Loopwheel T-shirts are the antithesis to disposable, fast-fashion. The process to create a seamless loopwheel tee is painstaking compared to modern methods but the results are unparalleled.

The T-shirt originated as a standard undergarment for the US Navy between 1898 and 1904 and its military legacy is reflected in the AMERICAN ATHLETIC TEE / USAAF McCLELLAN FIELD. Between the 1930s and 60s t-shirts made from Loopwheel fabric were relatively common but remained sought after for their unique properties. This loopwheel tee is knitted in Wakayama, Japan, using extremely rare machines, known in Japan as Tsuriami-ki and even rarer skill and technique, exclusively for The Real McCoy’s and has been flock printed in navy with a distinctive raised texture.

McClellan AFB

The three-color rubber print pays homage to McClellan Field, later renamed McClellan Air Force Base. Amidst rising tensions in the Pacific, the U.S. Congress approved the construction of the Sacramento Air Depot in 1936. Initially dedicated to supporting West Coast air operations and serving as a staging area for Pacific-bound aircraft, it was renamed McClellan Field in 1939 in honour of Maj. Hezekiah McClellan, a pioneer in arctic aeronautical tests. Throughout its history, McClellan played a crucial role as one of four U.S. air depots tasked with overhauling and repairing military aircraft.

More About Loopwheel

Loopwheel machines are renowned for their slow knitting pace, producing only a single meter of fabric per hour. However, this low thread tension technique is what sets them apart from contemporary manufacturing methods and creates an exceptional and distinctive fabric. The resulting material is reminiscent of hand-woven textiles and possesses a unique stretchy quality that cannot be replicated by modern production techniques. The key difference lies in the loopwheel machine's oval-shaped sequence of knitting, which allows the fabric to stretch comfortably with wear and return to its original dimensions after washing. The tee made from this fabric is designed to have a standard fit, with no seams and made from high-quality cotton, resulting in a supremely comfortable and superior quality tee.