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The simple things are often the hardest to get right. When a piece of clothing is distilled to its most basic form, there are no bells and whistles to hide behind. Consider the T-shirt, that humble wardrobe workhorse. It may seem rather unimpressive compared to an intricately built bespoke suit, but in reality, a T-shirt is the sum of a few, elemental factors that are central to any quality garment: fabric, fit, finish. In many ways, a great tee is design at its purest.
When it comes to choosing the best T-shirts, those small details are what separate the proverbial wheat from the plastic-wrapped six-pack at your local drugstore. While often dismissed, T-shirts are essential in any modern man’s closet. Sure, they’re always great with jeans, but pair them with a suit and it’s a foolproof recipe for a business-casual affair. Better yet, lose the jacket in favor of a lightweight over-shirt. Or perhaps a cardigan? A chore coat? The T-shirt’s possibilities are near-infinite, which is why investing in a few superlative tees will yield especially high returns. There’s a plethora of options to choose from but we’ve done the legwork and rounded up the best, below.
Sunspel Sea Island T-Shirt
Not all cotton is equal. The Sea Island variety is the rarest, most coveted in the world—it accounts for less than 0.0004 percent of the cotton produced around the globe. It features a uniquely long fiber, which lends this tee its ultra-soft texture and hint of sheen. It’s a dress-up tee par excellence.
Buy Now on Sunspel: $195
John Elliott University T-Shirt
Where pure cotton can be stiff and prone to shrinkage, this cotton-jersey is supple and malleable. It will wear well. This option from John Elliott, with its relaxed fit and elongated length, is great for tucking into your trousers.
Buy Now on Mr Porter: $100
CDLP Three-Pack Lyocell-Blend T-Shirts
Made from cotton blended with lyocell, a sustainable fiber derived from wood (and a lot more pleasant to wear than that sounds), these tees from Swedish brand CDLP have a uniquely silky texture with a particularly lovely drape. The latter makes this silhouette’s slightly wider neckline lay somewhere between a traditional crewneck and a V-neck. T-shirts can be sexy, and these are a prime example.
Buy Now on CDLP: $225
Buck Mason Pima Curved-Hem T-Shirt
Among fervent shirt enthusiasts, Buck Mason is a relatively new brand (it was founded in 2013 but really expanded in 2018) that has skyrocketed to the top of the list. And it did so with a tee, made of extremely soft slub cotton, with a curved hem that’s cut with precision. It is truly a standout, a top worth buying in bulk.
Buy Now on Buck Mason: $45
The Row Luke T-Shirt
The Row began with designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s quest to create the perfect T-shirt. Having gone through trials of numerous different materials and constructions, fitting it on friends of all ages and sizes, you can trust they’ve come up with a pretty flawless tee. This one is made in Italy from a mid-weight Pima cotton jersey in a universally flattering fit.
Buy Now on Mr Porter: $450
Vuori Current Tech T-Shirt
The Current tee—made of moisture-wicking tech fabric with four-way stretch—is certainly a great option for the gym, runs through the park, and other intense activities. But it is also incredibly lightweight, comfortable, flattering, and stylish, making it the perfect tee for traveling, too.
Buy Now on Vuori: $58
Mack Weldon Silver Pique T-Shirt
There are just scenarios when you’re in the same shirt for a prolonged period of time. Or maybe it’s a short stint in a space with intense heat. Either way, you’re going to need something that is comfortable and antimicrobial—two characteristics that are Mack Weldon’s specialty, particularly its Silver Pique tee.
Buy Now on Mack Weldon: $68
Kotn Essential Crew T-Shirt
Cut slim—but not constricting in the least—and made of a heavy-duty midweight cotton, Kotn’s tee is truly worthy of its moniker, “Essential.” This topper hosts all the targets: It’s hefty, it has elasticity, it’s smooth, and it comes in a variety of colors.
Buy Now on Kotn: $38
Levi’s Vintage Clothing 1950s Sportswear T-Shirt
It’s arguable that no man has looked better in a plain tee than silver-screen legends Marlon Brando and James Dean. Channel that timeless look with this shirt, based on vintage models from the 1950s. It’s marked by a boxy fit and shorter cap sleeves that will lend you a bit of Rebel Without a Cause swagger.
Buy Now on End Clothing: $89
Everlane The Organic Cotton Crew T-Shirt
Everlane is a DTC darling, a brand that’s favored for offering wardrobe staples that’ll last the long haul. Of course it has a selection of shirts that can be dressed up or down. The latest version of the brand’s core offering is made from organic cotton and cut to graze your torso.
Buy Now on Everlane: $30
Brunello Cucinelli Layered T-Shirt
In a satiny cotton melange, this is the C-suite of t-shirts (really—Mark Zuckerberg custom orders his signature tees from Brunello Cucinelli en masse). It features tailored shoulders, a tapered body, and contrast tipping that gives the illusion of two tees layered in one—a detail that manages to make a T-shirt look polished.
Buy Now on Mr Porter: $420
Connolly Plain T-Shirt
A classic white t-shirt, perfected. Its mid-weight organic cotton jersey and more substantial hems give it a structure that is both flattering and a bit more elevated than the average tee, while the single chest pocket maintains a casual ease.
Buy Now on Connolly: $105
Bottega Veneta Sunrise Cotton T-Shirt
The pleasantly weighty cotton used for Bottega Veneta’s streamlined tee gives it a distinctly luxurious feel, not unlike the heftiness of a Rolls-Royce door. In an eye-catching shade of the brand’s signature green, it’s a T-shirt that holds its own.
Buy Now on Mr Porter: $500
Camber Max-Weight Jersey Pocket T-Shirt
Pennsylvania-based Camber is a real deal workwear brand, specializing in hardy jersey gear since 1948. This tee, in the brand’s heaviest cotton jersey, is built to withstand the wear and tear of working on the front lines—so, the exact opposite of some of the more sumptuous shirts on this list. But, that said, it’s a thoughtfully crafted tee with a flattering ribbed neckline, boxy fit and serious street cred.
Thom Browne Stripe Trim Pocket T-Shirt
Thom Browne has a knack for tweaking menswear staples and this T-shirt is no exception. Made from a compactly woven Japanese cotton, it features a welt pocket and high-low hem that both nod at traditional tailoring. Note the buttons and grosgrain trim along the side slits—a T-shirt built like a fine suit.
Buy Now on Nordstrom: $390
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