There’s never been a better time to buy T-shirts — here are some of our favorites, from vintage-inspired tees to workout tops
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The humble T-shirt has become wardrobe royalty. Every stylish person, from office executives to skaters to travelers, has spent time — or is currently — hunting for that perfect tee they can wear with everything.
At a Glance: The Best T-Shirt Brands of 2024
The fashion industry has, of course, responded to the T-shirt’s ascendancy. There are now more tees to choose from than ever, with dozens of brands old and new making great options, from soft tees with a vintage feel to high-performance workout picks. But the modern abundance of T-shirts can be overwhelming — especially if you’re shopping online, where you can’t tell exactly how things fit or feel.
The Best T-Shirt Brands of 2024
To help make the hunt for that perfect tee a little easier, we’ve done the leg work (er, torso work) by testing dozens of best-selling t-shirts from top brands. Below are some of the best T-shirts that we tested, including picks with almost every fabric, hemline, neckline, and fit you can imagine. From classic cotton tees to performance shirts you can wear to happy hour, here are our favorite tees to buy right now.
Everlane
Editor’s Pick
Everlane The Premium-Weight Relaxed Crew
Everlane has taken the clothing world by storm with hyper-minimalist essentials for men and women. The brand’s Premium-Weight Crewneck T-shirt showcases Everlane’s understanding of what we want from 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 excellent with straight-fit jeans and sneakers.
vintage pick
Flint and Tinder Vintage Slub Pocket T-Shirt
Want that wonderfully soft, worn-in feel of a vintage tee off the rack? Pick up this pocket T-shirt from Flint and Tinder. Available now at Huckberry, the tee’s garment-dyed slub cotton jersey is incredibly soft (like its already been through dozens of washes) and features a nice classic fit. Huckberry is a go-to for a ton of great T-shirt picks, from everyday options to rugged tees to wear on your next off-the-grid adventure.
inclusive sizing
Fresh Clean Threads Crewneck Tee
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 incredibly 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, and there’s a huge range of sizes to fit everyone.
Workout Tee
Nike Men’s Dri-FIT Ready Short-Sleeve T-Shirt
Nike makes some of our favorite fitness apparel, especially its workout tops. If you’re searching for a breathable tee to wear running or lifting, this Dri-FIT Ready tee is a great option. It’s made of a breathable, stretchy polyester-spandex blend and, of course, boasts Nike’s Dri-FIT technology that helps control sweat during intense workouts.
Workwear Pick
Carhartt Loose Fit Heavyweight T-Shirt
You don’t have to be a construction worker to rock a Carhartt T-shirt. The brand’s rugged tees are durable enough for outdoor adventures and stylish enough for everyday errands. The shirt is made of a thick cotton and features an oversized, boxy fit, so consider ordering a size smaller than usual.
Elwood Core Oversized Tee
Elwood Clothing is an excellent stop if you’re looking for some oversized tees. The LA brand is nailing the droopy, Nineties-inspired vibe right now, and they’re doing it in some versatile, unique colors too. Their Core tee comes in various muted, versatile colors — all of which have been hand-distressed for a soft, worn-in look.
Elvis Presley Cover Tee
Rolling Stone has been producing apparel for a few years now, one of the best sellers being the modern dad hat, which has been seen on musicians and groups like Blackpink. But (humble brag) our selection of tees is unlike anything else you’ll find, featuring historic covers and talents like this Elvis cover tee. “The stage presence: the curling lip, the hooded eyes, the outrageous hair, the pink-and-black wardrobe — coupled with his sheer kinetic energy — were more than his audiences could take,” Rolling Stone published a month after his death. This September cover tee not only honors the legacy of Elvis but also commemorates the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
Best Undershirt
Calvin Klein Cotten Crewneck Tee
Calvin Klein has you covered if you’re looking for plain, no-fuss undershirts (that can also be worn solo). This pack of shirts from Calvin Klein includes three crewneck tees with a classic fit and a soft, plain cotton build. They’re a great simple basic – that’s precisely why they’re great.
premium pick
James Perse Combed Cotten Short Sleeve Tee
James Perse has been synonymous with upscale loungewear and basics since the brand started 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 uses Perse’s signature jersey fabric and a slightly relaxed fit for an almost too-comfortable T-shirt.
Under Armour Tactical Tech Tee
Workout tees offer a considerable upgrade over regular cotton T-shirts for 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 chafing.
Most Comfortable
Rhone Element Tee
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.
Best Go-To
Hanes Ultimate Crewneck Tee
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 its offerings in recent years. Our current favorite is this Control 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 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.
Buck Mason Slub Classic Tee
We’ve tried several T-shirts that aim to mimic a vintage tee’s soft, “lived-in” feel, and we think Buck Mason nails it with this Slub Classic tee. The shirt is washed with enzymes and softener to give that ultra-soft feel. Better yet, Buck Mason created that thin look and lightweight feel that hangs better than stiff new tees.
Sunspel Classic Tee
Most modern tees come from young, trendy brands, but Sunspel differs. 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 Classic T-shirt is the evolution of Sunspel’s first tee in 1908, which they say was the first luxury tee on the market.
Outerknown Sojourn Tee
For sustainably-minded shoppers, we recommend this Groovy Pocket tee from Outerknown. The shirt is made from organic cotton grown without chemicals, and the material feels incredibly soft and comfortable when wearing it. It’s available in 10 colors, all complete with a surfer-inspired look (the brand is owned by surfing’s greatest, Kelly Slater).
Velva Sheen Regular Tee
Velva Sheen is an excellent brand for straightforward tees. Their T-shirts come in stylish solid colors, such as the olive hue, but classic white seems to be our go-to. Order your normal size for a slim fit or a size up for a more relaxed fit.
J.Crew Broken-In Short Sleeve Tee
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.
Sustainable Pick
Kotn Essential Crewneck Tee
What is it about KOTN’s crewneck T-shirt that makes it just so 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.
Nike ACG Long-Sleeve T-Shirt
Nike ACG — the comapny’s sustainable, all-terrain sub-brand — is currently pumping out some great Nineties-looking pieces that you can wear while working out or making a great casual outfit. We’re big fans of this long-sleeve tee which features abstract graphics on the chest and arms, as well as Nike’s Dri-FIT tech in the fabric.
lululemon Metal Vent Tech Short-Sleeve
Another great source for workout tees is lululemon. We’ve used this ultra-breathable Vent Tech T-shirt while weight training, running, and doing yoga: In every case, it felt lightweight and stayed dry enough to hang out in after.
Lucky Venice Burnout Crewneck T-Shirt
Lucky is known for their high-quality products and boho-chic appeal. However, of their selections, the Venice Burnout Crewneck Tee is a hero product. Speaking from experience, it’s one of the softest tees on the market and feels like a second skin when worn as an undershirt. The tee comes in five distinct colors, with grey and white as good staples, but we recommend this rhubarb tone for a punch of color.
Gildan V-Neck T-Shirt, Multipack
The Gildan V-Neck T-Shirt is one of the most highly sought-after tees on Amazon. With more than 120 thousand buyers and counting, and 4.5 stars, it’s hard to ignore its popularity. It features 100% cotton with moisture wicking technology to keep you cool and dry, a tagless design to illiminate that back of the neck irritation, durable stitching, and a traditional length perfect for tucking.
POLO Ralph Lauren Slim Fit Crewneck, 3-Pack
Ralph Lauren is a legacy American brand best known for their elevated basics. So when looking for an elevated tee, whether donning it underneath a jacket or on its own, this is the place to the look. The POLO Ralph Lauren Slim Fit Crewneck is made of 100% combed cotton, which is softer than the traditional fabric and feels great on the skin, moisture wicking technology, and tag-free design.
How We Chose the Best T-Shirt Brands
When testing out T-shirts, we mostly considered fit (was a shirt boxy or slim and too tight, loose, or just odd in any areas?) and feel (did the material feel soft, hang well, and move with us?). We also considered sizing and color options — the more the merrier — and the brand’s overall reputation among experts. Once we landed on T-shirts that we liked, we consulted reviews from other experts and regular consumers to see how our experiences compared. We then ended up with the finalized list you see above. All T-shirts are available through trusted online retailers and have an average customer rating of at least 3.7/5 stars.
