Our testers loved this shirt, with one saying it felt more durable than most tees they’ve worn. It has a boxier fit with a roomier torso, but the shorter cut gives it a modern style. Like the name implies, the shirt has an airy feel—but our testers found it still had a nice weight and felt substantial. The thicker material also earned a high score for opacity in our evaluations.
| Sizes | XS-3XL |
| Materials | 53% cotton, 47% polyester |
| Colors | 10+ |
This pack of five Gildan shirts is under $20, and each one 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.
| Sizes | S-2XL |
| Materials | 100% cotton (solid colors) |
| Colors | 7 |
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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 | 20+ |
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-XXXL; available in regular and tall |
| Materials | 100% cotton |
| Colors | 4 |
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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-XXL |
| Materials | 85% supima cotton, 10% polyester, 5% lycra |
| Colors | 10+ |
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-XXL; also available in slim and tall |
| Materials | 100% cotton |
| Colors | 20+ |
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Director of Editorial Commerce Brie Schwartz says that her husband is obsessed with Faherty's T-shirts for their softness. This style in particular is vintage-inspired and worn-in by design, and it’s made from a lightweight cotton that feels smooth against the skin.
| Sizes | XS-XXL |
| Materials | 100% cotton |
| Colors | 10+ |
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 helpful when you’re in a rush and don't have time for a steam.
| Sizes | S-XXXL; also available in tall |
| Materials | 100% cotton; with 90% cotton and 10% lycra trim |
| Colors | 20+ |
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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. We noticed that many buyers can't get over how well the heavyweight T-shirt holds up.
| Sizes | XS-4XL; also available in tall |
| Materials | 100% cotton |
| Colors | 10+ |
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 | 2 |
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What's great about Tommy John T-shirts is that they're so versatile, they can be worn in casual settings, layered, or while laying around the house. As for layering, the tee is long enough to wear under various tops. And while it isn't made out of cotton, it is still soft and breathable, according to reviewers.
| Sizes | S-XXL |
| Materials | 87% modal, 13% spandex |
| Colors | 3 |
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 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-XXL; also available in short and tall |
| Materials | 100% cotton |
| Colors | 8 |

Expert consulted:Emma SeymourTextiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
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