21 Best T-Shirts for Every Closet in 2024
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Great t-shirts have always been a wardrobe staple — essential for staying fresh while working out, keeping cozy while lounging, and, now, making a fashion statement. Well-dressed execs are rocking Everlane’s Premium-Weight Crewneck with a suit, while hypebeasts sport Carhartt’s Heavyweight Short-Sleeve to showcase grail-worthy sneakers and accessories. Everyone seems to be upping their shirt game.
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The best t-shirts are made with premium fabrics that stay comfortable all day, with flattering and stylish fits. But don’t count out that classic four-pack quite yet. When needing something fresh in a hurry, there’s nothing better than putting on a crisp Hanes white tee.
There is one downside to the meteoric rise of t-shirts: shopping for great tees is now a serious chore. To narrow the search, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite t-shirt brands below. With a range of brands like Everlane and Hanes, and almost every fabric, hemline, neckline, and fit you can imagine, a t-shirt should suit every need. From classic cotton tees to performance shirts you can wear to happy hour, here are our favorite tees to buy right now.
Best T-Shirt Brands of 2024, Editors’ Picks
Top Pick: Premium-Weight Relaxed Crewneck Tee, $45 at Everlane
Most Durable: Carhartt Force Relaxed Midweight Tee, $34.99 at Amazon
Best Workout: Nike Primary Dri-FIT Short-Sleeve Top, $55 at Nike
Best Graphic: Elvis Presley Cover Tee, $40 at Rolling Stone
Best Quality for Price: Fear of God Black Bonded Tee, $40 at Ssense
Best Undershirt: Calvin Klein Cotten Crewneck Tee, $32.20 at Amazon
Best Quality: James Perse Combed Cotten Short Sleeve Tee, $80 at Mr. Porter
Most Comfortable: Rhone Element Tee, $54 at Amazon
TOP PICK
1. Everlane The Premium-Weight Relaxed Crew
$45
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. (Available in men’s XS-XL. Restock on soldout sizes coming January 23)
MOST DURABLE
2. Carhartt Force Relaxed Midweight Tee
$34.99
$18.74+
You don’t have to be a construction worker to rock a Carhartt T-shirt. Trendsetters are wearing Carhartt tees’ durable comfort and workwear looks and making a statement. The shirt is made of a cotton-polyester blend and features an oversized, slightly boxy fit, so consider ordering a size smaller than usual. (Currently available in men’s S-4X)
BEST WORKOUT PICK
3. Nike Primary Dri-FIT Short-Sleeve Top
$55
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, look no further than this one. The underarm ventilation adds breathability during your reps, while the Dri-FIT technology helps keep you dry and comfortable. It comes in a few colors, but nothing compares to this sleek, dark red tee — it’s a staple. (Currently available in men’s XS-3XL)
BEST BOXY FIT
4. Fresh Clean Threads Crewneck Tee
$22
$22
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. (Currently available in men’s S-3X)
5. Elwood Core Oversized Tee
$30
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. (Currently available in men’s XS-XL)
BEST GRAPHIC TEE
6. 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 PRICE FOR QUALITY
7. Fear of God Black Bonded Tee
$45
If there’s one brand that excels in high-quality basics, it’s Fear of God. Their essentials line is affordable and doesn’t compromise on quality, delivering you a high-end product for a fraction of the price. This mock neck bonded tee is great for transitional seasons, with longer sleeves vs. the traditional short sleeve and a higher neck that can be dressed up or down. (Currently available in men’s XS-XXL)
BEST UNDERSHIRT
8. Calvin Klein Cotten Crewneck Tee
$32.20 $46.00 30% off
$32.20 $46 30% off
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. (Currently available in men’s S-XXL)
BEST QUALITY
9. James Perse Combed Cotten Short Sleeve Tee
$80
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. (Currently available in men’s S-XL)
BEST WORKOUT PICK
10. Under Armour Tactical Tech Tee
$12.07 $24.99 52% off
$24.99
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. (Currently available in men’s XS-5X)
MOST COMFORTABLE
11. Rhone Element Tee
$54
$54
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. (Currently available in men’s XS-XXL)
BEST GO-TO
12. Hanes Ultimate Crewneck Tee
$19.98 $42.00 52% off
$19
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. (Currently available in men’s S-3X)
BEST LIVED-IN FEEL
13. Buck Mason Slub Classic Tee
$45
$45
We’ve tried several T-shirts that aim to mimic a vintage tee’s soft, “lived-in” feel, but we think Buck Mason does it best 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. (Currently available in men’s XS-XXL)
BEST DAILY PICK
14. Sunspel Classic Tee
$54+
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. (Currently available in men’s XS-XXL)
SOFTEST PICK
15. Outerknown Sojourn Tee
$58
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). (Currently available in men’s S-XXL)
PREMIUM PICK
16. Velva Sheen Regular Tee
$70
$85
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. (Currently available in men’s S-XL)
BEST POCKET TEE
17. J.Crew Broken In Short Sleeve Tee
$36.50
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. (Currently available in men’s XS-XL)
BEST SUSTAINABLE TEE
18. Kotn Essential Crewneck Tee
$38
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. (Currently available in men’s XXS-3X)
19. Lucky Venice Burnout Crewneck T-Shirt
$34.50
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. (Currently available in men’s S-XL)
20. Gildan V-Neck T-Shirt, Multipack
$18.97
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. (Currently available in men’s S-XL)
21. POLO Ralph Lauren Slim Fit Crewneck, 3-Pack
$45
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. (Currently available in men’s XS-XL)
Pride yourself on shopping only the best selections when it comes to fashion? Us too. We are tastemakers dedicated to bringing you the finest in clothing, shoes, and accessories. Shop like a Rolling Stone editor and check out more of our recommendations.
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