Ad | It’s Organic and Fits Like a Dream: Premium Quality Foundation Pieces

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

Catherine