How I Wear Tees with Jeans
You may never look at a t-shirt the same way again.
Earlier this week I launched a small collection of t-shirts, announcing the news in this letter with images of each style on my chic and mighty model, Helena. Today, I thought it’d be fun to show you how I’ve been wearing them – with jeans and everything else I love. I’m 5’4”, 34B, and wear a size S in all styles.
Quick recap: The One Jane T-SHIRT capsule features three fits – a boyish tee called Matty, a square-neck tank named Ace, and the Sloane, a relaxed long-sleeve – plus, a very cozy sweatshirt, the Napa. All of the t-shirts are made with the highest quality Supima cotton, which has longer fibers than regular cotton and, therefore, breaks less, feels softer, and holds dye better. I love this fabric for all those reasons, and also, because at 8oz, it has heft. It’s not flimsy or see-through, but it’s not stiff, either. It drapes without being slinky. I could go on… in fact, let’s!
THE ACE TANK
The Ace is a square-shaped tank that comes in four colors – black, ecru, navy, and poppy, a bright, orange-y red named after California’s state flower. It has a modest fit that’s actually really sexy because of how low the armhole dips. I love wearing the Ace with a Sloane tee in the same color, as a set. The Sloane (which I’ll talk more about in a bit) was designed to fit like a sweater, and that’s how I treat it. Wrapped around my waist or over my shoulders, it’s the perfect weight for warmer days. Tying it at the hip, sort of like a side apron, is a great way to enhance the curviness of the body. I do it in a half-bow, like this:
All of my t-shirts were designed with jeans in mind. Meaning, I thought about how each one would interact with rises, washes, and all the rest. The Ace has a specific length that can tuck in, or not. With higher rises (11” or more, like these Levi’s Blue Tabs that look an awful lot like the Bode Barrel Racers, minus the studs), I tuck it in. With something like Benjamin Talley Smith’s Coolidge jean for Madewell (closer to 10”; below), a half tuck is so breezy.
Earlier this week I attended a dinner celebrating Nomasei’s L.A. pop-up with the brand’s designers and everyone’s favorite cool girl, Laura Brown. It was fun! I got these sandals (below), which have the biggest, blockiest heel; a perfect match for straight-leg jeans. The pop-up is open at 642 N Robertson Blvd. through April 28, and worth a go – very, very good Italian-made shoes designed by two French women with a ton of experience in the luxury fashion space. Someone at the dinner was wearing these, and I swooned.
Let’s talk about bras for a minute. If I wear one – and most days I do – it’s usually something bikini-adjacent. Sometimes it even is a bikini top – like this one from Matteau. But most of the time I wear either the Whipped non-wire bra (in sand, for my skin, with white tees) or the Glacé mini bra in black, both from Negative. I don’t need a lot of support and both of these bras hold strong without making me feel stuck.
Last look: The Ace with a cardigan. I like the one from SPRWMN because the neckline is so flat, and it meets the straight edge of the Ace in a way that’s very balletic. Maybe you’ve noticed that I don’t wear necklaces with the Ace. It’s not that I won’t, but having obsessed over the flow of this neckline – where it hits the collarbone, how the line curves (just a smidge), and if the seam should be bound or not (it is) – I just don’t want anything to interrupt that right now.
THE MATTY TEE
The Matty is a boxy crewneck with a lot of length; the sleeves nearly hit the elbow. For my lookbook, I photographed Helena in the Matty with the Bob jean, so lax; like she rolled out of bed into her boyfriend’s clothes. Me, personally, I like to wear this t-shirt with a jean that’s either cinched on top, like the Noon, or tight tight tight, like the Putney. I can handle a lot of space on top when the middle is secure. It was really important to me that this t-shirt stay tucked when we reach for things.
THE SLOANE LONG SLEEVE
As I’ve mentioned, Sloane was designed to act like a sweater – roomy armholes, drippy sleeves, a generous neckline. The anti-fit fit makes it great for layering. Nothing clings. It’s flexible (may we all be). Wearing two Sloanes is surprisingly emotional; a soft hug. And the white peeking out from underneath? No one was expecting that. I wear them tucked – having extra fabric around the midline doesn’t bother me – though the hem is notched on both sides in case you’d rather not.
THE NAPA SWEATSHIRT
Here’s an idea: Wear the Napa with a pair of dressy jeans in a similar hue with a heel. The 13oz French Terry is structured enough to act like a “top,” if you treat it like so. The Napa comes in navy, ecru, and black. So, pair navy with Ossou’s Flex, ecru with this RÓHE high rise, and black with Nili Lotan’s Joan in Stone and watch what happens. Instant upgrade. A little Ace in any color at the neck is really just the icing on top.
Meanwhile, at morning drop-off…
That’s all for today. I’ve loved sharing these t-shirts with you, and I welcome all of your feedback, comments, and support (heart that heart!). Thank you for reading and trusting me with your jeans. As always, Denim Forever.
Jane
More good things…
Veronica Beard is partnering with Blue Jeans Go Green this Earth Day. Bring any pair of jeans with a 90% cotton content or higher to a Veronica Beard store, and get 20% off a same-day denim purchase. Donations will be accepted starting Monday, April 20th, through Sunday April 26th.
Sometimes I stray, but this face oil is my mainstay, and this body butter is pure gold.
Tall people, your jeans are here.
Wow Jane. You have igniting the shoppies in me. These are all so good.
(You guys, teeeeeeees!) ORDER IS IN. I am so excited. The thing is, I know you know you sh*t like none other and I know you care deeply and I am SO HAPPY for you + for me + for us!