A long-sleeve white T-shirt may not seem like the most exciting item in your wardrobe, but for me it’s an absolute essential. It has to look AND feel good.
I’ve spent years wearing poor-quality, ill-fitting basics that I held onto for too long – so yeah, not my proudest fashion moment. Despite having a TON of white T-shirts and long-sleeve versions, most of the ones I’ve had all these years are showing their age and don’t fit me properly anymore. I’m a completely different shape from what I was 8-10 years ago (I’ve had my current basics a lot longer than that) and to be honest I need fresh, new “foundation” pieces.
A basic short or long-sleeve white T-shirt is not, in itself, exciting. But when you get one that’s premium quality, fits you beautifully and doesn’t harm the planet, then I am HERE FOR IT… enter Plainandsimple!
This is a paid collaboration with Plainandsimple (all content is original). Reading time: 3 mins
I wear long-sleeve T-shirts a lot. Under short-sleeve T-shirts in contrasting colours. Under a shirt. Under sweaters in winter for extra warmth. In milder months with a blazer (as here). And here I am wearing my new foundation piece from Plainandsimple – a London-based brand specialising in “premium quality super soft everyday organic basics” designed to last through countless wears and washes. In other words, all the short and long sleeve T-shirts, sweatshirts and sweatpants (i.e. tracksuits) in neutral colours that you could ever need to build your own foundation pieces section for your ‘drobe.
As mentioned, my body shape has changed dramatically so all the long sleeve tops I had were falling apart and =cough= busting at the seams =cough=. That tight look from 10 years ago just doesn’t look right anymore (and is now uncomfortable to wear), so when I received this long-sleeve organic T-shirt from Plainandsimple I gave out a little oooooooh when I tried it on.
Firstly, they’re right when they describe their pieces as super soft. This top was EXACTLY that.
Secondly, the fit isn’t baggy (though they do have looser fit pieces), but it’s not stupid tight either. My arms are a lot chunkier than they used to be, and these days I have a problem trying to find clothing with long sleeves (T-shirts, shirts, blouses, dresses, sweatshirts and so on) that doesn’t make me feel like the blood supply to my arms is getting cut off.
(For reference, I’m a UK size 12-14 at the moment and this top was a Medium.)
Shall we take a moment to appreciate the slim fit of the long-sleeve T-shirt (that doesn’t feel as tight as it looks)?
Lovely and soft, great fit, quality seams and neckline (crappy seams are a bugbear of mine) and as the proverbial cherry on top, pieces that are ultimately recyclable and compostable. Who doesn’t love a brand with great environmental credentials?!
Plus, check out the non-plastic, biodegradable packaging (why can’t all clothing companies do this…):
I’m really proud to be featuring a brand that cares about its environmental impact and its ethics; Plainandsimple uses factories that sustain and promote fair labour practices, safe working conditions and environmental responsibility. They’re reducing waste AND producing premium products that help the planet.
I’ve featured just the one long-sleeve style in my outfit, but they also have crew neck T-shirts (below), heavyweight boxy T-shirts and vintage-style T-shirts for women as well as the tracksuits (pieces sold separately). All come in black and white as standard as well as subtle neutrals (with more colours on the way, see below as an example).
And then there’s the men’s section: again, several different styles/fits and tracksuit separates in black, white and other colours.
The crew neck organic T-shirt (above) has new colours coming soon (as do other styles) – I have my eye on that khaki green…! I do like to have choices of different fits within my T-shirt arsenal so I’d love it if Plainandsimple were to add a scoop or wide-neck T-shirt to their collection.
The look I’m sporting here is one version of what I’ve been wearing this “summer” – until this week the temperatures have been so dire here in the UK that summer dresses have been out of the question. I’ve been wearing my jeans a lot and most days have been cool enough for a light jacket or blazer. I do tend to wear more summery colours at this time of year no matter the temperature, so all the brights will get worn with lots of jewellery. To have such a good quality basic that fits like a dream makes me very happy.
Do you have a favourite styling trick to elevate plain T-shirts, and do you use them as foundation pieces like I do? What fit do you prefer?! Let me know in the comments below…
Thanks for reading,
Long-sleeve T-shirt: Plainandsimple (received as part of the paid collaboration) / Blazer: Asos / Jeans: JD Williams, old / Sandals: Lotus / Bag: Asos / Jewellery: Various
I love this outfit Catherine! The top looks so fresh, especially with the fabulous orange jacket! Crappy seams are a bugbear of mine too, as well as scratchy labels. Thanks for linking!
Emma xxx
That light nectarine is a gorgeous colour on you, and the photos are beautiful. Thanks for linking x
Author
Thank you Gail – this is my favourite “summer orange” colour, as opposed to my autumn/winter fave of burnt orange. In other words, if it’s orange, I’m happy š
What a fabulous jacket! I adore the color especially.
Author
Thank you Kathrine, it’s the perfect [colour] summer jacket I think x
Wow! You look amazing Catherine. You are an inspiration as I have picked up 5kgs in the last couple of years and you are proof that one can still totally awesome with good styling, even if a few kgs heavier than one is used to. I grew out my natural silver hair in 2021 and this year decided to apply a temporary copper colour that fades to a strawberry blonde within a month, which I just realised is a very similar colour to yours. So Cheers to You and Me looking fabulous in our 50s š
Author
Aww Lise thank you so much… I’ve picked up quite a few more kgs than you (I’m 22kg heavier than I was in 2021!!) so I wouldn’t sweat your 5kg at all! I love the fact that your silver hair is taking the copper/strawberry blonde, maybe that’s why my hair keeps fading to that sort of colour… I haven’t grown my colour out like you have, but it’s a good indication that what I have underneath is hopefully silver when I DO decide to grow it out! x
Bautiful t-shirt. can’t beat a good quality white tee. Super affordable and organic too. perfect!
Author
Thanks Christine – yes the affordability is another huge bonus!
This isn’t a brand I had heard of before, definitely one to bookmark as the quality and price are so good. And – I love the styling with that fab jacket!
Author
Lizzie thank youā¦ yes I was so impressed with the quality – I guess when you specialise in a niche product you have the opportunity to get it spot on! x
Ooo! That jacket is a rather ace colour.
Oh, the frustration of ill fitting tops, so thank you for sharing the news on these. I may well invest when a V neck option appears š
So, as foundation pieces, very much so. Often under a jacket – as shown rather beautifully by you š – or under a wrap top/dress/cardy. Especially, if -ahem- I’ve magically absorbed the biscuits, and we’re leaning into unwrapped, which is now a little too low cut to be modest! š Hello layering to rewear and mix the colour options.
PS: I hope things are significantly better and a lot less sh** given your last post, bless you.
( Psst : Loving Snag’s new tops and bodysuits. Hoping they start to add their amazing colour range soon ).
Author
Yes I think a V neck option would be great too, Lynn! Honestly I was so sick of my old tops and tees being way too tight and looking scraggy, so this one is lovely to wear š
And thank you (re. my āmidlife shitā post)ā¦ things are better, thank you – being mostly pain free atm is such a great feeling, I really canāt take it for granted! x
You can’t go wrong with a good quality, soft white tee! I love the fit of this one (and obviously the fact that they’re environmentally friendly too), it’s exactly the kind I would buy. My favourite way of wearing a plain tee is with a pair of jeans and a killer statement necklace.
Hope all is well with you, Catherine.
Hugs
Suzy x
P.S I just saw the price! Super affordable too….that’s what I’m talking about!
x
Author
Thank you Suzy my lovely – I agree, I think jeans and a white tee is a classic look thatāll never dateā¦ hence the latter being good quality being so important to me!
And yes (where youāve said below about the price) – I should have mentioned that theyāre super affordable! Not even double what youād pay for fast fashion rubbish like Primark, yet their ethics and environmental credentials (as well as the quality) are FAR superior. Really pleased I now know about this brand š
Great articleā¦I just love a good T shirt & hoodieā¦…i wear them just like youā¦thanks for bringing this brand to my attention x
Author
Pleasure, Andrea – Iām glad Iām able to share them with you! Thank you x
I adore this tshirt! Looks fabulous and just what we need
Author
Sandie my lovely thank youā¦ Iāve always believed in great basics, Iām really glad I could feature this brand! x