It’s troublesome to think about a garment extra fundamental than a plain T-shirt. A menswear important in each sense of the time period, this humble base layer has lengthy loved a reign as one of many common staples of each man’s wardrobe. But regardless of its reputation, it might nonetheless show exceedingly troublesome to discover a good one.
The seek for the right plain T-shirt is an everlasting battle that has, at one level or one other, plagued all of us. The reason is: whereas a T-shirt might look like a easy factor to get proper, there’s really lots that may go mistaken. Poor match, shrinkage, subpar stitching and low-cost cloth being among the commonest points.
It’s all too simple to accept much less and let your fashion fall flat, however the good tee is on the market. Enable us to interrupt down all the pieces it’s worthwhile to learn about deciding on a high quality T-shirt, together with a collection of manufacturers that, in our expertise, are making the best choices round.
What Makes The Good T-Shirt?
Initially, match is essential when deciding on a T-shirt. It doesn’t matter if it’s woven out of material spun from the hair of angels, if it doesn’t sit proper, it’s by no means going to look good.
An important features of match to think about are size and shoulder width. The seams that join the physique to the arms of the shirt ought to sit proper on the corners of your shoulders. Any much less and also you’ll look as if you’re about to burst out of it. Any extra and also you threat trying prefer it was handed down by an elder sibling. The one exception to this rule is if you happen to’re intentionally going for an outsized look. By which case, watch out to not take it too far. Bear in mind, it’s a T-shirt, not a muumuu.
When it comes to size, the hem ought to hover simply above the hips. Don’t go any decrease. Sure, longline T-shirts do exist. No, grown males shouldn’t put on them.
High quality fabrication and development are two extra areas wherein many T-shirts fall brief. The fabric must be 100% cotton and comfortable to the contact. How thick or skinny it’s is dependent upon private desire. Nonetheless thicker cloth tends be extra sturdy and hold higher, for these of us harbouring a little bit of a paunch.
The Greatest Manufacturers For T-Shirts
From high-street heroes to fundamentals specialists, these are the one labels it’s worthwhile to take into account relating to bolstering your T-shirt rotation.
L’Estrange London
In a world dominated by overconsumption and quick vogue, L’Estrange are on a mission to alter the best way males purchase garments. The label’s modular system includes the constructing blocks of any profitable capsule wardrobe, providing you with versatile items that may be blended and matched for any event whereas eliminating waste.
The London-based model solely affords two T-shirts, however each are distinctive. Its Tailor-made Tee is crafted from weighty 100% natural cotton and options elevated particulars corresponding to a again pleat for elevated motion in addition to a facet cut up and delicate curved hem that makes it ultimate for layering. The second is the restricted version Kapok Tee, which affords a silky-soft mix of kapok and natural cotton for all-day consolation. You may’t go mistaken with both.
Purchase now at L’Estrange London
ISTO
ISTO is concentrated on producing high-quality, timeless staples – the kind of clothes that by no means exit of favor. There aren’t any pattern items or seasonal collections right here. It’s the kind of model you may simply construct an capsule wardrobe with, and really feel good doing so: the impartial label solely makes use of sustainable supplies and works with factories that adhere to strict social accountability and work requirements.
The model’s T-shirts are a living proof: reduce from the best natural and further lengthy staple Supima cotton, they’re handmade in Portugal with both a tailor-made or straight match that flatters each physique kind.
Accessible in a wealth of versatile, trendy colourways, top off and put on them to loss of life.
Purchase now at ISTO
Luca Faloni
Luca Faloni specialises in wardrobe necessities woven from the world’s most interesting, softest materials, working with esteemed mills and artisans in its dwelling nation of Italy.
Its T-shirts are among the most luxurious on this record, coming in a supremely comfortable silk-cotton mix and a breathable linen jersey which are perfect for hot-weather dressing. Accessible in six timeless colors, they might make a classy addition to any rotation.
Purchase now at Luca Faloni
Vilebrequin
Vilebrequin has been producing luxurious resortwear since 1971 and – as you’d count on – the T-shirt performs a core half in every of its collections.
Reduce from top quality cotton, the French model’s tees come a wealth of summer-ready colourways and vibrant graphic prints that may’t fail to show heads whether or not you’re lounging by the pool or sitting in a beer backyard.
Workforce one with a pair of the label’s acclaimed tailor-made swim shorts for the right Riviera vibe in your subsequent trip.
Purchase now at Vilebrequin
Asket
Asket consider in “the pursuit of much less”. The Stockholm-based model shuns quick vogue and as a substitute creates high-quality, important items which can be destined to develop into the constructing blocks of your on a regular basis wardrobe.
Asket’s tees are the epitome of this ethos: reduce and sewn in Portugal and Tunisia from customized developed long- and extra-long staple Egyptian cotton materials, they appear, really feel and match completely.
Purchase now at Asket
Wax London
Impartial label Wax London is rapidly turning into one in all our go-to names for up to date twists on wardrobe staples. And its wonderful assortment of T-shirts is a living proof.
The road up is decidely up to date – working the gamut from brief, boxy-fitting pocket tees to drop-shouldered, heavyweight natural cotton designs to basic mid-weight jersey choices in impartial colors – bringing one thing distinctive and contemporary to what generally is a little bit of a stale market.
Purchase now at Wax London
Percival
Few objects of clothes are as simple to throw on because the T-shirt. The long-time wardrobe important might be worn yr spherical both as an undershirt in winter, a mid layer in fall or because the ending piece throughout the hotter months.
For the latter, a delicate logoed tee is the best means of injecting some color and curiosity into an in any other case easy outfit, which is the place Percival is available in. The London model’s huge assortment of embroidered designs – from film scenes to deal with vegetation – preserve us returning season after season.
Purchase now at Percival
Uniqlo
On this sport of menswear, you are likely to get what you pay for. Nonetheless, there are these uncommon events on which actual bargains might be discovered. Very often, these situations come courtesy of Japanese model Uniqlo, which affords up stripped-back wardrobe fundamentals that ship some critical worth for cash.
No exception to this rule is its T-shirts. The ultra-soft 100% Supima cotton tee has develop into one thing of a calling card for the high-street retailer. For one thing just a little weightier, take a look at the Uniqlo U assortment, created by industry-acclaimed designer Christophe Lemaire.
Purchase now at Uniqlo
Everlane
Wouldn’t or not it’s nice if you happen to knew precisely how a lot it value to make the garment you had been contemplating shopping for? Nicely, with Everlane you do. The model lists each value – from advertising and marketing to transport to uncooked supplies – on their product pages, so you’ll be able to weigh up whether or not their clothes are value it. Allow us to prevent the hassle: they’re. Accessible in a number of colourways and quite a lot of high-quality materials – together with natural, heavyweight 6oz and light-weight slub cotton – Everlane’s T-shirts supply very good worth for cash.
Purchase now at Everlane
A.P.C.
Most wardrobes may stand to profit from just a little Parisian cool, and there are few label’s higher geared up to produce it than Jean Touitou’s ultra-clean A.P.C.
The French ready-to-wear model is thought the world over for its trademark easy styling and premium necessities. Naturally, plain T-shirts are an enormous a part of this, with an ever-evolving roster of tasteful choices current season after season.
Purchase now at FarFetch
Pelota Sporting Clothiers
Bridging the hole between sport and leisure, Pelota Sporting Clothiers are presupposed to be purveyors of fashionable consolation. And we couldn’t agree extra. Constructed from natural cotton, recycled supplies and vegan pleasant sources, the manufacturers match is athletic but forgiving.
Pelota’s famed #AprésSport hashtag is a nod to that time period when a sportsman’s (or whoever’s) endeavour ends and social life begins. Put it merely, the is smart-casual or let’s name it ath-leisure at it’s most interesting.
Purchase now at Pelota
A Day’s March
You’ll solely ever discover A Day’s March T-shirts in their very own shops or on their web site. By skipping wholesale, it permits the model to personal the complete provide chain and supply shoppers with a better high quality product for much less.
Their tees are notably nice worth: coming in weighty 160g or 250g cotton in addition to garment-dyed Tencel, the match and really feel screams luxurious, even when the worth tag says completely different.
Purchase now at A Day’s March
Arket
Swedish minimalist necessities model Arket is a relative newcomer to the excessive road. But what it lacks in historical past, it greater than compensates for aesthetically.
A part of the H&M household, Arket’s collection of wares is way extra tightly curated than that of its dad or mum firm, with a collection of clear, pared-back staples forming the muse of its seasonal collections. T-shirts listed below are categorised in accordance with weight, so if you happen to’re a bit like Goldilocks with that kind of factor, that is the correct store for you.
Purchase now at Arket
James Perse
In the case of easy, trendy staples James Perse is without doubt one of the finest within the enterprise. The L.A.-based model creates luxurious casualwear that’s designed to be lived in, with washed-out colors and combed cotton development including to the relaxed, West Coast really feel. The label’s eponymous founder began out with a line of T-shirts again in 1994 and has spent the previous 20+ years perfecting his vary.
Purchase now at James Perse
Sunspel
A very good mantra to stay by when stocking a wardrobe is, “easy issues performed properly”. Fortunately sufficient, that’s British model Sunspel’s USP and has been for a few years.
Any style-savvy particular person will let you know that Sunspel’s unassuming T-shirts are one of the best round. These are clothes crafted from the best supplies with acute consideration to element and a stage of high quality that speaks for itself. No want for brash branding or cheesy logos.
Purchase now at SSENSE
Armor Lux
With a historical past spanning one of the best a part of the final 100 years, Armor Lux has had extra time than most to grasp the right T-shirt.
The French label is primarily identified for its striped Breton tops, however well-cut, plain tees additionally characteristic closely on the menu. Anticipate low-key branding, masterful consideration to element and loads of je ne sais quoi.
Purchase now at Huckberry
Hanro
Good dressing begins with the underside layer. That is the ethos which varieties the very basis of all the pieces Swiss label Hanro does.
Hanro has been crafting high-end undergarments for nearly 150 years. As luck would have it, that features T-shirts, too. Anticipate premium supplies, flawless development and a glove-like fit your needs’ll battle to search out wherever else. Arguably the last word base layer for all of your day-to-day seems to be.
Purchase now at MR PORTER