Edwin vs Lacoste: which t-shirt to buy, and when
Both land in the premium tier: the Edwin Japanese Cotton Tee at $60, the Lacoste Pima Cotton T-Shirt (men's) at $60. Here is how they stack up, head to head.
| Edwin | Lacoste | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 | $60 |
| Material | Substantial Japanese cotton in a quality midweight knit with a soft, durable hand. | 100% Peruvian Pima cotton jersey; the brand lists the fabric at 130 gsm, so it is a light, fine tee rather than a heavyweight one, with the crocodile embroidered on the chest. |
| Fit | A clean, slightly relaxed cut with a sturdy neckline and a casual silhouette. | Regular, straight cut. Lacoste itself warns the shirt runs small and advises choosing a larger size, and owner reviews repeat that advice — the brand's European sizing generally translates about a size smaller than US norms. |
| Quality | Quality fabric and careful construction reflecting the brand's Japanese craftsmanship. | Reviewers on the brand's site and at third-party retailers describe the fabric as soft and as holding its shape through washing. The fine, light jersey is not built as a hard-wearing workhorse tee, and sizing complaints show up in reviews more often than fabric complaints. |
| Best for | Considered Japanese-casual and workwear-leaning looks. | Shoppers who want a soft, light, logo-visible tee and are willing to pay a premium for the crocodile. |
| Care | Machine wash cold and lay flat or tumble dry low to preserve the knit. | Machine wash cold and line dry; the brand says not to tumble dry, and treating the fine Pima jersey gently preserves its finish. |
At identical price points, the Edwin and Lacoste are not competing on cost but on what that sixty dollars actually represents: Edwin charges for heavier Japanese cotton and workwear-oriented construction, while Lacoste charges largely for its logo on a lighter, finer 130 gsm Pima jersey. The gap in dollar terms is zero, but the gap in what drives the price is significant.
- The case for Edwin
- Edwin wins on fabric substance and construction integrity — the midweight Japanese cotton knit is built to wear and wash harder than Lacoste's fine, light jersey, with no documented sizing irregularities.
- The case for Lacoste
- Lacoste wins on fabric softness and finish for those who want a lightweight, smooth-hand tee, and the crocodile carries immediate brand recognition that Edwin's more understated positioning does not.
VerdictThe pick
Shoppers who want a durable everyday tee they can machine wash without ceremony should buy the Edwin — the heavier knit is better suited to regular wear and the construction is not propped up by a logo premium. Shoppers who specifically want a light, soft tee and value the Lacoste signal should buy the Lacoste, but must size up at least one size from their usual US measurement to avoid a poor fit. At equal prices, the Edwin is the stronger functional buy; the Lacoste is the right choice only if the brand identity is part of what is being purchased.
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