Nothing quite says menswear essential like the humble t-shirt. You could have the world’s best collection of jeans, for example, but they’d be nothing without a suitably stylish t-shirt to pair them with. The versatility and relative affordability of t-shirts means they can be worn in countless ways and in virtually any scenario, although the cocktail dress code may be a stretch.
When it comes to buying some t-shirts, however, it’s not just as simple as going into a store, picking some up and walking away. At least, not if you don’t want to have to keep making repeat trips due to your chosen t-shirts not being of good quality.
With most brands from budget right through to designer labels sourcing their t-shirts – or at least, the cotton to make their t-shirts – from China and other major regions of clothing manufacture, determining the quality of your t-shirts isn’t always the easiest of tasks.
Fortunately, you have DMARGE on your side, and here are our top tips regarding what to look out for next time you go t-shirt shopping.
A tighter weave will mean your t-shirt will last longer, being able to retain its quality following multiple wears and washes. One misconception of a tighter weave is that it will equate to a heavier t-shirt, yet this isn’t the case, as a t-shirt’s fabric density is independent of the t-shirt’s weight or thickness.
With regards to the weight of a t-shirt, this information should also be displayed on the label, and will most commonly be measured in ounces (Oz) or grams per square metre (GSM). The higher the number, the heavier the t-shirt, with the heaviest weight you can expect to find being around 300gsm, making it more suitable for colder months.
If it’s a short-sleeved summer number you’re after, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for t-shirts in the 130-150gsm range, and these fabrics will be lighter and cooler.
Stitching quality is a tell-tale sign of a t-shirt’s quality. Look out for any loose threads as a sign of poor construction. A higher stitch count also means the garment should be stronger and will last longer. Stitching at the seams is also an important factor to consider when it comes to the amount of stretch your t-shirt is able to undergo.
If you want a t-shirt to have some stretch to it so that it feels more comfortable during wear, then the stitching will also need to stretch with the fabric. You don’t want to be in a situation when you need to swing your arms, for example, and find that the stitching holding the sleeves to the main body prevent you from achieving your full range of movement.
Everlane
Everlane is a clothing brand for the modern era and focus heavily on ethical and sustainable manufacturing processes. Their t-shirts are made in Vietnam in a hand-picked factory from a variety of high-quality cottons. We can personally vouch for the quality of their Air t-shirt.
Rhone
Premium athletic wear specialist Rhone is a brand all modern professional gents should have on their radar. The brand puts a strong focus on sourcing and developing the finest fabrics that feel soft on the skin and help you perform to the highest level.
Away from its gym and athletic range, Rhone also has a collection of everyday clothing, which includes the Element Tee. Available in crew and v-neck styles, the Element is made from a supersoft and highly durable Pima cotton and benefits from SilverTech to help banish odour, meaning you can wear it multiple days in a row. Cut to a perfect fit too, the Element could be the only t-shirt you ever need.
Bonobos
Originally an assignment at the Stanford Business School, Bonobos creates high quality, wearable and comfortable basics for men. They employ a range of high-quality fabrics and revolutionary cuts to create the perfect basics.
Outerknown
Started by the world’s most dominant competitive surfer ever, Kelly Slater, Outerknown is his own brainchild and legacy. The brand employs sustainable practices to ensure the planet and its fruits can be enjoyed for generations to come. Outerknown’s tees are clean-cut and basic, perfect for any casual affair.
Frank And Oak
Canadian retailer Frank And Oak was founded in 2012 with one clear mission: to offer men a complete collection of capsule wardrobe essentials that do more good than harm for the environment, yet exude the highest possible quality. The company's t-shirt range encompasses plain and patterned styles, as well as a variety of fits and fabrics, including a cotton blend that helps to regulate your body temperature.
ASOS Design
Since becoming one of the most successful online fashion retailers, ASOS have introduced their own line of clothing – ASOS design. Since they offer a large selection of the worlds best clothing brands on their website, they can draw inspiration from all over to create eclectic designs of their own. This applies to their t-shirts which come in an enormous selection of affordable styles.
Todd Snyder
US designer of effortless cool Todd Snyder simply makes the essential wardrobe pieces incredibly well. More premium than the average high-street store yet not quite venturing into truly luxurious territory, Todd Snyder is a brand that professionals really need to consider stocking up on.
The label's Made In L.A. t-shirt, is as the name suggests, made in the Californian city. Fabricated from a premium cotton jersey, Todd's tee lends itself to being dressed up or down, depending on the situation you find yourself in. Available in a multitude of colours, this jersey tee is a superb capsule piece.
Saturdays NYC
Saturdays NYC was started by a group of friends in New York City who shared a passion for surfing and coffee culture. Their appreciation of these and the aesthetic lifestyles associated with them is the source of inspiration for the label. Their tees combine modern cuts with cool, minimalist designs that ooze urban cool.
Flint & Tinder
Flint & Tinder is a small subsidiary of Huckberry which draws its designs from traditional, hardwearing American looks. All of their items are made in the USA to extremely high standards. Their t-shirts are no-frills, practical and stylish.
Topman
Topman is a British menswear brand that has been around since 1978. They have a large selection of good quality, affordable t-shirts available in an array of colours, fabrics, patterns and cuts. Finding a tee to suit your needs should be a piece of cake.
J.Crew
J Crew’s ethos is to make timeless clothing that lasts a lifetime. They have an expansive range of t-shirts, available in modern cuts, trendy colours and timeless designs so you can find your perfect tee.
Unrecorded
Founded in Amsterdam, Unrecorded came about in an attempt to put up a front to fast fashion. As a result of this, all of Unrecoded’s clothing uses high quality, durable fabrics, sustainable production processes and timeless designs that are immune from the coming and going of fashion trends. Whilst basic, their t-shirts are made from organic cotton and feature a timeless, elegant cut.
Todd Snyder
After successful stints at the likes of Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs and The GAP, Todd Snyder opened his label to focus on his own style and taste in clothing. He has a range of unique, high-quality clothing and has had collaborations with the likes of Champion and Red Wing. His t-shirts feature a modern cut and are available in a selection of great fabrics.
Paul Smith
Famous for his unique and interesting designs, Paul Smith knows how to make clothing that is in the moment but not of the moment. His selection of t-shirts are crafted from organic cotton and are available with patterns or in plain.
Sunspel
Unbeknownst to many, Sunspel is one of the finest manufacturers of wardrobe basics. They’re so good, they’re even the choice of basics for Daniel Craig’s 007. Designed and made in Europe from ultra-high quality fabrics, Sunspel’s basics look fantastic and will last you a lifetime.
Outlier
Outlier creates clothing with the aim of helping people with the freedom to do whatever they want, without being restricted by their clothing. Above all else, they focus on functionality to help empower the wearer. Their t-shirts are the embodiment of this ethos and are the creme of the crop when it comes to comfort.
Wahts
Founded in 2012, Wahts has created premium menswear staples with premium fabrics and designs to present a contemporary athleisure aesthetic. Their t-shirts are high quality and have a sleek, modern look.
Orlebar Brown
Orlebar Brown is famous for making swim shirts so cool and sophisticated that James Bond wears them. Alongside making the world’s best ‘shorts you can swim in’, Orlebar Brown has a range of t-shirts that match the quality and style of their shorts.
Acne Studios
Acne Studios was originally a subset of Acne, a Swedish brand that focused on graphic design, film production and advertising. Since then, Acne Studios has taken off to become one of the most influential designer brands. Their t-shirts pair ultra-high quality with distinct, modern designs.
Reiss
Reiss is the epitome of high-quality British menswear. While you can find prints within Reiss' collections, you're more likely to find simple, minimalistic pieces in a range of colours that will allow to you create myriad outfit combinations. Reiss' t-shirts are made from 100 per cent cotton for supersoft quality.
Uniqlo
Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo is a must-visit shopping destination for well-made, well-fitting menswear essentials, but without the price tag of some more premium clothing labels. Uniqlo offers both short sleeve and long sleeve t-shirts, but its the Supima cotton range that has us giddy with excitement. Supima cotton is superior to regular cotton as it exhibits greater strength, colour retention and softness.
