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12 Best Men's T-Shirts He'll Want to Live In, After Years of Testing

Our pros’ favorite costs $25.

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VerifiedExpert consulted: Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director
best mens t shirts

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Building a wardrobe really comes down to the basics, which is why finding the best men’s T-shirts is so essential. Because after all, it takes just one good tee and a solid pair of pants to finish your look.

Men’s T-shirts are a little different from women’s—they often use thicker fabrics and feature sturdier stitching—so overall, you can usually count on them to last a while.

And transparently, there are so many good ones, so we sought out one shirt for every category, including workwear tops from Carhartt, plus-size shirts, and airy shirts that are roomy and versatile. We looked through best-selling shirts from our favorite brands, checked numerous online reviews, and consulted with our Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Apparel & Paper Lab fiber scientists and clothing experts to narrow down the best options.

Our top picks:

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.

SizesXS-3XL
Materials53% cotton, 47% polyester
Colors10+
Men's Crew T-Shirts
Now 18% Off
Credit: Amazon

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.

SizesS-2XL
Materials100% cotton (solid colors)
Colors7
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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.

SizesS-2XL; available in regular, big, tall and big & tall
Materials100% cotton
Colors20+
4
Best V-Neck Men's T-Shirt

Gap Classic V T-Shirt

Classic V T-Shirt
4
Best V-Neck Men's T-Shirt

Gap Classic V T-Shirt

Now 65% Off

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.

SizesXS-XXXL; available in regular and tall
Materials100% cotton
Colors4
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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.

SizesS-XXL
Materials85% supima cotton, 10% polyester, 5% lycra
Colors10+
6
Best Slim Fit Men’s T-Shirt

J.Crew Broken-in T-shirt

Broken-in T-shirt
6
Best Slim Fit Men’s T-Shirt

J.Crew Broken-in T-shirt

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.

SizesXS-XXL; also available in slim and tall
Materials100% cotton
Colors20+
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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.

SizesXS-XXL
Materials100% cotton
Colors10+

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.

SizesS-XXXL; also available in tall
Materials100% cotton; with 90% cotton and 10% lycra trim
Colors20+
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9
Best Men’s Workwear T-Shirt

Carhartt Relaxed Fit Heavyweight T-Shirt

On Sale
Relaxed Fit Heavyweight T-Shirt

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.

SizesXS-4XL; also available in tall
Materials100% cotton
Colors10+
10
Best Men’s Loungewear T-Shirt

SKIMS Oversized T-Shirt

Oversized T-Shirt
10
Best Men’s Loungewear T-Shirt

SKIMS Oversized T-Shirt

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.

SizesXS-5X
Materials46% cotton, 46% rayon, 8% spandex
Colors2
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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.

SizesS-XXL
Materials87% modal, 13% spandex
Colors3
12
Best Curved Hem Men's T-Shirt

Buck Mason Pima Curved Hem Tee

Pima Curved Hem Tee
12
Best Curved Hem Men's T-Shirt

Buck Mason Pima Curved Hem Tee

Credit: Buck Mason

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.

SizesXS-XXL; also available in short and tall
Materials100% cotton
Colors8
Headshot of Emma Seymour
Expert consulted:Emma Seymour
Textiles, 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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