The ultimate in layering comfort
November 12th, 2009
Though I’m not a seasoned pro when it comes to layering (I’m often fashion challenged…just ask my good friend LeShan), I do own my share of cap-sleeve tees and tanks. The whole tank/cap-sleeve layering tee craze may have actually started here in Utah but I can’t be certain. No matter where or when it began I’m sure I’m not the only one with a rainbow of layering tees in her dresser drawer. With all those tees and all those brands (Shade, Layers and mod bod to name a few), is there a difference or all they pretty much the same?
After owning tanks from DownEast Basics and Shade, layering tees from Layers and then being sent a tank and cap-sleeve tee from undertease to review on the Daily Dish, I can tell you yes, there is a big difference, and not just in price. I have found there is a big difference in fabric and fit among all these brands and up until I received samples from undertease, Shade had my vote for fit and fabric while DownEast had my vote if you were going for price. But then undertease sent me a white cami and a black cap-sleeve tee…sigh…who new fabric could be this comfy? (Note: I’d have included an image of the white tank but it was too hard to see on the mannequin. The black shows the fit better.)
My undertease tank is now my tank of choice when I need a white tank under sweaters, tees or low-cut dresses and if I need a cap-sleeve layering tee, you better believe I’ll reach for my undertease one first. I was thinking I might need to hide the white tank because my oldest daughter is now “borrowing” it for her use, and then I realized I just need to tell her to leave my undertease alone and stick with Shade. My favorite features are the fabric, length and especially the straps. The straps are on the thinner side with a bit of stretch so it almost feels like I don’t have a tank on at all–and when you’re wearing multiple layers, the feel of less is more.
I wanted to find out what made the undertease tees so dang comfortable with a fit that lasted after washing and I discovered the company uses a blend of 46% cotton, 46% modal and 8% spandex. It’s that modal that makes their tees maintain their shape, feel and look even after numerous washes. They really are silky soft yet have that spandex so they hug your body without feeling bulky, an important thing when layering.
I can speak from personal experience on their cap-sleeve tee, too. (Two for tea and tea for two…sorry, couldn’t resist!) I wanted to see if their sleeves would eventually cut into my armpit like the “other” cap sleeves I own and tend to make that area sore after extended wear. I donned the black cap sleeve for a day of testing and due to either the style or the fabric (or both), it was comfortable all day long. No armpit soreness or discomfort or “how soon can I get this thing off.” I really could tell a difference and it felt great!
As much as I absolutely adore my new undertease the one thing I don’t adore is the price. While they are top on my list for fit, fabric, comfort and style all rolled into one, they are bottom on the list for price. I guess I should say it’s worth the investment, and perhaps it would be if they were only a handful of dollars more than those other brands, but at almost twice the price I have a hard time justifying the purchase. If I needed to wear them day in and day out I think I would make the investment as I’m sure undertease will hold up a lot longer than the other tees in my dresser drawer, but since I’m usually kicking it in jeans and a comfy tee, I think I’ll love and cherish the undertease I have and wait for a sale to pick up a few more.
undertease also offers long-sleeve tees and tees for maternity and plus sizes. If you want to try undertease before buying you can find them at Blend Fashions in Pleasant Grove, Utah, Nordstrom (undertease is part of their Half-Yearly Sale so you may find me there stocking up on a couple more!) and boutiques around the country. You can also find undertease on Facebook and Twitter. –Emily
