Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Jon Chan

My favorite T-shirt from this bulletproof brand still looks good after 300-plus washes

A photo of an Into the AM graphic t-shirts

We all have that favorite T-shirt that we don’t want to throw away, even as the design chips away and the “black” cloth fades to fuzzy grey. Wouldn’t it be great if that shirt still looked worthy to keep years down the road?

I can’t turn back time on your Nirvana shirt from middle school. But after years of wearing and washing one brand, I can confidently say there is a company making T-shirts for the long haul: Into the AM. And though my tastes lean loud, they make something for everyone.

Into the AM Graphic Tee

Into the AM
Men’s graphic tee
none-selected
Into the AM Evergreen graphic Tee
  • Amazon $28.76
  • Into the AM $29.95
$23.16 at Amazon $29.95 at Into the AM

What I love

What’s a fellow to do if he wants to add a dash of whimsy and contrasting colors to his fit? For me, it’s graphic T-shirts. From illustrations to the name of your last vacation destination, you can find them to make any statement you can imagine. My problem is that so many graphic tees start to fade after a handful of washes, or the fabric on which they’re printed frays too quickly.

I wasn’t trying to invest in ironclad clothing when I bought my first Into the AM graphic tee in 2019 – the company’s in-house artists just made some real bangers I couldn’t resist.

The eye-catching designs are colorful without declaring me part of any fandom, or making a jokey statement that people will tire of. Plus, Into the Am didn’t skimp out on the T-shirt itself. It’s a blend of 60% cotton and 40% polyester, which is ideal for t-shirts: cotton provides softness and breathability, while polyester adds durability and shrink resistance.

Into the AM graphic tee:

From $15.96 at Amazon From $16.99 at Into the AM

More than six years down the line, I’m still wearing my first Into the AM shirt, and it still looks pretty good. See for yourself.

Alt text: An image depicting an Into the AM graphic tee along with its purchase date

Yes, it’s a little cracked, but the design is still readable and vibrant. The T-shirt itself remains comfortable, the hem has not significantly frayed, and the collar continues to hold its round shape. Also, even though I’ve gained a few pounds in the last half-decade, the large still fits me comfortably.

I’ve gotten tons of compliments when I wear my Into the AM tees. Men’s casual fashion skews so much toward blues, grays, whites, and blacks, that a pop of bombastic color really stands out.

Now, if you’re not interested in graphic tees because you’re a grown adult, Into the AM can oblige you. The company carries its high-quality plain t-shirts, polos, and tank tops.

Non-brand t-shirts are only about three dollars cheaper than the graphic ones. However, they’ll last you years, meaning you can do your part in reducing the 34 billion pounds of used textiles Americans send to the landfill each year.

Built to last

Into the AM graphic tee:

From $15.96 at Amazon From $16.99 at Into the AM

In an era of fast fashion that meant to be worn a handful of times and then thrown away, Into the AM stands out as a brand for its durable textiles. High-quality dyes and a cotton-polyester blend create a durable graphic T-shirt that maintains its color, shape, and sense of fashion even after hundreds of washes.

You don’t have to share my aesthetic sensibilities to find something that clicks with you in their library of more than 100 designs, which include tropical sunsets, psychedelic space scenes, and idyllic nature settings. They’re visceral, eye-catching, and they feel more like wearing a painting than a billboard for a brand.

And you’re not in the market for shirts, Into the AM also makes pants, fleece, and even jackets. Whatever style you settle on, you can trust it will still look great every time you pull it out of the closet.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.