Build your own effortless style with these tees from Vuori, Buck Mason, and more.
When it comes to your wardrobe, there’s nothing more classic than T-shirts. Ask any stylist and they’ll agree: The humble tee is the foundation for effortless style. While there are no shortage of men's T-shirts available, it’s a good idea to focus your search around what fits your body best.
Take the slim-fit T-shirt, for example. This type of fit delivers the most flattering shape and they work well with a variety of outfits. In fact, Patrick Kenger, a personal stylist and image consultant, says “a slimmer-fit shirt makes your body look better, plain and simple."
Wondering what to look for? 100-percent cotton T-shirts, which are generally comfortable and relatively breathable, are always a solid choice. Materials like Tencel are also increasing in popularity due to their mind-blowing softness against skin. As for fit, the sleeves should lightly hug your arms and hit at mid-bicep and the hem should fall around your pockets, Kenger says.
It’s important to load up on the basic white, black, and gray, but neutrals like olive green, sandy beige, and even faded yellows are becoming increasingly popular. That way, you can wear your shirts in many different outfits, layering them under a denim jacket or pairing them with a suit and sneakers.
How much you pay for a T-shirt depends on what you want to get out of it. Are you looking for something to wear underneath a dress shirt or rather something to act as the main character of your outfit? Do you prefer a thinner type of material or the feeling of a denser cotton against your skin?
The best t-shirts for men who need a reliable, comfortable, all-day garment will range between $30-$70 on average — it's okay to spend that much on a good T-shirt. For simple undershirts, seek the value of a multi-pack. Typically, these can be found for $20-$45 depending on quantity. To spend more or less than this may reflect the material used, the brand, or the quality.
Men's Journal has scouted and, for the most part, tried the top men's T-shirts from brands like Taylor Stitch, Vuori, James Perse, and more, across a range of price points and styles. With a handful of the best men's T-shirts ready to throw on at all times, styling yourself becomes a breeze. These are the ones that need to be on your radar.
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With superior moisture-wicking capabilities and UPF 30 sun protection, Vuori’s Strato Tech crew isn’t your run-of-the-mill slim-fit T-shirt. This supremely cozy and well-fitting T-shirt has just the right amount of spandex incorporated into the polyester-based material to keep you comfortable while also creating a flattering shape. The white is also fantastic — we tried it.
[$54; vuoriclothing.com]
True Classic’s tees are a good option for guys who prefer a bicep-hugging fit. The shirts are tight under the arms and shoulders, with more room in the gut for a comfortable fit. True Classic's T-shirts are made from a soft blend of cotton and polyester, helping the shirts resist shrinkage in the wash. The T-shirts come in a range of heathered neutral colors, perfect for layering under a shirt jacket or fall flannel.
[$25; amazon.com]
Madewell’s Allday tee is the ideal classic-fit tee. It’s neither baggy nor constricting, with a mid-bicep sleeve and a hem that hits just below the belt. It’s cut from durable ringspun cotton and is garment-dyed for a lived-in look. The collar is considered, as well — it’s thick enough to hold its own shape but thin enough to not feel like a choker. Madewell’s selection of all-year colors and seasonal neutrals is a level above most other men’s T-shirt brands.
[$35; madewell.com]
This slim-fit T-shirt from Cuts Clothing features a curved hem for a flattering look and better coverage. It’s also more versatile than meets the eye thanks to its blend of materials. The shirt is made from a blend of 62% polyester, 33% cotton, and 5% spandex, so it’s the kind of tee you can wear to the gym, but without looking so technical you couldn’t wear it to the bar. There are over a dozen stylish colors to choose from.
[$54; nordstrom.com]
There’s a certain value proposition to having premium basics that are built to last, but sometimes, you just need a basic tee. It’s hard to go wrong with this pick from Gildan, which has a fitted collar, sleeves, and hem. White and black are made from cotton, while gray is made from a cotton-poly blend. With the price for a two-pack sitting under $15, it’s worthwhile to stock up on these thicker, heavy-wearing T-shirts.
[$14; amazon.com]
The Costa Tee is constructed from Supima cotton for low weight and excellent breathability, both essential features for summer wear. It also features a curved hem that helps create a slimming silhouette and tucks in easily. Made in the US, it's a sure bet to layer underneath one of Buck Mason's signature jackets.
[$55; buckmason.com]
These crewneck T-shirts from Ralph Lauren have a bicep-hugging fit that’s ideal for layering under button-down shirts, but they’re refined enough to wear on their own, too. The tees are made from a breathable and stretchy cotton-poly blend and feature a subtle Polo logo at the hem. Three colorways are available; the grayscale and white tee packs are great for wearing on their own while the neutral earth tone pack is ideal as undershirts because they won’t show through a dress shirt as easily.
[$45; amazon.com]
British label Sunspel uses luxurious long-staple cotton for its uber-comfy tees; the hand-selected and rare material has been combed and double-twisted for extra softness. With a thin collar and sleeves that fall mid-length on the bicep, this shirt is a stellar base for layering with a sweatshirt or denim jacket.
[$95; sunspel.com]
Linen is Alex Crane’s specialty; the brand makes everything from button-down shirts to shorts in this breezy fabric. Alex Crane's tees are cut from French linen and woven in Portugal, and they have a stylish, heathered texture. It’s the ideal tee for beating the heat and far more stylish than the average cotton-poly tee. Going true to size will give a slimmer fit while going up a size will produce a more relaxed, albeit, proportionate fit.
[$65; alexcrane.com]
Ten Thousand’s signature tee was engineered with a slew of workout-friendly features, but this lean and mighty layer is as multifunctional as its name suggests. Made from an airy poly-spandex blend with a permanent silver ion anti-odor treatment, this go-to shirt will keep you feeling fresh, even after sweat sessions at the gym. It's also available in long-sleeve and tank versions.
[$58; tenthousand.com]
For this anything-but-basic crew neck T-shirt, James Perse sourced a unique jersey fabric from Japan. The material is carefully spun from premium Suvin cotton to produce a satin-like feel, making it worthy of its lofty price point—and your closet. The brand only shows this T-shirt on a person and not as a flat piece of fabric to accentuate how it masterfully drapes across a body.
[$165; jamesperse.com]
Everlane’s tee is cut from GOTS-certified organic cotton, meaning the fabric is made without chemical pesticides. In short, it’s a tee that’s produced in a less harmful way for the environment and also the workers who manufactured it. The tee comes in a range of basic colors and features a slim fit with a longer hem. Plus, as part of Everlane’s Uniform collection, it's backed by a one-year guarantee.
[$30; everlane.com]
Taylor Stitch utilizes a blend of organic cotton and linen for this easy-wearing tailored tee (the brand recommends sizing up if you like a looser fit). Available in nine different colorways, this shirt has been garment-washed to preserve the integrity of the dyes and give the fabric a softer feel. We love this shirt in the "Saffron," (seen here,), "Sage," and "Natural" options.
[$40; taylorstitch.com]
Photos can only say so much for a shirt like this. Few basics are truly splurge-worthy, but Tom Ford’s elevated slim-fit men's T-shirts rise to the top. Crafted from slightly stretchy cotton jersey fabric, this crewneck T-shirt (it also comes in a V-neck version) will retain its refined shape no matter how many times you wash and wear it.
[$120; mrporter.com]
Calvin Klein is most famous for men's underwear and undershirts, but the brand’s multi-pack tees are substantial enough to wear on their own. The tees are made from 100% cotton and feature higher armholes for a slimmer fit. The shirts are available in white, black, or gray and feature a subtle Calvin Klein logo at the hem. At a little over $15 a pop, these are considerably cheaper than the average tee, making them a great option to buy, wear out, and replace.
[$46; nordstrom.com]
With a garment as simple as a T-shirt, subtle details make a world of difference. Robert Barakett’s take on men’s T-shirts features a refined slim but not snug fit. It’s made from 100% US-grown Pima cotton, which is a softer and stronger type of cotton owing to its longer fibers. Side vents on the tee add comfort and visual appeal as does the wide range of muted, versatile colors.
[$70; nordstrom.com]
Tentree's commitments to sustainability go beyond the norm, including reducing water and plastic waste and planting trees for each item purchased. This shirt uses innovative, environmentally-conscious materials like Tencel lyocell, a semi-synthetic form of rayon derived from tree pulp, recycled polyester, and organic cotton. The shirt features the brand’s logo on the chest and hem on a unique cork patch.
[$40; tentree.com]
This luxurious tee from Rag & Bone is perfectly worn-in the first time you put it on. It has a pleasant slub texture and a raw edge, giving it a slightly distressed look. The back of the tee has Rag & Bone’s signature seam down the middle of the shirt. It’s the best T-shirt for men to throw on to elevate the average jeans-and-tee fit for a posh night out or wind down with some loungewear for a cozy night in. Pair it up with a leather jacket for an unforgettable Brandonian look.
[$95; nordstrom.com]
First introduced in 2004, the Broken-in T-shirt has been in the J.Crew lineup for a long time, and it’s still a perennial favorite. It’s dyed twice and washed for exceptional softness and a slightly faded color, which gives the shirt a unique vintage look. It's also available in three different fits—including tall sizes—and in a wide variety of colors.
[$37; jcrew.com]
Cotton is classic, but there’s a reason it’s not the preferred fabric for athletic clothing. Because it’s so absorbent, it doesn’t handle sweat as well as synthetics do. This polyester tee from Nike is moisture-wicking and breathable. Built with runners in mind, the reflective details keep you visible on night runs. The vertically gifted men out there will appreciate that this athletic T-shirt is also offered in tall sizing.
[$55; nordstrom.com]
Uniqlo shirts come highly recommended by Kenger, and their affordable price point makes them a great option if you’re looking to stock up on men's T-shirts. Although not advertised as a slim fit, you can size down for a trimmer shape, and the durable cotton fabric makes them a long-lasting and versatile addition to your closet. With so many colors of the U Collection T-shirts to choose from, there's bound to be one of interest.
[$20; uniqlo.com]
