Okay let’s dive into how I found my favorite vintage tennis shirt last weekend. Took some trial and error but nailed it eventually.
Started with a terrible first pick
Went thrifting downtown Saturday morning hungry. First rack I see has this “cool” baby blue shirt with stripes. Grabbed it fast cause it looked retro. Big mistake. Later found:
- Yellow stains under the armpits like old deodorant
- Threads pulling apart at the seams
- Felt like sandpaper when I rubbed it
Total junk. Got too excited like a kid in a candy store.
Slowed down and checked the collar first
Learned my lesson. Next store I flipped every collar inside out. Ran my thumb along the seam. Good signs?
- Smooth pique cotton – rough stuff means worn out
- Printed tags not scratchy woven ones
- No cracking on logos or labels
Found three with decent collars in this shop alone. Already better.
The armpit sweat test
Lifted every potential shirt right to my nose. Sounds weird but you gotta do it. Sniffed deep where the sleeves attach. Passed these:
- One smelled like grandma’s closet (musty but cleanable)
- Another had faint floral scent (probably washed recently)
Instant reject for anything smelling like vinegar or onions. Your nose knows.
The stretch & pinch move
Grabbed shoulders between my fingers. Stretched the fabric sideways gently. Watched for:
- How fast it bounced back (slow=worn out)
- Any see-through thin spots near seams
- Decent weight when holding it up
Threw back two shirts that felt like tissue paper. They’d rip after one wash.
The final champion
Ended up with this mint green Fila joint. Collar crisp like celery. Logo not peeling at all. Smelled like my mom’s laundry room. Paid $12 and wore it playing tennis that afternoon. Perfection.
Biggest lesson? Check collars and pits before getting hyped about colors. Slow hands find good shirts.