T-Shirt Series: paa Pocket Tee
A thorough review of the heather grey paa t-shirt after a year of regular wear.
In case you have already read my review of the JJJJound Standard Issue t-shirt or All Blues Co. Pocket Tee, 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 an 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 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.
paa Pocket Tee
Specifications
Year purchased: 2020
Fabric: 90% cotton, 10% polyester
Made in: USA
Construction: Overlock side seams
Size: L
Post-wash measurements:
Pit-to-pit: 60 cm (23.6 in)
Shoulder width: 46.5 cm (18.3 in)
Sleeve length: 21 cm (8.3 in)
Body length: 74 cm (29.1 in)
Fits: Oversize
Price: $40 (purchased on sale)
Category: Heavy
IMPORTANT It seems like the paa’s t-shirt offering has evolved since I purchased mine. While the measurements have remained pretty much the same, the construction and material look different from what I can see in the photos.
About The Brand
paa praises itself for emphasizing fabric and fit and existing in a grey area between classic and experimental. When I first heard about paa it appeared as all good things about the 90s normcore style: washed-out jeans, button-down shirts, boxy sweats. All generously fitting.
Nowadays, the brand somewhat remains in that very niche, but the choice of materials and styling progressed to a more experimental side of things. Which doesn’t hurt appreciating the basics.
Fabric
I strive for natural materials whenever possible. But I’ve been eyeing to try paa’s products for quite some time so I took the chance on this 90% cotton / 10% polyester heather grey t-shirt when it went on discount.
The fabric appeared to be both thick and pliable. It almost feels like a lightweight sweatshirt, yet softer than the heavyweight Pocket Tee by All Blues Co. It’s a bit stretchy as well, perhaps due to 10% polyester. But I haven’t noticed the t-shirt stretched over time.
The material had a bit of a tiny fuzz from the very beginning. I don’t think the reason is in the visible structure (which again gives an impression of a sweatshirt, not a t-shirt fabric) because there hasn’t been any noticeable piling over time. I heard somewhere that polyester might give that effect but I can’t neither attest nor reject.
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Construction and details
The paa Pocket Tee features a moderate collar rib with a very light elasticity that has stretched out a bit over time. It’s nothing critical, but I would still prefer a tighter collar.
The collar seam is neatly integrated into the left shoulder seam. 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 is far from perfect but it’s significantly cleaner than on my JJJJound and All Blues Co tees.
I find most t-shirt pockets ridiculously small in terms of both functionality and looks. The one on the paa Pocket Tee at least has enough width.
There is an additional label woven into the left side seam, providing fabric and country of origin information.
Fit
The t-shirt is labeled with size Large, and it fits me generously both in terms of length and width. Interestingly, the shoulder length is considerably shorter than on my other t-shirts. This measurement is crucial for how a t-shirt appears when worn. It doesn’t hurt much to have shoulders oversized, but if too small it makes you look overgrown.
While the tee fits me well and allows for wearing both tucked in and untucked, I find the proportions a bit weird overall. This t-shirt is lengthy but narrow in shoulders, and might not be a good fit for everyone.
Verdict
I love the fabric this paa Pocket Tee is made of. The substantial weight gives an impression of a lightweight sweatshirt, a very Rocky Balboa vibe. This t-shirt definitely falls in the heavy category.
I have always been suspicious about synthetic fabrics, especially in case there is an obvious natural substitute. But there might be something about this 90/10 combination of cotton and polyester which gives the material its fuzzy heather grey appearance.
While the tee fits me perfectly I find its proportions a bit weird compared to my other t-shirts. It’s not specifically a bad thing, I just suggest checking the measurements carefully when purchasing.
Unfortunately, this particular model is no longer in production. Furthermore, paa currently offers only long-sleeved t-shirts priced at $118. While this series of t-shirt reviews doesn’t focus on price, I find the tag rather expensive. There are enough affordable options of similar quality on the market. Yet, if you like the brand’s aesthetic, it’s worth trying when on discount.
What do you think about the paa Pocket Tee? What are your favorite t-shirts?
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! 🙌
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Lastly, in case you missed them, check out my reviews of the JJJJound Standard Issue t-shirt and All Blues Co. Pocket Tee.