Pair these versatile tees with your favorite jeans or knot one over a flowy dress for a casual look. I’ve included basic options that are one solid color, along with a variety of patterns and style details like lace or fun graphics. Choosing a pre-shrunk cotton shirt or one made from moisture-wicking polyester and rayon can also last longer, wash after wash. Many T-shirts are made of cotton or at least blended with cotton - which makes them breathable and soft, but should also be handled with care in the wash to avoid shrinking.

If you’re looking for a tighter-fitting option, opt for a traditional cut, which tends to be slimmer through the torso and has shorter sleeves.

But since there's nothing basic about finding the right one, I’ve put together a list to get you started.įinding a great basic T-shirt comes down to a few things: shape, style, and material. The best basic T-shirts are comfortable, affordable, and stand the test of time. But the idea that T-shirts are nothing more than casual wear is disappearing as these foundational pieces in our wardrobe are used for everything from Zoom attire, to layering, to working out. I retreat to the ease of throwing one on when I’m at home or if I snooze my alarm too many times. T-shirts are one of the few comfort-first pieces in my wardrobe.