A black T-shirt is an obvious classic, but what few people realize is that a black long-sleeve T-shirt is an equally important staple, which is why I own more than a dozen of them. Here’s what I’ve learned after touching, trying on, and buying many of them over the past two years: The ideal black long-sleeve T-shirt is 100 percent cotton (blends often irritate my sensitive skin), though there are a few exceptions below that have proven themselves to be just as good. It should have a structured neckline and close-fitting crewneck — borderline mock-neck — that doesn’t stretch out into bacon neck, even after many washings and much wear. I prefer a finished hemline at the waist, so it rests just below my belt.
Typically, if I wear the T-shirt by itself, I size up, as this type of silhouette looks better when it’s more relaxed. A raw-edged sleeve makes the oversize look even more laid back. If I layer with a denim jacket or sweatshirt, my usual size will do. And when I wear the shirt fitted, it needs to have ribbed cuffs.
Below, you’ll find all my favorites, plus a few more that I have my eye on.
I have these in the sand and navy as well as black. This is a beefy-feeling long-sleeve shirt with a boxy silhouette. It’s not fussy about how you wash it, and the ribbed wrists ensure a snug fit, without the sagging I often find in other shirts.
Standard Issue’s tee is one of the few on the list that, when I pick it up, I notice the heft and how soft the cotton is. It’s designed in America from 100 percent ringspun cotton (known for being smooth and durable) and is a substantial ten ounces (compared to Hanes’ Beefy-T, which is six ounces). I appreciate that this doesn’t require any babying; I run it through the washer and dryer without worrying about it shrinking.
Abercrombie & Fitch’s cropped long-sleeve tee looks and feels like a ’90s vintage tee. I sized up to a medium, so it hits just above my waist without being overly cropped. Its boxy cut offers a relaxed fit both in the body and sleeves. Plus, the ribbed neckline adds a touch of structure that holds up well even after washing.
This long-sleeve is the most technologically advanced option on this list, made entirely from recycled grid Polartec. It’s infused with peppermint oil, which you can’t smell or feel, but it’s there, ostensibly, for antibacterial protection and helps the fabric dry quickly. I got a small but should have sized up to a medium. Since it’s more of an athletic cut on me, I’ll wear this when I’m running or hiking.
I like Buck Mason’s Toughknit short-sleeve T-shirt so much I had to get the long-sleeve version. Out of all the shirts on this list, this is the one I wear the most. It’s noticeably heavier than many of the other long-sleeve tees on this list, and the weight helps it drape well. Even though I’ve worn and washed it about ten times, it still looks as good as new: The wide-ribbed reinforced neckline always sits just right around my neck.
Alex Mill’s slub cotton tee is supple and lightweight, and has a reinforced neckline for added durability. I find that this fits slimmer, and I like to wear it with a khaki-colored suit. The neckline sits high, and instead of the ribbed or self-fabric neckband that’s used on many of the other T-shirts here, its binding makes it look a bit less casual. I’ve washed and air-dried this a couple of times, and it gets softer each time.
A few years ago, Reigning Champ reintroduced the slub rib cotton tees from their sister brand, Wing+Horns, which is sadly defunct. I’ve scooped up two more of these in navy and grey just in case they decide to pull the plug on these again.
I’m a fan of artist Matt McCormick’s clothing line. The weight of the shirt feels like a lightweight sweatshirt, and the fit is more on the relaxed side, which is why I wear this with a lightweight T-shirt underneath. I wash it cold and hang it to dry to avoid shrinkage.
I bought this first in navy, using a discount code, and the quality was so good I had to buy it in black for full price. It’s been garment dyed for a rich color, and it has a slubby texture. The cut feels boxy but not overly huge. The neckline sits high just like the one from Alex Mill so I can dress this up with a blazer or go for something more easygoing by wearing it under a chore coat. I’m considering going for the trifecta and getting one in white.
For less than $25, Quince’s long-sleeve T-shirt is a fantastic deal. The fabric is 50 percent cotton and 50 percent modal, which feels slightly stretchier compared to the other shirts on the list. This long-sleeve T-shirt also has a wide neckline compared to the other shirts and is one I’ll wear more casually to lounge around the house.
Made with cotton that’s been grown organically, without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, Finisterre’s tee is probably the most ecofriendly one on the list. It has a certain level of stiffness, so it doesn’t drape like other tees on the first wear, and reminds me somewhat of a selvedge pair of denim. It has a high neckline and hidden seams at the wrist for a more casual look. I’ve washed it once so far, and letting it air dry preserves the stiffness of the T-shirt.
Everlane’s long-sleeve shirt is one of the sleekest options on the list. The raglan seams are sewn to look almost invisible and allow the shirt to sit smoothly around the shoulders, and the ribbed wrists are tight but not enough to get stuck midway down your forearms. The bottom hem hits right at the waist.
Billy Reid gave this 100 percent cotton tee a luxurious-feeling sueded finish. It’s the softest tee on this list. I love that the fit is boxy in the body but slim around the wrists and neckline creating a trim silhouette, especially if you want to tuck it into a pair of jeans or relaxed trousers. I take special care of this one by not washing it too frequently, as I hope to have it in rotation for a long time.
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