Read this when you want to invest in a shirt. / by Candice Tay

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Read this when you want to invest in a shirt.

Lately, I’ve been trying to scale back my collaborations and focus more on the partners with whom I have a working relationship. All this thinking got me to the idea of wanting to write more posts that help you make informed decisions when it comes to making investment purchases for your closet. There are so many details to consider especially when you’re making online purchases.

In this post, I'll be sharing my thoughts on 5 button-ups that I own. We'll cover everything from fit and cutting, breathability, material, overall quality, and price point.

My sizing for reference: Height: 5’5, Hips: 34, Waist: 26, Bust: 31, my typical size is 00-0 or XS-S

Ready to hop in? Let's get started!

1 — Everlane Silky Cotton Oversized Shirt

First up is this recent launch from Everlane, the Silky Cotton Oversized Shirt. I had been looking for a classic oversized, cotton button-up for a while and this one definitely helped fill that gap. Upon first wearing it, I loved the oversized fit and the breathability of the material, though that does affect the sheerness of the shirt. The price point of the shirt is $60 USD. I think this shirt sits at a pretty standard shirt price point. This shirt is 100% cotton so although it wrinkles, it does not wrinkle as much as a linen shirt would. The feel of the shirt is very silky, as the name suggests, and soft on the skin. It has a one large pocket over the left side of the chest and has standard white buttons that create a seamless look. The silhouette of this shirt is very relaxed and casual and I love it styled tucked or untucked.

TTS? - Yes, I’m wearing a size 0 in the colour Off-White.
Manufactured in Shenzhen, China
Recommendations: This shirt is one of the more budget friendly options, sitting at $60 USD (if you’re Canadian, look at my recommendations for shirt #5). I’m in love with the oversized fit of this shirt and definitely think it’s a great option if you’re just starting to explore capsule wardrobes and wanted to invest in a classic wardrobe piece. It’s versatile and can be worn in various different settings.

2 — Curator SF Work Shirt

Next up, the Work Shirt in Blue Cloud from Curator SF. I have been a long time fan of Curator SF since I started exploring sustainable and ethical fashion. When they reached out a few months ago to partner up, I was ecstatic! That’s also when I was introduced to the this shirt. This shirt has a relaxed, casual feel and is made with a very sturdy material. Out of all the shirts I’ve reviewed, this one is definitely heftier and what I like to call “wrinkle-friendly”. It is 100% cotton so it also does not wrinkle as much as a linen shirt, but when it wrinkles it looks “lived in” rather than wrinkly. The Work Shirt is made with a bit of a thicker material so it is not sheer at all. Some noted special features of this shirt are the large, metal buttons and deep side pockets that are hidden along the seam of the shirt. The price point of this shirt is $132 USD, which is a higher price point, but is justifiable in how the company pays fair wages and chooses to keep its production local in one of the most expensive states while supporting their economy (I will explain more in another post — stay tuned!).

TTS? - Yes, I’m wearing a size XS in the colour Blue Cloud.
Manufactured in San Francisco, USA
Recommendations: This is your go-to if you’re passionate about supporting small, locally made businesses. It’s also a heavier material than the Everlane shirt so it’s great for cooler climates and seasons. I can see myself styling this from now through Fall and will probably only really retire it in the dead of winter.

3 — Tradlands 101 Martine Cameo Tencel

This 101 Martine Cameo shirt has been a closet favourite throughout the summer season. It has a classic fit and has similar features to the Everlane shirt such as the large pocket on the left side of the chest. This shirt isn’t wrinkle-free, but the Tencel-linen (77% Tencel, 23% Linen) blend fabric is great for people who can’t be bothered steaming out their shirts. I’d say this is a pretty standard shirt, and the only thing I noticed was that the sleeves are a bit longer than the usual cutting of the others, but this honestly doesn’t bother me. I personally love to style this one tucked into some high waisted jeans. The price point of this shirt is $167 USD.

TTS? - Yes, I’m wearing a size XXS.
Manufactured in China
Recommendations: If you’re looking for a classic, durable shirt from a small ethical American business, check out Tradlands for staple wardrobe pieces. This specific shirt also comes in a luxurious black Tencel material if you’re looking to invest in a more neutral coloured piece.

4 — Power of my People Philosopher Shirt

Of course I had to sneak in a few Canadian brands for you! It’s always a treat to discover Canadian-made brands and I’d be lying if I said they didn’t hold a special place in my heart. Power of my People is a Canadian brand based in British Columbia. They are truly the “shirt people” — the entire collection is filled with women’s and men’s shirts. It’s most definitely a brand to explore if you’re looking to invest in a shirt. The Philosopher Shirt is a 100% linen shirt and is perfect for summer and spring. It’s breathable, lightweight and has a casual oversized fit. Since it is a linen material, it can be a little bit sheer. However, since I have it in black, it’s actually quite opaque. I especially love the two giant pockets on the front, not the mention a little pen holder pocket! It has black buttons down the front that creates a very seamless, monochromatic look. The price point of this shirt is $165 CAD

TTS? - I have it in an XS (the Wayward Fit) and found my shirt to be a bit larger than expected, so I would recommend sizing down in this particular fit.
Manufactured in Richmond, British Columbia
Recommendations: If you want to support a Canadian-made brand, Power of my People is a clear winner. All of their clothing is made with high quality, natural fibres like cotton and linen, so if you’re trying to avoid synthetics, I’d take a peek here!

5 — KOTN Essential Shirt

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Last but most definitely not least, is another amazing Canadian brand based right here in Toronto, Canada. The thing that sets Kotn apart from other brands is their undeniable efforts of authenticity with their consumers in revealing their traceability. This brand is all about transparency in their supply chains and it’s very evident in all their collections and new launches. The Essential Shirt is from their new “Wovens Launch”. It features the softest lightweight twill material that’s 100% Egyptian cotton. The twill material gives the shirt a very subtle woven texture, which I really love. Although this is a white shirt, I did not find the material to be see-through. Some other features to note would be the pleated cuffs and the tasteful faux horn buttons that run along the front of the shirt and on the cuffs. The fit is pretty standard and classic, and I also noticed there are darts on the side of the shirt over the chest which give it a more tailored look. The price point of this shirt is $75 CAD.

TTS? - Yes, I’m wearing a size 0 in the colour Alabaster.
Manufactured in Egypt
Recommendations: This shirt is a great option for you if you care a lot about traceability and ethics of where your clothes are made. Kotn also puts 1% of every sale along with other additional revenue towards funding schools in their very own farming communities. This shirt combines great quality, fit, and ethics all in one!

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You’ve made it to the end! I hope you enjoyed this review and found it helpful. After reviewing these shirts in more detail, I noticed small differences and things that made each shirt or company unique. I would recommend using this review as a guideline when you’re looking to invest in a shirt that works for you; whether that be based on quality, fit, materials, company ethics, price point, or where it’s manufactured! There are a multitude of factors to consider when you’re investing in slow fashion, so I hope this is a helpful guide as a starting point.

This post is not sponsored but contains some gifted items and affiliate links. If you decide to shop through the links above, I make a small commission that helps support this blog. I only share products and brands I love and support. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Candice Tay!