We can all see it coming. September's already squatting your brain rent-free. Indoors. Back to the office. Back to school. Cold weather. We can't pretend we can do much about the first three. But when the chill (inevitably) returns, we've got just the thing: The Thermal T-Shirt and its honeycomb knit.

The honeycomb structure is nothing new. Bees cracked it about 30 million years ago — long before textilians decided to take credit. There's a reason for that: this hexagonal architecture is nature's own masterclass in insulation.

It was the US Army, during World War II, that became seriously interested in the technology. The challenge? Create an undergarment to help soldiers retain heat, without bulking up under their uniforms. A honeycomb structure turned out to be just the thing. Each hexagon traps a pocket of warm air, acting like a microshield against the cold.

Back in the '60s, "waffle shirts" were standard issue for the US military—before they slipped out of the barracks and into civilian wardrobes. Outdoor workers, then hikers and campers, snapped them up: toasty warm, without the scratchy discomfort from other yarns at the time.

When we started working on this item, one thing jumped out: modern thermal tops have lost their soul. Too technical, too synthetic, too uncomfortable.

Most options fall short in three ways:

• Most are made from polyester, which basically means excess sweat and stubborn odours, not to mention microplastics.
• Their ultra-clingy fit can be restrictive and uncomfortable.
• Their sloppy finishings mean their collars and cuffs lose their shape in no time

"Can you actually reinvent a classic without losing what made it great in the first place?" This is the question we turned round and round in our heads for the nine months developing The Thermal T-Shirt.

No need for 3D glasses, we just want to share our thinking. Instead of starting from scratch, we've taken military-grade honeycomb fabric and given it a serious upgrade in three essential ways.

What gets us about this one? Its ability to slot in with everything else in your wardrobe. On chilly mornings, wear it solo and you get just enough warmth without weighing yourself down. Layer it under a shirt or one of your jumpers, and the hidden cosiness is strong. It's this versatility that makes The Thermal T-Shirt such a smart investment. You can comfortably navigate a chilly morning through to a warm autumn afternoon.

Our Thermal T-shirt keeps it classic with four essential colours: military green, crisp off-white, deep navy, and understated charcoal black. Low-key shades that pair with just about anything in your wardrobe.

The Thermal T-shirt's made in Portugal by our partner Malhas Sonix — technical knit specialists since 1987. Preorder price: 49€, rising to 69€ once in stock.

Preorders open next Thursday at 10 am. Quick on the draw? You'll be first in line for delivery, starting in November—just in time to face the first hint of winter with something warmer than a shrug.

Sign up for an alert below and get a heads-up an hour before launch. Don't miss out on bagging this modern twist on a military classic—set to be your autumn-winter wardrobe staple in no time.

Until then,

The Asphalte team.