A Good Black T-Shirt is Hard to Find. Here Are 12 We Love.

- Goldilocks combo of fit, weight, and price
- Not made with the same quality as others on our list
The Hanes Beefy-T is our favorite tee of all time, one that Esquire editors keep going back to time and time again. We love the fit, the weight, the price; pretty much everything about this t-shirt is dialed in. And, since a 2-pack is just $11, you can go ahead and throw some white tees in your cart, too.
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- The boxy fit is comfortable and on-trend
- The style isn't as timeless as some others on the list
Buck Mason started as a t-shirt brand, and though it has expanded the offerings since its inception in 2013, the tees are still the highlight. They come in a few different fits, each of which has its place, but for everyday wear, we recommend the 90s Boxy Tee. It's not too tight, so you can still wear it under a cardigan or flannel, and it's cut makes it great for wearing on its own.
- A vintage-inspired fit that is flattering on anyone
- Some might not like the wide neck
If a boxy fit isn't for you, the LA brand's Classic fit tee is the move. It sits closer than the body and the sleeves aren't so long, giving it a refined fit that classes up any outfit. We recommend pairing it with BM's fantastic field pants.
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- A high-quality tee that's made to last
- Doesn't differentiate itself from more affordable options
Filson isn't explicitly a workwear brand, but this is basically an elevated version of the aforementioned Carhartt number. The heavyweight 6.5-ounce cotton is substantial, comfortable, and durable enough for working hard or hardly working.
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- The extremely comfortable hemp blend gets better with time
- Hemp doesn't always keep its shape very well
If you've never had a hemp tee before, you owe it to yourself to buy one. The Jungmaven Basic Tee, one of our favorite tees from the brand, is a perfect introduction to the fabric. Its featherlight 3.5-ounce blend is silky smooth, lightweight, and durable—everything we want in a t-shirt. It'll feel great from the very first time you wear it and will get even better over the years (yes, it'll last for years).
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- A simple, timeless design
- The price may still be too much for some
Like a few brands on our list, Kotn's original goal was to make the best t-shirt in the world. That's a hard call to make, but we're happy to say it's, at the very least, one of the best in the world. Made with mid-weight Egyptian cotton, this is a tee you're going to be tired of long before it wears out.
- A versatile option that pays tribute to the past
- The white stitching on the back neck might limit its versatility
Reigning Champ is constantly dishing out a masterclass in simplicity and quality, drawing inspiration from athletic wear of past decades and reimagining it for a modern audience. This tee will remind you of the high-quality tees of yesteryear in a contemporary fit that looks good with track pants, a suit, or anything in between.
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- Nails all the little details
- Not always very easy to find
The white version of this tee is one of our editor's absolute favorites, and it holds up just as well in this picture-perfect vintage black colorway. Just be sure to order a size up to accommodate for shrinkage on the first wash.
- Great fit and comfort for the price
- Might not hold up very well over time
Just about every band, bootleg shop, and merch mogul trusts Comfort Colors (not to mention all of the sororities and fraternities in America), so you can't go wrong. Pick up a few in classic colors and your t-shirt drawer will be sorted.
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