When you buy something using the affiliate links on our site, we may earn a small commission. As far as styling the shirt goes, weve compiled six of our favorite T-shirt looks that use white as a base here. Whats confusing, however, is that on their website, and through customer service, they indicate that their undershirts are actually wider, not slimmer. 8 Outfits My Wife Loves on Me (Favorite Menswear Ensembles), Top 10 Classic Menswear Myths, Debunked (The HONEST Truth! Sunspel is my go to for cotton polos. But, if Sunspels Sea Island cotton offerings are within your spending range, you shouldnt be disappointed with your purchase. Available exclusively for Silver and above members. This is in contrast to the typical ribbed collar, which we see on many different polo shirts today, including Sunspels own Sea Island cotton variety. Both of these styles feature a slightly longer and slimmer cut than a regular T-shirt does with seams and overall fabric density to match; all with an aim towards discreet lightweight wear under your outer layers so as not to have an impact on your overall appearance or comfort throughout the day. I hope Sunspel keep innovating in fabric design, as the product design and fit cannot get better. So, although they might look similar at first glance, there are a few characteristics about both that do set them apart. The result is a collar that has much more body to it and helps to frame the face, as well as ensuring that the collar tips dont roll or wrinkle as the day progresses. Sea Island cotton is a particularly difficult fiber to grow and then spin into yarn, thus making it rare by the very few places that it can grow before it can then be harvested. And its got something to do with this James Bond. Stylistically, the shirt is quite literally what you would expect from a classic T-shirt. Sunspel would now be known as the place to go for superior mens undergarments. Here we see model Nick Kamen removing all but his Sunspel boxers to do a spot of laundry. This is especially apparent in the companys history of supplying some of the worlds famous department stores as well as the famous 1985 Levis Launderette Ad. And even if you could fit something in there, it would upset the clean lines of the polos intended fit. So, now, we come to our main question: are Sunspel t-shirts and polos worth it? Its a nice addition and gives a nice vintage and 50s feel while still remaining perfectly timeless. Featuring a clean profile, this iteration is rendered in ultra-soft cotton, offering daylong comfort while retaining the athletic origins of the style. Of course, there are cheaper brands out there, but a reduction in cost can also mean a reduction in quality. If you want the same style in Sea Island cotton, the price would then go to 155 or $195. Now, its all about the long-term value that youre going to get from a Sunspel shirt versus the short-term value you would get from paying less upfront, but having to replace it more often. Is It Worth the Hype? The Best of High Summer: A Special Edit From Our Senior Fashion Editor, 22 Straw Bags to Fuel Your French-Girl Fantasy, Your Search Ends Here for the Best Sunscreens to Wear Under Makeup, Never Lose Your Keys Again: 16 Designer Keychains That Are Impossible to Misplace, A Closer Look at the Gucci Logos Fabled Origins, Run, Dont Walk: These 21 Joggers Are Unfussy, Practical, and Fashionable. RLP offers a plethora of colors, they are true to size and hold up nicely washing after washing. The essence of cost-per-wear as weve discussed here. Its not something thats just jumping on the latest trend. And 2018 saw the opening of the US flagship store in Soho, New York. Sunspel's polo shirt is made from Sea Island cotton which, if you aren't familiar with it, is one of the rarest and finest types in the world. The beauty of the classic t-shirt fit is that it looks good on a variety of different body types. But, theres no denying the companys long and storied history of producing fine menswear. The construction of the classic T-shirts is very high-quality, featuring overlocked internal seams and flat sturdy openings at the neck, sleeves, and bottom hem, featuring two fine lines of stitching for additional security. This allows for a much smoother and finer yarn to be woven, resulting in an extremely soft and luxurious garment. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ac9e81a41aa35b471890ac8cde8cd37c" );document.getElementById("b4b925cb6b").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Display a Gravatar image next to my comments. This polo shirt is made of a high quality cotton. The year 2005 marks the sale of the company from 81-year-old Peter Hill to Nicholas Brooke and Dominic Hazlehurst with Brooke having a family connection to Hill and remaining as CEO today. As part of restyling the Riviera polo, Sunspel elected to shorten the sleeves. Want to join the discussion? I splurged a couple of years ago and bought one of the Sea Island polos from the Ian Fleming collection. The modern Riviera polos were modified in tandem for the cost and design of Casino Royale, adopting a comfortably slimmer fit without losing its classic look. Even if you only have a few of these classically casual staples in your wardrobe, theyll be the best that you own. So, best to take a tip from Bond and to hang your sunglasses from the placket instead. Debonair looks too good on you to second guess. It features both metric and imperial measurements as well as a standard chest size conversion. Reviews & Articles About Classic Men's Clothing & Accessories, Copyright 20102022 Gentleman's Gazette LLC All Rights Reserved Terms of Service & Accessibility Policy Privacy Policy. We may earn a commission on the items you purchase. The polos also feature a two-piece collar, which is similar to a traditional shirt collar. I know Robin Hood was around hundreds of years before Sunspel. Now that weve defined the Sunspel undershirt, lets take a look at the rest of their everyday T-shirts before moving on to their polo shirts. So, we look toward Sunspel, a brand offering a clean, cool take on how traditional casual wear can be relevant in the 21st century all the while looking towards providing the most luxurious fabrics and finishes possible. Around the year 1908, these simple and lightweight garments were seen as a big improvement to the heavy-weight undershirts that preceded them. The long sleeves make it that bit smarter than average. The silver screen super spys influence helped bring a new customer base to the brand. They know how to dress up but not down. We'll keep our eyes out for you. First up, lets take a dive into Sunspels history to find out more about the brand itself. However, the pocket itself is pretty small. sunspel riviera Quite fitting that both Bond and Sunspel were undergoing a transformation at the same time. So, we happily give our stamp of approval to Sunspels t-shirts and polo shirts. It does this by fitting the shoulders and chest well, then draping gently down to the bottom hem. A premium benefit exclusively reserved for Silver and above members. For instance, Im a chest size 45 and I found that a Sunspel size XXL fit me comfortably. It was then able to refocus on everyday luxury clothing. So Ive just recently started buying Sunspel t-shirts, and am considering their undershirt. Even though it isnt super clingy. One thing you didnt touch much on was their cellular material undershirt, which they say is for hotter weather. I checked out Sunspel and found their shirts rather dowdy as is mostly true of all English casual wear. Perfectly embodying those characteristics, this one is made from breathable, airy cotton-piqu. Whilst the cotton used in these shirts does not feature a staple length longer than those used in Sea Island cotton, it is important to note that a longer than average staple length is still used, which is apparent in the shirts fine and luxurious feel, both to the hand and when worn. As the company changed and grew into the 21st century, costume designer Lindy Hemming saw a unique opportunity to feature the rich British history of Sunspel and outfit James Bond in 2006s Casino Royale. And that is something that is constantly being seen on a ribbed collar. Sunspel also offers the same model of their undershirt and their Q82 Supima Cotton. An everyday T-shirt from Sunspel is crafted in what they call Q82 Supima Cotton, a unique, fine, cotton jersey that is directly descended from the original fabrics crafted by founder Thomas Hill. They also use the same material as their classic t shirts. RESERVED. sasso Sunspel Riviera polo shirt brown for men. Before we look at the specifics of today, I think its important to provide some clarity here, especially given Sunspels propensity for undergarments. And the popularity of this underwear line prompted the official renaming of the company to Sunspel, Ltd. in 1937. I loved your article. That being said, there is the difference between a T-shirt and an undershirt, and this is important to note because Sunspel does offer both. It was important to Hill to know who he was selling the brand to and Brooke was able to rejuvenate the company, which had become a bit stagnant in the previous years. Serving as the middle ground between smart and casual, this polo shirt from Sunspel is sure to become a key player in your weekly rotation. I think theyre going to be great for layering under a lightweight jacket in spring or even wearing alone by itself while on vacation in the warm summer months. Check out the Fort Belvedere shop here for socks like these. It's a modern classic with short sleeves and a patch pocket, worn by Daniel Craig as the Bond character in Casino Royale. Is it a better warm weather undershirt than the regular ones? If you have a keen eye, youll likely have worked out why in this case. piana 1850 And this happened in the English city of Nottingham. I agree to this GG's terms of service and code of conduct. And he wore the resulting shirts on his vacation to the French Riviera and this is where the line of polos derives its name. The fibers or staples are much longer than other forms of cotton. However, these are crafted from a slightly-heavier Pima cotton. sunspel We're glad you're here! Wear it with everything from denim to chinos or tailored shorts. Inspired by the shorts worn by boxers in the ring, Sunspel introduced the boxer short to the UK with an improved design, featuring flattened seams, a new back panel, and, of course, being finished in the finest cotton. Sunspel also offers a traditional pique cotton polo shirt, which is more in line with the Sea Island cotton polo shirts. He found that they were much too hot for his tastes. The fact of the matter is some people like to wear an undershirt and some people dont. Instead, we suggest that you look towards a more budget-friendly option as they perform just as well as the Sea Island cotton shirts. The company grew under the name Thomas A Hill, Ltd. and, in 1890, the company started manufacturing worldwide, specializing in cashmere, merino, silk, and cotton undergarments. But, the style were looking at today is their iconic classic T-shirt, which is literally called the Classic T-shirt on their website. Not sure why theyre doing this as I dont see a major difference between the two. Now, doing this will flatter the wider part of your arm, but it does mean that any longer underarm hair could be exposed when lifting your arm and being seen underneath the sleeves. In any case, this is where the Sunspel factory has remained since. The Riviera is a superb polo shirt and the tee shirts are simple yet superb quality. ). So, a longer fit with less noticeable seams to allow for smoother layering. Sunspels T-shirts are designed to be timeless; something that can look good and be worn for years to come. In addition to undershirts, Sunspel offers a few different varieties of a T-shirt, often being made in a different fabric or featuring different details, such as a long sleeve or V-neck. Four years later, in 2014, Sunspel set up shop overseas in Tokyo, followed by an additional three stores in Japan. Continuing to innovate, the year 1914, saw the introduction of cellular cotton. Celebrities Are Obsessed With This Luxury Moisturizer. It features a two-button placket at the collar, a patch pocket at the left breast, and flat stitched seams. Then, owner Peter Hill returned from his vacation in 1955 unsatisfied with the heavy knit cotton shirts of that time. In todays ever-casual world, it can be a genuine challenge to find an alternative to a dress shirt that is of equal quality and stands for a lover of classic style. It has a straight fit throughout the body, so no sculpting lines or darts throughout the shirts. The Q75 warp knit cotton was originally designed many, many years before its silver screen debut. By using fine cotton yarns and traditional lace-making machines, a new kind of cotton was invented. But, instead of manufacturing man tights for local vigilantes, Hills aim was to create beautiful clothing from the worlds finest fabrics using a combination of his innovative mind and his knowledge of textile development. Remember: this isnt a modern-day, muscle fit, spray-on T-shirt. A bit pedantic, I know, but Sunspel moved to Long Eaton in 1937 not Long Eden. Have you tried this, and if so, whats the conclusion? This means that Sea Island cotton shirts arent going to be for everyone. This is crafted from Sunspels unique Q75 warp-knit cotton. The polos are also available in long-sleeve versions for the most part. That being said, I took a size double extra large in the Riviera model. Ten years later, in 1900, the company started importing the worlds finest and rarest cotton, Sea Island cotton. Long Eaton is in Derbyshire, some 7 miles south-west of Nottingham. Sea Island cotton was used by the company to make some of the worlds first luxurious T-shirts. Sea Island cotton from the Caribbean added to the already impressive variety of textiles on offer, therefore establishing Thomas A Hills dedication to unparalleled luxury. Meanwhile, the Sea Island cotton polo shirts feature three-button placket at the collar, flat front with no additional pocket, and rib seams. By far, the most popular style and the range is the Riviera model. They are, however, slightly longer. And, realistically, theres nothing right or wrong about it as it should be about whats right for you. ModeSens Concierge helps you shop 500+ stores in one place. Mr Peter Hill patented Sunspel's polo shirts in the '50s as a "softer; lighter and more comfortable" alternative to mainstream tennis styles.