T-Shirt Series: All Blues Co. Pocket Tee
A thorough review of the All Blues Co heavyweight t-shirt after two years of regular wear.
In case you have already read my review of the JJJJound Standard Issue t-shirt, feel free to skip the Introduction and Review Criteria sections and proceed straight to the review itself below.
Introduction
Throughout much of my adult life, I have been an avid wearer of shirts. By adult life, I mean the phase when I started paying unhealthy amount of attention to the clothing I wear. No, I'm not referring to formal shirts worn with suits (thank goodness!). I'm talking about OCBD (a shirt made of Oxford cloth with a button-down collar) inspired by the Ivy style. Why settle for a t-shirt when an OCBD can serve the same functions while presenting a more sophisticated appearance?
That's why I only recently started embracing t-shirts. I still like to believe that I wear OCBDs more often, but honestly, that's not entirely true.
Since I have accumulated quite a few t-shirts, I thought it would be worthwhile to conduct formal reviews of them. The goal is to identify what I like and dislike about t-shirts in general, and hopefully assist you in making better decisions for your future purchases as well.
Hopefully, I will stay committed, and these reviews will eventually become part of a comprehensive t-shirt series. Time will tell.
Review criteria
The inspiration for these reviews comes from Heddels' Great White T-Shirt Review, conducted by David Shuck. He thoroughly reviewed 18 white t-shirts available for under $100. I consider this to be the best resource for making an informed decision when purchasing such a simple item as a basic t-shirt. In fact, I was inspired to buy two different t-shirts based on Heddels' review. Hopefully, they will make an appearance in my series one day too.
I want to emphasize that I am not attempting to duplicate what David Shuck has already accomplished at Heddels. Instead, I aim to offer a more personal and subjective perspective on the matter. With that being said, I will still include objective parameters such as item measurements and fabric composition. Please, do not hesitate to ask for more details in the comments section below the post if you feel like something’s missing.
To make the reviews more applicable, I will categorize each of my t-shirts into one of the following four categories:
Merch: These t-shirts were not specifically designed as merchandise. But they turned out to hold more symbolic value for me rather than practical. Typically, these are lower-quality t-shirts that I would not recommend purchasing.
Basics: These are reliable everyday staples. They are well-made enough for everyday use, and there is nothing inherently wrong with them. Usually, you don't need to look beyond this category.
Heavy: Some t-shirts are just built to be sturdier. They might not necessarily need to be, but they are. Some people might even consider them to be overkill.
Special: Certain t-shirts are celebrated for their form, not function. I perceive them more like art. Sometimes they might be even impractical, but there is something about their fabric, cut, or fit that makes them stand out. They are beautiful.
Important notice: price is not a determining factor in my evaluations. The most expensive t-shirt could be of the lowest quality, while an unassuming one might turn out to be heavyweight. Ultimately, this review focuses on value rather than price.
All Blues Co. Pocket Tee
Specifications
Year purchased: 2020
Fabric: 100% cotton
Made in: South Korea
Construction: Overlock side seams
Size: L
Post-wash measurements (cm):
Pit-to-pit: 60.5
Shoulder width: 55.5
Sleeve length: 21.5
Body length: 74
Fits: Oversize
Price: £45
Category: Heavy
IMPORTANT Since posting this article, Mano Dridi of All Blues Co. notified me that the fit of the t-shirt has been updated to fit true to size.
About The Brand
All Blues Co. is a store based in Leeds specializing in the Golden Age of menswear — the American style from the 60s to the 80s. Honestly, it is one of my favorite stores ever. I’m yet to see such a focused selection of clothing. All Blues Co. offers a range of authentic heritage brands such as J.M. Weston and Barbarian, as well as modern replica specialists from Japan and South Korea. In recent years, they have also ventured into creating their own eponymous line of classic items, including Jungle jackets, Karakoram parkas, Mountain parkas, and t-shirts.
Fabric
The All Blues Co. Pocket Tee is by far the heaviest t-shirt I’ve ever worn. While not as thick as loop-back sweatshirt fabrics, it comes pretty close and initially feels slightly rigid. Even after a couple of years of regular wear, it remains noticeably stiffer compared to my other t-shirts.
There is nothing uncomfortable about the fabric though. In fact, I have come to prefer its sturdiness. If you have ever experienced the weight of a Camber sweatshirt, you know the feeling of heaviness that other sweatshirts lack. The All Blues Co. Pocket Tee gives a similar impression.
Unlike most t-shirt fabrics, the fabric used by All Blues Co. displays a visible structure, again adding to its rugged appearance. I’m also pleasantly surprised by the lack of pilling or fuzziness after two years of regular wear.
Lastly, the green color of my t-shirt initially appeared slightly washed out, and I haven't noticed any significant color changes over time.
Construction and details
The All Blues Co. tee features a moderate collar rib with minimal stretch that is neither too snug nor too loose. Unlike many brands that relocate the collar seam to the side or hide it inside the shoulder seam, All Blues Co. keeps it centered on the back, contributing once again to the overall rugged aesthetic.
The overlock stitching on this t-shirt has a rough finish, with threads occasionally sticking out, and I did notice around 1 cm of folded fabric unraveled at the bottom.
There is an additional label woven into the side seam, providing fabric and manufacturer (Soldary) information in Korean.
Fit
Having learned from experience, I tend to purchase tops in XL to account for potential shrinkage over time. It's easier to pull off an oversized garment than one that ends up being too small.
Compared to my other t-shirts, I would say the All Blues Co. tee fits one whole size larger. Even after numerous washes, my size L t-shirt still has a slightly oversized fit, which personally suits me well. However, since my t-shirt is from 2020, I recommend reaching out to the store to inquire about any potential changes in sizing before making a purchase.
In terms of proportions, I find the All Blues Co. tee to be perfect in every dimension. It is long enough to be tucked in but can also be worn untucked without appearing too lengthy. It has a looser width, providing a comfortable fit.
Verdict
The All Blues Co. Pocket Tee might just be my favorite t-shirt. As a lover of the 60s and 80s American style in clothing, I find this t-shirt to be a perfect representation of that era. It’s heavy and rugged, built to last a lifetime and to reflect that in the most honest way possible.
Due to its heavy fabric, rough construction, and faded color, this t-shirt falls in the heavy category (see category descriptions in the Review criteria section of this post). It may not be suitable for everyone and it surely doesn't pair well with more formal or dressier looks.
If you have any questions or feel that something is missing, please don't hesitate to ask in the comments section below. I'm here to help! 🙌
Also, check out my interview with All Blues Co’s founder Mano Dridi. It delivers even more than the t-shirt above.