13 Very Best Black T-shirts for Men

Material: Cotton | Fit: Loose fit | Weight: Medium weight | Neckline: Crewneck

It’s no surprise that our best men’s black T-shirt overall is from Buck Mason — the brand also came out on top in our roundup of the best white tees. I’ve crowned the Slub Curved Hem Tee our top choice for its mid-range weight and comfortable fit that works for a range of body shapes — plus, the under-$50 price tag doesn’t hurt. As I tested the shirt, I found it to be breathable and ultrasoft and loved that it’s only gotten softer with more wear and washes. (I’ve also tested the women’s version of this tee for several weeks, and it’s quickly become my favorite shirt for layering or wearing on its own, too.)

And don’t just take it from me: The men I spoke to praised this Buck Mason tee for its Goldilocks fit, too. My boyfriend, who’s become my in-house menswear tester, likes the tee’s modern cut — not too slim, but not too boxy for his athletic build — that he can dress up or wear more casually with sweatpants. “The neck is especially well shaped, and the curved hem is a nice detail,” Carlos Huber, founder of Arquiste Parfumeur, says. Actor Cheyenne Jackson, who owns “maybe 20” of them, counts himself a fan too. “I’m a dad, and I’m running around a lot, so I live in T-shirts. I like something that isn’t too schlumpy, isn’t too tight, and has some weight to it,” he says. Jackson adds that as a “bigger guy up top,” he appreciates “how these fit me in the shoulder; they fit my frame well and I feel good wearing them.” And you can buy the top in a short or tall length without compromising the slub-style fit.

Material: Cotton | Fit: Slim fit | Weight: Heavyweight | Neckline: Crewneck

For those with a taller build, take note from two men we spoke to who called out Uniqlo’s U Crew-Neck. Noah Sylvan, a senior director of product at Xeal, is “tall and lanky,” so it’s hard to find shirts long enough and still slim. “The medium size fits me perfectly — it’s tall enough for me but not so wide that I look like I’m wearing a sack,” he says. According to Sylvan, the shirt has withstood many a wash without shrinking. “It’s pretty much the only black shirt I own these days, and I have tons of them,” he says. “I wear them at least three times a week.” Photographer Malcolm McNeil, who’s also over six feet tall, “always keeps a fresh stack of these” because he loves the weight, breathability, and fit.

Material: Cotton | Fit: Slim fit | Weight: Medium weight | Neckline: V-neck

If you prefer a V-neck (and want to stock up), stylist Wouri Vice suggests this three-pack from one of the most classic T-shirt brands out there. “My favorite black T-shirt is Hanes — really,” he says. “But not just any Hanes. It has to be the Luxury Essentials V-neck, which starts out in the deepest of blacks and as it ages takes on the perfect softness and most beautiful faded black ever.” Vice told us he wears them casually with jeans or with a suit.

Material: Cotton | Fit: Slim fit | Weight: Lightweight | Neckline: V-neck

Another favorite for tall men is this V-neck tee from Gap that comes recommended by musician and paramedic Hayden Frank. “I wear so many black tees that I feel borderline tropical if I so much as branch out into gray palettes,” Frank says. His favorite of them all is Gap’s Essential V-Neck, which he says is one of the few he can find in a medium-tall size that works with his slender six-foot-four frame. “If I buy a large, it’s almost the right length, but I’m swimming around in it like scrubs, and if I buy a medium, it fits better in the abdomen but with the unfortunate side effect of showing off my happy trail to innocent bystanders,” Frank says. “The medium-tall Gap V-neck hugs my shoulders and chest and stays slim down past my waistline.” He praises the shirt’s versatility, saying it “works just as well at the gym as at the restaurant.”

Material: Preshrunk Cotton | Fit: Slim fit | Weight: Lightweight | Neckline: Scoop neck

If V-neck shirts aren’t quite your style but you still want something with an open neckline, consider a scoop-neck, like this one from Keepr. Christopher Clermont, head of DEI+ at Vox, owns multiple “supersoft” Keepr shirts: It’s so flattering that it’s become part of his day-to-day “uniform.” “I love how it sits. It just seems to always fall naturally in the right place, right around my clavicle,” says Clermont. Fit-wise, it “contours to your waist and butt” rather than a loose-boxy cut and is long enough to tuck in effortlessly. Clermont loves its versatility (he’s worn his to sleep, on hikes with his dog, and to work), and that after several washes, the shirt “still feels the same. It’s maintained its shape, form, and comfort,” he says.

Material: Cotton jersey | Fit: Oversized fit | Weight: Heavyweight | Neckline: Crewneck

On the other side of the spectrum are heavyweight tees. One of the sturdier options on our list, this Lululemon T-shirt is also the only pick here that’s made from a blend of cotton and jersey, which means the fabric is dense yet breathable. My boyfriend, who owns the top in three shades, including black, says the heavyweight tee is his go-to because it has a relaxed fit that offers extra room for his athletic build. I’ve borrowed the T-shirt on several occasions, and must say it has a wonderfully worn-in feel. If you prefer longer sleeves that fall closer to your elbow, this definitely fits the bill. It’s also held up incredibly well after multiple washes, but I suggest hang-drying to avoid any shrinkage in the dryer.

Editor’s note: Lululemon’s Heavyweight Cotton Jersey T-shirt is currently unavailable in black, but you can check the product page for restocking information.

Material: Cotton | Weight: Medium Weight | Fit: Loose

The Big Favorite is a sustainable brand that operates on a closed-loop cycle, meaning when you’re done with your clothing, you can send it back to the company to recycle in exchange for credit toward a new piece. Its pima-cotton shirts are buttery soft and midweight. While it’s not as structured as heavier tees on this list, it’s a great option for hotter months. Our writer Arielle Avila says she’s worn hers on sunny 90-degree days and has barely broken out in a sweat on her walks to the subway. As with the entire line, sizing is gender neutral, though Avila says it skews more toward traditional men’s sizes. She owns the XS, which is her typical size in women’s, and the T-shirt is still slightly oversize.

Material: Cotton | Fit: Loose fit | Weight: Medium weight | Neckline: Crewneck

For those who like their tees to do more than just clothe them, Vaughan says a black T-shirt with pockets is his go-to “because I lose sunglasses easily.” His pick is the Carhartt WIP Pocket T-shirt, which, he specifies, stands out from other Carhartt tees. “The Carhartt WIP T-Shirts fit a little slimmer and are softer than the standard Carhartt K87,” says Vaughan. “They’re soft, hard wearing, and high-low in the best possible way.” Plus the price is right: “The cost-benefit analysis is sound — I wear some that are over five years old.”

Material: Cotton | Fit: Slim fit | Weight: Lightweight | Neckline: Crewneck

This affordable option comes recommended by lawyer Chuka Ugwu-Oju, who says the price makes the T-shirt a “no-brainer.” But it’s the shirt’s cut that he says is its main draw: “It’s somewhat fitted but isn’t tight at all. It isn’t constricting in any way, but it manages to retain its shape.” The material is on the medium to thin side, which makes it ideal for wearing on its own or layering. “If it isn’t too cold out, I like to pair it with a pair of light jeans or khakis, then throw a big coat over it,” says Ugwu-Oju.