The best men's T-shirts you can buy

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The best men's T-shirts you can buy
  • In the past hundred years, the T-shirt has evolved from an unseen undergarment into one of the most popular and prominent articles of clothing a man wears.
  • The Buck Mason Pima Curved Hem Tee is our top pick because the shirt is comfortable, flattering, and made to last.
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In the course of any given day, I go through an average of three T-shirts. Which might seem (and might be) excessive, but it will make sense if I lay things out for you. In the morning, after my son wakes me up with loving taps on my forehead sometime in the six o'clock hour, I slip on the T-shirt I was wearing right before bed the night prior and head downstairs for coffee and playtime and such. I'll sometimes change into a different T-shirt when I get dressed for work, but as I work from home, usually I just put on real pants and step into my office.

Midday, I go for a run, during which I wear a shirt specifically designed for athletics and which we're not featuring here. Most of my running shirts are great performance-wise but are about as stylish as neon Crocs. After exercising and showering, I put on another T-shirt which, depending on the shape of the rest of the day, may serve through to the next morning, or which may be replaced yet again.

So I own and wear a lot of T-shirts. If you're looking to add a few fine T-shirts to your wardrobe, you've come to the right guy. Today, I've selected six of the best men's T-shirts that are perfect for guys who treat this noble garment not as a layer, but as the grace note to the ensemble. Oh, and I also threw in one that is ideal for layering. And one that's best suited to lazy days spent at home. And one that looks good enough to wear out to a coffee shop or bar but that's also ready for an impromptu hike or pickup ball game.

One note before we start our odyssey: Except where a brand's product name is specified otherwise, I'll be using the term "T-shirt." Not tee, not t shirt, but just T-shirt. After all, these garments are named for their T-shape, and they are shirts.

Here are the best T-shirts you can buy:

Updated on 10/21/2019 by Amir Ismael: Added one new pick and updated formatting and prices.

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Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.

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The best men's T-shirt overall

The best men's T-shirt overall
You can feel the quality of the Buck Mason Pima Curved Hem Tee the first time you wear it, and you'll enjoy the shirt for years to come.

As the name suggests, the Buck Mason Pima Curved Hem Tee is made from 100% pima cotton. Pima is American cotton prized for its long fibers that allow for a tight, durable weave and that yield an amazing softness despite that durability.

Also as the name suggests, the hem of this shirt has a curved arc along the front and back that adds a bit of stylish accent, hides your stomach when you lift your hands, and helps keep the T-shirt in place should you ever tuck it in.

The Pima Curved Hem Tee comes in a dozen different colors, all of which are muted yet masculine. And it arrives pre-shrunk, so you should choose a size that will fit you well right out of the box. Oh and one more note: Not only is this Buck Mason shirt made with American cotton, but it's made in America, too.

A writer with Time Magazine was effusive in his praise for Buck Mason T-shirts, saying they have a "perfect fit" and held up well even after repeated washings.

Pros: Comfortable from day one, well-made and durable, available in many colors

Cons: I haven't found one yet, folks...

The best men's T-shirt for casual comfort

The best men's T-shirt for casual comfort
The Everlane Cotton Crew is comfortable the first time you put it on, but even softer and comfier the hundredth time.

To be honest, there's nothing all that interesting about the appearance of the Everlane Cotton Crew T-shirt. Sure, it comes in 14 different solid colors and in a few two-color striped patterns as well, but the shirt's cut, length, collar, and really all of its design elements are rather basic and certainly just what you'd expect from any good slim-fit T-shirt.

It's how the Everlane Cotton Crew feels that sets this shirt apart. Made from a durable mid-weight cotton that softens over time, the more you wear and wash an Everlane T-shirt, the more comfortable it will get. As a go-to hang around the house or walk the dog shirt, there are few better options out there. And given how well these T-shirts hold up over time, the $20 price tag is more than fair.

One Everlane customer called his Cotton Crew a "great everyday shirt" that was comfortable and clearly of "great quality." Another said he "loved the fit... and the feel" of the T-shirt, a garment he had grown to "treasure."

A quick note to keep in mind for sizing: Some customers felt the shirt ran a bit too long.

Pros: Fabric softens over time, available in solid and stripes, good price point

Cons: Shirts run a bit long

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The best men's V-neck T-shirt

The best men's V-neck T-shirt
The Mott & Bow V-Neck Driggs will fit most men to a T, if you'll pardon the pun, thanks to the "not too slim, nor too loose" cut.

Finding a T-shirt that fits your body well, that both looks good and feels comfortable, can be a harrowing journey. Many T-shirts are too tight for one body type; some are too baggy for others. Few manage to suit myriad men's torsos with a fit that's flattering and comfortable, but into that narrow space marches the (still relatively) new line of T-shirts from Mott & Bow.

The V-Neck Driggs T-shirt has a cut the company describes as "not too slim, nor too loose," and while I take issue with the company's grammar ("neither too slim, nor too loose" or "not too slim, or too loose" for the record. Also, that comma is superfluous), I'm a fan of its wares.

The Mott & Bow V-Neck Driggs shirt is woven in Peru using cotton jersey fibers that give the garment a soft, flexible feel. It's a great shirt to wear on days when you want to stay comfortable while active, such as when you're traveling, touring a city, or spending a long evening with friends. And while $32 per shirt starts to edge out of my usual comfort zone for spending money on a T-shirt, these are worth it. They weather well.

Several writers and editors from Business Insider also tested out Mott & Bow T-shirts and found them "comfortable with a cool and lightweight feel" and durable in construction.

Pros: Cut fits many body types, preshrunk, soft and flexible feel

Cons: Slightly overpriced

The best men's T-shirt to wear as an undershirt

The best men's T-shirt to wear as an undershirt
The Mack Weldon 18-Hour Jersey Crew Neck Undershirt is so comfortable you'll look for excuses to dress up just so you can layer it under your button-down.

I wear several articles of Mack Weldon clothing with regularity, and I've sung the praises of the brand before, but for far too long I overlooked the brand's most humble of apparel, the undershirt.

First, some clarity: The name 18-Hour Jersey Crew Neck Undershirt doesn't refer to the fact that the shirt remains comfortable even after 18 hours of wear or anything like that, even though it does. Instead, it refers to the fact that these shirts are constructed from fabric that is allowed to rest for at least 18 hours after it is woven to allow it to settle and contract fully, thus creating a garment with a consistent, comfortable fit.

Said fabric is a blend of cotton, modal (spun cellulose; think Rayon), and spandex that creates a shirt with enough stretch to say in place on your torso and arms but with enough softness not to feel clingy or unpleasant. The shirt's long cut makes it perfect for tucking in under clothes, while the shoulder seams are rotated forward of the actual shoulder line, thus reducing the ride up of the sleeves.

A writer from Menswear Review said of the Mack Weldon 18-Hour Jersey undershirt that the "overall fit is amazing" and that the fabric blend has "great shape retention [and] doesn't stretch out during the day."

Pros: Consistent fit, long cut for tucking in, soft and flexible fabric blend

Cons: Shoulder seams visible through some outerwear, pricey

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The best men's T-shirt for casual wear and sports

The best men's T-shirt for casual wear and sports
At a glance, the Columbia Thistletown Park Crew is just any casual T-shirt, but after an hour of activity, you'll appreciate that it's actually built for performance.

As I said above, I have a number of great athletic T-shirts that aren't so great when it comes to fashion. And a few of those shirts are indeed from Columbia Sportswear. But I also own a number of Columbia garments that I'm more than happy to wear while running errands, grabbing a beer with a buddy, or just hanging out somewhere with the family. But while I appreciate the fact that the Columbia Thistletown Park Crew looks like any casual T-shirt out there, the reason I love this shirt is that it's secretly ready for action.

Made from a blend of 67% polyester and 33% cotton heather jersey, the shirt is comfortable and highly breathable. Its weave features Columbia's proprietary Omni-Wick design that helps pull sweat off your body (to wick it, e.g.) and move the moisture away from you for ideal evaporative cooling. And as a guy who runs hot temperature-wise and sweats rather easily, that's a serious plus. The shirt also has a built-in UPF 15 sun protection.

One Columbia customer hits two major selling points on the head when he calls it "very comfortable and well crafted," while another attests that the Thistletown Park Crew dries quickly and is easy to maintain.

Note that some gents report the shirt running small, so if you're on the cusp of a size, consider ordering the next larger one than you would with other garments.

Pros: Casual styling, sweat-wicking material, rapid drying

Cons: Sizes run a bit small

Check out our other men's style guides

Check out our other men's style guides
The best men's undershirts you can buy

If you've been looking for the best undershirt for managing your sweaty pits, then the search is over. We've done the research and smoked out the best undershirts for men that you can buy today.

Here are the best undershirts you can buy:

The best men's shorts you can buy

Finding the perfect pair of men's shorts can be challenging, so we've sorted through a bunch of options to find the best places to shop for men's shorts and selected our favorite pairs from each brand.

Here are the best places to buy men's shorts:

The best men's workout shirts you can buy

Ask any routine gym goer about their preferred workout attire, and they'll likely spend a few minutes talking about moisture-wicking fabric, innovative cooling technology, or sweat-activated fabrics. While these may sound like industry buzzwords, the application behind these concepts are staples — and, frankly, must-haves — in the world of workout apparel.

Though just as there's variety in the available options, there's also variety in a wearer's desired application or workout style. Perhaps a runner wants a more lightweight option or a fitness fanatic desires something that looks good every day, no matter the activity. Regardless of intent, there's a suitable workout shirt designed specifically for everyone. A great workout shirt doesn't just get the job done, but it does so without sacrificing performance, comfort, or style.

Here are the best men's workout shirts you can buy:

The best men's underwear you can buy

If there's one article of clothing that you ought to care about, it's your underwear. Our top pick is the Tommy John collection because you can choose from many different styles of underwear and all of them are seriously comfortable.

You might also like Bonobos for unparalleled fit, Rhone for an active lifestyle, MeUndies for the most exciting prints, and Gap for affordability.

The best suits you can buy

For your go-to workhorse suit, you simply can't beat a single-breasted, two-button classic style charcoal gray suit. The Brooks Brothers 1818 charcoal suit combines historic American-made quality with iconic English flair, and it's easily the most versatile suit you'll ever wear.

Here are our top picks for the best suits:

The best ties you can buy

No suit is complete without a great necktie. For your staple tie, it's hard to beat black, and this luxurious silk tie from Turnbull and Asser hits every mark. Its high-quality bias-cut Italian silk looks wonderful, drapes beautifully, and works with any type of knot.

You'll also love the Brooks Brothers silk repp tie, the Charles Tyrwhitt knit tie, the Bonobos linen tie, and the American Trench wool tie.

The best white dress shirts for men

Every man needs at least one good white dress shirt. Fine Italian-woven cotton, old-school American craftsmanship, and a great trim fit make the Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece shirt a must-have for the modern gentleman. Its versatile spread collar looks great with or without a tie, so you can pair this timeless staple with almost any outfit.

You should also consider the T. M. Lewin cotton/linen dress shirt, the Charles Tyrwhitt French cuff dress shirt, the Brooks Brothers Oxford cloth button-down, and the budget-friendly Tie Bar pinpoint dress shirt.

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