T-Shirt Series: The JJJJound Standard Issue
A thorough review of the JJJJound white t-shirt after a year in heavy rotation.
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.
JJJJound Standard Issue T-Shirt
Specifications
Year purchased: 2020
Fabric: 100% Cotton
Made in: USA
Construction: Overlock side seams
Size: L
Post-wash measurements (cm):
Pit-to-pit: 56
Shoulder width: 49.5
Sleeve length: 20.5
Body length: 73
Fits: On the larger side of true-to-size
Price: $85 for a pack of 2
Category: Basic
About The Brand
Even though the Canadian enthusiasts at JJJJound have been making their understated minimalist basics for years, they seem to be switching production methods from time to time. The current offering in the «Shoppe» features made in Canada «J90 T-Shirt 2 Pack» in 200 gsm pre-shrunk cotton jersey. I purchased mine in 2020 when the t-shirts were made in the USA and advertised as «the best t-shirts in the world» on the brand’s official IG. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find the original specifications from 2020, but I believe my personal experience provides more information anyway.
Fabric
The fabric of this t-shirt doesn't feel heavy or stiff, but it does have a slightly denser texture compared to most t-shirts. The cotton seems to be combed, as you can immediately notice a very short fuzz on the surface. Over time the fuzziness grew. Nothing critical, no pellets or anything, but I would prefer the fabric to be smoother.
Construction and details
The JJJJound tee features a broad collar rib. The collar itself is one of the snuggliest collars I’ve seen. It sits very tight on the neck without stretching over time. On the inside, there is an additional piece of fabric that runs across the back and extends all the way down to the shoulder seams.
The overlock stitching on this t-shirt, like many others, is not perfectly neat. However, it's not particularly shabby either; it's just slightly uneven, with a few stray fibers occasionally escaping the bounds here and there.
Lastly, there is a tiny beige label woven into the left side seam, which is a signature of JJJJound. Nobody will ever notice it, but it does bolster your inner snob.
Fit
The t-shirt is labeled as Large, and it fits me perfectly in every aspect. It is long enough to be tucked in but can also be worn untucked without being too long. It’s neither too slim nor too loose. Considering that I switched to X-Large in my other clothing since buying this t-shirt, I would say the JJJJound fits slightly larger than true-to-size (which is how all clothing should fit anyway).
Verdict
In my opinion, the JJJJound tee is a decent everyday staple. It can be worn on its own or layered underneath a shirt. With that being said, there is definitely room for improvement in terms of construction (some people might not like the tight collar) and fabric (it's a bit too fuzzy for my taste).
Even though the current JJJJound offering features t-shirts made in Canada (while mine was made in the USA), I don't think there would be a significant difference in feel. People on Reddit speculate about whether JJJJound tees are now manufactured by CYC or House Of Blanks, but both factories are capable of producing t-shirts of the same quality as mine.
Please, do not hesitate to ask for more details in the comments section below if you feel like something’s missing 🙌