The finest T-shirt. On earth.
Our goal is not only to make the best T-shirts we can. It is to make the best T-shirts anyone can. That’s it. We're not innovators, we're idealists.
Our T-shirts are made by hand in the heart of England using 100% Sea Island cotton, the finest in the world. They are made in one factory to one garment pattern. Consistency is key. We apply this single-minded vision in order to produce our small range of products to the highest possible standards.
It is quality rather than quantity that matters.
—Seneca
The 0.001% Club
You may think that all cotton is created equal.
Vast amounts of cotton are grown and harvested globally each year: over 25 million tonnes. About 90% of this is known as ‘upland cotton’, a short staple cotton harvested from the Gossypium hirsutum variety. This rugged plant has a short fibre (staple) that produces a relatively rough and brittle fabric.
Only 5% of cotton production is classed as extra-long staple cotton, harvested from the Gossypium barbadense plant. This makes a softer yarn and smoother, stronger fabrics.
The longer the staple, the superior the fabric.
And of all extra-long staple cottons in the world, the variety with the longest fibre is that of Sea Island cotton. Less than 150 bales of Sea Island cotton are produced each year. Less than 0.001% of total cotton production. And it’s what we use for all of our T-shirts.
The secret of the longest staple.
When short fibres are twisted together, the resulting thread is relatively rough and brittle. In contrast, when you twist together longer fibres, the resulting thread is both smoother and stronger. And the longest cotton fibres in the world are those of Sea Island cotton. In fact, Sea Island cotton fibres are twice as long as upland cotton fibres. This is achieved by growing the Gossypium barbadense cotton variety in the ideal climatic conditions of the Caribbean. The warmth, humidity, wind and rain all contribute in creating the perfect growing environment. Only very small amounts can be harvested annually, making Sea Island cotton an extremely rare and sought-after commodity.
Garments, perfected.
Our T-shirts and Henleys are cut to a classic fit, tailored to hug the chest and arms with more room around the waist.
Our cotton fabric is pre-shrunk, meaning our garments keep their fit wash after wash. While all natural fibres may experience movement over time, pre-shrinking significantly reduces this, giving you a more consistent fit from the first wear onwards.
The buttons on our Henleys are made in the Cotswolds from corozo, a natural material derived from the fallen nuts of the tagua palm, grown in Ecuador. And because of the value of the corozo harvest, it helps to create economically sustainable communities within the rainforest, providing an incentive to protect the trees from future logging. A beautiful material with a positive impact.
Every detail of our T-shirts is considered.
