Welcome back to the Gentleman's Gazette. In today's video,
as a part of our "Is It Worth It" series, we'll be taking a
look at the British brand Sunspel to see if their t-shirts and polos are up to scratch.
♪ Gentleman's Gazette Theme Song ♪
Even here at the Gentleman's Gazette, we can't deny the appeal of a quality
T-shirt or polo shirt for those times where you want to be classically cool;
whether that's literally cooler in temperature or cool like James Dean. But,
in today's ever-casual world, it can be a genuine challenge to find an alternative
to a dress shirt that is of equal quality and standing for a lover of classic style.
Just with this in mind that we look towards Sunspel, a brand offering a clean,
cool take on how traditional casual wear can be relevant in the 21st century
all the while looking towards providing the most luxurious fabrics and finishes as possible.
Before we take a further look into the brand itself, a quick reminder:
this video is not sponsored. But, also keep in mind: you can use the chapter features below
to skip ahead to different parts of the video. First up, let's take a dive into
Sunspel's history to find out more about the brand itself. Thomas Hill founded Sunspel in 1860 when
he opened a hosiery and underwear factory. And this happened in the English city of Nottingham.
Suppose it makes a lot of sense to open an underwear factory and the home of fiction's
favorite tight-wearer, Robin Hood. But, instead of manufacturing man tights for local vigilantes,
Hill's aim was to create beautiful clothing from the world's finest fabrics using a combination of
his innovative mind and his knowledge of textile development. The company grew under the name
Thomas A Hill, Ltd. and, in 1890, the company started
manufacturing worldwide, specializing in cashmere, merino, silk, and cotton undergarments. Ten years
later, in 1900, the company starts importing the world's finest and rarest cotton,
Sea Island cotton. Sea Island cotton from the Caribbean added to the already
impressive variety of textiles on offer, therefore establishing Thomas A Hill's
dedication to unparalleled luxury. Sea Island cotton is a particularly difficult fiber to grow
and then spin into yarn, thus making it rare by the very few places that it can grow
before it can then be harvested. The fibers or staples are much longer than other forms
of cotton. This allows for a much smoother and finer yarn to be woven, resulting in an
extremely soft and luxurious garment. Sea Island cotton was used by the company to make some of
the world's first luxurious T-shirts. Around the year 1908, these simple and lightweight
garments were seen as a big improvement to the heavy-weight undershirts that preceded
them. Continuing to innovate, the year 1914, saw the introduction of cellular cotton. By using
fine cotton yarns and traditional lace-making machines, a new kind of cotton was invented.
This had a unique open knit that allowed air to circulate the body and to keep the wearer cool.
The prolific use of Sea Island cotton did cause a brief name change in 1932 to Sea Island Cotton,
Ltd. However, it's 1935 where we see that the company introduces its key underwear line,
Sunspel, named so after the sunny spells of the Caribbean, where the cotton is grown.
And the popularity of this underwear line
prompts the official renaming of the company to Sunspel, Ltd.
in 1937. In the same year, the Sunspel factory also relocates to the nearby town of Long Eden,
which is also in Nottingham, which means that Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men could still
get a pair of tights when needed. I know Robin Hood was around hundreds of years before Sunspel.
But, I wonder what he would have worn in the 30s. In any case, this is where the Sunspel factory
has remained since. Like most factories during the second World War, Sunspel's efforts were
redirected to support the war effort and making utility clothing. And even though its offices
suffered a direct hit during the blitz, the company continued onward and came out on the
other side of the war. It was then able to refocus on everyday luxury clothing. In fact, it was a
couple of years following the end of the war in 1947 when the founder's great-grandson, John Hill,
re-engineered the underwear concept whilst on his honeymoon in America. There are way too many jokes
to make here. Inspired by the shorts worn by boxes in the ring, Sunspel introduces the boxer
short to the UK with an improved design, featuring flattened seams, a new back panel, and, of course,
being finished in the finest cotton. Sunspel would now be known as the place to go for superior men's
undergarments. This is especially apparent in the company's history of supplying some of the world's
famous department stores as well as the famous "1985 Levi's Launderette Ad". Here we see model
Nick Kamen removing all but his Sunspel boxers to do a spot of laundry. The year 2005 marks
the sale of the company from 81-year old Peter Hill to Nicholas Brooke and Dominic Hazlehurst
with Brooke having a family connection to Hill
and remaining as CEO today. It was important to Hill to know who he was selling the brand to and
Brooke was able to rejuvenate the company, which had become a bit stagnant in the previous years.
As the company changed and grew into the 21st century,
costume designer Lindy Hemming saw a unique opportunity to feature the rich British history
of Sunspel and outfit James Bond in 2006's "Casino Royale". Quite fitting that both Bond and Sunspel
were undergoing a transformation at the same time. The silver screen super spy's influence helped
bring a new customer base to the brand. And in 2010, Sunspel opens up its first standalone store
in East London's Shoreditch with additional stores opening up in several other high-profile London
locations, including the menswear Mecca, Jermyn Street. Four years later, in 2014, Sunspel sets up
shop overseas in Tokyo, followed by an additional three stores in Japan. And 2018 saw the opening
of the US flagship store in Soho, New York. During this time, Sunspel had also reintroduced women's
wear into its main collection. But, there's no denying the company's long and storied history
of producing fine menswear. Before we look at the specifics of today's video, I think it's important
to provide some clarity here, especially given Sunspel's propensity for undergarments. We've
already discussed undershirts on this channel before and you can find our in-depth video
here. The fact of the matter is some people like to wear an undershirt and some people don't. And,
realistically, there's nothing right
or wrong about it as it should be about what's right for you.
That being said, there is the difference between a T-shirt and an undershirt,
and this is important to note because Sunspel does offer both. So, although
they might look similar at first glance, there are a few characteristics about both
that do set them apart. An undershirt from Sunspel is available in a number of fibers.
Now, this is in line with the company's rich history of fine cotton products.
Both their Q14 Cellular Cotton and Q100 Sea Island Cotton are available as undershirts or you can see
an option for both a crewneck or deep V-neck, which would actually be a great option to wear
with an open collar shirt. Both of these styles feature a slightly longer and slimmer cut than a
regular T-shirt does with seams and overall fabric density to match; all with an aim towards discreet
lightweight wear under your outer layers so as not to have an impact on your overall appearance
or comfort throughout the day. Sunspel also offers the same model of their undershirt
and their Q82 Supima Cotton. Now, we'll get to more of that in just a moment. Now,
the main difference here is in the construction, where the everyday cotton is crafted into the
exact same style as the rest of the undershirt range. So, a longer fit with less noticeable seams
to allow for smoother layering. Now that we've defined the Sunspel undershirt,
now, let's take a look at the rest of their everyday T-shirts before moving on to their
polo shirts. In addition to undershirts, Sunspel offers a few different varieties of a T-shirt,
often being made in a different fabric or featuring different details,
such as a long sleeve or V-neck. But, the style we're looking at today is their iconic
Classic T-shirt. Yes, it's literally called the "Classic T-shirt" on their website. An everyday
T-shirt from Sunspel is crafted in what they call "Q82 Supima Cotton," a unique, fine, cotton jersey
that is directly descended from the original fabrics crafted by founder Thomas Hill. Whilst
the cotton used in these shirts does not feature a staple length longer than those used in Sea
Island cotton, it is important to note that a longer than average staple length is still used,
which is apparent in the shirts fine and luxurious feel, both to the hand
and when worn. Stylistically, the shirt is quite literally what you would expect from a classic
T-shirt. It has a straight fit throughout the body, so no sculpting lines or darts throughout
the shirts. Remember: this isn't a modern day, muscle fit, spray-on T-shirt. Sunspel's
T-shirts are designed to be timeless;
something that can look good and be worn for years to come. It's not something
that's just jumping on the latest trend. Now, even though it isn't super clingy.
The beauty of the classic T-shirt fit is that it looks good on a variety of different body types.
It does this by fitting the shoulders and chest well, then draping gently down to the bottom hem.
This is where having the slightly heavier-gauge cotton jersey is desirable as it's not too flimsy
nor is it too thick, therefore striking the perfect balance and its appearance when worn and
and how it feels against your skin. Sunspel has a comprehensive sizing guide to ensure you get the
correct fit when selecting your shirt. It features both metric and imperial measurements as well as a
standard chest size conversion. For instance, I'm a chest size 45 and I found that a Sunspel size
XXL fit me comfortably. It felt natural and with a tasteful level of being slim.
The construction of the classic T-shirts is very high-quality,
featuring overlocked internal seams and flat sturdy openings at the neck,
sleeves, and bottom hem, featuring two fine lines of stitching for additional security.
I loved the lightweight and breathable fabric on the T-shirts and the fit is spectacular. I think
they're going to be great for layering under a lightweight jacket in spring or even wearing
alone by itself while on vacation in the warm summer months. As far as styling the shirt goes,
we've compiled six of our favorite T-shirt looks that use white as a base here. Although
you could also use any classic solid color, such as navy, green, or gray. A classic T-shirt from
Sunspel will cost you £75 or $90. If you want the same style in Sea Island cotton,
the price would then go to £155 or $195. Next, let's move on to the Sunspel
polo shirts. These styles vary a little bit more than the T-shirts do, so we'll briefly
outline those differences here. By far, the most popular style and the range is the Riviera model.
This is crafted from Sunspel's unique Q75 warp-knit cotton. It features a two-button placket
at the collar, a patch pocket at the left breast, and flat stitched seams. Meanwhile, the Sea Island
cotton polo shirts feature three-button placket at the collar, flat front with no additional pocket,
and rib seams. Sunspel also offers a traditional pique cotton polo shirt, which is more in line
with the Sea Island cotton polo shirts. However, these are crafted from a slightly-heavier Pima
cotton. They feature two buttons instead of the Sea Islands' three. The polos are also available
in long-sleeve versions for the most part. However, we find this sleeve length to be a little
bit short to be worn under an odd jacket and this would be the main reason we want to wear a long
sleeve polo shirt. So, with this in mind, we'll be taking a look at Sunspel's most iconic polo,
the Riviera model. Now, if you have a keen eye, you'll likely have worked out why in this case.
And it's got something to do with this guy. Yes, the Riviera is the model Bond sported
in the movie "Casino Royale". Seen in a wonderful classic navy. Now,
the Q75 warp knit cotton was originally designed many, many years before
its silver screen debut. Then, owner Peter Hill returned from his vacation in 1955
unsatisfied with the heavy knit cotton shirts of that time. He found that they were much
too hot for his tastes. The knitted shirt was actually quite popular at this time, as seen in
the 1999 adaptation of "The Talented Mr. Ripley". Here, we see Jude Law wear many different styles
of the knitted shirt. Wanting to remain both stylish and comfortable, he'll reconfigure
the factory's warp knit lace-making machines. This helped to create new, lighter, and more breathable
cotton fabric. And he wore the resulting shirts on his vacation to the French Riviera and this
is where the line of polos derives its name. The modern Riviera polos were modified in tandem for
the cost and design of "Casino Royale", adopting a comfortably slimmer fit without losing its classic
look. The polos also feature a two-piece collar, which is similar to a traditional shirt collar.
This is in contrast to the typical ribbed collar, which we see on many different polo shirts today,
including Sunspel's own Sea Island cotton variety. The result is a collar that has
much more body to it and helps to frame the face, as well as ensuring that the collar tips
don't roll or wrinkle as the day progresses. And that is something that is constantly being seen
on a ribbed collar. As part of restyling the Riviera polo,
Sunspel elected to shorten the sleeves. Now, doing this will flatter the wider part of your arm,
but it does mean that any longer underarm hair could be exposed when lifting your arm
and being seen underneath the sleeves. Now, that being said,
I took a size double extra large in the Riviera model. I personally found the fit to be modest
and comfortable and to be, I think, a great fit for a variety of different body types. Now,
as the last word on the Riviera model, we'll take a brief look at the chest pocket. It's a nice
addition and gives a nice vintage and 50s feel while still remaining perfectly timeless. However,
the pocket itself is pretty small. And even if you could fit something in there,
it would upset the clean lines of the polo's intended fit. So, best to take a tip from Bond
and to hang your sunglasses from the placket instead. As far as pricing goes, the Riviera
costs £115 or $150 and the Sea Island cotton polos are £215 or $315. So, now, we come to our
main question: are Sunspel T-shirts and polos worth it? I'm sure that, for many people,
spending upwards of $90 on a T-shirt or a polo doesn't seem like a normal thing to do, especially
with so many cheaper options out there for what looks to be exactly the same thing. But, that's
exactly why you should consider Sunspel Now, of course, there are cheaper brands out there,
but a reduction in cost can also mean a reduction in quality. If you were to
buy a couple classic colors, as you've seen in today's video, you'd be set for far longer than
if you were to buy cheaper options that would need to be replaced far more frequently. Now,
it's all about the long-term value that you're going to get from a Sunspel shirt
versus the short-term value you would get from paying less upfront, but having to replace it
more often. The essence of cost-per-wear as we've discussed here. Sea Island cotton is
a truly wonderful fabric to have in a garment and, as we've seen, you do pay for that luxury.
This means that Sea Island cotton shirts aren't going to be for everyone. But,
if Sunspel's Sea Island cotton offerings are within your spending range, you shouldn't be
disappointed with your purchase. Instead, we suggest that you look towards a more
budget-friendly option as they perform just as well as the Sea Island cotton shirts.
In our experience, Sunspel's everyday classic cotton T-shirts and Riviera polo shirts are
of excellent quality and wash-and-wear well. And most importantly, fit into our classic wardrobes
effortlessly. So, we happily give our stamp of approval to Sunspel's T-shirts and polo shirts.
Even if you only have a few of these classically casual staples in your wardrobe,
they'll be the best that you own. Today, I'm wearing a navy Riviera polo from Sunspel.
I'm also wearing a pair of khaki chino pants, brown shadow-striped socks from Fort Belvedere,
and a pair of white leather sneakers. Check out the Fort Belvedere shop here for socks like these.
♪ Gentleman's Gazette Theme Song ♪