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Building a wardrobe really comes down to the basics, which is why finding the best men’s T-shirts is so essential. T-shirts can be used for layering, keeping warm or worn as your main top. When we say having quality T-shirts is essential, we really mean it — they act as an anchor when getting dressed each morning, along with your underwear and pants, of course.
When it comes to T-shirts, there are more options available than your basic Gildan, which, of course, made our list because you can’t forget the classics. There are different types of T-shirts depending on fabric weights, cuts and we can’t forget about sizing. Bottom line: Not all T-shirts are created equally, which is why we found options for almost any occasion.
So, you might wonder, how complex can men’s T-shirts really be? To be frank, this list contains 20 very different types for a reason. From crewnecks and V-neck shirts, we’ve found the best styles in each category, including workwear tops from Carhartt and workout T-shirts from Nike that are breathable and moisture-wicking. Since finding a quality T-shirt might be difficult in such a large market, we consulted with our Good Housekeeping Institute fiber scientists and clothing experts to narrow down the best options. Whether you’re searching for casual tees to layer under your men’s sweater or something you can wear on a night out, we’ve got you covered.
72-Hour Merino Tee
This soft and cozy T-shirt from Huckberry was designed to be worn multiple times before washing. The Merino Tee is a part of Huckberry’s 72-hour collection, made with merino wool and nylon, and designed to last 72 hours before your next load. Merino wool is naturally moisture-wicking and odor-resistant, which is why this tee can withstand multiple wears before you have to throw it in the laundry bin.
“I was really skeptical about paying this much for a T-shirt but figured I would try it. If you are considering buying this tee, just get it. I wore it for four days straight just to see it function, and it was flawless,” says one five-star reviewer. Some reviewers did mention sizing up when finding the ideal fit, so it’s important to keep that in mind when shopping.
Sizes: XS-3X | Materials: 87% micron merino wool, 13% cotton | Colors: Charcoal heather, falcon heather, light chrome, dune, black, forest and more
Gildan Men’s Crew T-Shirts
This pack of five Gildan shirts is under $20 and is perfect for layering or wearing as a casual tee. The crew neck T-shirt is also available in packs of six, 10 and 12 with various color combinations to choose from, including an all-white option.
The multipack has a 4.6-star rating and 208,000 reviews. One rave reviewer writes, “I have a long waist, so I was slightly skeptical but ended up getting the shirts and trying them on, and they’re exactly as advertised. They definitely feel like good quality and are nice and long which I like. I will buy again — you can’t beat the price.”
Sizes: S-2XL | Materials: 100% cotton (solid colors) | Colors: Black, sport grey, charcoal grey and more
Men’s Essentials Short Sleeve T-Shirt
Hanes is a well-known brand that has been a staple in many households for decades. When it comes to basics, they make almost all of them, from pajamas to underwear. The classic brand’s T-shirt is made from 100% cotton and is available in a variety of sizes, up to 5XL.
The signature T-shirt has nearly 120,000 reviews on Amazon, and repeat customers keep coming back for the reliable and cozy tee. “I love these T-shirts and order them for my son who loves them as well. He says that they are comfortable, cool and he likes how well they fit. They are well-made with a great price — such a great buy, no regrets,” says a five-star reviewer
Sizes: S-5XL | Materials: 100% cotton | Colors: White, black, denim blue, orange, yellow, light blue and more
Super-T Short Sleeve T-Shirt
Land’s End is known for its quality basics at an affordable price, which is why the Super-T had to make our list. The 100% cotton tee is available in a wide range of neutral and bright colors that can pair with a multitude of outfits for various occasions, from business casual to layering to keep warm. Lands End offers a wide range of sizing with tall, big and big-and-tall options in the cozy T-shirt.
Sizes: S-2XL; available in regular, big, tall and big & tall | Materials: 100% cotton | Colors: Papaya orange, evening blue, dark charcoal heather, primrose yellow, rich red and more
Classic V T-Shirt
A classic V-neck T-shirt is a closet staple because it’s an easy option that can be dressed up or down. So when it comes to classic pieces, of course, the best option is from a classic brand. Gap’s V-neck is made from 100% jersey cotton to provide softness and comfort. The tee has a slimmer fit in the chest and shoulders and is available in regular and tall sizes. This wardrobe must-have comes in four neutral colors, including optic white and heather grey.
Sizes: XS-3XL; available in regular and tall | Materials: 100% cotton | Colors: Optic white, heather grey, true black and blue
Silver Crew Neck T-Shirt
This T-shirt from Mack Weldon is their perfect travel shirt and everyday crew neck. The Silver tee is meant to help you stay fresh longer, even on days when you end up wearing your outfit for more time than expected.
The comfortable T-shirt is made with a combination of supima cotton, lycra and blended antimicrobial polyester that helps keep odor at bay. The long-lasting crew is available in eight earth tones, including minted heather and plum wine.
Sizes: S-2XL | Materials: 85% supima cotton, 10% polyester, 5% lycra | Colors: Stealth grey, true navy, bright white, minted heather and more
Broken-in T-shirt
The prestigious brand J Crew gives off a “dinner in the Hamptons” energy, which makes sense that they have the best slim-fit T-shirts. Made of 100% cotton, the Broken-in T-shirt is a staple of the brand, which launched the tee in 2004, and it has remained in their collection ever since. The Broken-in T-shirt provides a comfortable fit but still looks clean and chic, perfect for days when you need to look a bit more elevated but still prioritize comfort.
Sizes: XS-XL; also available in tall | Materials: 100% cotton | Colors: White, sunbaked rose, ecru, navy, heather grey, old forest green and more
Relaxed Tee
This T-shirt from Madewell is a top seller from the brand for a reason. The relaxed-fit tee is made from 100% cotton for ultimate comfort. If you’re someone who likes a bit more room in your T-shirts, this one’s for you. It provides a casual look but still looks stylish when paired with cargo pants or denim. The slouchy T-shirt is made with mid-weight cotton and is available in over eight different neutral earth tones, making mixing and matching in your wardrobe simple.
Sizes: XS-2XL | Materials: 100% cotton | Colors: True black, heirloom blue, coffee bean, burnt umber and more
The Premium Weight Crew
Like we said before, not all T-shirts are created equally, and some tees are heavier than others, which means they are thicker. Commonly, T-shirts are made from 5.5-ounce cotton, but if you want something heavier, six ounces and up is your best bet.
The Premium Weight Crew from Everlane is made from a 6.2-ounce cotton and constructed with a dense knit to provide a heavy feel and also help keep you warm. What makes this tee even better? You can snag them for less when you use the Everlane bundle deal, where you can score three T-shirts for just under $100.
Sizes: XS-2XL | Materials: 100% cotton | Colors: Black, white, deep navy, med heather grey, heather oatmeal and more
Men’s Carefree Unshrinkable Tee
Having a long torso and finding T-shirts that are lengthy enough to keep you covered (especially when you raise your arms) is tricky. L.L. Bean offers tall lengths in their basics, making shopping a breeze for those with long midsections. According to the brand, the Carefree Unshrinkable T-shirt is resistant to wrinkles and shrinking, which is a time-saver when in a rush and you don’t have time for a steam.
Sizes: M-2XL tall; also available in regular | Materials: 100% cotton; with 90% cotton and 10% lycra trim | Colors: White, black, forest green, mustard, navy blue and more
McClain Tee
Like finding tall T-shirts, finding quality tees with extended sizing can be challenging since most retailers stop at 2XL, but not Good Counsel. Available in tall, extra tall and regular, the sizes go up to 8XL. The crew neck is made from 100% cotton and can be worn for layering or on its own. Good Counsel also offers member ship discounts which gives you 30% off all products, free shipping and access to exclusive launches and styles.
Sizes: M-8XL; also available in tall and extra tall | Materials: 100% cotton | Colors: Black, white, navy and heather grey
Men’s Primary Dri-FIT Top
Of course, when you think of Nike, sports come to mind — they offer some of the best and most stylish workout wear on the market. The Nike Dri-FIT top was designed to wick moisture away from your body, which helps you stay dry when exercising. As far as mobility, the underarms have gussets to reduce friction and also feature embroidered underarm eyelets for breathability.
The workout-friendly top is offered in regular and tall sizing and goes up to 4XL. The simple but effective top comes in bright and neutral colors, with over 10 options.
Sizes: XS-4XL; also available in tall | Materials: 60% cotton, 40% polyester | Colors: Black, medium olive, dark red, bronzine, phantom white and more
Relaxed Fit Heavyweight T-shirt
Carhartt is a staple in the workwear category, which makes sense since they’ve been around since 1889. The short sleeve top is made of heavyweight cotton and comes in a variety of earth tones, including black, heather gray and a rich port red.
This Amazon top seller has over 11,000 reviews with a 4.7-star rating. Buyers can’t get over how well the heavyweight T-shirt holds up. One five-star reviewer writes, “I washed and dried the shirt several times, and the fit is still the same — I haven’t experienced any shrinkage so far. I like it so much I bought a second one.”
Sizes: XS-4XL; also available in tall | Materials: 100% cotton | Colors: Black, white, heather gray, port, walnut heather and more
Oversized T-Shirt
Skims isn’t just for women; they’ve expanded into men’s clothing, and it has the internet buzzing. “The shirt is so soft and comfortable, I want to order the whole collection,” says a GH tester. The oversized shirt is a cozy top that can be worn relaxing around the house or paired with the matching shorts for the most stylish pajama set.
Sizes: XS-5X | Materials: 46% cotton, 46% rayon, 8% spandex | Colors: Khaki, espresso and ash
Everyday Classic Longsleeve
We couldn’t forget the long sleeve options in our roundup of the best men’s T-shirts. This unisex Outdoor Voices T-shirt is made from 100% organic cotton and has an overall relaxed fit. The soft and cozy top is lightweight and breathable, which is ideal for transitioning seasons. While it’s only available in black or white, this closet staple can easily be layered under other pieces or worn on its own and dressed up or down.
Sizes: XS-2XL | Materials: 100% cotton | Colors: Black and white
AIRism Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt
A lightweight T-shirt is essential, especially when in warmer climates. One of our GH testers was impressed by how well it kept them cool in the heat but still held up after laundering. “The shirt is extremely comfortable and has a nice weight to it. The fabric feels quite balanced and did not wrinkle or curl during the day. I wore it when it was 90° Fahrenheit out and it was still comfortable. It allowed air to circulate through and kept me cool. It also functions as a comfortable lounge or pajama shirt,” says a happy GH tester.
Sizes: XS-3XL | Materials: 71% cotton, 25% polyester, 4% spandex | Colors: White, gray, black, green and blue
2-Pack Second Skin Slim Fit Crewneck T-Shirts
What’s great about Tommy John T-shirts is that they’re so versatile, they can be worn in casual settings, layered or laying around the house. While it isn’t made out of cotton, it is still soft and breathable, according to reviewers. “I tried a different cotton T-shirt, as I typically prefer cotton over man-made materials, but I ended up preferring this material. It fits snugly and the material stretches easily but doesn’t wrinkle or sag.”
For layering, the Tommy John tee is long and lightweight enough to wear under various top, regardless of the season. “The shirt is long enough to keep it tucked in,” says a five-star reviewer. “I have purchased several of these and frequently wear them under polo shirts when playing golf.”
Sizes: S-XL | Materials: 87% modal, 13% spandex | Colors: White
Lisle Crewneck T-Shirt
Ralph Lauren is a signature brand that has made it into the homes of many. While some might think spending a lot of money on a T-shirt doesn’t make sense, we think it’s fine to splurge every once in a while, especially when it comes to well-known designers that are recognized for their quality.
The Purple Label T-shirt is made from 100% cotton and comes in a variety of rich and elegant color options along with standard neutrals. If you pay close attention to detail, you’ll notice a Ralph Lauren embroidered script at the bottom hem which adds a fun yet subtle touch.
Sizes: XS- 3XL | Materials: 100% | Colors: Purple thistle, supply blue, classic white, light heather grey and more
Pima Curved Hem Tee
A curved hem is a subtle way to add a different spin to your closet basics. The curved hem tee from Buck Mason is made from long staple supima cotton for a soft and comfortable fit. The shirt is made in America, in a knitting mill in Pennsylvania. The curved hem T-shirt is available in short, standard and tall lengths with over 10 color options to choose from. According to the brand, the tee is pre-shrunk and can be laundered with low heat when drying.
Sizes: XS-2XL; also available in short and tall | Materials: 100% cotton | Colors: Black, white, heather grey, ink, field olive and more
Men’s Undershirt Classic Crew Neck
Undershirts are an essential part of some men’s wardrobes — they can be used as layering pieces or worn on their own depending on the quality of the shirt. The Jockey undershirt can be worn as both, which is why the three-pack is such a great value. The cozy T-shirt is made out of 100% cotton and comes in a variety of colors including white, black, gray and more. The lightweight shirt is breathable and is tag-free, so you don’t have to worry about the itch around the neckline.
Amazon reviewers give this set a 4.6 star rating with over 3,000 reviews. “These Jockey undershirts are so much better than other brands I have bought in the past. They fit the right way for an undershirt, meaning it is not oversized at all, so it fits under another shirt like a button down. I can wear it as a T-shirt too and it looks good,” says a reviewer.
Sizes: S-2XL | Materials: 100% cotton | Colors: Black, white, gray and more
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