Veering off the Unbeaten Path for a T-Shirt Sale

Winding along the unbeaten path from the University Village, we encountered a sign: "3 for $35." Curiosity heightened, we swerved off the road and into Alhambra's discount clothing store where the gentle and helpful salesman told us that the three were t-shirts from the A to Z Tees clothing line, but other combinations from the clothing line were also on sale: t-shirt and dress, t-shirt and novelty top, for $30.

Excited by a sale, we began to stake out the store. A chest of drawers had piles of t-shirts in a soothing rainbow of colors splayed out. And for every pile we found a different type: long sleeves, short; boat necks, round; tissue thin, lightly ribbed.

Then, on racks: beribboned, scrunchy sleeved, empire waist. Clearly, Alhambra--and A to Z Tees--specializes in cotton t-shirts for women. They had fewer sizes and colors for items such as dresses, coats, and skirts, but still, an impressive rainbow of every color and size.

What they did not have were many patterns or the sense that we were buying unique statement pieces. But they did offer comfortable, solid basics for our wardrobe. (Ignore the other items in the shop. They also carry fine-brand used items, perhaps the wardrobe’s statement pieces. But since they were generally at prices in the hundreds, we stuck with the sale.)

With what they do and do well in mind, we pursued our quarry, what we can never have too many of: white or black tops. We were quick to muss up the ever-so-exactly arranged t-shirt display but gently, ever so gently, we coaxed out a shirt in the color of our choice and in our size.

First we tried on a boat-necked shirt with an off-center bow. Tissue thin, it felt lovely but was too see-through for our modest character. Next we tried a three-quarter length sleeve t-shirt that fit just right: not too tight, not too loose. It had a long torso, hitting just below our hips, another plus.