Left Coast Tee Improves on a Classic
Photos: Left Coast Tee
What if your most comfortable shirt was also your most stylish shirt? Impossible, you say? Not if you’ve discovered “comfort dressing,” one of the fastest growing trends in men’s clothing and accessories. As casual workplace attire has become more prevalent, the practice of pairing a luxury tee with a blazer or sports coat also has picked up steam, especially in the fashion hubs of the United States and Western Europe. And leading the charge is a hip new California brand that specializes in laid-back sophistication. Left Coast Tee is a favorite among twenty or thirty somethings, urbanites, techies, trendsetters and just about anyone who wants a look that’s easy-on-the-eye and easy-to-wear. How does Epic Mens know all this? Left Coast Tee recently joined our family of premium men’s apparel and accessories brands, giving us a front-row seat to the tee-shirt frenzy that’s redefining “business casual.” However, to really understand how a humble undergarment managed to become a core component of men’s contemporary office wear and men’s casual wear, we turned to Left Coast Tee co-founder and fashion elite, Gary Wasserman.
According to Wasserman, when he and his business partner, Steve Sockolov, got together in 2010, they knew there was a need for relaxed, but also refined, affordable men’s fashions. The West Coast (or Left Coast as it’s generally referred to in the apparel industry) has always been open to experimenting with new and emerging fashion styles. So the California partners were ready and willing to take on the challenge. They tasked themselves with transforming a generic undershirt into a luxury garment that would add value and variety to any man’s wardrobe. Together, the two industry heavyweights pooled their more than 80 years of combined retail and wholesale clothing experience to launch a line of fashion-focused men’s tee-shirts and casual shirts that could be worn under a suit, blazer or sport coat, as well as with other high-end active wear. And no, in case you’re wondering, Left Coast Tee casual men’s shirts do not bear any resemblance to the ungainly collection of graphic T-shirts stuffed in your bottom drawer. Available in more than 20 essential and designer colors, Left Coast Tee casual men’s shirts come in a variety of styles, including crew neck, V-neck, polo, and long-sleeve mock zip-up pullovers. And each is made from high-quality, super-absorbent Peruvian Pima Cotton, treated with a luxuriant finish, and tailored for a perfect fit.
These shirts look almost as good as they feel – and they feel incredible. Known as the “king of luxury cottons,” Peruvian Pima Cotton 2-ply yarn is prized for its softness and brilliant luster. The 1 3/8-inch staple length makes Peruvian Pima Cotton especially soft, durable and highly resistant to pilling. Additionally, the cotton used in Left Coast Tee garments is hand-harvested to ensure the removal of impurities that can aggravate allergies and leave behind a scratchy feel and yellowish cast. The hand-picked cotton used to construct Left Coast Tee garments yields brilliant whites that take beautifully to dyes, which in turn means richer shades of blacks, greys, blues, purples, golds, and of course, Left Coast Tee’s signature “pop” color – tangerine. What does all of this mean for you? It means a dressier, more sophisticated look that resists shrinkage and fading, wash after wash. Add to this side vents for increased mobility, a neckline that won’t lose its shape, shoulder seams that stay put, along with circular knitting for natural stretch and shape retention – and you’ve got a real winner. All you have to do is choose between the Classic Fit, constructed of 100% cotton or Trim Fit, constructed of 95% cotton and 5% stretch Lycra. Perfect for sports enthusiasts, the latter hugs the body a bit closer and features a longer back, as well as a slightly higher neckline and shorter sleeve with a ribbed finish.
Left Coast Tee has successfully injected new life into the plain white undershirt that James Dean wore so well. While still an iconic symbol of American individualism, Left Coast Tee has upgraded this classic white tee to deliver a timeless appeal that’s both modern and relevant. Not surprisingly, Wasserman describes early adopters of the edgy look as Hollywood elites, pro-athletes, celebrities, and attention seekers in general. Heads definitely turn when Left Coast Tee casual shirts are expertly layered under button-down shirts, sweaters, and blazers. Topping off a black (or better yet, tangerine) crew neck tee or polo with a patterned sports coat does require a bit of sartorial finesse and confidence, but once you’ve tried it, you’ll never want to don a traditional shirt and tie again.
Visit www.epicmens.com to peruse our wide selection of Left Coast Tee casual men’s shirts, and be sure to check back often. We’re told a new line of exclusive prints and luxury knitted short- and long-sleeve sports shirts is on the way. If you’re anything like us, you’ll want to be first in line when they arrive!