A Luxurious Printed T-Shirt
The “LBPT” that Editor Demon King is apparently hooked on… Is it cool internet slang? Or the filling of a sandwich? No, it simply means “Luxury (L) Brand (B) Print (P) T-shirt (T).” My obsession began about half a year ago, in Paris, France…
Direction by SUKEZANE TomokiPhotographs by YAMAGUCHI KenichiStyling by KAWAI KohtaText by HATAKEYAMA SatokoGrooming by ODAI TokyoModel ARISAKA Sodai
Vol. 10: Luxurious Printed T-Shirts [príntid tí:ʃə:rt]
Yusuke“It was back in June of this year, during my trip to Paris for the 2018 Spring/Summer Men’s Collection coverage. I popped into Colette, which was set to close at the end of the year, and found that Balenciaga had taken over the entire second floor for an event called ‘copy center.’ It was an event where they’d digitally print various graphics onto a white Balenciaga T-shirt. I tried it myself, and was not only impressed by how quickly it was done right there, but the finished printed T-shirt was outstanding. The loose silhouette made it comfortable to wear, and I thought, ‘Ah, this is good,’ and became hooked.”
Until then, printed T-shirts were mostly American-style with thick fabric. I like those too, of course, but I’d always found it a shame that they’d wrinkle after washing.
However, whether it was the customized Balenciaga printed T-shirt made at Colette, or the Gucci T-shirt with the Unskilled Worker illustration that I’m wearing in the photo above, neither showed bothersome wrinkles after washing. I realized that T-shirts released by luxury brands have evolved, with thinner, softer, high-quality materials.
What’s more, I always wear a high-neck cut-and-sew underneath my T-shirts. Not only do these printed T-shirts have a nice balance of thinness and softness, but they also layer perfectly with the cut-and-sew underneath. I even felt that I could wear them in winter in Tokyo if I layered a coat over them.
Since then, luxury brand printed T-shirts have become my obsession. I call printed T-shirts ‘puri-T’ and illustrated T-shirts ‘ira-T,’ and I’m currently on the lookout for my next favorite, asking, ‘Any good puri-T or ira-T out there?’ The seven items I’ve picked out this time are all ones I’d love to wear myself. This extreme personal trend seems likely to continue for a while.”
Left: T-shirt, personal item. Turtleneck cut-and-sew worn underneath: ¥48,600 (Calvin Klein 205W39NYC / Calvin Klein Customer Service 0120-657-889)
Right: Turtleneck cut-and-sew: ¥5,300 (Gicipi / Maiden’s Shop 03-5410-6686)
From the Instagram of British artist Unskilled Worker (@unskilledworker)
GUCCI
Printed on a black base finished with a soft texture, this T-shirt features a cat face print. The words “BLACK CAT” printed across the sleeves also have a vintage feel...
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STELLA McCARTNEY MENSWEAR
Made from organic cotton in line with the brand's sustainable philosophy, this T-shirt features the slogan “NO SMILE, NO SERVICE” printed on the front, a cynical humor unique to the British. The moderately cut length...
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SAINT LAURENT
This washed illustration T-shirt features the phrase “TO THE MOON AND BACK” graphically applied. It’s a ringer style made from supple, lightweight jersey, with vivid blue rib trim...
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BURBERRY
Combining a halftone photo print with catchy lettering, this T-shirt expresses the free spirit of an explorer. Made from soft cotton jersey, the body silhouette is...
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LOEWE
A realistic beagle illustration and the brand logo are dynamically printed on a washed black body. The same color logo is subtly placed at the back of the collar...
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GUCCI
This illustration T-shirt, picked from the 2018 Cruise Collection, features a tiger face inspired by vintage postcards. Its funny expression...
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VALENTINO
The front of this T-shirt features a design by Jamie Reid, the British artist who created the artwork for the Sex Pistols and spearheaded the punk movement of the 1970s...
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[spot light]
CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC
Yusuke“Speaking of brands that have garnered attention and become a focal point in the 2017 fashion scene, it has to be Calvin Klein under Raf Simons. When I actually got my hands on the first collection, bought it, and wore it, it was quite good. As it’s a brand that built an era with its underwear…”
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