our website and in our shops to elevate your wardrobe with care. Plain t-shirt, blue t-shirt, grey t-shirt, green t-shirt, beige t-shirt, striped t-shirt, embroidered t-shirt: they are all available and waiting for you.
