This is not a comprehensive list of everything we’ve tested for previous iterations of this guide, just what’s still available.
Under $15
The long, stretchy Amazon Essentials Women’s Classic-Fit Short-Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt reminded me, unpleasantly, of sausage casing.
We used to recommend the Hanes Perfect-T Crewneck T-Shirt as an inexpensive, size-inclusive (up to 5X) option. It’s still a great shirt for the price … sometimes. Alas, we’ve noticed that the quality and even sizing can be highly inconsistent.
The Old Navy EveryWear V-Neck T-Shirt (available in sizes XS to 4X) felt schlubby and shapeless, with a too-wide V-neck.
$15 to $50
The RicherPoorer Women’s Relaxed Crop Tee has a long, loose sleeve and a shorter length. We think the Cos Clean Cut Regular T-Shirt is a better execution of this shape.
The Everlane The Box-Cut Tee in Essential Cotton is opaque, decently priced, available in sizes from 000 to 22, and made from organic cotton. But for all of us, the fit was kind of meh.
The somewhat-slim-cut J.Crew Vintage Jersey Classic Fit Crewneck Shirt was very soft, but we were a little put off by the fabric texture (it was thinner in some spots than others, presumably for vintage vibes).
I enjoyed the slightly shrunken Madewell Northside Vintage Tee and the long, easy-fit Splendid Kate V-Neck Tee, but I noticed loose stitching and twisted, flipped-up hems on both of them.
The long, fitted shape and stretchy fabric of Gap’s Modern Crewneck T-Shirt created the same sausage-like effect that I so despised in the Amazon Essentials V-neck.
The Uniqlo AIRism Cotton T-Shirt is a boxy, oversize style made from a (purportedly) quick-drying cotton-polyester blend (à la activewear); I abhorred the slick, performance-y feel of the fabric.
The Universal Standard V Rex had the most comprehensive size range (from 00 to 40) of any shirt we considered. But it runs notably large, and the rounded V-neck and curved bottom hem feel dated.
$50 to $100
The Alex Mill Prospect Tee in Cotton Jersey is a slim-fitting tee with a lightly slubbed knit. It’s well constructed, but we preferred the slightly longer sleeve and softer feel of the (similar) Buck Mason Pima Slim Crew, which is also cheaper.
We liked the cropped length and roomy fit of the crewneck Amo Babe Tee, but our panelists weren’t fans of the intentionally distressed hems throughout.
We tested three soft, semi-sheer cotton-modal tees from Éterne: the cropped Short Sleeve Baby Tee (get the Buck Mason Boxy Crop instead); the Short Sleeve V Neck T-Shirt (one tester loved the proportions, but on me, they were criminal); and the oversize Short Sleeve Boyfriend T-Shirt (my favorite of the bunch, but the neckline quickly stretched).
Frame’s Le Mid Rise V Neck Tee is wonderfully smooth, but the odd rectangular cut made me feel as if I were wearing some kind of sci-fi cult tunic.
Though the James Perse Vintage Little Boy Tee felt luxe and soft, the fit was narrow and tight across my shoulders.
The drapey, relaxed Jungmaven Lorel Tee is made from a cotton-hemp blend that appears lived-in and inviting. But the buttermilk-cream color didn’t appeal to some testers, and the hems twisted noticeably in the wash.
We tried two slim-fitting styles from L’Agence — the Becca Cotton V-Neck Tee and the Cory Cotton Scoopneck Tee — and we fell in love with their flawless cuts and delicious feel. Sadly, the fabric is so delicate that even a gentle tug with a finger left lasting indentations; after they took a spin through the washer and dryer, the necklines emerged rippled and twisted.
Leset The Margo is a fashion-crowd favorite: a simple, boxy crewneck made from an opaque, substantial fabric. But we didn’t think there was anything that distinctive about the cut. And after it went through one laundry cycle, I noticed fraying threads at the hem.
The relaxed, slightly cropped Lululemon Classic-Fit Cotton-Blend T-Shirt became stiff and rough after the first wash, and it never recovered.
The Perfectwhitetee Harley is a somewhat sheer, easy-fitting boxy crew with a shorter (not cropped) length. It’s cute, but for a tee at this price, the fabric lost its shape quicker than expected.
Over $100
The Hanro Organic Cotton T-Shirt feels incredible: It’s silky, crisp, and ultra-fine. Yet this basic relaxed crew isn’t special enough to merit its $100-plus price tag.
Multiple testers adored the 100% silk M.M. LaFleur The Annika Tee. But let’s be real: This is not a T-shirt (which is why we recommend it in our guide to women’s blouses instead). And though it’s machine-washable, it still requires more maintenance (hang-drying, steaming) than the average tee.
Aside from being absurdly expensive for a cotton T-shirt, the V-neck Nili Lotan Carol Tee didn’t look very flattering on me. It also arrived with an off-putting musty smell.
This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer Hunter.
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