Every man needs a go-to in their wardrobe and there’s nothing easier than a plain t-shirt. While white t-shirts tend to gather the most plaudits, its sleeker brother, the plain black t-shirt is the one you should really start considering.
Elegant, slimming and in general more forgiving to those of us lacking the ultimate muscular physique, every man should have the black tee as a secret weapon.
Like the white t-shirt, it’s a garment that goes effortlessly with almost any outfit, but it’s a lot more versatile. Whether you’re going smart, casual, to the gym, a funeral or opting for a more formal look, there’s a black t-shirt for almost every occasion.
Choosing the Best Black T-shirt
It’s deceptively easy to actually get something very simple entirely wrong. Without the right research you could end up purchasing a garment that adds 10lbs or shrinks after one wash - so it’s important to choose the right black t-shirt. We've identified some of the best black tees on the market in a range of different cuts, fabrics and fits, that will ensure you have a clear idea on exactly what you should be bagging.
Boxy Fit
You don’t have to be an expert in menswear to know that there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good quality tee, and while this may look like a standard box pocket tee, with Arhto that certainly isn’t the case.
It’s a heavyweight in the black tee game (literally heavyweight cotton), with a softer touch thanks to its 100% combed yarn and bigger gauge weave. It’s still a single jersey, but comes across like a summer sweat, so it’s quality is extremely apparent. The pocket features a bonded open edge and the brand’s orange tab logo for a little pop of colour.
Fitted
The Hugo Boss label is a stalwart in the menswear scene, and alongside some of the brand’s most renowned work in military wear, workwear and tailoring, they also design the basics well too.
Often made with the more a muscular male in mind, their high-quality crew-neck tees are slim and figure-hugging, with a classic crew neck and short sleeve combo that will see you look both slender and stylish, which is never a bad combo.
Everyday Wear
You might not fancy slumping around the house, cooking, cleaning and collecting an unfathomable amount of your partner’s hair on your expensive black tee, but rest assured there are cheaper alternatives.
ASOS organic black t-shirt, for example. Made with organic cotton and at a cheaper price than most, you could probably do with two or three of them in your wardrobe. Maybe even four.
Longline
Longline tees are the Marmite of the t-shirt world. Something that can look undeniably good on someone, can look unforgivably bad on others. There’s no set rule on longline tees, they either look good or bad, there’s no inbetween.
Usually suiting a slimmer, taller man, a longline tee can go well with a bomber jacket or peacoat, with a pair of rugged dark jeans and some roughed up waterproof boots. Lovely.
Oversized
Historically favoured by skaters and streetwear aficionados, the oversized tee has made the move into everyday fashion in recent years. While the normal t-shirt rules of sleeve length above the elbows and the hem sitting just above the bum are a little skewed on this one, it should still fit as normal around the shoulders and hips, so would suit the slender, taller chap.
Known for their excellent quality at affordable prices, every man should make room for a little Uniqlo in their cupboard.
The Classic
If we know one thing about French brand Armor Lux, it’s that their clothes are made with quality and care.
Their MC Heritage tee, made with 100% cotton and featuring the brand’s iconic logo just above the hem, this is about as classic as they come.
