- Founded in 2015, Public Rec is a men’s athleisure clothing brand that makes comfortable and versatile styles that can be worn casually, for working out, lounging, or traveling.
- Public Rec’s Go-To Tee is made from a blend of Pima Cotton, TENCEL, and Spandex, which makes it moisture-wicking, stretchy, and comfortable. It’s designed to never shrink or lose its shape.
- At $54 each, Public Rec Go-To Tees are expensive for a T-shirt, but I found them to be a great value. I’ve owned a few Go-To Tees for more than two years and they fit exactly as they did when they were new.
When your plans don’t call for a formal outfit, T-shirts are one of the most comfortable options you can wear. They’re the perfect kind of top for casual get-togethers, running errands, or being active.
That said, some T-shirts just aren’t very comfortable; we’ve all experienced ill-fitting neck openings that stick up on the shoulder, sleeves that are too short, and torsos that are too long.
And even if a T-shirt does fit well initially, once it stretches out after being worn, or shrinks from washing and drying, it'll never be the same.
Luckily, Public Rec has making a good-fitting T-shirt that staysthat way down to a science with its Go-To Tee, and we're not surprised. In 2016, the athleisure startup received so much praise for its All Day Everyday Pant, a pair of sweatpants nice enough to wear to the office, that it sold out and ended up with a 1200-person wait list for them.
Made from a proprietary fabric blend of Pima Cotton, TENCEL, and Spandex, the Go-To Tee is designed to wick moisture and never shrink while staying soft and stretchy.
Public Rec sent over a few samples, and I was excited to give them a try because I wear T-shirts all the time. They're comfortable, and since I don't have to dress in a suit for work, they're also a part of my wardrobe during the week.
What it's like to wear (August 2017)
My first impression was that the Go-To Tee fit very well. As simple as T-shirts are, I usually like to try them on in person, because you never know if a brand's cut is going to be a little too big or small. Public Rec got this right, so there's no need to size up or down.
The second thing I noticed was how nice the custom material was; I loved how soft it felt on my skin. I also appreciated the added stretchiness. It's not stretchy to the point that it feels like workout gear, but you can tell it'll keep its shape just by its feel.
So, I put the shirt to the test: I wore it to work during the week, washed and dried it, and then wore it again during a very busy Saturday. In the past, I have worn T-shirts under the assumption that they will need to be replaced after just a few wears and washes - that wasn't the case this time. After being worn and washed, Public Rec's Go-To Tee kept the same shape and fit.
Update after 2.5 years of wear (January 2020)
More than two years later, my Go-To Tee is holding up as wonderfully as when I first got it. I've worn, washed, and dried it countless times and it hasn't faded, shrunk, or even slightly lost its shape - and that's very impressive for a T-shirt. I was happy with it during the few weeks I tested it before writing my original review, but my experience over the last two and a half years has surpassed my initial thoughts.
If you think $54 is a lot of money for a T-shirt, I completely agree, but the Public Rec Go-To Tee is definitely worth it. I can't think of any other T-shirt in my closet that has held up as well after so many wears and washes. Rather than buying $15 T-shirts that need to be replaced often, you can buy the Go-To Tee in one of six available colors and not have to worry about buying new ones for a really long time.
Here's a picture of me wearing my Public Rec Go-To Tee in August 2019, more than two years after I first published this review. If I didn't tell you it was this old, you'd probably think it was brand new.
The bottom line
As the name suggests, the Go-To Tee is a shirt that you can truly rely on for many occasions. If you're tired of regularly replacing your T-shirts, and want one that will keep you cool and comfortable while also keeping its shape, this is the one to buy.
Again, $54 is a lot for a T-shirt, but considering how long the Go-To Tee holds up, you can potentially even save money in the long run.