"She's the one: The perfect t-shirt? I think we've found it, gals." A guest post by sustainable fashion writer, Rosie Drake-Amery
Hello! I'm Rosie Drake-Amery, a creative director with a whole lotta' soul. I’m deeply passionate about sustainability and circularity, weaving those principles into everything I create. I lead my made-to-order womenswear brand, Roake Studio and consult on creative for other sustainable brands, alongside training as a yoga teacher and writing about sustainable fashion in my spare time - all from my home on the sunny Isle of Wight. Find me @ro.slowandflow on Insta or Slow and Flow on Substack.
Rosie's guest post:
I was her, she was me. We were one, we were free. Millennials, put your hands up… Robbie says it best.
I’ve been on a relentless quest for the perfect t-shirt - I know I’m particular. Very particular. I’ve absolutely got some sensory stuff going on, and if a fabric touches my skin and it’s not right, it’s coming straight off in a fit of rage. I don’t care what the credentials are, if it doesn’t feel good, it’s not for me.
Call it a wardrobe romance. The fit, the fabric, the texture - it all has to match up to my very exacting standards. Sustainability and comfort are non-negotiables, and it’s why alongside reaching for soft, natural, and breathable fabrics, I’ll also lean toward oversized or loose-fitting styles, like Orla.
I’ll never compromise on ethics for style, we all know this by now, but I do feel there have to be gateway garments for people looking to dip their toes into making sustainable choices.
That’s where the tee comes in, a real sustainable hero that’s a daily do-er. Everyone wears this jersey basic, and this one from Ivy is responsibly manufactured in Portugal using organic cotton. Ivy is proud to champion ethical fashion by minimising environmental impact, ensuring a transparent supply chain, and promoting circular production methods. Their commitment goes beyond just producing quality garments - it's about making a positive impact on the planet and people at every stage of the process. So when Sally of Ivy suggested I take this one for a spin, I couldn’t be more enthusiastic.
Let’s talk pre-shrunk in t-shirts. Oh yes, this little number’s been pre-shrunk to perfection. Ever bought a top that wasn’t pre-shrunk? Then you know the struggle: wash, wear, and suddenly your shirt unpegs from the line as a bleak twisted version of its former self. No thank you. This one holds its shape like a pro.
Speaking of laundry (and call me a nana but this is a big one): I need my Tee to wash like a champ. Pure consistency. If there’s one thing we need in this world of womanhood it’s trust in our staples. Whilst we’re here we should cover the fit. I’m blessed with tiny boobs (don’t cry for me, I run) and sometimes I find that jersey tops are designed for those who need some more space up top with extra fabric in the pattern. But this one? It falls just right. No droop, no awkward shoulder sag, tons of space for layers.
Here’s my ideal t-shirt scenario: I want to be able to tuck this beauty of a t-shirt into my high-waisted jeans without it riding up like it’s trying to make a great escape or flash my pants. I want to leave it loose for the days when I don’t mind the breeze. This tee in particular has the skills to do both, and that, my friends, is the magic we all need in a basic.
The perfect tee has got to go with everything too. It’s got to have that all-around, all-season, can’t-go-wrong kind of vibe. So, when I’m slinging it my gym bag for post workout, post sauna comfy cas then we really know we’re onto a winner. This one has accompanied me in the following scenarios this week: said gym trip, multiple school runs, the supermarket (anyone else taking out a mortgage to keep their small children fully stocked on berries?), bra-off evening lounging, bike riding to work, yoga class, post-yoga class coffee hangs, replanting a flower bed, meeting a pal for an evening drink. So yeah, it must be ticking those boxes because it’s slotted itself into my most-worn drawer quite nicely.
I’ve worked with lovely Sally from Ivy before on projects for Roake, and it’s always been a lot of fun. We share the same vision when it comes to sustainable clothing that’s not just ethical but comfortable and easy to wear. So when the chance came to test drive this t-shirt, it felt like the universe had conspired to create something that ticks all the boxes. The perfect t-shirt? I think we found it, gals.
Rosie wears Orla Sky/Navy Breton in organic cotton.
