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Photo: Velvet by Graham & Spencer

Where to Shop for the Perfect T-Shirt

By Danielle Directo-Meston
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By Danielle Directo-Meston
Photo: Velvet by Graham & Spencer

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Not all t-shirts are made equal, as evidenced by the endless options (V-neck! scoop neck! cap sleeve!) In addition to shorts and sunnies, finding the perfect t-shirt is essential to LA dressing.

Below, check out LA's best stores for stocking up on versatile staples, from perfect tuckable slub tees to the softest Pima cotton wonders and more.

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Alternative

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The socially-conscious brand crafts the softest pima cotton tees— all mindfully made in Peru—in a variety of wear-with-anything neutral hues. [Photo: Alternative]
1337 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA, 90291
(310) 482-3316
(310) 482-3316

American Apparel

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If you're looking for a shirt in a very specific Pantone number, chances are you'll find it at one of American Apparel's shops. The LA brand stocks basic tees and tanks in every color of the rainbow and in a variety of cuts and fits. Note that its Flea Market is relocating before you make the trek to DTLA.
7726 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 782-0170
(323) 782-0170

Junk Food Clothing

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For the perfect vintage tee sans the mysterious thrift store aroma, the next best thing is a throwback from star-faved LA label Junk Food. The shop stocks the brand's signature licensed logo basics for kids and adults, including everything from '80s-inspired designs to Star Wars shirts to retro band tees and more. [Photo: Junk Food]
Abbott Kinney, Venice, CA

Oak LA

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Assymetrical, edgy, and monochrome basics are the name of the game at the formerly American Apparel-owned brand, which offers two LA boutiques (one on Beverly Boulevard and another on DTLA's Broadway) for replenishing cool-kid wardrobes. [Photo: Oak NYC]
7228 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Velvet by Graham & Spencer: Platform

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Fresh off a cool collab with local blogstar Courtney Trop, the luxe label's bestselling slub tees are perfectly tuckable in practically any jean. [Photo: Velvet by G&S]
8850 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Splendid

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In addition to wardrobe essentials in spring-minded color palettes, the LA-based label offers tees in every stripe style, from awning to Breton. For basics bargains, hit up Splendid's DTLA factory store, which also offers merch from sister label Ella Moss. [Photo]
189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 933-2990
(323) 933-2990

James Perse

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As our national site notes, the local label's luxe tees scream "relaxed rich person." Find their pricey Cali-casual essentials in incredibly comfy, flattering silhouettes that suit every LA season. [Photo: James Perse]
8914 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069
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Alternative

1337 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA, 90291
The socially-conscious brand crafts the softest pima cotton tees— all mindfully made in Peru—in a variety of wear-with-anything neutral hues. [Photo: Alternative]
1337 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA, 90291
(310) 482-3316
(310) 482-3316

American Apparel

7726 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
If you're looking for a shirt in a very specific Pantone number, chances are you'll find it at one of American Apparel's shops. The LA brand stocks basic tees and tanks in every color of the rainbow and in a variety of cuts and fits. Note that its Flea Market is relocating before you make the trek to DTLA.
7726 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 782-0170
(323) 782-0170

Junk Food Clothing

Abbott Kinney, Venice, CA
For the perfect vintage tee sans the mysterious thrift store aroma, the next best thing is a throwback from star-faved LA label Junk Food. The shop stocks the brand's signature licensed logo basics for kids and adults, including everything from '80s-inspired designs to Star Wars shirts to retro band tees and more. [Photo: Junk Food]
Abbott Kinney, Venice, CA

Oak LA

7228 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Assymetrical, edgy, and monochrome basics are the name of the game at the formerly American Apparel-owned brand, which offers two LA boutiques (one on Beverly Boulevard and another on DTLA's Broadway) for replenishing cool-kid wardrobes. [Photo: Oak NYC]
7228 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Velvet by Graham & Spencer: Platform

8850 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Fresh off a cool collab with local blogstar Courtney Trop, the luxe label's bestselling slub tees are perfectly tuckable in practically any jean. [Photo: Velvet by G&S]
8850 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Splendid

189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036
In addition to wardrobe essentials in spring-minded color palettes, the LA-based label offers tees in every stripe style, from awning to Breton. For basics bargains, hit up Splendid's DTLA factory store, which also offers merch from sister label Ella Moss. [Photo]
189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 933-2990
(323) 933-2990

James Perse

8914 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069
As our national site notes, the local label's luxe tees scream "relaxed rich person." Find their pricey Cali-casual essentials in incredibly comfy, flattering silhouettes that suit every LA season. [Photo: James Perse]
8914 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069