A Rivet & Hide Guide to The Perfect Summer Tee

Not all T-shirts are created equal. At Rivet & Hide, we pride ourselves on offering a tight edit of tees that run the entire gamut of fits, fabrics, weights, and drapes. Each offers something a little different, but all are united by an assurance of quality, pride in provenance and production, and an unmatched eye for detail.

Whether you’re looking for solid, everyday basics or something more statement-making this summer, we’ve got you covered. Read on for a round-up of our favourite crew necks for the months and years ahead.

How Are They Made?
UES’ Ramayana tees are knit from Suvin Gold cotton, one of the finest and rarest cottons in the world. It has an unbeatably soft hand, offset by a reassuring sturdiness. Pair this with the rich, silky lustre of the cotton’s natural oils, and you have a tee with an immediate and unmistakable air of quality. While Suvin Gold is typically reserved for fine garments, UES spins theirs into a thicker yarn to create a midweight knit that retains plenty of body and breathability.

How Do They Fit?
The Ramayana Tee fits slim when worn true to size but can be sized up for a more regular fit. Most people tend to size up. Either way, a slight drape prevents any unwanted clinginess. Heads up, though: the ‘no pocket’ variant of the Ramayana tee runs a touch smaller than their pocketed counterparts. Be sure to consult our size charts before purchasing.

Why Do We Like Them?
The Ramayana tee is up there as one of the silkiest, softest tees we offer. Aside from Suvin Gold’s more luxurious attributes, it also makes for a staggeringly resilient tee: no shrinking up, no stretching out. Just the same winning fit and unrivalled comfort wear after wear, wash after wash. They also come with the option of a chest pocket if that’s your thing.

Who Are They For?
The Ramayana tee will be a hit with anyone who likes their luxury balanced out with reliability. Much like the rest of UES’s offerings, these are solid, dependable garments designed to be worn into the ground.

Want something with a little more heft and texture? Check out the UES No.8 Slub Nep tee. We’re a little short on numbers now, but we’re due a restock soon. Sign up for our newsletter for an early heads-up on restocks and new arrivals.

How Are They Made?
The Real McCoy’s Stripe Tees call on an 8 oz Japanese jersey cloth. Historically favoured for its breathability and softness, jersey cloth lends a perfect balance of strength and comfort to a tee. Jacquard construction also allows the designer to build patterns and colours directly into the structure of the garment itself. So, what you see here isn’t a printed pattern, but the result of an intricately conceived and executed knit process.

How Do They Fit?
The Real McCoy’s Stripe Tees fit classically loose and boxy in the body with a touch more room and length in the sleeve. They certainly fall on the more relaxed side of our t-shirt offerings.

Why Do We Like Them?
Not only are they knit in Japan to The Real McCoy’s famously meticulous standards (more on that here), but there’s just something of the old school about these crewnecks. The Real McCoy’s Stripe Tees are shot through with a subtle, counter-cultural cool that harks back to the halcyon days of the Venice Beach skate and surf scenes.

Who Are They For?
Those after something classic and relaxed yet full of historical character. The Real McCoy’s encyclopedic knowledge of classic American style has paid off in a timelessly cool tee with a pop of colour that draws the eye but never overdoes it.

How Are They Made?
Samurai’s “Solid” crewneck tees use high-quality, raw cotton spun into slubby #14 gauge threads. These are then knit into a tough jersey fabric the old-school, slow-paced way using traditional “Daimaruki” circular knitting machines.

These machines slowly produce a tubular jersey fabric, creating a robust yet supple crewneck with no side seams. Clocking in just under 7 oz, these Solid Plain Tees are comfortably mid-weight and retain a pleasing softness.

How Do They Fit?
These tees are slim and flattering, with a pleasing balance of supple sturdiness. The tube knit fabric is one-washed to lock in a structured and holdfast fit—no stretching, no shrinking.

Why Do We Like Them?
Samurai’s Solid Plain Tees achieve a pleasingly hefty feel without sacrificing softness and comfort. The slower knitting process used to make these tees not only lends a beautiful, almost hand-knit look to the fabric’s surface but also creates a ton of breathability.

Who Are They For?
Those who like their tees to have a little more heft, structure, and artisanal texture. Samurai’s Solid Plain Tees are subtly beautiful, very breathable, and built to take a real beating.

How Are They Made?
These Hollywood-inspired crewnecks are ringspun, pigment-dyed, and enzyme-washed in LA to achieve serious levels of silky softness. The process also imparts a charmingly time-worn quality, recreating the lived-in look and feel of a vintage tee.

How Do They Fit?
Taking cues from the more tailored aesthetic of ‘40s-era crewnecks, Schaeffer's Garment Hotel tees are cut to a relatively slim fit with a shorter, Brando-esque sleeve crop. Their naturally light and drapey makeup means they can be sized up if you prefer a more relaxed fit.

Why Do We Like Them?
The Ringspun Tee from Schaeffer's Garment Hotel offers something a little different from our usual t-shirt lineup. Decidedly lighter than most of our other options, with a more worn-in look from the get-go. They do a great job of capturing a subtle rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic that really speaks of their LA provenance.

Who Are They For?
Those who want a super lightweight, made-in-America tee. One with a premium feel, a classic cut, and a carefully worked, vintage aesthetic. 

How Are They Made?
Merz b. Schwanen’s 1940s Tees are loopwheeled in Germany from high-grade organic cotton. The Berlin-based brand relies on century-old circular warping machines—some of the last of their kind—to knit these lightweight and drapey crewnecks. The 1940s Tee features seamless sides and is fitted with triangular inserts under the arms, guaranteeing the utmost comfort and durability. Clocking in at 4.6 oz, it is also one of the lightest and finest tees we stock—perfect for the peak of summer.

How Do They Fit?
Relaxed and casual. The 1940s Tee offers a roomier and more generous fit from Merz b. Schwanen. While their slimmer, heavier 215 Tee has gained traction thanks to its appearances in The Bear, the 1940s Tee provides a lighter-weight option with a boxier cut.

As these tees are made from organic and unwashed cotton, it’s important to note that they will shrink approximately 1" in length after their first wash. They’re designed with this extra inch in mind, so don’t worry if the tee feels a bit long when you first try it on.

Why Do We Like Them?
Merz b. Schwanen are the uncontested masters of elevated, everyday basics. Their tees are organic and crafted in ways that honor the slower fashion practices we value here at Rivet & Hide. Comfortable, robust, and timeless—what’s not to love?

Who Are They For?
Those who want a well-made, no-frills tee for the warmer months.

How Are They Made?
3sixteen’s Marled Yarn Crewnecks are knit in Peru using 100% organic Pima cotton. At first glance, a cotton knit may seem a little unconventional for a summer tee, but Peruvian Pima possesses excellent temperature-regulating properties. This results in a breathable tee with a ton of optical and tactile character.

How Do They Fit?
Slim yet drapey, with some nice mechanical stretch. They have a good bit of recovery, too, so a quick wash will snap them right back into shape if they start to loosen up with heavy wear.

Why Do We Like Them?
3sixteen’s Marled Yarn Knit Tees are an easy way to elevate your everyday look. A little athletic, a little Ivy League, they hit that smart-casual sweet spot with ease thanks to their classic design and drapey fit. They’re super easy to care for; Peruvian Pima cotton produces a soft yet hardy cloth that’s both pill-resistant and wrinkle-resistant. This is a knit you won’t need to baby.

Who Are They For?
Those looking for something a little different from your average tee. The knitted texture and marled yarn combine to create a genuinely elevated take on a wardrobe staple. This is a great option for those looking to dial their casual style up a notch.

Head online or visit our London or Manchester stores to check out our full T-shirt collection.