The 12 shirts every Italian American kitchen has an opinion about
If Sunday means a pot on the stove by ten in the morning, you're in the right place. These twelve came out of our own kitchens and from the illustrators we work with, and every one of them has started a conversation at a table.
Rainbow Cookie
Three layers of almond cake, jam between, chocolate on top. Not a cookie, and nobody cares. If you grew up with a white bakery box tied with string on the counter, you already know.
“Exactly what I was hoping for. The cutest shirt.”
Gabagool
It's capicola on the label and gabagool at the counter, and if you say it the label way, the guy behind the glass knows you're not from here. Half a pound, thin.
“Nice color, well made, quality material. And funny!”
Negroni
Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, equal parts, orange peel. The drink that turned aperitivo hour into a personality. Our second biggest seller ever, which tells you something about who shops here.
“I love my Negroni T-shirt almost as much as I love a well-made Negroni. Almost.”
Mortadella
The pink one with the pistachios. Bologna's cousin who went to Italy and came back better. We gave it a face, and it's been our fastest mover all summer.
“My husband is obsessed with mortadella. Who knew there is a T-shirt for that.”
Gravy or sauce?
In some houses it's gravy. Meat in the pot all morning, a lid you don't lift, a spoon you don't touch. In other houses the same pot is sauce, and calling it gravy gets you a look across the table.
Nobody has ever won this argument and nobody is going to win it on a t-shirt. So we made both, and we're staying out of it.
Scusi
Scusi. Excuse me, sorry, coming through with a hot pan. The politest word in the kitchen, said here by a very happy tomato. The shirt that gets stopped in the grocery store more than anything else we make.
“First time I wore it I got three compliments from total strangers.”
Tomato Cluster
Every sauce starts here. A vine of tomatoes drawn like a farm stand seed packet, on a mustard tee that makes the red pop. Gardeners and Sunday cooks end up in the same one.
“I've started wearing mine to the farmers market and all are in love!”
More Chicken Parm, Less Problems
The philosophy. Breaded cutlet, sauce, mozzarella under the broiler until it bubbles, and whatever was bothering you can wait. For the person who orders it at every Italian restaurant to compare.
“I was impressed at the quality of this shirt.”
Pasta Shapes
Rigatoni, farfalle, orecchiette, the ones you know and the two you have to look up. A field guide to the pasta aisle, drawn by hand. For the person who insists the shape matters. It does.
“Most magical pasta shirt out there! The fit is perfect and it washed and dried awesome, no shrinking.”
Deli counter rules
Take a number. Know what you want before it's called. Say it the way your grandfather said it. Thin, and if they ask how much, a half pound is never enough.
The deli is where Italian American food lives on a Tuesday. Three of the shirts on this page came straight off that counter.
Spritz
Aperol, prosecco, a splash of soda, orange slice, and suddenly it's six in the evening on a piazza no matter where you're standing. Summer in a glass, on a tee you can wear into October.
“It's my favorite drink, especially when on vacation in Europe, and I've already received so many compliments!”
Al Dente
To the tooth. The thirty seconds between perfect and mush, and the people who set a timer for it. Two words for the cook who pulls the pot early and finishes the pasta in the pan.
“This is my second shirt and I love it! The material is soft and sturdy and the fit is perfect!”
Mangia Bene
Eat well. What every grandmother said as she put a third plate in front of you. A blessing and an order at the same time. Wear it to the cookout and count who says it back.
“Sauce Town t-shirts are my favorite tee shirts. The fit and weight are perfect.”
Cacio e Pepe
Pecorino, black pepper, pasta water, and nerve. Three ingredients and the easiest dish in Rome to ruin. For the cook who got the emulsion right once and has been chasing it since.
Why these shirts
What people say
“The first day I wore it, I was stopped twice with people asking me where I sourced it.”
“The quality of the fabric and printing are both much higher than I expected. Super soft.”
“The colors are vibrant and the tshirt is soft, yet substantial.”
“The pasta stands out really nicely on the pepper colored shirt. Outstanding customer service.”
Questions
How do they fit?
They're a unisex cut, true to size, a little relaxed through the body with a slightly dropped shoulder and a bit of extra length for tucking. Most women order their usual size. If you want it oversized, go up one.
What's the fabric like?
100% ring-spun cotton from Comfort Colors, garment dyed, which is why the colors look lived-in instead of flat and why the shirt feels soft right out of the bag.
How fast does it ship?
Each shirt is printed to order and goes into production the night you order it. Most US orders arrive within 7 to 10 business days. Free shipping on US orders over $75.
What if it doesn't fit?
You've got 30 days from delivery to request a size exchange or a return, as long as it's unworn and unwashed. If anything arrives damaged, send us a photo and we replace it free.
Is this a good gift?
It's most of what we sell. Pick the shirt that matches the thing they won't shut up about, order their usual t-shirt size, and you're done.
Do these come in a women's cut or a sweatshirt?
Most of them, yes. Look for the Women's Tee and Sweatshirt versions on each product page.
See everything Italian
Seventy-four designs, from limoncello to the whole pasta aisle.
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