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The Best Basic T-Shirts for Every Man’s Closet

Over two dozens tees that are perfectly plain (but still stylish), meaning no graphic logos, embroidered art or odd fits.

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By Evan Malachosky

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There’s nothing like an old, faded, incredibly comfortable T-shirt. It carries years of stories in its washed-out threads. While it takes years to get there, the process is well worth it. The process is far easier than breaking in an Oxford or a polo, too, meaning the fade of your dreams is achievable much faster.

Products in the Guide

What Makes a Good T-shirt?

The best T-shirts are uncomplicated, but because of their simplicity, the smallest details have substantial effects. The material, the knit, the seams, the silhouette, the hem, the neckline — all these parts (and more) come together to create a garment that transcends social and economic divisions. So if you invest in a quality tee now — our favorites are below — you’re sure to be rewarded in coming years, as the garment will just keep getting better.

A contrarian would say the best come in those little plastic bags — in packs of five, six or eight. And while they certainly are no marvel of manual labor, they get the job done and prove the most economical for a lot of people. I won’t go as far to recommend buying those basic bulk-made ones, but I will offer options in the middle ground between them and a few of the $120 or even $150 dollar options out there.

But even these won’t endure like the expensive versions. “No one really wants to invest in quality sewing because the more time you spend on the garment, the more expensive it gets,” Bayard Winthrop of American Giant says. But “you need the highest-quality materials (such as fabric, yarn) to produce a quality garment,” he adds.

You can learn more about how to spot a well-made T-shirt here.

Why Blank Is Better

While graphic T-shirts are cool, blank ones are better. They work with more outfits, whether that be a corduroy suit with one underneath, as a base layer for a hoodie or sweater or alone atop a pair of jeans. “A good tee will change your life,” Damien Fahrenfort, Co-Founder of General Admission, says. “Why? Because they pair well with any pant or short and can be dressed up or down — something I believe worth investing money into.”

Not only does a nice blank T-shirt show restraint — you could’ve totally worn that crusty tank top — but it signals sartorial fortitude. When others bend and bust out their band tees, you stayed blank.

How We Tested

Made from organic cotton, this shirt is loosely knit for an airy feel which goes well with its relaxed silhouette. The garment-dye process also gives the tee more character.

Buck Mason’s made a killing with its line of quality tees. Though the curved hem tee is a huge boon for the brand, we prefer the straight-hemmed Slub Classic Pocket Tee.

It has a great hand and tons of slubby texture to distance itself from the undershirt fare. The sleeves were the right length, and so was the body, but this shirt did shrink a little in the wash. It’s made in LA and comes in the requisite black and white options, but be sure to look out for its seasonal colorways, too.

Again, the Gildan Heavy T-shirt isn’t going to be the most amazingly well-manufactured option. But it’ll do its job, and you can get 10 for the cost of one really, really nice tee. Plus, Gildan makes its heavy tee in over 70 colors.

Made in Los Angeles, this shirt has a 6.5-ounce American cotton fabric that is garment-dyed with natural enzymes — that means it’ll feel broken in from the first wear. It features a generous fit and high neckline.

Made in the USA, Forty Five’s entry into the tee market uses premium Supima cotton to knit its luscious jersey. It features a classic, vintage-style silhouette and a range of garment-dyed colorways.

Kotn’s Essential Crew is the short-sleeve version of our favorite long-sleeve, Kotn’s Essential Long-Sleeve. A simple tee with few, if any, frills, it’s made from 100-percent long-staple Egyptian cotton. There are three colors to choose from, too.

Mott & Bow’s classic tee comes in a number of colors and three fits, curved, crew and V-neck. Once you own one you’ll want several because the shirt is soft (combed Peruvian cotton) and fits super well.

Richer Poorer’s 100 percent cotton tee features dropped shoulders, a relaxed fit through the body and a pigmentation inspired by Shibori dyes that are applied by hand.

American Trench’s Interlock Tee offers the best of both worlds. It’s soft but super durable and drapey but not heavy. Plus, it comes in 10 colors.

A good old-fashioned American-made T-shirt — that’s what American Giant’s fashioned-in-LA Classic Cotton Crew Tee is. It boasts a familiar fit, comes in several colors and can survive the wash with ease, just be sure to do it on cold with like colors.

This shirt features a midweight cotton knit that is certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard. Made in Vietnam, it has a slim fit and a single chest pocket.

Alex Mill’s catalog covers all the bases. But, it’s the brand’s T-shirts we’re impressed by most. (Ok, maybe the chinos, too.) They’re simple, soft, and come in an array of sizes and colors.

The A.P.C. Jimmy T-Shirt is easy: It has a straight hem, few noticeable seams and is made from 100 percent cotton.

Vintage repro brand The Real McCoy’s makes some the heftiest, hardest-wearing tees out there. This one’s made in Japan from 100 percent Japanese cotton and comes with a single chest pocket.

Free of side seams, Standard & Strange’s super-soft loopwheel tee is made from long staple 100 percent cotton knit, which is soft and stretchy, with a thick collar that’s built to withstand repeat stretches. You should order true to size, because while they do shrink quite a bit in the wash, they stretch to fit your body again once you get it on.

Cotton-hemp blends produce T-shirts with impressive weightlessness. Use this one as a base layer under a sweater or a top to pair with your new jacket.

Made in the US, Battenwear’s pocket tee is super heavy and a little broken in looking. That makes it easy to wear from day one, and the pocket itself (for glasses wearers especially) works without getting stretched out by its contents.

Like Babzani says below, the beauty of this tee cannot be understood until you own one — so get one. But don’t just do it because we say so, do it because you’re getting a vintage-referencing tee made from fine Greek cotton.

Freedom Company’s tees come with an innate rocker edge to them, courtesy of the longer sleeves, longer hem and heavier construction. Get it black or a bunch of other colors.

MORE OVERSIZED T-SHIRTS

Sunspel makes its crew tee in England with a bound neck. That gives it a classic look, and the luxe cotton gives it a great weight and feel.

This gray Pocket T-shirt from Knickerbocker’s flatters every body, courtesy of its thin yet pronounced neck and a straight fit.

This vintage black Pocket Tee comes from Nashville-based brand Imogene + Willie. It’s woven from 100 percent cotton in the US, and finished with vintage detailing that adds durability.

Cut, sewn and knit in Los Angeles, this pre-shrunk shirt has tubular construction (so there are no side seams). It is made with American cotton and features reinforced seams throughout.

MORE WHITE T-SHIRTS

New York store 3Sixteen’s Heavyweight Pocket Tees come in packs of two so you always have on fresh on hand. The shape is custom to the brand and the weight is superior to most others we’ve tried.

Made in America with traditional vintage construction, this t-shirt has a classic silhouette and ribbed neck. The style runs slim, so order up one size when purchasing if you like a baggier fit.

Made from a 5-ounce blend of hemp and organic cotton, this shirt is textured and drapey. The garment-dyed style features a classic fit and a relaxed neckline.

Yes, Viberg makes boots and shoes, but the brand’s T-shirt is nothing to shake your head at. It has a vintage heft, classic shape, and soft black hue.

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