006 SIMPLE IS HARD / WHITE T
Itʼs not hard because itʼs complicated, itʼs hard because itʼs simple.
Welcome to Darlingsworld- the only perfectionist-identifying, anti-overchoice, hyper-specific, classic-revering, life-optimizing, Hanes-girly, chic-grandpa-coded email newsletter.
Blank Slate Blues
This week we tackle one of the most deceptively difficult objects in modern life:
The White T Shirt.
Itʼs not hard because itʼs complicated, itʼs hard because it is simple.
In this issue:
• Jenna Saraco explains her Beautiful Mind level commitment to a single White T-Shirt framework.
• We sift the seas of tees and sort the best by function—from fitted to oversized to “send-it-to-the-aliens” Hanes canon.
• We Dear Santa several White Ts that we wish existed.
Locating your personal perfect version of the White T is a low stakes way to hone larger existential journeys such as living with intention and value-based decision making.
We want to help you manifest your best White T– by naming desires and requirements without apology.
But first, a story about paint.
A couple of years ago, towards the close of a home renovation, it was time to choose a paint color for the kitchen. Six subtly different putty-colored paint chips had been taped up in the doorway for months. Two were cooler, four were true neutral.
Eventually the contractor said: “Ok, it’s really time, choose the paint color.”
I felt that if I spent more time on it from here, it would stop being about the paint. So I asked him to choose.
He shrugged and said:
“Cool. Let’s not work through your issues on paint.”
The walls got painted. Life moved on.
The White T-Shirt occupies a similar place in the modern psyche: a wrought choice we will live with every day.
Of course details matter and nuances exist (this is DARLINGS after all), but when millions of options identical at 20 yards are claiming to be “perfect”, it’s as hard to choose wrong as it is to choose right.
These are perfect conditions for our swirling issues and commitment-phobia to enter the chat. Without a North Star or brief, you’ll be scrolling for better versions on the 2am shift. I know this from experience, and admit I have not always brought “the wisdom to know the difference” to my T shirt drawer.
When everything is identical at 20 yards and claiming to be “perfect”,
it’s as hard to choose wrong as it is to choose right.
The option to redphone a trusted brand with luxury positioning looms– we want reassurance we are making “the right choice” in “good taste”. And YES I am talking to you, Farrow and Ball.
But will paying a laughable premium on such a personal choice leech satisfaction? Might it be a missed opportunity for training in peacetime for the bigger decisions?
We believe in a world in which you are so aligned you don’t need to pay $149 a can of confidence. You know perfect FOR YOU when you see it– and can swatch it bespoke within an hour at Benjamin Moore for $35.
The challenge is to hone the radar, follow it to our signature White T Shirt and moveon.org.
Thank you so much for subscribing.
Darlings loves you.
Time to Manifest!
♾️
Intentional Dating > LTR
Jenna Saraco has a very refined set of eyes. She is a Photographer and Art Director who brings a deceptively easy, intimate, and refined eye to brands/clients such as Eyeswoon, Deiji Studios, The Real Real, and Emily Dawn Long.
A direct, uncluttered, but resonant vibe like hers usually suggests deep thought on the front end, midstream editing and focus and embracing chance along the way.
This makes her a perfect wisdom center to tap on our White T metaphysical astral quest.
Sure enough, when it comes to White Tʼs Jenna refined her faith tradition to the point where her favorites are now- respectfully- *the exact same T Shirt*.
Her committed shape can best be described as a body skimming baby-adjacent classic. Her mainstay is the Gil Rodriguez Bellevue Tee, a body skimming baby that loves boobs. The Baby Rib from Los Angeles Apparel is the other- with a slightly flare-ier sleeve and texture.
Her framework makes sense: “the length hits perfectly at my pants, with a small almost cap sleeve.” “I don’t really diverge from here.” Jenna says, “unless it’s a very big oversized shirt. It fits all occasions.” there is also a goldilocks zone for fabric: “Fabric thickness is super important! It can’t be too thin, then it’s too sheer, and can’t be too thick either cause then it can feel confined.”
White White T Space > Letters to Santa
The search isn’t always irrational. Sometimes the thing you’re looking for genuinely isn’t there.
Jenna’s favorite T overall is Darlings Darling Emily Dawn Long’s, “It looks vintage, but the quality assures a long lifespan,” But she wishes it came in white.
And then there is the vintage-that-got-away crush. “I just ran into a friend who was wearing a perfect black T-shirt stolen from her mother’s closet.” Jenna said, “It was 90s J.Crew. We need that shirt to come back, and not just the silhouette but quality of material and how it’s made.”
Here is what I pray for at my bedside nightly:
From the 1999 Hermes collection by Martin Margiela. A scoop neck that has a thicker band preventing that pink-washed scoop energy. The narrow width and the length serve the function of current “oversized” versions without being so on trend. Would love this with a straight leather pant and sandal.
WOW! White T Complete Look. Add mid-length blue, khaki blazer and structured loafers.
Celine- olive with cutouts, my gold standard for cut and fabric in the oversized category. Tunic like with an almost canvas thickness. Dream of this in white. And navy while Iʼm praying.
DARLINGS sifts because
the White T ocean is vast.
An edit for excellence
across categories :
BODY CON, HANGER T,
HANES CANON, NEW BABY
You will not find slub, v neck, jersey, distressed, sheer, short lifespan,
tricky “twists on a classic”, pink-washed scoop necks, thin neckbands.
A little stretch, good for layering
or solo for a little slink
Flore Flore Car Tee is similar to Jenna’s, fitted, slightly capped, body hugging super beautiful feeling. Slinky cutie. Sunspel Ribbed- a classic for jeans pairing, the slight rib takes it slightly out of the classic and a bit away the baby tee feel of the Car Tee.
DARLINGS SELECTS
Scheisser Revival Greta is longer, feels beyond trend, a great sleeping tee, beautiful fabric, classic, adult, refined.
Deserve their own hanger, an iron.
Elevated, polished. Many in the oversized
category are also hanger worthy.
Zimmerli Sea Island, Kallmeyer Kenzie, Comoli Short-Sleeve– very niche, very refined- a black tie t shirt, but sort of hard to find. A more organic-feeling similar shape is found in the Frankie Shop’s Scoob. If you don’t really dress up, investing in a really major t shirt makes sense. This one from The Row has little pointelle/ribbed detail, beautiful.
DARLINGS SELECTS
Same idea as the Row Pointelle is the And Daughter T-Knit– KNIT soft T that elevates a Hanes shape. Comes in oversized and Hanes shape.
The send-it-to-the-aliens version of a white T shirt.
Medium ringer, structured cotton without being heavy.
Longer square sleeve.
I am a Hanes girl through and through. It goes wherever you go. Pressed and cleaned to optic white, I get asked if it is The Row. Just as perfect with bias skirt and heels and a car coat as it is with a bikini bottom.
Base Range– classic shape, a little long. Still Here The Shirt- just came out and is poised to be a great. RLT Boyfriend- endorsed by Jane Herman of Jean Stories. Agolde Adine in long line or slightly cropped, beautiful thickness, resists wrinkles and has a perfect, classic ring width. More polished finish- the Sunspel Everyday, Merz B Schwanen more polished sheen-y and “considered” than a true Hanes, while still adhering to the classic shape. Jenna also introduced us to the 6397 Boy Tee which is def part of the canon... once they make it in white.
DARLINGS SELECTS
The Re/Done x Hanes comes in heavy or regular weight. LOVE Perfect White Tee’s Harley, is super crispy cotton, shorter than the OG Hanes if you want it to hit top of the pant waist.
Cutie baby T, shrunken, sometimes are cropped, indicated by their tiny
shoulders and tiny waist, might have avian bone syndrome like
Emily Mortimer did in 30 Rock. Good under a slip or a sheath dress, etc etc.
The Nando from Leset is a category dominator. Really love the version that Courtney Grow did for Ref, seems to have a little X Girl and 90s James Perse in there. Speaking of James Perse and the 90s- this one has a WHISPER of a V and shape that brings the Clinton administration rushing back. Jenna endorses the Los Angeles Apparel which goes a long way for $28.
DARLINGS SELECTS
Love the St. Agni take, it feels like a very grown up baby.
Tucking, or not tucking- a good office T.
Likes extremes on the bottom- volume or string bean legs.
Jamie Hallerʼs Boxy Tee- a cute pocket(!) which is rare these days, and drapier fabric than you usually see in the boxy/oversized category. Feels refined though, so this is the sort of thing that could Don Johnson down a linen suit. The Rowʼs Lavinia continues to dominate in the luxury oversized market, now that Toteme no longer makes theirs (available on ebay). Kuleʼs The Mercer has a great finish. Cos Oversized Boxy (really, really boxy) is SOLID, polished finish and replaceable, in that they will always make it. Frances De Lourdes Johnny- this is an exception to our rules in that it is sheer, great with navy bra, yummy feeling,
DARLINGS SELECTS
JTʼs T from TWP is the perfect shape, with a weight and finish so versatile I might need two, one to beat up and one to press + hang. Honorable mention And Daughter oversized T Knit!
Hope this makes things easier.
Do you have a favorite white t that isn’t on here? Drop in comments.
See you next week.
♾️
ICONS RITUAL HOME UTILITY WEAR GIFTS
this is SO good. have been newly committed to Madewell and 6397 Raglan Slim
🎯🎯