RS Recommends: The Best T-Shirt Brands We’re Buying Right Now
Great T-shirts have always been a staple in every wardrobe. Essential for staying fresh while working out, keeping cozy while lounging, and, now, making a fashion statement, the best t-shirts are more useful than ever. Well-dressed execs are rocking premium tees with a suit, while hypebeasts sport plain white T-shirts to showcase grail-worthy sneakers and accessories. In short, everyone seems to be upping their T-shirt game.
This T-shirt renaissance would have sounded insane a few decades ago. Stand-alone tees used to be a pillar of counterculture fashion, stylishly protesting the collard shirt corporate world. But once Brando and Dean donned their white tees in A Streetcar Named Desire and Rebel Without a Cause, respectively, the T-shirt was changed for good.
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Now that tees are such an important garment, many guys are ditching their regular six-pack of undershirts for something nicer. The best modern T-shirts are made with premium fabrics that stay comfortable all day, with flattering, stylish fits and features such as anti-stink technology. We can’t promise that you’ll look like Dean or Brando — but you might feel like them.
There is one downside to the meteoric rise of T-shirts: shopping for great tees is now a serious chore. To help narrow down the search a bit, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite T-shirt brands for men below. We’ve selected a range of tees with almost every kind of fabric, hemline, neckline and fit you can imagine, so there should be something for everyone.
What Are the Best T-Shirts and T-Shirt Brands?
From classic cotton tees to performance shirts you can wear to happy hour, here are our favorite tees to buy right now.
1. Everlane Premium-Weight Crew
BEST OVERALL
Everlane
Everlane has taken the clothing world by storm with hyper-minimalist essentials for men and women. The brand’s Premium-Weight Crew T-shirt showcases Everlane’s understanding of what we want out of our basics. Boasting a durable, dense cotton construction, the tee feels and looks like a high-quality piece of clothing. It blends right in with designer slacks and dress shoes for the office, but also looks great with straight-fit jeans and sneakers.
2. Fresh Clean Threads Crew Neck
BEST SLIM FIT TEE
Fresh Clean Tees
The name gives it away: Fresh Clean Threads promises high-quality, no-frills essentials, and they deliver. Specializing in a fitted look, the brand’s t-shirts are especially flattering — whether under a button-up or solo. You also get a huge range of color options, so we suggest picking up a few if you like the fit.
3. James Perse Short Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt
COOLEST V-NECK TEE
James Perse
James Perse has been synonymous with upscale loungewear and basics since the brand started back in 1994. James Perse’s T-shirts are one of their best-sellers, because they balance laid-back and high-end, with tees that work for everything from a beach stroll in Malibu to a boardroom meeting in Beverly Hills. This shirt below uses Perse’s signature jersey fabric along with a slightly relaxed fit for a T-shirt that’s almost too comfortable.
4. Calvin Klein Men’s Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirts
BEST UNDERSHIRT
Amazon
If you’re looking for plain, no-fuss undershirts (that can also be worn solo), Calvin Klein has you covered. This pack of shirts from Calvin Klein includes three crewneck tees with a classic fit and a soft plain cotton build. They’re nothing special – and that’s exactly why they’re great.
Buy: Calvin Klein Crew Neck T-Shirts $50.72
5. Carhartt Men’s T-Shirt
MOST DURABLE
You don’t have to be a construction worker to rock a Carhartt T-shirt. Some trendsetters recently discovered that Carhartt tees’ durable comfort and workwear look is great on normal folks too. The shirt is made of a cotton-polyester blend and features a large, slightly boxy fit, so consider ordering a size smaller than usual.
Buy: Carhartt Men’s T-Shirt $24.99
6. Under Armour Tactical Tech T-Shirt
BEST WORKOUT TEE
Amazon
Workout tees offer a considerable upgrade over regular cotton T-shirts for any form of exercise. Good examples, such as Under Armour, effectively wick sweat and fend off BO for a cleaner, less smelly workout. This tactical tee also has a flatlock seam construction that prevents chaffing.
Buy: Under Armour Tactical Tech T-Shirt $17.86
7. Brooklinen Prospect Tee
BEST RELAXED FIT
Brooklinen
Brooklinen is a new company that started with high-quality bedding and recently expanded with loungewear that’s as comfortable as, well, a bed. Their T-shirts are one of the best pieces for upping your downtime wardrobe with a light jersey cotton-modal blend. The fit is relaxed (for doing just that) and there are no tags to speak of, so no scratching along your neckline either.
8. Rhone Element Tee
MOST COMFORTABLE
Rhone
With this Element tee, Rhone marries everyday style and exercise gear. The shirt utilizes SilverTech threads that keep BO in check while you’re running errands or jogging. Rhone is a go-to brand for workout basics and for good reason – their shirts keep you feeling fresh and moving comfortably all day long.
9. Buck Mason Pima Curved Hem Tee
MOST STYLISH
Buck Mason
Vintage pocket tees such as this one from Buck Mason are a great addition to off-duty outfits, loungewear and casual office wear. This tee is made of loose-knit, textured “slub” cotton that’s as soft as it is good looking. The shirt is also conveniently pre-shrunk for a consistently great fit and features a modern curved hem.
10. Sunspel Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
BEST DAILY TEE
Mr. Porter
Most modern tees come from young, trendy brands; Sunspel is different. The high-end English retailer was founded in 1860 but still competes with the new guys (think: quality materials, better construction, and a tailored — but not tight — fit). This cotton-jersey T-shirt is the product of three decades of work to make the best high-end tee, and the work certainly paid off. Sunspel makes great elevated polos, long-sleeve tees and sweaters too.
11. Outerknown Groovy Pocket Tee
SOFTEST T-SHIRT
Outerknown
For sustainably-minded shoppers, we recommend this Groovy Pocket tee from Outerknown. The shirt is made from organic cotton that’s grown without chemicals, and the material feels extremely soft and comfortable when you’re wearing it. It’s available in 10 different colors, all complete with a surfer-inspired look (the brand is owned by surfing’s greatest, Kelly Slater).
12. Velva Sheen Plain Tee
BEST PREMIUM TEE
END.
Velva Sheen is a great brand for straightforward tees. Their T-shirts come in stylish solid colors, such as the white and oatmeal two-pack here, and the tees feature a slightly short cut. Order your normal size for a slim fit or a size up for a more relaxed fit.
13. Gap Classic T-Shirt
BEST GO-TO COTTON TEE
Gap
Gap is synonymous with classic, All-American basics, and you can’t go wrong with this classic T-shirt. Whether you need a cozy tee for a day at the beach, or you’re trying to nail the Fifties punk look for a night out, this white tee is a great option. The tee features a straight fit, sits right at the hip and uses 100% cotton.
14. J. Crew Broken-in Pocket T-Shirt
BEST POCKET TEE
J.Crew
Another great stop for simple, no-frills tees is J. Crew. The brand has a great selection of T-shirts, such as this broken-in tee. The shirt comes off the rack looking and feeling like your favorite old tee thanks to extra garment dying and a special wash. J. Crew also offers multiple fit options including slim, tall and classic, so pick whatever works for your style — and body shape.
15. Lululemon Metal Vent Tech Shirt
BEST FOR YOGA
Lululemon
Lululemon might be known for women’s yoga pants, but they actually make killer men’s T-shirts too. This Metal Vent Tech T-shirt boasts an extra stretchy fabric (that also combats BO), plus a seamless construction for less chafe after long runs or workouts. But these fitness-minded features also make the tee a great pick for lounging on hot days, even if you skip your downward dog.
16. Cuts Clothing Crew Curve-Hem T-Shirt
BEST WITH STRETCH
DAMION LLOYD
Cuts’ best-selling T-shirt looks deceptively simple but has a ton of thoughtful details that make it a winner in our book. The stretchy fabric and longer cut of this Curve-Hem T-shirt from Cuts makes it incredibly versatile, whether you’re wearing it to lounge around the house, or for a workout or run. The company’s “PYCA Pro” material is buttery soft and smooth against the skin, while the tailored fit hugs your frame just-so for better ease of movement — no awkward bunching or fear of your shirt riding up here.
17. Hanes X-Temp Performance Crewneck Tee
BEST FOR HOT WEATHER
Hanes
You can’t have a T-shirt roundup without mentioning Hanes, and we’ve been surprised at how the venerable basics brand has stepped up their offerings in recent years. Our current fave: their Performance Crewneck Tee, which features the same comfort you know and love from Hanes but with the company’s “X-Temp” technology keeping you cool, and their “FreshIQ” technology working to minimize any odor-causing bacteria. All the fancy lingo just basically means you get a trim, comfortable T-shirt that won’t stink or cause you to sweat profusely, even when working out or out in the sun. And when it comes to T-shirts, it doesn’t really get better than that.
Buy: Hanes X-Temp Performance Crewneck Tee $19.54
18. Mack Weldon Pima Crew Neck T-Shirt
BEST EVERYDAY TEE
Mack Weldon
Mack Weldon’s known for designing well-made basics and wardrobe essentials, from underwear to button-ups. But it’s this best-selling tee you’ll want to buy multiples of to wear throughout the week. The company used 100 percent soft pima cotton for the tee, and it’s a great top for wearing on its own, lounging around the house, or even under a jacket on cold, fall nights. It comes in five different sizes and 15 stylish colors.
19. Nike Dri-Fit Rise 365 Running Tee
BEST RUNNING TEE
Nike makes some of our favorite workout apparel, especially when it comes to its line of running tops. If you’re searching for a breathable tee to wear running, look no further than this Nike pick. It’s constructed with recycled polyester and a soft, lightweight feel. Plus, the top wicks away sweat to help keep you dry during your workouts. Bonus: There are reflective details to make you more visible when you’re running at night or early in the morning.
20. KOTN Essential Crew
BEST SUSTAINABLE TEE
KOTN
What is it about KOTN’s crewneck T-shirt that makes it just so damn perfect? It might be the silky-soft Egyptian cotton the brand uses, that’s sustainably-sourced and ethically-made (it’s OEKO-TEX-certified in case you’re wondering). Or maybe it’s the way the shirt hangs just right, relaxed enough to not feel constricted but not so boxy that you feel like you’re drowning in fabric. Or maybe it’s that the slightly longer sleeves and the hemline cut expertly at the hip make this shirt as great for a casual stroll as it is with trousers for a fancy night out. No, what makes KOTN’s T-shirt so perfect is all of the above. The fact that it’s only $35 and available in half a dozen colors? Well, that’s just a bonus.
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