THE BASICS
spring 2021
A line of classic, well-made pieces based on timeless, well-worn favorites from history and our own closets. Made with deadstock and hemp blend sustainable fabrics, the line is designed to be the “lingerie” of basics – a drawer of trend-defying staple pieces that work with any style and can be incorporated into the wardrobe year after year, dressed up or down.
The line is fully made in Allentown, Pennsylvania in a second generation family run factory, where a mother and daughter work side by side, along with their skilled husbands, aunts, uncles, and cousins, to keep American craftsmanship alive.
The foundation fabric used to make the line is a soft, drapey, and almost broken-in blend of 55% hemp and 45% organic cotton. Hemp is likely one of the oldest crops to be cultivated for fiber and has been found in recorded histories as far back as ancient Mesopotamia and the 28th century BC in China where the emperor Shen Nung is said to have taught his kingdom to make cloth from the hardy and durable crop. From there its usefulness spread around the globe and hemp was used to produce all sorts of essentials including cloth, paper, medicine, rope, and sails. We love this storied fabric because of its positive environmental impact and sustainability – it requires no irrigation, uses no pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or GMO seeds. Growing hemp scrubs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and improves soil health, and farmers can plant food crops in the same field immediately after a hemp harvest. In this way, farmers can grow cash crops and food crops on the same land. Hemp is also one of the most durable natural fibers on the planet and results in a fabric with a wonderful hand that feels almost like raw silk.
Versatile, uncomplicated basics made the Kindred Black way – with a desire to create luxurious, low-waste staples that cause a minimal amount of stress on the planet.
THE V-NECK
This one hits the sweet spot – a cleavage enhancing deep V-neck t-shirt with a long and lean frame. Years after the original crew neck tee gained popularity, the v-neck was added in the 1960s to give the style some flair and some say, to hide the collar fabric when a man wore another shirt over them. Our classic V-Neck Tee is a va-voom of a V and is inspired by 70s starlets in miles of dark denim – comfort and sultry sex appeal in one.
THE RACERBACK TANK
Feels like it’s barely there but everyone will notice it – a lightweight racerback tank with a deep, flattering neckline. The tank top gets its name from women’s bathing suits of the 1920s, known as tank suits (pools at the time were often referred to as “tanks”). Originally thought to be scandalous because they showed off women’s arms, the tank top has now become a staple of the wardrobe for everything from working out to dining out. The Racerback Tank is cut deep and sexy and has just enough coverage to highlight the décolletage.
THE MUSCLE TEE
A classic sleeveless tee with a high neckline and slim, cropped silhouette. When the icons of the 80s got the fitness bug, they adopted sleeveless t-shirts worn at the time by surfers and bodybuilders. Those shirts became known as “muscle” tees and ours is the iconic classic with an updated crop.
THE CROP TEE
Every day, every outfit – a relaxed tee that fits like a dream through the shoulders and skims the waist. The tee shirt began life as an undergarment in the early 20th century and has gradually emerged from those shadows to become one of the most well-worn staples in history. Inspired by the love of the classic that Brando and Dean made so famous, the Crop Tee has a roomy fit with a shorter length so it doesn’t need to be tucked in.
THE HENLEY LONG SLEEVE
A form fitting long-sleeved tee with a deep, snap front v-neck that can be worn open or buttoned-up. The “henley” was originally created as a men’s undershirt and then adopted as a uniform by the rowers competing in the Royal Regatta race in the English town of Henley-on-Thames. Our classic henley is updated with a slim-fit and a deeper v-neck that can be buttoned up or left open, depending on the mood.
THE HENLEY
Our day to night – a form fitting and cropped tee with a deep, snap front v-neck that can be worn open or buttoned-up. The “henley” was originally created as a men’s undershirt and then adopted as a uniform by the rowers competing in the Royal Regatta race in the English town of Henley-on-Thames. Our classic henley is updated with a waist-skimming slim-fit and a deeper v-neck that can be buttoned up or left open, depending on the mood.
THE CROP SWEATSHIRT
A relaxed box-fit sweatshirt in a flattering waist-cropped length. Originally invented by a football player fed up with itchy wool jerseys, the classic sweatshirt gets its name from its roots on a playing field. Made and remade tirelessly over the years, we kept it simple – a classic fit with a modern crop, perfect for everything from high-waisted pants to pencil skirts.
New for Spring 2021 and exclusively available at Kindred Black.