Plain good quality basics. Where are they???

[stringbean]

Went to my local town this morning, looking for some plain short-sleeved t-shirts. I just want some in neutral colours - white, navy, grey, and maybe one with a navy/white stripe. I came away with precisely nothing.

I don't think I'm demanding too much. I'd like good quality cotton, not that see-through thin crap. I don't want artificial fibres/viscose. I'd like a slightly scooped neck, long enough in the body that they go further than the top of my jeans (a perennial problem - I'm 5'8 and quite long torso) and don't shrink after the first wash.

So where are they? Which shops sell these? Gap used to be my port of call for these, but they've got increasingly thin and poor quality in the past couple of years and the white rapidly yellows.

Any ideas anyone? Many thanks.

Cotton has become very expensive on the wholesale market so most manufacturers are cheating out. I think Lands End do good quality basic cotton tops still, though. Not fashionable and you have to get them online but they have an excellent return policy.

Thanks - I'm willing to pay more for something that's good quality and lasts. I'll have a look at Lands End - not used them before, so thanks for the suggestion.

None in M&S?

Uniqlo is worth a look.

Kettlewell website have lots of basic tops in lots of colours. Some of them, but not all are cotton or a cotton blend. They aren't cheap, but are good quality.

I find M&S utterly bewildering these days MrsS - it's all so mixed up; I did go and have a look but didn't find anything that suited what I was after. Again, it was cotton mixed with modal, which I don't want.

Will check out Uniqlo but not near London so will have to do it on-line. I'd really wanted something I could try on first, but think this is probably asking too much .

Sadly, I couldn't find the combination of sleeve length, colour and neck on Kettlewell - am I being too picky?

Definitely uniqlo

Fecked if I know. I gave up last year & bought nylon ones from zara.

There is a massive gap in the market for well made basics.

Oooh - Uniqlo looks promising actually - and colours I want too! Many thanks

I buy my tee basics from Cotton Traders - they have a store in my local garden centre! I don't normally buy clothes there obviously but the cotton tees are amazing and last for ages. They wear beautifully too. :)

Uniqlo and Boden.J Crew if you're feeling flush.

Boden basic t shirts are slightly thicker than Uniqlo and are 96%cotton/ 4%elastane. They last longer than most others but the colours are sometimes unusual.
I don't buy from anywhere else apart from the two places above now.

American Apparel

Have to admit I love the Marks modal and cotton tees.
Got a navy Autograph one in the sale for £9 and it is fab!

French connection. Cost more, but better.

I tried boden last year for basic white vests with Lycra. They were too thin so I sent them back.

I bet jcrew is on eBay though.

Lands end
Saltwater
Boden
Gap - can be good, bit hit and miss.

All also seem to last forever. And are long enough yo leave a gap in the middle. I only ever seem to have to replace white ones because I stain them. I have some Saltwater tops that I have worn and stretched through 2 pg and they have gone back into shape. Eldest is 5.6 so they must be at least 6 or 7 years old.

I am with you re long torso. I've found a few places doing longer tops, although I'm not sure about the quality - matalan do long vest tops at the moment that I'm practically living in (still keeping their shape so far...). Other places I've tried are gap or la redoute.

I live in Dorothy Perkins long sleeved 100% cotton tops. They are good quality and nice and long and wash well. I have about 30 mainly white but in colours too

Hush vests are good

I find Primak good for t shirts. They have a good range of colours and they aren't too skimpy, hold their shape well.

I love the Isabella Oliver ones I got during pregnancy. Still wear them as I like the fabric and length.

I meant Seasalt, not Saltwater