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If it’s been a while since you have taken stock of your t-shirt collection let this piece help serve as a reminder. If your t-shirts are old, have yellow marks in unsightly places, and have been washed so many times they have completely lost their shape, it may be time for some new tees.
Below we are featuring some basic cotton t-shirts that will make great filler pieces in any wardrobe. These shirts are all made from 100% cotton and vary from heavyweight, stretchy, and supremely soft varieties.
We have included both men’s crewnecks and women’s v-necks that make great layering tees when the weather gets cool and will look great on their own as well. These shirts are also available in a ton of great colors and size options, so when you find one you like, you may want to get multiple.
Our Picks of the Hottest Cotton T-Shirt
Gildan T-Shirt — Best Overall
This heavyweight cotton t-shirt is your basic tee that can be worn as an undershirt or regular tee. With its classic roomy fit, this top has enough room for comfort without looking baggy and oversized, comes with a seamless collar and taped neck and shoulders for durability.
Pros
- This top comes with tear-away tags for comfort
Cons
- Not all of the color options are 100% cotton
Fruit Of The Loom T-Shirt — Runner Up
This specialty shirt is another option that will work great alone or to add as an extra layer under a button-down or polo shirt and it is uniquely designed to stay neatly tucked for comfortable, all-day wear. Made from 100% cotton, these shirts will maintain comfort and softness even after many washes and have a stay flat collar that will keep its shape providing a consistent look.
Pros
- These shirts feature a tag-free design
Cons
- Not all colors are avaiable in all fits
Hanes T-Shirt — Honorable Mention
This classic crewneck tee is made from ultra-light, 100 percent cotton jersey material for a soft feel against the skin. This tee has short sleeves, is ribbed all over, and is a great basic that can be worn as an undershirt or your main tee for daily wear. Pair it with anything and everything from jeans to sweats to shorts or wear it as a comfy, yet structured top for lounging at home.
Pros
- This tee is pre-shrunk
Cons
- These shirts are not available in sets of two or more
Comfort Colors Tee — Editor's Pick
Another great structured tee is this soft, jersey option. These utility-style tees are made from heavyweight cotton that feels super soft to the touch and is garment-dyed for an authentic, worn-in look. These shirts are pre-shrunk, won’t lose their shape, and come in both bold and bright colors with fully saturated hues or cool vintage, weathered tones.
Pros
- This shirt will get softer with each wash
Cons
- Depending on height, these shirts may not be long enough to tuck in
Amazon Essentials T-Shirt — Excellent Quality
This pack of two classic v-neck tees is made from a soft and stretchy material with a slightly longer length for adequate coverage. These tees have a loose, non-constricting fit, short sleeves, and a tag-free neckline for comfort.
Pros
- These tees come in many useful color options
Cons
- The v-neck area is on the smaller side
Russell Athletic T-Shirt — Also Consider
This cotton tee is made from durable ringspun cotton that is built for comfort but won’t weigh you down. The specialized cotton provides superior softness and strength and lasts longer than its old-school counterparts. This basic tee also has a ribbed crew neck that is made to keep its shape without stretching or sagging and is tag-free for comfort.
Pros
- This top has a generous size range
Cons
- There are minimal color options to choose from
Buying Guide: Cotton T-Shirts
T-shirt Trends
The trend is constantly changing, and the case for cotton t-shirts is no different. Like in the mid 20th century, plain white t-shirts were the only and most popular t-shirts known. Then, in the 21st century, long t-shirts became very famous in the west. Today there is a mixed trend of colorful t-shirts with different sizes and cuts. Like other clothes, T-shirts traveled from the west and adapted different styles when mixed with different cultures—for instance, kurta style t-shirts from the east and dashiki t-shirts from the south.
Material
You may have come across this experience when you bought a fantastic t-shirt for an affordable price. But after a wash or two, it lost its shape. It either shrank or became a little loose. For cotton t-shirts, usually shrinking is the case. So what can you do about that? For starters, ask the seller or look for the marks if the t-shirt has been shrunk already, and if not, buy a larger size so it will fit you later after washing.
Look for the best material possible. Don’t just look for 100% cotton but also check what kind of cotton is used to make that t-shirt. Organic cotton is the best. It is made free of any pesticides and requires significant effort to manufacture; hence is a little expensive. Moreover, check the weight of the cotton t-shirt; the heavier it is, the better as it is made from long-staple cotton.
Fitting
Cotton t-shirts are a piece of cloth that does not always require perfect fitting. Many people like their cotton t-shirts loose, while some want them entirely fitting. For instance, some young people prefer loose shirts with bulky jeans; likewise, athletic people prefer their t-shirts to be fitted. It all depends upon your physique and the purpose of wearing that t-shirt.
Buying a size of your choice can be problematic in the case of cotton t-shirts because, as discussed earlier, cotton shrinks, so you have to look for additional signs like pre-shrunk before selecting a size. Moreover, it is straightforward when buying from a shop as you can try the shirt there. Some people hesitate to buy online because of this issue but don’t worry. You can still avail yourself of the fantastic online offers; check the size chart and measure your body. Some brands even have a return policy for clothes if they don’t fit you. However, terms and conditions apply to returns, so read that before buying.
Event
Occasion matters most for a cotton t-shirt. An event alters everything, like the fitting, cutting, and designs of a cotton t-shirt. For instance, you will want a plain and slim t-shirt if you plan to wear it at a formal event underneath a coat. Cotton t-shirts are not preferred for sports and gym as they will soak up your sweat in no time. So, go for cotton t-shirts mixed with polyester for athletic purposes. It will be fun to get a customized t-shirt supporting your favorite team or person for other events like football matches. For hanging out with friends, go with any comfortable t-shirt of your choice.
Design/customization
Cotton t-shirts are mostly known for their exquisite design, like quotations and flashy colors. It’s safe to say in the modern era that the design on the t-shirt defines one’s personality as most people today are so conscious before buying clothes. It would be fashionable to look for a design that says something about you, like aesthetic artwork or inspirational quotes.
With the entertainment and sports industry becoming so popular, buying customized cotton t-shirts or customizing cotton t-shirts yourself has been prevalent lately. The term ‘merch’ has also been very popular lately as many people like social media influencers have launched their merchandise which is usually customized cotton t-shirts. You can also make your customized t-shirt, and cotton ones are the best material for that. You can draw or paint on your cotton t-shirts or customize them with HTV sheets. For DIY customization, it’s best to look for plain white shirts and HTV friendly if you are opting for that.
