Ask Tug: The quest for the Towncraft Undershirts begins
01/16/10 – Wanna Buy Some Original Vintage Towncraft Crew Neck 50/50 Undershirts??
12/22/09 Update – Vintage Towncraft Undershirts Found! We Hit the Motherload!!
12/20/09 Update – A reader may have located one of the original Towncraft 50/50 (50% cotton & 50% polyester) undershirt!! See below.
4/04/09 – See Update #4 below. Reader recommendation of the Stafford Essential 60/40 cotton/poly blend undershirt from JCPenny
3/24/09 – HEY THERE! If you’re looking for an undershirt alternative to the original Towncraft Undershirt, check out this article: Ask Tug: Tight Collar Undershirts that Don’t Sag or Stretch Out
Holy moly!
Ever since I made mention of the TownCraft undershirts in this post, I’ve gotten about 50-75 emails from readers who are in search of these undershirts. While I don’t have any direct personal experience with wearing them, it’s pretty obvious that they must be good!
So, in true Tug form — I’ve begun the quest — the quest to find the last remaining TownCraft undershirts on earth! If there are any available, I’ll find them.
I’ve emailed friends in the undershirt company business and they have started emailing folks. I’ve emailed fabric manufacturers, JC Penny headquarters, hell — I’ve even emailed some overseas garment manufacturers in hopes of tracking them down.
I did find some on eBay recently, and the last auction for a package of TownCraft XXL undershirts ends in about 20 minutes!
Now, I could use some help from you. If you know ANYONE who knows ANYONE who can get their hands on some of the original TownCraft undershirts (not Stafford), please let me know immediately. They could be left overs from flea markets, extra unsold inventory, etc. I’m sure the folks who have emailed me would greatly appreciate it.
The other thing that would be helpful is if you used to wear TownCraft, but now have found a suitable alternative, please let us know what you found, by way of posting a comment here. I’ve got some feelers out in this area as well.
Check backhere often (or subscribe to the RSS) on our progress. I’ll post updates as I receive them!
Update #1: I sent an email out to the folks at Wellman Inc., the company that manufactures the Fortrel® polyester that was used in the TownCraft undershirt 50/50 blend. I was impressed to receive such a prompt response from the folks there. Unfortunately no luck with tracking down TownCraft, but their recommendation was to try out the Fruit of the Loom 50/50 tees which contains the same Fortrel® polyester fabric as the TownCraft. They also said that they weren’t going to be available very much longer due to a recent announcement that the company is existing the polyester staple fiber business. I did a quick scan, and I found these Fruit of the Loom 50/50 tees on Amazon. Thanks to the folks at Wellman for the information and the quick reply!
Update #2: Mrs. Tug located a package of TownCraft v-neck medium undershirts. Details here: Towncraft Update: Towncraft Men’s V-Neck Tagless T Shirts NEW white set available on eBay
Update #3: This is kind of lame, but expected. A friend of mine received an email from the JCPenney Stafford Brand Director who said the following:
“The Towncraft underwear has been updated and improved…..now known as Stafford® Essentials Cotton/Poly. This underwear can be found in stores or online.”
Duh, We knew that already. My friend emailed him back with some additional questions on Monday (10/06) but has not yet heard back from him yet (nearly two days later).
Update #4: Got an email from a reader who shared the following:
JCPENNY is now selling a new line of Stafford Essential undershirts that have the same 60-40 blend that the much sought after but discontinued Towncraft blend once had. They are awesome! I’ve been searching for a long time for a replacement for the Towncraft shirts. This is it– and quite affordable. I bought 8 v-necks on sale for 25 bucks yesterday. Pass it on!
Note: This is awesome news, but I have heard from other readers that they have also tried the Stafford Essential undershirts in the past and haven’t found them to be an equivalent replacement to the original Towncraft undershirts. However, I really couldn’t say if they were talking about the former 100% cotton Towncraft undershirts or their 60/40 cotton/poly blend undershirts. So for those former 60/40 Towncraft undershirt wearers, if you have also tried the new Stafford blend, please let us know if you are as satisified with them as this reader!
Update #5 (12/20/09): A reader might have gotten a line on one of the original 50/50 Towncraft undershirts that is in near new condition – only washed once. Here’s a picture. Look familiar anyone?
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I have also been searching for the Towncraft undershirts – to no avail.
My husband wants the Towncraft cotton/poly undershirt, & I found you while
googling. We don’t shop online, so need a location. Live in a metro area & are able to shop a lot of places, but have found nothing but 100% cotton even in the Stafford brand by JC Penney. He settled for a Fruit of the Loom, but there again, we say nothing that was a “blend”.
Hi Gloria, have you tried the 50/50 t-shirt from Fruit-of-the-Loom? From what I’ve been told, the polyester used in that undershirt is the same polyester that was used in the Towncraft cotton/poly t-shirt.
Check out the following post:
http://www.undershirtguy.com/2008/10/03/ask-tug-the-quest-for-the-towncraft-undershirts-begins/
Or you can try looking here:
http://www.cheapestees.com/fruit-of-the-loom-50-50-tshirt-5930.html
I grew up wearing Towncraft T shirts crewneck style. Most guys wore white T shirts under their shirts. You kinda had to wear one. The Towncraft Polo was a sturdy thing , it was pretty heavy fabric,the sleeves were really long, the neck stayed good for a long time. I had some lighter Towncraft T shirts too. They were for wearing in warmer weather, those had polyester collars, shorter sleeves, They were pretty tough too and I wore them a lot. Towncraft is long gone.
Now I usually wear 2xist crew neck. The tight neck band looks good under a shirt, few or no buttons undone though, crew is high on the neck. No doubt by anyone seeing you that you are wearing a good undershirt. Looks and feels really confident with the snug collar sleeves tight on arms and snug fit under my shirt. The 2xist are cotton and light fabric. The ones made in Thailand are the best.
The Ribbed Tees are pretty good too for a less visible collar. I have some of the crew neck style. They really fit snug, great for sweat absorption in the pits. I wear it under a polo and because of the snug fit the collar is in the same place on my neck all day and not very visible under the polo. Because of the ribs they are warm though and I got a little too hot in it last summer, went back to the 2xist for hotter weather.
O.K… I have rebelled against JCpenny’s ever since I was informed that the franchise quit selling the most comfortable tee on earth… I have 5 pitted crafts still in possession that in my opinion are in mint condition… they are about to become fine tie dyed specimens that I will wear till the threads break apart n fall off my body… Please bring back the craft so I can live in comfort n peace the rest of my life… If town craft made every article of clothing I would wear nothing but their apparel… 100% serious…these tees are the absolutely most comfortable flippin tees on the planet…
Hi Craftcrazy! Man, I would love to get my hands on at least ONE of the original towncraft undershirts so I could send it to a fabric company and have them sample it so we can find out what’s in that miracle fabric. Once we find out, we can make some of our own! Anybody have a Towncaft they want to send me?
Hello… I am looking for some source to purchase the old style towncrat 50/50 boxer breifs. prodused and sold at Pennys since 1927. A great product. The new Pennys Stafford brand is nothing but garbage. They craw up your hinny, pull to the sides, and the legs crawl up your legs. What a terrible product. Where can we still find the old Towncraft boxer breifs. Please Help….Anyone can reach me at shiningtimes@cableone.net with any information on sources for the old towncraft 50/50 blend of boxer breifs. The new Penny’s brand is junkkkkk…..
Floyd
These are the best shirt I ever had. One day I decided to buy 1, and never stop.(there A–SHIRT WAS THE BEST AND I MISS BUYING NEW ONE’S) Now I had to cause they don’t have them no more. To the guy that want to make them. Would a used one work not willing to give up a new one.like the other guy said I’m going to wear them out. New one’s only coming out on special occasion. (gotta make them last as long as I can). O’yea those stanford are not even close! DISAPOINTED
I meant stafford sorry. Man towncraft don’t streach or expand there just right.
LB’s description is my memory of the original Towncraft. It was the high-end Penny’s undershirt- 100% cotton, thick, snug crew neck, longer short sleeves, wore like iron. This was the “uniform” in Southern California during the 50’s and 60’s for surfers and hodaddies alike. You wore your plain white Towncraft T and Levi’s, carried your Pendleton (mostly to drape over your girl in the evening cool.) Anyone serious about restarting this brand or commissioning a small quantity please contact me. I’m in. Thanks.
Man, there must be something wrong with me. I am posting about underwear. I am looking for Towncraft Boxer briefs. I was very dissappointed to see that JCP discontinued selling them. They have always sold Towncraft, they don’t even come close. I’ve tried Hanes, BVD, Fruit of the Loom, several designer ones. All of them stretch out while wearing to where they feel like regular boxers, that’s not what I personally like. Towncrafts hold there shape and never get loose, I have probably 15 pairs, some as old as 8 years, they don’t strecth out like other boxer briefs. I just would like to start rotating some new ones in. If anyone has a line on them (I need larges), please let me know..
hey rich (or anyone else), who has new, unwashed original towncraft undershirts they’d be willing to send me? maybe i can find some company that would be interested in duplicating them and bring back the towncraft undershirts that are loved by so many people!
Hi, My son and husband also are hooked on the towncraft t-shirts crew neck. My husband has adapted to the new Stafford blended ones that took over towncraft.
My son however does not like them and will not wear them. I have tried getting other brands to know avail. Now all his t-shirts are digusting grayish I keep cutting them up for rags. I am at my wits end on how to get some of these before he does not have any. If you find any please let me know I would greatly appreciate it…..
THANKS!!!
hey fishF1, have you ever tried the 2(x)ist brand evolve underwear from target? Or the Jockey 3d underwear? I’ve been wearing both of those pretty regularly lately and have to say i’m pretty impressed. they don’t stretch out and they are very comfortable. not to say they are as comfortable as those good old towncraft boxers (we know how good that brand was), but you might consider them. also, if you haven’t already visited his site, you might want to visit the Men’s Underwear Blog as he seems to be the authority on the internet for underwear – the tug of underwear – although he started his blog before i started mine
I’m a huge fan of the Towncraft medium T. I bought new ones every two years because of discoloration. Great snug fit, and they don’t presume the same one-size-fits all belly that some t-shirts do, so you end up wearing a muu muu. Really sad to see them go.
Me too! I have been looking for a replacement for my Pennys Town Craft T shirts. I have looked in several states and even out of the USA. I am currently wearing a Pennys Stafford Tall XL combed cotten made in Pakistan. It is the closest I could find, but it is a distant second to te original. I also remember the Levi jeans and Pendleton shirt. My moter bought me and my brother 7 Town Craft T shirts at the start of each school year The only thing missing is my old pair of Purcell sneakers and I could skate board my way to work at the pier in Redondo Beach again. I can’t imagine someone hasn’t cloned the Town Craft t shirts by now. If not cloned, I can’t imagine why a smart business person hasn’t seen the niche and filled it.
Man, I thought I was the only in distress. I’m looking for Towncraft boxers and Towncraft tank top under shirts. Best shirts ever.
I believe TownCraft is now known as Stafford and being sold at JC Pennys…
hey mreen, it is true that jcp reintroduced the towncraft undershirts as stafford undershirts, but unfortunately their new undershirts aren’t the same as the original towncraft. i’ve never personally seen the original towncraft, but from all the feedback i’ve heard about them, they were really nice undershirts that were soft and held their shape really well. i’m going to make it a personal mission to find a set of original towncraft and see if i can find a manufacturer who will bring them back!
I have been buying Towncraft for my husband and son for 40 years. Now I don’t know what to buy as I brought some last year for them from JCPenny’s and they did not like them. You find something that is good and what do they do to us but dispose of them!!!?!?!?!?! I certainly won’t go back to Penny’s again. Not unless they bring back Towncraft Underwear!!?!?!?!!?
Wow i thought i was the only nut who cant find anything as good as Townsend brand underwear. Bring them back please! I only have a few left.
I bought my son-in-law Town Craft T’s and underwear 2 years ago because that was what I bought my husband for years. I noticed then there was only a small section of them left. I have went everywhere and looked at many different brands of t’s and all are very thin and cheap. So I have decided I can buy a cheap t-shirt anywhere. I might as well buy them at the cheapest price and that won’t be JC Penneys! I am here to tell you the Stafford brand is not even close to quality of TownCraft. I wish I have the email address for the CEO of JC Penneys! I’d give him a piece of my mind! Angry in IL.
I bought the Stafford 60/40 Crew Neck blends and am not satisfied. They are thicker than the Towncraft shirts I bought years ago. I’m still wearing my TC’s religiously to the point that they are begining to be see-through undershirts. JCP screwed this one up.
I’ve read these comments by others about the TownCraft T-shirts and shorts. I agree wholeheartedly with their feelings. I just cannot imagine that anybody producing such a quality product then taking it off the market. So many of us wish to buy this product. Some entrepreneur should wake up and produce it. I have not been able to find anything to take the place of the TownCraft products. The Stafford stuff is really bad news!!!
hey edwin, thanks for stopping by the site and posting your comment. based on what I’ve heard, totally agree with you about towncraft. actually, there is a company interested in re-making them, but they need samples of the original towncraft undershirts (unworn and unlaundered) to ensure they can make something similar.
any idea where they can get some?
Wow! I thought I was the only guy that loved Towncraft T-shirts. It’s good to know I’m not the only one. But what do we do now? One of the notes up the page said that the Fruit of the Loom 60/40 might be similar. Does anyone know anything about that one? Please let me know if you ever get that other company to get something started. Thanks
thanks doogie. you’re not alone!
ANYONE HAVE ANY UNWORN ORIGINAL TOWNCRAFT UNDERSHIRTS?? PING ME IF YOU DO.
I agree with Richard, I lived in my levi’s 501 and Towncraft 100% cotton crewneck T-Shirts and I have not found anything that compare’s to them yet, I always went to the La Mirada Swapmeet to get my t-Shirts.
So, if we send you a sample or piece of the towncraft undershirt you can have it sent in and possibly analyzed and remade??? My boyfriend is pretty attached to his 3 that he has left, but I could try to snag a piece of it. Would that be helpful? I would love to get my hands on some more, because these are really falling apart.
– tug posted on behalf of a reader –
Hi Tug,
I don’t have any 20 year old Towncraft undershirts to use as a pattern! That would be a miracle.
I have recollection on Towncraft undershirts though because I wore them for years as kid and a teen in the 60’s and 70’s. Most guys wore undershirts, but never as outerwear. The only shirts we could wear to school were collared shirts. It’s amazing to think that the T shirt as outerwear did not exist until the mid 70’s. At that time undershirts were thought of as part of our underwear so we always had one under our collar shirt. For teens white crew neck was the only acceptable choice, that was our own rule, A shirts were never worn at the risk of great teasing.
Towncraft undershirts were sold by chest size 36, 38, 40 etc. JC Penney must have sold a lot of them since all guys wore them, having all those sizes was economical. I recall only white crew neck, I don’t remember ever seeing V necks or colors. Towncraft also sold what they called the” Polo Shirt”. It was a heavier version. I think this is the shirt that people are thinking they liked so much. It was a very solid shirt, fit snug and the neck did not stretch.
Eventually T shirts in color came to be common and finally the most comfortable shirt, the T shirt could be worn as outerwear. I think the JC Penney “Polo Shirt” was one of the first T shirts which did become acceptable as outerwear though it took a few years for it to become acceptable. In the late 70’s I started wearing colored T’s, less collared shirts. Towncraft started making the “Polo” in color and with a pocket. I wore a lot of those as outerwear.
The last Towncraft T’s I had seemed like were losing the original fit. If you do find some vintage Towncraft don’t assume it is the pattern that everyone liked. I’m not sure but what Penney started outsourcing or whatever happens to things like that. I also suspect that people remember them as being more comfortable than they would feel now with all the nice fabric choices we have now.
LB
I have just been reading through the comments on the towncraft t’s and boxer briefs and I can very well remeber how comfortable the are as I was in a jc penny’s store that had just been remodeled and stumbled upon a 3 pair pack of size 34 boxer brief’s needless to say I picked them up and ran to the checkout immediatly as they were marked as closeout for 5.00 I am wearing them as I speak. If you have ever had a pair of these on you will know what the feeling is like. By the way I am 66 years old and very well know what they were like. I have tried several Pennys stores that were remodeling hoping to find some more like these but no such luck. I have told penny’s clerks that I hate the new and improved stratford brand is the worst fitting, feeling and uncomfortable crap that I have seen. I have tried several other kinds and nothing yet compares to the towncraft brand. IT WAS WONDERFUL.
Ha! I finally got around to doing my own search for Towncraft, as they were the most comfortable tees I have ever worn, and stumbled upon this post. I am not alone.
Wow, it’s amazing to find out that you are not alone when it comes to the towncraft Tshirts! I have only one crew size 46 left. These are the best Tshirts I’ve ever had!!!
I like everyone who’d replied would love to recieve the originals if found or duplicated!!! Someone please contact me when and if these Tshirts ever become available at ckford65@yahoo.com
My poor husband has been searching with no luck. His are almost translucent! But he will not wear any other brand. If it would help I can send one of his old ones? I’d have to do it when he’s not looking and even then he might notice that one of his prized tank tops are missing.
My email is: familyisforever3@yahoo.com
I only have one Towncraft crew neck tee left and wear it on the most important days. Sometimes I just grab a tee shirt to go work out in without looking at it and as soon as I put it on I know it is the Towncraft and instantly take it off so i don’t waste one of its last wears on a workout. I had no idea until today that they weren’t made anymore but I believe it because I have been trying to find them in stores and have tried many stretch fabric new tee’s and haven’t been satisfied yet. Adidas makes the best I have found. years ago my Grandma shopped at JC Penny’s for me for Christmas so that is where I must have gotten a package from. I am shocked this much demand is out there without someone coming up with a comparable product.
hey adalina! there are a couple other posts here on the site (look at the top of this article) that provide a couple leads for folks who have some vintage towncraft undershirts for sale. you should check there first, then if those leads turn up dry, you should keep an eye out on eBay and search for “vintage towncraft shirt” there. i was browsing just now and noticed there are some 70’s and 80’s plain vintage undershirts for sale right now. although, i don’t see any tanks there at the moment.
thanks for the offer of sending in your husband’s undershirts, but i actually have access to a few of them already and have worn them a couple times. man, do i know what people are talking about when they say how comfortable they are!
I am desperately looking for the Towncraft undershirts. the A shirt is what i’m specifically looking for. Can anyone tell me where I may find them… Nothing again I say nothing has compared to the original towncraft shirts
Add me to the list of town craft lovers. There 2XL Tall T-shirts can’t be beat. I have 4 left but they are full of holes, but I still wear them.
Bought a few Towncraft tshirts at Ebay. The 1st t shirt, I paid $19.99 followed by the second at $9.99 It s excellent made. A real vintage tshirt. Nicely snuggled and very thin. Tried it at my local gym and
been asked where did I get them. Of course being very thin t shirt is like wearing just your skin. My pink peperonies are quite visible to anyone who looks at my chest. In spite of that, love em.
Still searching for more at Ebay.