What Is the Best Men's Long-sleeved T-shirt?

Just like their bicep-exposing counterparts, long-sleeved T-shirts have long been a staple in the wardrobes of many people. "Short-sleeved tees may get all the love," explains stylist and fashion designer Jordan Page, the curator of the fashion-history Instagram account @veryadvanced. "But the long-sleeved tee is often the more appropriate choice, for both style and function." When it comes to style, Page explains that long-sleeved tees "can look classier than regular ones because they're less loose and more complete." Function is found in the added coverage provided by their longer sleeves, which Page says make the shirts "more comfortable for layering because you don't get that direct, sometimes itchy on-skin contact from outer layers made of more textured fabrics like wool."

But as our previous reporting on the best men's T-shirts has taught us, not all clothes — even simple staples — are created equal. To find the best men's long-sleeved T-shirts, we asked 14 cool people to tell us about the ones they reach for the most. While a clear favorite emerged, we also heard about a variety of worthy tees at a variety of price points. So our list leads with the long-sleeved tee we heard the most about, before breaking down the other recommendations by retail price, in order to help shoppers of every budget.

Gildan Ultra Cotton Long-sleeved T-Shirt, Navy

"In 2021, no one should be spending that much on wardrobe basics," says actor and model Kyle Andrew. "They should be buying stocks that 18-year-olds recommend on Reddit." All joking aside, Andrew says that for anyone who wants to "improve their look without breaking the bank," you can't do better than Gildan. He says its Ultra Cotton long-sleeved T-shirt is a "great option, especially for layering," not least because it comes in no less than 70 colors. Andrew is among a growing cadre of cool guys who've recommended Gildan's long-sleeved tees to us. Another one of those guys is Chris Black, who has called them a "wardrobe staple." A third is pop-music critic Jon Caramanica, a former Critical Shopper columnist for the New York Times, who told us Gildan's long-sleeved tees are not only "durable" with an "unflappable crew neck" but that their "personality begins to emerge" after a couple washes.

Hanes Men's Authentic Long-sleeved Pocket Tee, Ash

While our best overall long-sleeved T-shirt is pretty affordable, those who want to spend even less can do so on this long-sleeved Hanes tee (with a handy front pocket) that comes recommended by Mark Miguez, a co-owner of the Friend of a Barber barbershop. He describes the fit as "boxy but sits on the body" and, like the Gildan tee above, says this one also "gets better with every wash." It's available in 13 colors; Miguez owns it in black and gray and says he wears both "all the time: at work with jeans and sneakers, on the beach with shorts, and dressed up with a leather jacket."

Everlane The Organic Cotton Long-sleeved Pocket Tee

Creative producer Yale Breslin described Everlane's long-sleeved tee in a way that really resonates with us: It's the "one long-sleeve I always hope is clean, ready to wear, and not in the laundry pile," he says. It too "has that perfect pocket that nobody uses whatsoever but looks damn cute," he notes. Breslin calls its look "classic and no fuss," adding that the tee is "completely durable." It's available in four more neutral colors, including charcoal and black, in addition to the navy shown.

L.L.Bean Men's Carefree Unshrinkable Long-sleeved Tee, Cayenne

L.L.Bean is right up there with Everlane in terms of brands we tend to write about over and over again. Andrew Favorito, who works in marketing for Tatcha, gave us our latest reason to write about it: this long-sleeved pocket tee, which he says deserves as much attention as the brand's tote bags, slippers, and fleeces. "It's exactly what you'd expect from L.L.Bean in regard to quality, cost, and styling," he says. "No frills, no fluff, no ridiculous markup — just a good shirt." It comes in 11 colors, from the bright orangey-red Cayenne shown to a (surely) red-wine-inspired port to plenty of neutrals. And sticklers should note the price is technically $24.95 — we've just rounded up.

Amazon Essentials Men's Slim-Fit Long-sleeved Waffle Henley

This isn't the only long-sleeved waffle shirt we heard about, but it is the most affordable one. Tim Melideo, who runs the men's fashion website Stay Classic (which focuses on affordable style), told us he owns a couple and that the tee is "supersoft, fits well, and washes well." With its signature button-neck, he adds that a henley is a great style to go for when you want something that's "not as plain as a solid long-sleeved tee." Shown in olive heather, it's available in five more neutral tones.

Eddie Bauer Legend Wash Pro Long-sleeved T-shirt, Jade

Next to his favorite Gildan long-sleeved tee, Andrew stresses that this one from Eddie Bauer is "the best," because it's "almost always on sale and available in up to 3XL and also in a tall cut." These inclusive options, he says, mean that "not many guys are excluded from enjoying this shirt." Available in nine different colors, he adds that the shirt has a "long shelf life" that justifies its slightly higher price.

Polo Ralph Lauren Classic Fit Jersey Long-sleeved T-shirt

For guys who are more at home at the country club instead of on the mountainside, Favorito recommends this Polo Ralph Lauren long-sleeved shirt. He says it's "supersoft, with a fit that's forgiving but still tailored" enough to "layer under an unforgivingly itchy sweater without being bulky." Plus, according to him, a Ralph Lauren long-sleeved tee like this "truly never goes out of style," which is why he owns "several, in a smattering of classic neutrals, that are in constant rotation both for daytime and evening (read: sleeping) ensembles." Speaking of neutrals, it comes in white, charcoal, and black in addition to the navy shown.

Only NY Premium Heavyweight L/S Pocket T-shirt

We've been familiar with streetwear brand Only NY since our colleagues at New York Magazine collaborated on a merch line with the company. So it wasn't too surprising to hear that its long-sleeved tees were recommended for their style and thoughtful design. "Made in the USA, the tee is garment-dyed, meaning it gets preshrunk during the dyeing process and won't shrink when you wash it," explains Page, who calls the shirt a "wardrobe staple." He adds that the pocket tee's "side-seam stitching gives it an understated vintage look." The shirt, we should note, is currently only available in small and medium and thus appears to be on final sale. But the brand is known to release new versions of the same style, so if you can't get it now, it's worth checking back.

The Black Dog Men's Classic Long-sleeved Tee

Tees of any sleeve length can of course come emblazoned with countless logos. While many logo tees are a matter of style preference, some are so ubiquitous that they've become staples in their own right. That's how Favorito describes the Black Dog long-sleeved tee. "Black Dog is a Cape Cod staple and has been in my closet in some form since I was old enough to wear one of their baby bucket hats," he says. Favorito adds that he still tries to get a new one every summer but that his older ones remain his go-tos, because the tees "only got better with age."

General Admission Long-sleeved Loose-Knit Pocket Tee, Blue

As with any garment, the more you spend typically (but not always) means that whatever you buy is a step up in craftsmanship, whether that means more intricate graphics or more quality construction. The latter is why model Miles Garber, the co-owner of candle company Hands and a new dad, recommends these long-sleeved tees from General Admission (which are also available in yellow and black). "I've had two for more than three years, and they have stood the test of time, even since regularly being spit on by my 4-month-old daughter," he says, adding that the tees seemingly "never lose their shape, don't shrink, and get softer with every wash." Summing it up, Garber says he is "absolutely destroying them with my lifestyle — and yet not even a hole has formed."

Alex Mill Standard Long-sleeved Slub Cotton Tee

Photo: retailer

Available in white, dark green, navy, and black, this long-sleeved T-shirt from Alex Mill is the favorite of Christopher Echevarria, the founder of loafer brand Blackstock & Weber. "I bought it in L.A. in 2017 and have been rocking it ever since," he says. Looks-wise, the tee stands out for its slub-cotton material, which Echevarria says "gives it the added elements of texture and softness."

Free & Easy Handshake LS Tee

Ben Starmer, the co-founder of CBD-brand Dad Grass, is one of those guys who sees long-sleeved tees as a way to sport "top-notch graphics." His favorite styles come from Free & Easy. "They're made in L.A. and washed down to perfection, giving the tees a perfectly vintage, soft-but-not-synthetic feeling." Because the tees are 100 percent cotton, he adds that "they keep their structure and hang really well." The brand's long-sleeved tees have all sorts of colorful graphics that combine text and images, but Starmer particularly likes this one, which he owns and says gets "bonus points, because the sleeves have graphics too."

Lululemon 5 Year Basic Long-Sleeve

If you're looking for a tee made with materials designed for performance (that you can also wear casually), Kweku Larbi, the designer behind sustainable rainwear company Baxter Wood, recommends his "all-time favorite" one from Lululemon. Like most everything else from the brand, it's made from a "supercomfortable" stretch fabric that he says "never loses its elasticity," even in the collar. One wash, he adds, makes it "feel like new," which explains why the three he owns (in black, gray, and white) are still in great condition after "about two years" — and why he fully expects them to last for the five years their name suggests they will.

Outdoor Voices Men's All Day Longsleeve

Like Lululemon, Outdoor Voices is another brand that straddles a line you could call active loungewear. Many Strategist staffers swear by its sweats, and MichaelAnn Cohlmia, a co-founder of CBD brand WeedSport, feels the same way about its long-sleeved tee. "I always grab it no matter what I am doing: traveling, hiking, or playing tennis on a winter day in L.A." Cohlmia says she — yes, she (the savviest shoppers are not restricted by gender norms) — has "washed it many times, and it always comes out perfect — no shrinking or warping, and it's forever soft." While she notes that the lightweight fabric is a touch clingy, Cohlmia says the tee's looser cut ensures it's still flattering. The best feature, she adds, are "the thumb holes that are like hammocks for your thumbs" and keep the sleeves from rolling up or flapping around.

Reigning Champ Pima Jersey Long-Sleeve

Perhaps you're looking for a long-sleeved tee for working out and lounging about that comes from a brand less ubiquitous than Outdoor Voices or Lululemon. If so, Keith Nowak, the founder of athletic brand Ten Thousand, recommends this one from Reigning Champ. He says it's "part of my daily uniform and literally the only thing I wear that isn't my own brand." Reigning Champ, he adds, is known for doing "classics with a tech angle" — in this case, that angle is using a ringspun pima cotton to make the tee softer and more hard-wearing for the days you might want to work out in it.

Story mfg. Growing Peace Grateful LS Tee

Max Vallot, the co-founder of men's running brand meets wellness collective District Vision, likes the long-sleeved tees from Story mfg. for the same reason that Starmer likes Free & Easy's: the graphics. Vallot says he's "obsessed with the brand's earth-loving graphics," like those on this shirt he directed us to, which features work by the artist Will Gaynor on both its front and down its sleeves. (It's one of four psychedelic-ish long-sleeved tees the brand is selling right now.) He adds that, in addition to cool graphics, you're paying for quality manufacturing because the brand "makes its dyes and cotton organically in India, where the shirts are also knit and sewn together."

Yellow Label Co. The Long-sleeved Waffle, Orange

If you're willing to invest, Breslin says that Yellow Label's waffle tees are what he's been wearing to keep warm while socializing and dining outside amid the pandemic. "With the heat lamps outside, it's been a solid stand-alone piece," he says of the tee's ability to keep him warm. Available in eight colors, Breslin owns white and black — and says the bright orange is "calling my name next." Those unfamiliar with Yellow Label Co. should know it offers a $100 annual membership that comes with 30 percent discounts on its stuff, so members can get this tee for $75, while nonmembers will have to pay $105.

ATM Slub Jersey Long-sleeved Destroyed Wash Tee, White

The slub cotton this tee is made with gives it an elevated look that allows Donnell Baldwin, a former style director for Mr Porter, to "dress it up or down or for whatever needs I have in the moment." While pricey, he promises that it "can be worn year-round." The "worn-in" fabric also makes it supremely soft from first wear, and Baldwin adds that "it gets better with every wash."

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What Is the Best Men's Long-sleeved T-shirt?