Best Affordable T-Shirt? | Bronson MFG Loopwheel T-shirts & 1940 USN Slub Cotton

[@jaasssppppeeeerrrrr]

"My name is James, and I like clothes and well-made things." Subscribed.

[@JamesHerlihy]

Thank you!

[@delanotravis]

Same 😆

[@cophater298]

right lol

[@FeraligatrCollectorTCG]

The 1940s look great! Thank you for the in-depth!

[@JamesHerlihy]

For sure!

[@LuigiBordonaro-s7z]

Bronson sweats/hoodies are really good, probably the best bang for buck of all things on the site. Their military jackets are also really good for the money and hit above their weight, especially the deck jacket and flight jackets. Regarding the Tshirts, I have the loopwheel and the regular 9 oz tubular. I prefer the 9 oz as they're not as boxy as the loop wheel ones. BTW, if you plan on using dryer, they're going to shrink a lot. Based on your fit pics, I think you can get a really nice fit on that loopwheel if you blast it in the dryer. It'll come down at least a half size and should shorten up on the length and pinch in the sides. But be careful on your slub one as you're pretty close on that one already and any shrinkage will probably take you to sausageville ; )

[@JamesHerlihy]

Thanks for all the insight!

[@p4r1p]

no idea whether it's indeed the case here, but not having a slubby texture doesn't have to be a sign that it's not a loopwheeled fabric. I have quite a few pieces from Merz B. Schwanen, all loopwheeled in Germany, and the fabric is smooth and uniform. however, it is bouncy and soft in that familiar low-tension way

[@JamesHerlihy]

Good to know! Still kinda new to the tshirt game. Just picked up a merz b 1950s piece. There stuff is gray.

[@snuffspoon]

It's not loopwheel, they explained themselves, they use a machine that replicates loopwheel. The "Loopwheel" is a tube knit.

[@woodersonandmelbatoast6043]

Coming from a person that gets all his shirts through the Holley website (they cost about 5-10$) I saw “best affordable shirt” and then heard $40 and was like ahhhh we are in 2 different professions lol

[@JamesHerlihy]

haha these are more artisanal tees. but the first one was around 25 bucks! sometimes worth the investment if you can keep it clean (hard for me)

[@minerforjob32]

@@JamesHerlihy The price for a t shirt in 1955 (according to google) is 2 bucks, adjusted for inflation that would be 23.40 today. Considering Bronson (and most modern artisan tees) arent mass produced like they would be back in the day, we could suppose that the cost difference between mass produced could make up for USA labor costs back in the day. SO, basically it costs the same. ( Im just ranting I completely understand its expensive today lol)

[@DMorgan77]

Great video, James. Hopefully, you'll do a long term review on these too.

[@JamesHerlihy]

For sure! I plan on doing a complete tshirt review of my stuff

[@romanopeterj]

I just discovered your channel and placed my first order of Brunson T-Shirts. The same thing happened to me, I placed the order for two large T-shirts and got a message back asking for my measurements (5ft 10, 185 pounds) and they suggested I size up to an Xl. I have never worn anything in an XL but looking forward to getting the shirts. I ordered the 9 oz tubular cotton in a Dark Green, and a Loopwheel Tubular Athletic shirt.

[@JamesHerlihy]

Heck yeah! Enjoy them! They are going to fit you perfectly

[@romanopeterj]

@@JamesHerlihy Just got the T Shirts, and they fit perfectly! I will definitely be ordering more clothes from Brunson, and of course looking forward to your content!

[@jthamilton9083]

Both t shirts look great on you they’re just two different styles. Great vid!

[@JamesHerlihy]

Thank you! I love them both!

[@brunonjezic6208]

I got few things from them including loopweeld t shirt and slanted tubular t shirt. I shoot them a email asking are they the same mashine and they anwsered fast and started to talk mashines. I didn't necessarily got all but from the context the loopweeld mashine is based on historic one but is not the old one. Great customer suport from the brand

[@JamesHerlihy]

Thank you for the insight!

[@Nicholas-V]

Loop wheel shirts can be pretty hard to get the sizing right since the can be pretty boxy. I really like mine from Old but Gold Clothing that I had natural indigo dyed by Wild Frontier Goods. It fits perfectly without being too tight or loose and boxy, it’s great for Japanese summers.

[@JamesHerlihy]

Good to know! I'll check them out.

[@HermesTrismegistes369]

The USN 1940 shirt looks way better on you. I like it 🤙🏼

[@JamesHerlihy]

Thank you!

[@lulabelle82]

Im currently wearing the loop wheel t shirt you reviewed and have a few other colours. The price point for the quality is great and their customer service seems spot on as well. I cant really justify paying too much for t shirts as much as u want to so these really tick a lot of boxes for me.

[@JamesHerlihy]

Completely agree and get it. Honestly these might be there best quality for money

[@auhsoJ.]

Thanks for the video ! Gonna look into the denim as well as the 1940s tee.

[@JamesHerlihy]

Independence sells them! I'll check it out. It gets expensive quick!

[@jimmbear3998]

I wish I would have read more about the measurements. I ordered one recently and like the shirt it is the heavy one (sort of a dark gray in color). However, I ordered an XL which is too small for me. It's weird it seems like brands are running small nowadays for some reason. I am 6 feet tall and 225lb so an XL should fit me perfectly. In past I always would wear L or XL nowadays just XL for most part, and XL is too small for this brand. I guess I will see how good their exchange policy is. Maybe it's just me but I don't get why someone would buy a nice heavy shirt in white as I always associate white tshirts with undershirts. IMHO if it is a nicer more expensive tshirt that I am going to wear on its own, I find darker colors look so much better or higher end than white tshirts do. Bottomline if you want to try one of these make sure to size up!

[@Rex_Cosmos]

Yeah that second shirt is exactly the look I want. Though the first was good too.

[@JamesHerlihy]

It's great honestly!

[@templateremix]

I just bought the same T-shirt in S size, plus a tank top and a few henley shirts (long and short sleeves). All in S size. For reference I’m 173cm and about 78kg muscular and lean and from measurements on my body and clothes I like, it should be fine. I’ll drop an update when I get them. By the way I like it super fitted on the chest and arms (muscular guys thing 🐵), and I also received the email about my measurements. From what I’ve read, they tend to always advice to size up, which I will not.

[@JamesHerlihy]

Good Luck!!! We are basically the same size and i got an XL! Please report back

[@templateremix]

@@JamesHerlihyHere’s my experience (remember I’m 78kg lean muscular, so quite different in shape than 78kg normal): the athletic t-shirts in S size are perfect. A little bit snug in the armpit bit nothing I’m not used to when wearing my usual fitted t-shirts. I love how it accentuate my back and chest and the sleeve length is perfect to casually show off my arms. It’s a bit boxy on the waist but I like how it looks when I tucked them on my pants. Definitely gives an action movie vibe. The apricot color is my favorite. The short sleeves henley in S size are pretty much the same. The opened collar offers a little bit more room for the shoulder since it can stretch a bit more. The sleeves are a little bit too long compared to the t-shirt sleeves but it does look great and feels like it won’t be out of shape avec just a few wears (I had this problem with Pike Brothers henleys that really disappointed me). The long sleeves henleys where too tight on S size because of the sleeves. I could barely fit my biceps and triceps inside. Chest and back were as great as the short sleeves henley but I had to exchange for M size. M size is better, I can fit my arms, I can up the sleeves on forearms. The chest and back are a bit too roomy for my taste since I like to showcase my pecs but it does still give an overall casual muscular look on me. The military tank top in S size is perfect, extra-fitted, looking like a beast on it. It’s a little bit stretchy so it’s great but I wouldn’t recommend the S size to anyone who isn’t super low in bodyfat around the waist because it does show the good and the bad from your body. For the record I also tried the pants and they seems true to size: I bought an S size corduroy trouser that fit me just it’s supposed to and a M size sweatpants which is baggy how I wanted to, but I could have go for the S size and still be confortable. I also tried a racer long sleeves t-shirt with raglan sleeves and took the 2nd size (which was supposed to be kinda like a M size) but it was crushing my armpits and the sleeves were too tight as well. Overall it does seem pretty similar to European sizing and if you’re athletic and like fitted clothing, DO NOT listen to the advices from the email (they told me to take like XL or XXL. Maybe they thought I wanted to be comfy like in my pyjama, I don’t know). I don’t know how I can share pictures, but if someone is interested to see to compare just get in touch with me. I’m a happy customer, might try their denim in the future.

[@rrtmatthew]

James, You are right it isn't loopwheel. On their website it actually says Loopwheel like. but still and excellent t

[@JamesHerlihy]

Agreed. Great quality for the money.

[@ethandorsett4895]

What is the pearl snap you are wearing? I dig it!

[@JamesHerlihy]

Wythe NYC check them out!

[@icemancar]

Hi James, love the review definitely gonna subscribe to your channel! Btw I love your glasses, wich brand and type is it. Because i'm searching for this Ascot type of glasses but wanna extend my vision towards other brands as well! Thanx and keep up the good work!

[@JamesHerlihy]

thank you!!! these are Jacques marie mage

[@grantdickey]

Great video! I live in Nashville here we have Imogene and Willie and Buck Mason. Do you have any thoughts on their quality?

[@JamesHerlihy]

I don't have much experience with buck mason but it seems nice. I really Imogene and Willie I have a shirt and a pair of pants from them

[@dereknguyen131]

The sawtooth shirt is beautiful. May I know where you bought it from ?

[@JamesHerlihy]

Wythe! Highly recommend

[@dereknguyen131]

@ thanks so much

[@mcnuonuo]

I've owned Lady white among all the other brands you mentioned and I wouldn't put them in the same bracket as Wonder looper haha

[@JamesHerlihy]

I agree way better on every level. I just can't justify over $100 for a T-shirt that I'll stain lol

[@mcnuonuo]

Just only buy white so you can bleach them haha@@JamesHerlihy

[@JamesHerlihy]

@mcnuonuo not a terrible idea

[@36424567254]

The price looks too good to be true honestly, for the vast majority of stuff they produce. They also claim duties to import into EU are prepaid (though I suppose VAT is not). Can it really be trusted?

[@JamesHerlihy]

I really liked them didn't have a problem honestly

[@no4365]

I brought a shirt from them, I'm in the EU, no extra VAT or import tax. Pretty sure VAT is already in the price. You pay the price displayed.

[@36424567254]

@@no4365 I ordered a couple things and indeed it was true. I did learn however that the loopwheel tshirts aren't actually loopwheel, they claim they use "an evolution of those machines". It did seem impossible to me that they sold loopwheel tshirts for that price so that makes sense. That being said, they are still great heavyweight well constructed tshirts with a good cotton, will probably buy again.

[@__brand__le]

Hi James, could you share where the collared shirt you have on is from?

[@JamesHerlihy]

It's from wythe nyc. It's called the western shirt

[@__brand__le]

@@JamesHerlihy Thanks, will check it out! Bronson also seem to have some pretty nice denim jackets.

[@iansomnium8796]

What’s the brand you’re showing at about 6:45 in this video?

[@JamesHerlihy]

I believe I was talking about the 3sixteen tees

[@therealal1713]

Which one has a higher collar? Been looking for a t with a high collar at a fair price. Thanks man!

[@JamesHerlihy]

The heavy weight we has he higher collar

[@therealal1713]

@@JamesHerlihy 10.5 oz?

[@LaVieBoheme517]

I think the wild thing is that basic t shirts started as undershirts here in the US in the early 1900s. Then they became a counter-fashion statement in the 1950s. Super cheap and basic tees. Now we're discussing the same basic t-shirt style for astronomical prices. I looked into Bronson but for reasons similar to those you touched on, I'll not be buying from them. Their description and info on making these products is deceiving. Moving on to a more ethical brand.

[@JamesHerlihy]

i completely get that. the tough part with tshirts in the 50s being "cheap" was they weren't all that cheap. $2-$3 back then is like $25-$35 now. the problem is manufacturing. i agree with the notion to buy less and get better that's pretty much my whole channel. I dont think ill buy from them in the future Because i have transcended that (owning Merz & lady white). i think if you're looking for a "good" product and on a limited budget this is a great option. for me it's more about over consumption. if you have 50 pairs of ethically made jeans your more of a problem than a person who has one pair of jeans made in china but wears them every day. I really appreciate you sharing i Love having conversations about this kind of stuff.

[@LaVieBoheme517]

@@JamesHerlihy​​⁠Appreciate the conversation too! I wish more people had insight and the ability to discuss as you do. To be honest, I’m pretty ignorant of what prices were back then but I assumed being a basic undergarment that they were had relatively cheaply. But who knows! My main reference having been in the Navy myself are the basic shirts they gave us. For the life of me I can’t remember who made them but I ran those into the ground when I got out. I had a boss once I really envied because they wore the same outfit everyday. Black shirt and blue jeans. For a more “formal” or business casual situation like a meeting they’d just throw on a button up (only one design). I want my wardrobe to be like that but alas I have 12 pairs of selvedge denim that I adore and am trying to find T shirts I can have for as long as possible and do the same as my previous boss. Great channel and review. I’m subscribing now.

[@JamesHerlihy]

@LaVieBoheme517 thank you!! You’ll deff find the T you’re looking for! Check Out velva sheen those are great tees too

[@LucasPassmore]

Who makes ur glasses?

[@JamesHerlihy]

They are JMM. Love them great quality.

[@rubenortiz270741]

Is the tshirt translucent or heavyweight?

[@JamesHerlihy]

One is translucent the other is much heavier!

[@rubenortiz270741]

Is the first one traslucent? I wanna buy a white t shirt from this brand but this make me hesitate. Thanks for your answer and review@@JamesHerlihy

[@harrybrown7680]

Shaka Wear makes the best (white) T-Shirts with the nicest collar

[@JamesHerlihy]

I'll check them out.

[@tuazonwarrior]

Pro clubs was always better than shaka wear

[@harrybrown7680]

@@tuazonwarrior The Pro Club fit is a little bit better but the shaka wear collar is matchless

[@Richard-Reloaded]

Jmm glasses?

[@JamesHerlihy]

Yup!

[@godlyClaiborne]

The Futura Toy told me I was in the right place.

[@JamesHerlihy]

Hell yeah!

[@almac8840]

Something ironic about a Chinese company ripping off American vintage style

[@JamesHerlihy]

agreed

[@zekeyeager1458]

looks really good. I have their 1940s wide leg chinos.

[@JamesHerlihy]

Thanks, All of their stuff seems greats

[@anthonycelia]

Did they shrink at all?

[@JamesHerlihy]

I haven't notice much stinking honestly.

[@jyo5764]

their cloth quality is great but the size is shit I had to go up 2 size up despite measuring it correctly

[@JamesHerlihy]

Same. Atleast they emailed me and told me to size up.

[@nightmarevalkyrie]

Weird. Tag looks similar to whitesville. Japanese loop wheel. Hmmm

[@briandesind9181]

Dope Channel

[@JamesHerlihy]

Thank you!

[@seape21]

Bronson MFG is from Guangzhou China, not Hong Kong...

[@JamesHerlihy]

Cool thanks for the correction

[@evn556]

Wait it’s made in china??

[@JamesHerlihy]

It is

[@e.t.4824]

"is gonna be really great" isn't the point knowing?

[@joethompson61]

Probably a really good shirt but only by american

[@emilianozapata7690]

No way I'm paying that much for t-shirts.

[@JamesHerlihy]

for sure

[@Relevnt]

Jesus the yap dude…. please add time stamps holy shit

[@JamesHerlihy]

Time stamps were in the description brother. Appreciate the engagement!

[@Relevnt]

@@JamesHerlihy James, you have to start your timestamps with 0:00 in order for them to actually be embedded in the video.

[@JamesHerlihy]

@@Relevnt Thank you! Ill make sure to do that going forward.

[@CanadianPenny]

The problem I have with Bronson is that we know nothing about their manufacturing process. Who made the fabrics and garments? Were they fair treated and paid? What about environmental policies. After they bleach a fabric white, what do they do with that waste water? China has some of the most polluted rivers in the world. Part of why Japanese fabrics are so expensive is that they treat waste water thoroughly. It's often cleaner coming out of the mill than coming into it. I highly doubt that a $40 tee of this quality was created with the same care.

[@JamesHerlihy]

I could understand that. Chinese factories have come a long way but like you said there isn’t much transparency with them.

[@yourgodshead]

The corner store by my house sells white tees. They only cost 5 bucks and dont come with useless history and heritage.

[@JamesHerlihy]

ill check it out!!

[@guckertott]

It ain't just heritage and history. The right loopwheeled tee will slightly caress your nipples keeping you on edge all day long.

[@KarlTheExpert]

Instead they come with blood, sweat and tears of slave labour and a quickly dying environment. They also don't last as long so you gotta buy more of them. Seriously, you're scraping the bottom of the barrel there.

[@ArmandSalmon]

(Affordable T+shirt) 2 for $77... 🙄

[@forincognito22]

the 1940's looks sorta piss stained tho.

[@JamesHerlihy]

Maybe

[@BuildNStuff86]

Dude, MFG is an abbreviation for “manufacturing”. It sounds dumb to spell it out.

[@JamesHerlihy]

for sure

[@Sacred-Profane]

“ investment t-shirt “ ??? Lol There is something really wrong with you !!! Jokey USA 🇺🇸 made thats all you need

[@JamesHerlihy]

Heck yeah!

[@DomnulSarb]

30+ dollars for a thin, tubular basic t-shirt....and you think that's cheap? What world do you live in bro?

[@JamesHerlihy]

I save!