Before we get into this thing, let’s quickly come together to cement an opinion that I’m willing to bet we’re already on the same page about. Ready? Here goes: Keeping your wardrobe stocked with a steady rotation of the best T-shirts for men is not only a good idea, it’s a must.

We don’t need to talk about the sartorial rebelliousness of James Dean. We don’t need to talk about the T-shirt’s former status as a mere undershirt. Those days are thankfully, gloriously, long gone.

So here we are, in agreement and about to embark on a magnificent, cottony adventure through the 16 best men’s T-shirts your torso never knew it needed. Because it’s a torso, and it needs your help with these types of things.

Okay, back on the rails we go…

Key Takeaways 

The best T-shirts for men, first and foremost, should be comfortable, breathable, and handsome. And depending on how much you’re shelling out, there should be a strong emphasis on durability.

My top pick for those reasons and more is the Marine Layer Signature Crew Tee. On the budget side of things, Kirkland comes in strong with a 6-pack of cozy crews.

To give you an idea of San Francisco-based Marine Layer’s dedication to creating quality, absurdly soft T-shirts, they’ve custom-developed over 100 fabrics in the last decade. I’ve been wearing Marine Layer Signature Crew Tees for years now. There’s a weight to them that you can feel before you pop one on, after which point that weight just sort of… disappears. It’s there, but it’s not.

This pillowy feeling is a big reason why I’m dubbing Marine Layer’s Signature Crews the overall best T-shirts for men on this list. Another huge contributing factor is that they’re nearly indestructible. I’ve thrown anything from camping trips to DIY projects at these tees, and they always come out the other side unscathed.

Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes: S-2XL | Colors: 14 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

There you are, walking down the street looking fresh as hell in your crisp, organic cotton white tee. You bump into Hannah, and she tells you she had Thai for lunch. Cool, Hannah. Eventually, it’s time for the conversation to end, so you prepare to take your leave. You turn around, and then it happens. Your bold, unspeakably perfect sartorial choice hits her like a ton of bricks: Random beach scene.

This incredibly stupid fictional scenario was brought to you by one of Closed’s handsome graphic tees. The plain white front and retro beach scene on the back combine forces to become so inexplicably handsome that I had no choice but to dub it one of the best T-shirts for men.

Material: 100% Organic Cotton | Sizes: XS-2XL | Colors: 1 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. When it comes to the garments you put on your body, no matter what they happen to be, anything in your everyday rotation should have a few key characteristics. It should be able to take a beating. It should be comfortable. And it should look good.

And if it happens to be breathable, water-repellent, and have antibacterial qualities, all the better. Coming in with all of the above is Tropicfeel’s Men’s ProTravel Tee. All four colors of this handsome tee are up for anything your days can throw at them, making them an outstanding addition to the go-to section of your closet.

Material: 100% Organic Cotton | Sizes: S-2XL | Colors: 4 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

Another staple, the humble yet mighty black T-shirt deserves more attention than it perhaps gets. Stepping in to do just that is a relative newcomer to the apparel scene, ISTO, and its black Classic T-Shirt. Made from organic cotton produced in Portugal, these cozy tees are slightly fitted for a more intentional, versatile look.

You know what to do with a black T-shirt. Treat this guy as the top layer it is, and wear it casually with a pair of jeans. That, or dress things up a bit with a leather jacket, suede bomber, or casual blazer.

Material: 100% Organic Cotton | Sizes: S-2XL | Colors: 12 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

For a more elevated take on the basic long-sleeve tee, turn to Wax London’s Hayden LS T-Shirt. Made of 100% organic cotton, it features blue and sage green stripes, a ribbed neckband, and ribbed cuffs.

There’s just enough subtle detail involved to make it stand out in all the right ways. But if stripes aren’t your thing or you’re searching for a more versatile look, the Hayden comes in a handful of other colors as well, many of which are solid.

Material: 100% Organic Cotton | Sizes: XS-2XL | Colors: 8 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

NYC-based Corridor makes clothing. But wait, there’s more.

NYC-based Corridor makes your next favorite 100% organic cotton pocket tee that was produced in Portugal with the utmost of care by true artisans who give so very many shits about how you look when you walk down the street. And, exhale…

Tl;dr, I really think you’ll like this T-shirt. The neutral stripes will look nice next to jeans or chinos, and the ribbed neck trim elevates the look ever so slightly. And it gets bonus points for being super soft.

Material: 100% Organic Cotton | Sizes: XS-2XL | Colors: 1 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

“Designer” shirts don’t have to be Gucci, Prada, or whichever other brands people tend to associate that word with. And by the same token, “luxury” doesn’t have to mean overpriced.

Sometimes, albeit rarely, everything meets in the middle in perfect harmony. If you’re envisioning a terry cloth towel in the shape of a T-shirt right about now, congratulations, you nailed it. Welcome into your life the Shell Terry Towelling T-Shirt from Aurélien.

I’ll be damned if this isn’t the finest specimen of leisurely excess I’ve ever seen. A real “break in case of emergency” type of tee. And by emergency, I mean your next trip to the Mediterranean or other salty, windswept location within striking distance of a quality negroni.

Material: 80% Terry Towelling Cotton, 20% Polyester | Sizes: S-3XL | Colors: 7 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

Calling all hypebeasts, oversized T-shirt enthusiasts, and human males who like things that make them look like more stylish human males. Check out this jet-black tee from Represent. It comes in four solid colors and has been softened and pre-shrunk to make sure that oversized fit doesn’t undersize itself.

Keep this one casual with jeans, jeans, and more jeans. Or boxer briefs. Or clown pants. Honestly, who cares? If you’re popping this one in your cart, you know what to do with it.

Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes: XS-2XL | Colors: 4 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

Oh heyyy, Costco. We see you.

You already know you can stock up on tires and gummy bears and bulk batteries and vacations and cereal and engagement rings there. But get this, they also have T-shirts. T-shirts. Okay, maybe you saw that last one coming.

But yes, you both can and should scoop up a 6-pack of these perfectly adequate, perfectly comfortable, 100% cotton T-shirts for less than 40 bucks. Not a member? Amazon’s got you covered. There’s no shortage of budget-friendly T-shirt options out there, but you know better than to sleep on Costco.

Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes: S-3XL | Colors: 1 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

Speaking of Amazon and budget-friendly T-shirts, here comes Hanes and its value pack of Essentials Crew-Neck T-Shirts. You’ve got dozens of colors and sizes to choose from, and they’re available in a 4- or 6-pack.

These are basic, midweight tees that will best serve you under a jean jacket or as an undershirt. They’re also great to have on hand for anything from yard work to riding the couch on a rainy afternoon. Put another way, they’re workhorses and will serve you well for a reasonable amount of time—especially for the price.

Material: 100% Cotton | Sizes: S-4XL | Colors: 40 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

If you prefer a bit of heft to your T-shirts (without actually feeling that heft on your torso), then you should be looking for heavyweight tees. Or just keep reading this so you don’t have to look. Or just click that link up there, which you’ve probably already done.

Still here? Love it. Let’s talk Everlane’s Premium-Weight Crew. It’s made with a 6.2-ounce cotton, which translates to an incredibly durable garment that’ll last and last, then last some more. And since you’ve got your pick of 14 colorways, there’s nothing stopping you from going nuts and loading up your closet with these beauties.

Material: 100% 6.2-Ounce Cotton | Sizes: XS-2XL | Colors: 24 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

Just because you’re a larger guy doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality and choice when it comes to your T-shirts. Enter Carhartt and its Loose-Fit Heavyweight Pocket T-shirt—a sturdy, 100% cotton tee with enough thoughtful features to ensure comfort and style for years to come.

But enough of that. You’re here for a different reason. Yes, these are loose-fitting shirts, and the sizes go all the way up to 5XL. Pick one up and take it for a test drive. If you like it, you’ve got your pick of 21 other colors, meaning you may have just found your new everyday tee.

Material: 3% Elastane, 98% Cotton | Sizes: XS-5XL | Colors: 22 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

You’ve often heard from that one actor or singer that there’s no such thing as an overnight success. By the time someone or something becomes famous and successful, there’s usually years of blood, sweat, and tears behind that fame and success that you’ll never see.

Such is the case with Vuori. The performance apparel company was founded in 2015 and has since scaled to massive notoriety and success. Why? It’s good stuff. Quality stuff. And this quality is on full display in its Rise Tee, a pima cotton, 4-way-stretch tee with a chest pocket and a broken-in look. Casual. Comfortable. Sturdy. Go.

Material: 100% Pima Cotton | Sizes: S-2XL | Colors: 5 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

British apparel brand Sunspel has been an innovator in the T-shirt space since its inception in 1860. In fact, they created some of the first T-shirts the world has ever known. Pedigree: check.

So what better place to turn to for one of the most crucial staples in a man’s wardrobe: the plain white tee. Sunspel does it right with extra-long Supima cotton that results in a silky-smooth feel against the skin. This could easily be an undershirt, but why hide such a fine example of the species? You can’t go wrong by pairing this crispy white tee with a pair of dark jeans, light shorts, or joggers.

Material: 100% Supima Cotton | Sizes: 2XS-3XL | Colors: 21 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

If Lululemon isn’t on your radar for everyday essentials, we need to fix that. Their T-shirts are brimming with bells and whistles to help keep you comfortable, cool, and looking your best throughout the day.

Take this Fundamental V-Neck T-Shirt, for example. It’s soft, handsome, abrasion- and odor-resistant, and dries quickly thanks to its moisture-wicking properties. The v-neck offers a casual look but is also the perfect complement to a smart jacket or blazer. If you’re looking for an everyday T-shirt integrated with performance features, this is a good first stop.

Material: 40% Pima Cotton, 37% Nylon, 13% Lyocell, 10% Lycra Elastane | Sizes: XS-2XL | Colors: 5 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

T-shirts for men come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. But if you’ve got a slim build and don’t want to do the world a disservice by hiding it from them, Fresh Clean Threads would be happy to swoop in with its Slim-Fit Crew.

Raglan sleeves, a tailored fit, and a pillowy blend of fabrics come together to form what’s sure to be a favorite within your collection. The fabric also helps wick moisture away to keep you dry during warmer days.

Material: 50% Polyester, 25% Cotton, 25% Rayon | Sizes: S-3XL | Colors: 2 | Care: Machine Wash Cold

What To Look For In The Best T-Shirts For Men

Comfort

The best men’s T-shirts can be found at the intersection of form and function. Your tee can look nice to the outside world, but you’re going to be miserable if it’s not comfortable. Opt for 100% cotton shirts and choose a weight that feels right to you. Thankfully, the apparel market is teeming with incredible T-shirts that both look and feel great.

Size And Fit

An all-too-common T-shirt travesty, guys everywhere are neglecting how these crucial wardrobe staples fit. Accentuating love handles and hiding biceps: not the best look. Thankfully, many T-shirt brands today are paying more attention to body shape differences and have options available to help you look your best.

Style

This one’s a biggie. With so many T-shirt styles available—crew neck, v-neck, long sleeve, performance, it goes on and on—picking one that suits your lifestyle and aesthetic is as important as comfort, size, and fit. Instead of settling for the first T-shirt you see just because it’s there, don’t be afraid to shop different styles and mix things up a bit.

Final Verdict 

Durable. Attractive. Breathable. Comfortable. In no particular order, the best T-shirts for men should share these characteristics. For a tangible example of what this looks like, check out Marine Layer’s Signature Crew Tee.