Vintage style t-shirts

[jake431]

So I was browsing the book "Rebel Style" last night, and I am obsessed on finding some plain t-shirts that are cut in the vintage style - looser crew neck, with shorter (also tighter?) sleeves than modern short sleeve t-shirts seem to have.

Anyone have some good recommendations as to where I can get those - online or a store? I'm a Chicagoan, so it's gotta be in Chi-town if I have a prayer of getting them in person.

Thanks all,
-Jake

 

[FredDairy]

What kind of shirts are these? "Undershirts" ?

 

[Cobden]

The nearest thing I can think of are Royal Navy white fronts, although I'm guessing you'd not want the blue jean lining (these are easily removed)

 

[dr greg]

to a t

Try a Bonds T-shirt, an Australian icon pretty much unchanged since 1938

 

[pablocham]

The olive drab army uundershirts that they have been making for 40 years or so fit this description, and are available at most surplus stores. Make sure you get the all cotton ones, though.

Speaking of ready availability, what is wrong with the Hanes or Fruit of the Loom plain white undershirts? They mostly fit your description. You could dye them different colors as you see fit.

Lastly, Polo's old RRL line used to make a tube construction pocketless tee that was great. They still show up new on Ebay now and then, but you don't really have much choice in sizes or colors (I bought some in "salmon," which my girlfriend pointed out is actually pink, but I love them anyway). So, if you see them they are worth taking a chance on.

 

[resortes805]

I've noticed that international sizes in t-shirts tend to have a more vintage cut than those found in the US.

 

[Wild Root]

I buy ringer T's at Old navy in a smaller size, they look perfect when you buy a size or two smaller... then, wash it and it will work perfect!

=WR=

 

[BellyTank]

Are these 'old' ones kind of semi-transparent, with irregular yarns in the knit and the sleeves are slightly cut back? Are they of tube construction?

I asked an American friend over here, where he bought his 'vintage' looking ones and he told me LL Bean...

The modern ones remind me of '70s Tees. Baggy, too-long sleeves.

B
T

 

[Wild Root]

Right now I'm wearing a knit shirt from Penny's from about the late 1940's... it's two tone, light green and cream, with four dark green stripes and two neon green strips! Yes, NEON!!! It has a tall waist band and a crew neck, short sleeves and are kind of rare! They're known around here as cable knit shirts.

=WR=

 

[BellyTank]

I have a couple of those too but not the day-glo jobs.
They're SO '40s.

B
T

 

[daddy-o]

if you want real authentic 40s style t-shirts you can´t go wrong with the LVC range. Nearly every year they have a 40s or 50s style t-shirt and they are excellent cut and quality. They come up on ebay every now and then and I never paid more than 30 bucks for them. I have the white 50s tee, the 40s off white and also the yellow surf 40s t-shirt. Just saw some LVC army t-shirts on ebay for a reasonable price. I believe Aeroleather sell the Goodwear
t-shirts. I heard they are suppose to be good but never actually seen one. Maybe someone else has got one and can give a review ? Right now I am searching for the perfect and authentic black and white striped tee. Absolutely essential for that cool cat look with yer buckleback Levis and converse all stars ( or PF Flyers...)

 

[herringbonekid]

i'd love to find some original broad striped 40s/50s t-shirts... the ones that usually came in three colours such as burgundy, blue and cream. there's nothing quite like them today.

 

[Wild Root]

i'd love to find some original broad striped 40s/50s t-shirts... the ones that usually came in three colours such as burgundy, blue and cream. there's nothing quite like them today.

I'm with you brother! Love the broad striped T's! A friend of mine has one original 40's striped T! It's light gray and dark green! Oh man, it's something!!!

Another friend of mine has a light green, orange and light yellow striped shirt... it looks so 40's but, it's not! He found it in a thrift shop and it's from the 70's or 80's... but, it looks perfect 40's!

=WR=

 

[jake431]

Are these 'old' ones kind of semi-transparent, with irregular yarns in the knit and the sleeves are slightly cut back? Are they of tube construction?

I asked an American friend over here, where he bought his 'vintage' looking ones and he told me LL Bean...

The modern ones remind me of '70s Tees. Baggy, too-long sleeves.

B
T

That's exactly my problem with them, they tend to look cone shaped , rather than straight up and down in the body. Also, as you say, modern tees have too long sleeves for the vintage look. Thanks for all your suggestions folks, I am well armed with plenty of ideas now!

-Jake

 

[BellyTank]

Hey HBK...

Do you like those colourful, mid-late '40s "cableknit" T-shirts..?

Root wears 'em- I have a few- they're pretty classic vintage.

IF YOU BUY A MODERN T A COUPLE OF SIZES SMALL, IT CAN WORK.

B
T

 

[herringbonekid]

yes i do like them plenty, and own about 10 !

 

[BellyTank]

k?ò?òl

b
t

 

[herringbonekid]

a few years ago i used to flip through the pages of 'fifties forever' a 'schiffer book for designers and collectors' gazing whistfully at the cable knit t-shirts and saying to anyone who would listen "oh why don't they make these any more ?" and lo they suddenly turn up in their thousands ! deadstock ! unbelievable.

 

[herringbonekid]

now i'd like a warehouse full of these to be discovered.........

 

[BellyTank]

If you've ever seen that book about Dry Lakes Racing; "The Birth of Hot Rodding"- you get to see a lot of them (cable knit)in use- them, jeans, Flight Jackets and hats. A lot of great '46-'49 crowd shots in there-

B
T