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New York Times
15 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- New York Times
We Need to Talk About the $75 Tank Air Tank Top
A few testers, myself included, were taken aback by just how tiny the tanks looked out of the box. But don't fret: The fabric has plenty of stretch. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter The Studio Tank and the Half Moon Halter (and a few other basics from Tank Air) are made of the same fabric, a blend of 88% polyester and 12% spandex. That fabric makeup is one of the main gripes that have surfaced in the Tank Air social media discourse, as polyester has a reputation for being cheaper in comparison with natural fibers such as cotton or silk. But in the hand, with just one smooth layer, it feels soft and substantial — as thick as a double-lined tank might feel. It certainly doesn't feel cheap. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's great quality. The fabric composition is 88% polyester 12% spandex (for reference, many leggings range from around 10% to 30% spandex). Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter To assess the fabric quality, I brought both tanks into the office of Preeti Gopinath, a textile designer and associate professor of textiles at Parsons School of Design in New York City. After feeling the tops and inspecting both their fabric and finishings, Gopinath said they are made with 'high-quality' polyester and knit in a very tight, compact manner. That tight knit, combined with the thickness of the polyester, is responsible for the tank tops' contouring effect and their ability to hold their shape after multiple wears. The edges and seams are finished neatly, both of which are signs of a well-made garment, she said. Based on her initial inspection, Gopinath said these tank tops have the potential to last quite a while, but she noted that longevity would require proper care. (According to the tag, you should machine-wash the tops on a delicate cycle and lay them flat or hang them to dry.) Functionally, the fabric also fared well against summer heat. Even in the humid New York City weather, this tank kept me relatively cool and dry considering how thick the fabric is. The polyester material effectively pulled sweat from my skin and allowed it to evaporate quickly, preventing the heavy, damp feeling I often experience with my 100% cotton tank tops. The tanks also survived multiple washes (and one accidental trip to the dryer) without pilling or losing their compressive shape. However, like many other articles made of soft fabrics, these tanks attracted lint and fuzz, which required occasional removal between wears. We haven't tested these tops for enough time to speak to their longevity, but they did resist initial wear and tear, feeling as good as new after a few weeks of consistent wear and washing. The compressive, body-hugging fit is comparable to that of an athletic tank top or ultra-comfortable shapewear but with a soft matte finish that gives it a more elevated look. 'It didn't, at all, look athletic-y or Spanx-y — there was none of that sheen that really bothers me,' said Wirecutter deputy director of newsletters and audience Sofia Sokolove. Every tester noted the body-hugging sensation as a win; one described it as 'waist-cinching,' and another deemed it 'shapely.' Some people hope that compressive tops like these can eliminate the need for a bra, and for the most part the Studio Tank delivered in that regard. All of the testers said the Studio Tank supported their chest even without a bra. Some considered the gentle support appropriate for wearing to the office, while others said it was acceptable only for more casual settings. Two panelists tested the white color (which Tank Air calls 'milk' on its website) and while one found it to be slightly see-through when worn without a bra, the other said it was perfectly opaque. The Half Moon Halter, however, didn't provide quite as much support or coverage as the Studio Tank, especially for testers with larger busts. Whether these tanks are fit for bra-less wear is ultimately a personal choice, but our panel did find the fabric to be quite supportive for a tank top, and the Studio Tank didn't reveal too much cleavage. Some people might argue these tops are too plain for the cost, but during testing our panel found their simple style to be a real benefit. Their straightforward design makes them especially easy to integrate into any wardrobe, improving their potential cost-per-wear. We tried them with everything from jeans and slacks to shorts and skirts, and they looked great worn alone (channeling a '90s minimalist vibe) or layered under button-ups and sweaters. Plus, the tanks come in a range of fun colors (something our panel enjoyed), should black or white seem too boring for a simple silhouette. The Studio Tank rode up as I walked. I have a long torso, so this unfortunately is pretty common with slightly cropped tops. But if you too have a long torso, take note. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter The most common complaint testers expressed concerned the slightly cropped length, which falls somewhere between a true crop (which typically hits around the waist) and standard full-length. That crop caused fabric bunching around the waist for some testers and quickly became a nuisance for them to keep pulling down. 'It was a really, really awkward length for me — too long to be a crop top but too short and not stretchy enough on the bottom to fit over my hips,' said editor Hannah Rimm, whose waist is significantly more narrow than her hips. Personally, I found the tanks to be slightly too short for my long torso. They hit just below my belly button, which would be fine if they stayed put, but as I walked, the bunching began. For other testers, like Sofia, the length was just right: 'It hugged in all the right places and hit at exactly the right length,' she said, adding that it was long enough to wear with work-appropriate pants without showing midriff but not so long that it overlaid low-rise jeans or shorts. Whether this tank works for you depends on your body and your preferences, but getting the right size, of course, can help. If you're not sure what size to order, I suggest taking Tank Air up on its offer to help: According to the Studio Tank product page, you can send an email with your bust, waist, and height measurements to info@ and the company can assist in finding the right size for you. We, however, didn't test this service. The straps aren't adjustable, but they are quite stretchy. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter Both tank tops have pre-fixed — but stretchy — straps. In terms of comfort, the Studio Tank fared well with those pre-fixed straps, but the Half Moon Halter less so; multiple testers, especially those with larger busts, wished for an adjustable tie-halter instead of the pre-fixed length. With halter tops, it's generally a bit harder to nail the perfect fit, and adjustability would have helped those testers find the right balance of support for their chest. That said, for some of our testers the lack of adjustable plastic clips on the Studio Tank earned style points. One of the common queries online is whether these tank tops are worth their $75 price tag. The answer depends on a few factors. To understand what goes into making these tops, I spoke with Claire Robertson-Macleod, the founder of Tank Air. She's aware of the consumer skepticism concerning polyester, she said, but she stands by her choice for the sake of performance. 'We tested a bunch of fabrics, including those with natural fibers, but this one was so superior,' she said, explaining that the polyester fabric stood out for its compressive fit, durability over time, and colorfastness. Her goal was to make a tank top that would be in a customer's weekly rotation and stay nice for years to come. If these tank tops do last many years, as Gopinath suspects and as the brand founder says, they may be well worth $75. That's especially true for people who frequently wear tank tops of this style and find themselves regularly replacing old ones that are faded or stretched out. NYT Wirecutter But, quality aside, for an expensive item such as the Tank Air, it's important to consider how often you'll wear a tank top like this. While it may be a wear-anytime staple for many people, it doesn't make sense in everyone's wardrobe. If you rarely wear tank tops like this — spaghetti straps, slightly cropped, body-hugging — it might not be worth spending $75 on. But if you have a graveyard of once-vibrant close-fitting tank tops living in your pajama drawer, it might be time to consider investing in a category you wear so often. And if the piece lasts longer, you could save money in the long run. Personally, as a frequent tank top wearer, I know that if I were to add up the price of my cheaper and shorter-lived tank tops from the past few years, the total would be well over $75. Although this tank isn't quite long enough for me to purchase myself, I wouldn't be opposed to investing in a longer version should one come out someday. It's comfortable, the fabric feels great, and the simple look is a perfectly versatile fit for my wardrobe. So if you're in the same boat, I'd say that the Tank Air Studio Tank is worth considering. While it is undeniably expensive, it could finally help you get off the unsustainable merry-go-round of frequently buying and discarding cheap, short-lived tanks. This article was edited by Hannah Rimm and Maxine Builder. Shapewear has deservedly gotten a bad rap. We were determined to find better options, and—after extensive testing—emerged with seven (actually comfortable) winners. After carefully scrutinizing fit, feel, quality, and style, we found four white tees that are the best suited for a variety of occasions and body types. Timeless and versatile, jeans are a key player in any wardrobe. We found ten pairs that fit a range of body types, tastes, and budgets. What I Cover Hannah Frye is a staff writer reporting on beauty and style for Wirecutter. She was previously an editor at Mindbodygreen. She has been using skin-care items since she was 11 (which, she says, is a fact, not a recommendation). When she isn't making new Pinterest boards or shopping for vintage clothes on eBay, she's testing vegan recipes in her Brooklyn apartment.
Time Out
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Tank Air announces new collection with Thai schoolgirl choir
Thai blooded LA hustle fashion brand ' Tank Air ' just dropped a short film titled 'Clothing and Ideas in Service of the Matriarchy.' The credits look like home: directed by Tank Air with a homegrown Thai-heavy crew involved in every step of the making. At its heart is the Sarasas Witaed Bangbuathong School Choir performing ' Double ' by Brooklyn indie pop group WET. Tank Air's been doing this dance since day one. They take fractured roots and spin them into something cohesive and tangible you can actually wear and live your life in. Behind this is Claire Robertson-Macleod, Bangkok-born, Hong Kong-raised, Thai-English. She's tuned into today's cultural conversations and answered with a fashion statement. Tank Air's sculpted cuts cling to the body like memory itself, born from her lineage of women and shaped by her Thai mother's grace, her British father's grit and the electric pulse of Hong Kong's creative underground where she came of age. Something deeper happens when each piece begins its life as rescued textile. Tank Air's made from deadstock jersey sourced from LA's textile graveyards, all stitched with zero-waste intention. It tears through fashion's empty rituals and leaves no room for hollow posturing or staged morality. Tank Air's rooted in Bangkok's streets, reaching toward California's horizon. Let us spotlight the Bunny knitted baby tee, emblazoned with Tank Air in Thai – 'แทงค์แอร์' – telling a story of quiet resilience. 'No matter the loss, spring back into action in this baby-soft tee, symbolising the world's strongest mammal – pound for pound – mentally and spiritually,' says Tank Air. Then comes the Mai Thai top and sheer sarong, a literal modern translation of Thailand's traditional 'sabai'. This top is a clean cut homage to the classic slink across one shoulder once worn by Thai women. Its partner the sarong barely skims the skin, tradition being spun into something sultry. The SS25 collection will surely continue Thailand's cultural conversation within the global fashion dialogue. The true currency of Tank Air probably lies in that electric moment when skin meets fabric, when Tank Air dresses bodies while celebrating souls. Not just eco-consciously but emotionally.
