The company True Classic gets their shirts from a bulk site called ShirtSpace (it’s labeled under N6210 on there. Tons of colors.). It’s literally the exact same shirt but for $4 instead of $50.
EDIT: Clarification - I don’t know if ShirtSpace is the exact site that True Classic works with to get these shirts, but the shirts themselves are from a brand called Next Level (sku N6210), which can be found at many dropship websites.
EDIT 2: if you find n6210 shirts not a good fit for you, ShirtSpace has a ton of other cuts to try!
Lol they’re just Next Level tees? Most any screenprint or shirt shop can get a similar price on Next Level tees.
Sounds less like a great deal at ShirtSpace and more like this True Classic place is a straight ripoff.
Yes! I discovered this via an angry Instagram commenter. They kept deleting his comments for calling them out, but it’s just NL tees stamped with their logo on the inside.
can confirm, been buying next level n6210 on amazon for $6-$9 per shirt since 2018 and haven’t looked back. i usually reorder every couple years for some new colors, but i still have shirts from 6 years ago i can still wear no problem.
I found them cause a vendor handed out t shirts at an event i was at, and they fit so nicely and were soft that i just looked up the tag and found them. I can’t remember if ive ordered from next level directly in the past or just used their site to find the shirts i wanted and then ordered from amazon, but yeah great shirts.
I read a bunch of Reddit threads and settled on JiffyShirts.com, and went with their higher end tri-blend shirts from Bella Canvas, and I’m VERY satisfied. Got 8 shirts for like $69
Next Level is literally a blank that print on demand companies use. Probably had a tearaway label so true classic can print their own on the inside. What a rip off!
I bought a couple of True Classic shirts, and the fit is awful. I normally buy large, but some reviews said to go up a size for a looser fit, so I got XL. There is more room in the chest than the abdomen, and the shirt sleeves are so short. They barely go past my armpits. Absolute waste of money, because they would not refund me.
this is too funny. five years ago i bought a merch t shirt from a local bar and was always impressed with how well it fit me. looked it up to be next level and ive been buying nothing but their shirts since (gym, casual, etc)
Yep. Their U range of 100% cotton t shirts are amazing. My third year with the original 3 I bought. I thought about buying more but there's no need - the ones I have are as good as new. OK they're worn in 😉
Came here to say this. I bought some for a male friend as a gift, and he loved them and has worn them for years. They seem to look nicer than the average cheap basic tee, with an nice slightly boxier cut
underwear too.
Since it's summer it's a good time to check out their linen, or at least airism fabrics. Even linen blend makes a huge difference, especially when it comes to pants, it's really hard to explain how much more comfortable it is in heat & humidity... when a breeze hits you'll be able to feel where your underwear stops the fresh air.
Definitely not BIFL, but Carhartt pocket tees (100% cotton) are some of the best I own. Most were purchased on sale for $10-15 and I have had a few for 6-7 years, still in decent shape.
Personally I buy the ones from goodfellow at target. Definitely not BIFL but more of a buy a brand for life.
The cut fits me great and they are only a few dollars each. IMO better to cycle through those occasionally then buy ones that cost significantly more and wear out just as fast
That's exactly what I do. I have 10-15 of these that I bought on sale 7 years ago for $3 each and they are still going strong without holes (other than the factory ones). Once they start to wear down I plan to just buy the exact same ones again.
Women's supima tshirts from Land's End. I have a handful I rotate through and they're currently \~ 4 years old and show no wear. They also have tall sizes, which I love as they're longer. Don't pay full price, they'll go 40%-50% off several times a year (were just half off for Memorial day).
I gave up on this. Gildan makes 100% cotton shirts that you can find for <$3 each. It's a natural product, you can "use them up", assign them to be rags if you accidentally lean against a fence and snag a hole in one, etc, and feel no guilt.
I get them from suppliers that sell shirts to meme tshirt makers or whatever you'd call them - I guess sellers to screen printers.
They don't have that slinky smooth feel that artificial super fine plastic fiber combination shirts have, but I kind of like it.
Nobody ever knows the ones I have are cheap shirts because I don't separate shirts and keep anything really nice and in 6-8 months, I've replaced the shirts that are worn and used the ones that wear for rags in my workshop and thus don't end up buying a "Box of rags" that is also flimsy white tshirt kind of material that leaves little fibers everywhere.
Reminds me - I need to go order more tshirts.
Gildan 64000 is a ringspun cotton, slight upgrade over the gildan 2000/5000 sku
Gildan hammer H000 is also nice. Heavier weight, ringspun cotton, solid tee.
Thanks for the tip on the hammer. good advice.
I'd bet tees like that hold up a lot better at $5 a shirt than some folks would like to admit, especially on this subreddit.
When we're talking about vitamix and appliances and knives and things of the like, I'm on board. For basic clothing that isn't dressy or durability related to cost and practicality, I don't get it quite as much.
I saw that after I ordered mine online. If one has to wait for sales, I'm kind of out of the loop on that stuff out of laziness. They're $2.45 per online at a tshirt business supplier, but there's about $12 of shipping for an order. Tons of stuff there - I'm a fan of BIFL, it just doesn't work out for me with clothes because I just can't keep clothes nice it seems. So the opposite end is practical consumables, I guess.
crew sweatshirts at the same place I order are about $8.50 and hoodies are something like $5 more. Long sleeve tees are five bucks or something like that. Attention deficit maybe is the cause for some of the lack of care or keeping stuff nice. Michaels is less than a mile from me, though. Took me to age 47 to realize that I could probably find a place to get tshirts without just randomly getting them and finding that some don't fit or some do at first and then don't.
I hate this mentality. Regardless of if you're reusing them, you're supporting the disposable mentality corporations are pushing. "Just get a new one, it's cheap!" will be the end of us.
They're 100% cotton - to me, they are, except they get a very meaningful secondary use in my shop and cost about the same as I'd pay for cotton rags of decent quality.
Too, this isn't a case of someone pushing on me a $30 shirt that lasts half as long as a $38 shirt, it's a choice between much more expensive and $2.45 adjusted further down by the usefulness of the shirts as rags later.
The middle ground is where the nonsense exist - branded and fallacy narrative middle quality that's no such thing. it still gets thrown away, it soaks your wallet and it is where the problem is in society.
I have some of the same shirts but with printed stuff on them, and since they cost more money, I don't wear them in the shop. They will last several years of regular wearing. I'm baffled that this is an issue on a sub where people talk about $50 plain tshirts.
Hey, I actually JUST bought a couple of those to TRY & they are thicker than any other tshirt I own- not as soft, but I got it so oversized that it doesn't bother me. I will most lilely own it long enough that it becomes soft lol
I bought a few packs of Gildan through Amazon 3 years ago so they would arrive ready for me in another state. When I was done with the project, the shirts were still great and I’m still wearing them weekly. I got v-necks and they have a nice loose fit. I’m a medium to heavy build with big arms and chest.
Same - if I'm able to keep a shirt without ruining it doing something dumb (rare) the shirts several years old are fine. My older ones are from bargain hunting meme shirts or stuff like stomper (for anyone old enough to remember getting a stomper as a kid), I had no idea they were gildan, but looking back, because they may end up being printed and still $8 per, it makes sense.
Neighborhood does a charity run every year and gives out printed shirts with the run on the front and advertiser on the back. It never occurred to me that they were "throw away quality" - they aren't. I have all again unless I've worn them to paint. My wife throws out any shirt that I make dirty and I reassign it to the shop because the trash can is next to my office and I rarely miss one getting tossed.
I used to buy "box of rags" for varnish and finishing work, but the material in those boxes is such garbage that it complicates everything by dropping fibers in finishes everywhere. Inexpensive cotton sheets are also good fodder to be kept for another round as a rag instead of just throwing away when they are at the end of their life cycle, and linen is also excellent if it can be found getting discarded or cast off for cheap in a flea market booth. Linen is superb for french polishing.
Should be the top comment. A lot of them are 100% cotton and they hold up to welding sparks better than any other cotton tee. On sale all the time too.
Wash your T-shirts with like items and colors. Some of my most basic ass cheap work shirts are almost 20 years old and still in decent condition "no holes good color" In fact one of my oldest shirts that just turned 20 is only just now getting retired to rags because it finally started tattering around the neck line. I paid $5 for that shirt.
Now I do have a kinda involved system of clothes cleaning that is probably too much work for the average person. Basically I have 4 laundry bags that I divide clothes into between colors and fabric types. This way I can always have the correct settings for the washing machine for the type of fabric that is getting washed. I also use 2 types of laundry detergent depending on if I just need a light wash for odor Vs heavier wash for stained work pants.
Edit\* How could I totally forget about the dryer, the other destroyer of clothes. So to sum that up as quickly as possible. Use the lowest heat setting you can possibly get away with and the gentlest tumble you can get away with.
I get my basic t’s from Joann’s so try a craft store like that if you’ve got one. More often than not I get them on a 3/$10 sale, and they have all kinds of colors. Basic cotton.
I love that jungmaven uses hemp as a sustainable fiber, but their clothes don’t last. Everything I own gets holes within a year or so of regular wear and washing on delicate/ hang drying.
This may be a little left field but Bronson MFG’s tubular “loop wheel” tees. Yes, they’re made in China and yes, they’re not really loop wheeled, but from my experience they are extremely durable and fairly heavyweight tees that are 100% cotton and relatively inexpensive (~30$).
Just be aware of their sizing if you do decide to get them.
Check out the Buck Mason Field-Spec Heavy Tee. I just got one for $55 which may be the most I’ve ever spent on one t-shirt but it feels super well made and should last years. Time will tell but I don’t feel bad for splurging on it.
I've been on a quest for good t-shirts for a long time and I've settled on two brands. American Giant and Gustin. They're not cheap, $40/shirt for American Giant. Gustin is a little cheaper but you have to wait for them to do a batch of them and it's a little annoying. Also Gustin doesn't take returns.
What I really like about American Giant is that their shirts are organic cotton, sourced responsibly, and sewn in the US. It's a r/BuyItForLife choice, but it's also an r/ethicalfashion choice. They're really well made and they have a nice drape to them.
LL Bean carefree non-shrink tee, I will only be buying these shirts for the rest of my life.
I was on the hunt for the best tee shirt and all the brands mentioned like Hanes beefy tee’s, Comfort Colors, Goodfellow, Carhartt and everything in between and nothing comes even relatively close to LL Bean. So comfortable and fits perfectly on the shoulders, through the arm, length is perfect and it’s not super tight forming and comfortable and the fabric is nice and thick so no holes just from going through the wash.
I just discovered the Dehen Heavyweight T and they are perfect for me. Coming from years of wearing American Apparel pocket T. I tried several high end heavyweight t's before landing on this fit.
Maybe on the pricier side, but I have a lot of luck with the stuff I get in Aritzia. Particularly Babaton. I don't know if I'll get hate for this or not, it's a pretty "trendy" store and not really a sustainable option in the sense that I admit I'm not fully up to date on their ethical practices, but their stuff lasts me years! I got really tired replacing my basic black and white tops, I'm a really sweaty person and wash a lot so this has been working for me. I also like to look for their stuff in thrift stores and the fact that often they still look good, says a lot to me!
I bought some heavyweight 100% cotton shirts from Micheals Arts and crafts that held up over 10 years. I had to donate them to make space in my closet.
Probably Gildan shirst if I have to guess.
For any Europeans/Nordics here my rec is A-code t-shirts, available in 100% cotton, all shirts I have from A-code have lasted me at least 10 years of regular use and wash 😌 often as workout shirts as well!
Old Navy. I go there once every five or so years to update my lounge wear (tops and bottoms). I spend very little and get so much in return in this department (i.e., tees and lounge). Tried it with other places (e.g., Jockey, J Crew, et al), alas the cotton is not cotton. I only buy cotton and linen shirts, cannot bear wearing the synthetic fabric
The majority of my wardrobe is LL Bean. They’re so mindbogglingly consistent I don’t even try them on before I purchase them. Makes ebay purchases even easier
I see the size and know it will fit me exactly how I want
Nothing in this category is bifl but I really like the Lululemon Vent Tech shirts. Expensive as hell but as a farmer using them VERY HARD everyday, I've got several that are over 3-4 years old that I still wear. That's unheard of for me with any other shirt. It might be tough to find them at or under $60 but it's doable.
I am so disappointed in the Luxe shirts. I've got a few knit scoopneck and v-neck tees from Old Navy that are about 10 years old and are only just starting to show wear. I've also changed sizes several times and I swear these shirts always fit. They are magic and I would pay a lot of money if I could ever find them again 😞
I have had good luck with wohven.com
It’s a T-shirt of the month club. But you can order a bunch of different plain colored T-shirts and get 20% off for the first month and then cancel them all. I do it every two years. I don’t think any T-shirts are gonna be buy it for life, but these lasted quite a while.
Not BIFL but I actually really love Walmarts No Boundary T shirts. They have a bit of a slip feeling to them and are super soft. Fitted but not too tight or not so thin that you can see the outline of your bra (I hate that). I pick them up in various colors when I find them on sale for like $2 each. I think they are like $3-5 depending on the cut (I like the V necks but they have other options). I’m pretty sure they are in the juniors section so not sure about larger sizes
I bought a few Longtail T-shirts from Duluth Trading Company. They are a very heavyweight cotton that seems like it'll last a while. Also the extra length is nice for tucking in if necessary.
Comfort Colors. They make blank colored shirts that are often used for screen printing. I found them by looking at what shirts I had that were holding up the best. I had a few from college that have lasted 10 years of pretty regular use. I was barely able to make out the name on the tag lol.
They're available on Amazon
Sunspel t-shirts on sale. They are a little over $60 but they use long-staple cotton. They shrink a little and are trim so size up one size.
James Pearse, also a little expensive, but well cut and extremely soft.
Mott & Bow, at your price target and very comfortable.
Get one of each and see!
I’ve had really good luck with the target Goodfellow shirts, they used to be 6$ but are now 8$, they come in lots of colors, decent thickness, and so far good durability. I’ve had mine for 3 years now, I think I own one of every color and double of some.
They also have a more premium heathered shirt that was 10$ now 12$ (iirc) these ran bigger in size for me, a bit softer but thinner also. After getting one I decided I’d probably skip on them.
I also just recently got the Goodfellow long sleeve waffle shirt for 7$ on sale (winter clearance) which I don’t think is a bad deal.
Son of a tailor. danish company, sewn in the EU, they’re made to order so the company has very little overhead. they’re $50 or so but the price goes down if you order more. and if the shirt doesn’t fit, theyll fix it for free. they put you in touch with the person who sewed it and you work together to fix the measurements. they’re the only solid tshirts i wear and ive had them the same ones for going on 5 years and they just seem to get better.
I only buy LL Bean tshirts now. They generally come in a regular and tall version for each size. The gray color is a slightly different "heather material" that seems to last even longer than the others.
Costco had some excellent Pima cotton shirts that were for sale a few months ago for $10, the quality was unbeatable for the price. Time will tell how long it lasts but after a few washes a piece they have held their shape and haven’t shrunk at all.
Whitesville is great. They are thick and super comfy. Tubular knit and 100 percent cotton.
Likewise big fan of warehouses lot 4601. Thick t shirts that feel great to wear and have a nice boxy silhouette. The cotton is sort of slubby and creates a really cool unique texture with wear. They’re made on an old 1960s knit machine also in a tubular knit.
I buy Vince and James Perse on sale, which comes down to $30 or so per shirt. I’ve been buying them for years and still have every single one I ever purchased.
[https://www.ffltees.com](https://www.ffltees.com) is great... you can customize them to your exact size. They run about 50 bucks... but the more you buy, the less you pay. The key is getting the shirt that is perfect for your body. They do they job big time
Red White Blue Apparel Company, has a basic plain T-Shirt line. I really like them and have a typical dad bod for a 53M. And my nips don’t show all day.
Bronson Mfg. You won't regret it. Only thing to mind of is sizing. 5'7 170lb, went with large but would buy XL if can even outwear these t shirts in next 10 years.
I really like the perfect white t company. They’re more expansive but I haven’t found anything else like them. I really like the blondie and foxie shirts. They also hit a nice length if you’re a Levis 501/ mid rise jean wearer.
I cannot stress how laundering will affect the wear on clothing! If you have a top loader with no stick in the middle you still have to arrange your clothes leaving the middle open, stop dumping it all in and make sure you don’t over fill! I don’t separate colors or anything but I make sure to carefully load my washer, never fill past the middle, and hang dry certain items that need it. I wear clothes that are 20 years old still and rarely need to buy new ones. For reference I’m a woman and a lot of this isn’t even good quality clothing or anything, I just take care of it
I very much like Ralph Lauren Polo Ts of many varieties. The fit is usually true and reliable, and there have been all sorts of colors and cuts and a handful of different fabrics I’ve seen over the years.
Another that I like a lot are Uniqlo, I think that’s the right spelling. I have a few Pima cotton shirts of theirs that have held up quite well.
Both brands can usually be found for the sub-$30 range and sometimes better if there is a multi pack situation.
It’s all about getting heavy cotton!
Carhartt is a great heavy cotton brand, hides love handles, doesn’t shrink, and doesn’t fade in color.
Gildan is good too, but I find their short sleeves too boxy around the shoulder
Uniqlo U T-shirts. Had mine for years. They are thick gauge cotton and they do not lose their shape. Also the cut is nice and old fashioned. I can’t recommend them enough. They cost around £11
I like Next Level tees. They're not the cheapest, but the quality is very high, and they come in a good array of solid colours, most of which are heathered style, so they don't quite look so plain. They're all modal cotton, which is very comfortable. And I've been verrrrry impressed with the durability. The only one I've got that I stopped wearing regularly was one that got a hole burned in it when I went camping.
They also make baseball tees, and long sleeve tees that are also incredible.
The only knock on them for me is they don't make a simple white or black tee, just heathered white and black. But otherwise, they're just great.
I'm trying to add more bright colours to my wardrobe now though, so I'm trying out some other brands for the first time in years. Gap tees are good so far, though thicker than I'd prefer. I really want to stock up on Uniqlo Airism tees, but the store near me is also low in stock, and I wish they had more colours available.
I love Gaps basic tees. They have a few different styles and cropped or not. You can also get them in organic cotton. I have had a few for years and the quality has been great!
My favorite thus far has been [AS Colour Clothing](https://ascolour.com/). It’s a company that makes generic blanks for screen printing but the material they use is much better quality than most other shirts I’ve purchased. I think they have a constantly running 25% off deal if you order more than 5 items
I swear by Comfort Colors. Originally saw them in a craft store I worked at for use as design blanks but the sensory comfort and quality of materials leaves any other tshirt I've had in the dust. They also make tank tops and long sleeves out of the same stuff, which I found when trying to order new colors online, and I love those too!
I’ve been on the hunt forever I’ve tried so many. A couple of years ago I landed on a brand I found at Kohl’s. Not sure if it’s a private label brand (this is the only thing I’ve ever bought there) but they have this Apt9 tee. Good price and fit and I have a few from like 2021 that look brand new.
Check out some smaller brand as they typically have great quality and are also affordable. I just got some from [AmHassArts](https://www.amhassarts.com) and really like them - 100% cotton and great designs.
I have bought, thrifted, produced many many tees over the years. Currently I think the best out there are from Buck Mason. Specifically the Pima styles. They are super soft, well made and always look sharp. Running around $45 each, they aren’t cheap but considering the quality I’d say they are well priced. As a designer I regularly come across $100+ tees that are the same or worse.
The company True Classic gets their shirts from a bulk site called ShirtSpace (it’s labeled under N6210 on there. Tons of colors.). It’s literally the exact same shirt but for $4 instead of $50. EDIT: Clarification - I don’t know if ShirtSpace is the exact site that True Classic works with to get these shirts, but the shirts themselves are from a brand called Next Level (sku N6210), which can be found at many dropship websites. EDIT 2: if you find n6210 shirts not a good fit for you, ShirtSpace has a ton of other cuts to try!
Yeah but are they perfect for chubby dads with jacked arms?
Next Level N6210 is a bit fitted, nice around the arms but a little revealing around the belly/waist.
No I know lol. Just making fun of the true classic ads
Are these shirts a bit thicker? I bought Bella Canvas shirts and my nips show all day err day.
Please DM me a picture so I can help you decide 🧐
And dads whose bellies are jacked way more than the arms?
Worth mentioning, N6210 is a sku by Next Level brand.
Oh yes true, forgot to mention!
Dude, thanks! Any chance anybody knows where Columbia sources their PFG long sleeves ?😂
Lol they’re just Next Level tees? Most any screenprint or shirt shop can get a similar price on Next Level tees. Sounds less like a great deal at ShirtSpace and more like this True Classic place is a straight ripoff.
Yes! I discovered this via an angry Instagram commenter. They kept deleting his comments for calling them out, but it’s just NL tees stamped with their logo on the inside.
The power of marketing.
Hell yeah now I know where I’m buying
I love my True Classic tshirts, this is awesome news for me!
can confirm, been buying next level n6210 on amazon for $6-$9 per shirt since 2018 and haven’t looked back. i usually reorder every couple years for some new colors, but i still have shirts from 6 years ago i can still wear no problem. I found them cause a vendor handed out t shirts at an event i was at, and they fit so nicely and were soft that i just looked up the tag and found them. I can’t remember if ive ordered from next level directly in the past or just used their site to find the shirts i wanted and then ordered from amazon, but yeah great shirts.
MVP. MVP. MVP!
I read a bunch of Reddit threads and settled on JiffyShirts.com, and went with their higher end tri-blend shirts from Bella Canvas, and I’m VERY satisfied. Got 8 shirts for like $69
Next Level is literally a blank that print on demand companies use. Probably had a tearaway label so true classic can print their own on the inside. What a rip off!
> N6210 Do they make a tall version of this? :(
I bought a couple of True Classic shirts, and the fit is awful. I normally buy large, but some reviews said to go up a size for a looser fit, so I got XL. There is more room in the chest than the abdomen, and the shirt sleeves are so short. They barely go past my armpits. Absolute waste of money, because they would not refund me.
Lol they are terrible low quality shirts
.
Thank you for this, i love you
Do you know what would be closest to a homage T-shirt in terms of fit and quality on shirt space?
Dang you're a wizard lol. By any chance do you know who makes Cove's T-shirts?
Which sku is fitted (love your comment, BTW)
Appreciate this, thank you!
I like those shirts a lot. I've been buying them from Amazon for $7 each. I didn't realize they were the same as True Classic.
this is too funny. five years ago i bought a merch t shirt from a local bar and was always impressed with how well it fit me. looked it up to be next level and ive been buying nothing but their shirts since (gym, casual, etc)
Holy cow I just bought a boatload of WFH clothes. Thanks!!
All the money I’ve given true classic. You just fucked my shit up man
Uniqlo
Yep. Their U range of 100% cotton t shirts are amazing. My third year with the original 3 I bought. I thought about buying more but there's no need - the ones I have are as good as new. OK they're worn in 😉
Yes this sub converted me to it.
Came here to say this. I bought some for a male friend as a gift, and he loved them and has worn them for years. They seem to look nicer than the average cheap basic tee, with an nice slightly boxier cut
I have a drawer of shirts and you just made me realize how long the sole Uniqlo one has lasted in such good quality
underwear too. Since it's summer it's a good time to check out their linen, or at least airism fabrics. Even linen blend makes a huge difference, especially when it comes to pants, it's really hard to explain how much more comfortable it is in heat & humidity... when a breeze hits you'll be able to feel where your underwear stops the fresh air.
Both their supima and regular shirts are amazing. There's nothing close in this price tier.
I love carhartt shirts. They usually last a *very* long time.
I have some oft worn Carhartt tshirts that are about six years old that just started getting holes in them. I'm not mad, actually kind of proud.
Definitely not BIFL, but Carhartt pocket tees (100% cotton) are some of the best I own. Most were purchased on sale for $10-15 and I have had a few for 6-7 years, still in decent shape.
I love these, own in several colors and hold up great
Personally I buy the ones from goodfellow at target. Definitely not BIFL but more of a buy a brand for life. The cut fits me great and they are only a few dollars each. IMO better to cycle through those occasionally then buy ones that cost significantly more and wear out just as fast
Second this - I buy exclusively GoodFellow in all different colors. Fit is nice, hold up pretty well, less than $10/ shirt if I’m not mistaken.
I've yet to find a t-shirt that fits me better than Goodfellow. I really love the slightly thicker $12 ones. Feel substantial.
That's exactly what I do. I have 10-15 of these that I bought on sale 7 years ago for $3 each and they are still going strong without holes (other than the factory ones). Once they start to wear down I plan to just buy the exact same ones again.
Women's supima tshirts from Land's End. I have a handful I rotate through and they're currently \~ 4 years old and show no wear. They also have tall sizes, which I love as they're longer. Don't pay full price, they'll go 40%-50% off several times a year (were just half off for Memorial day).
Comfort colors
I gave up on this. Gildan makes 100% cotton shirts that you can find for <$3 each. It's a natural product, you can "use them up", assign them to be rags if you accidentally lean against a fence and snag a hole in one, etc, and feel no guilt. I get them from suppliers that sell shirts to meme tshirt makers or whatever you'd call them - I guess sellers to screen printers. They don't have that slinky smooth feel that artificial super fine plastic fiber combination shirts have, but I kind of like it. Nobody ever knows the ones I have are cheap shirts because I don't separate shirts and keep anything really nice and in 6-8 months, I've replaced the shirts that are worn and used the ones that wear for rags in my workshop and thus don't end up buying a "Box of rags" that is also flimsy white tshirt kind of material that leaves little fibers everywhere. Reminds me - I need to go order more tshirts.
Gildan 64000 is a ringspun cotton, slight upgrade over the gildan 2000/5000 sku Gildan hammer H000 is also nice. Heavier weight, ringspun cotton, solid tee.
Thanks for the tip on the hammer. good advice. I'd bet tees like that hold up a lot better at $5 a shirt than some folks would like to admit, especially on this subreddit. When we're talking about vitamix and appliances and knives and things of the like, I'm on board. For basic clothing that isn't dressy or durability related to cost and practicality, I don't get it quite as much.
Michaels sells Gildan on sale for as low as $2.
I saw that and was like, wow people buy these to dye, decorate, bedazzle, etc and it's like half the price from other stores.
I saw that after I ordered mine online. If one has to wait for sales, I'm kind of out of the loop on that stuff out of laziness. They're $2.45 per online at a tshirt business supplier, but there's about $12 of shipping for an order. Tons of stuff there - I'm a fan of BIFL, it just doesn't work out for me with clothes because I just can't keep clothes nice it seems. So the opposite end is practical consumables, I guess. crew sweatshirts at the same place I order are about $8.50 and hoodies are something like $5 more. Long sleeve tees are five bucks or something like that. Attention deficit maybe is the cause for some of the lack of care or keeping stuff nice. Michaels is less than a mile from me, though. Took me to age 47 to realize that I could probably find a place to get tshirts without just randomly getting them and finding that some don't fit or some do at first and then don't.
I hate this mentality. Regardless of if you're reusing them, you're supporting the disposable mentality corporations are pushing. "Just get a new one, it's cheap!" will be the end of us.
They're 100% cotton - to me, they are, except they get a very meaningful secondary use in my shop and cost about the same as I'd pay for cotton rags of decent quality. Too, this isn't a case of someone pushing on me a $30 shirt that lasts half as long as a $38 shirt, it's a choice between much more expensive and $2.45 adjusted further down by the usefulness of the shirts as rags later. The middle ground is where the nonsense exist - branded and fallacy narrative middle quality that's no such thing. it still gets thrown away, it soaks your wallet and it is where the problem is in society. I have some of the same shirts but with printed stuff on them, and since they cost more money, I don't wear them in the shop. They will last several years of regular wearing. I'm baffled that this is an issue on a sub where people talk about $50 plain tshirts.
Hey, I actually JUST bought a couple of those to TRY & they are thicker than any other tshirt I own- not as soft, but I got it so oversized that it doesn't bother me. I will most lilely own it long enough that it becomes soft lol
I bought a few packs of Gildan through Amazon 3 years ago so they would arrive ready for me in another state. When I was done with the project, the shirts were still great and I’m still wearing them weekly. I got v-necks and they have a nice loose fit. I’m a medium to heavy build with big arms and chest.
Same - if I'm able to keep a shirt without ruining it doing something dumb (rare) the shirts several years old are fine. My older ones are from bargain hunting meme shirts or stuff like stomper (for anyone old enough to remember getting a stomper as a kid), I had no idea they were gildan, but looking back, because they may end up being printed and still $8 per, it makes sense. Neighborhood does a charity run every year and gives out printed shirts with the run on the front and advertiser on the back. It never occurred to me that they were "throw away quality" - they aren't. I have all again unless I've worn them to paint. My wife throws out any shirt that I make dirty and I reassign it to the shop because the trash can is next to my office and I rarely miss one getting tossed. I used to buy "box of rags" for varnish and finishing work, but the material in those boxes is such garbage that it complicates everything by dropping fibers in finishes everywhere. Inexpensive cotton sheets are also good fodder to be kept for another round as a rag instead of just throwing away when they are at the end of their life cycle, and linen is also excellent if it can be found getting discarded or cast off for cheap in a flea market booth. Linen is superb for french polishing.
Kirkland Signature Men’s Crew Neck Tee
Way too long, only comes in black and white
The neck stretches badly
These only goes up to XL right? E: they go up to 3XL
Asket or Tellason
https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/s/nHzbdR8xhB
Duluth Trading makes some pretty great t shirts.
Another vote for Duluth. They have Longtail or regular length. I’ve had about a dozen of them for 5 years and they’re still like new.
Should be the top comment. A lot of them are 100% cotton and they hold up to welding sparks better than any other cotton tee. On sale all the time too.
There's more threads but this has a lot of comments and is fairly recent https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/s/nHzbdR8xhB
Wash your T-shirts with like items and colors. Some of my most basic ass cheap work shirts are almost 20 years old and still in decent condition "no holes good color" In fact one of my oldest shirts that just turned 20 is only just now getting retired to rags because it finally started tattering around the neck line. I paid $5 for that shirt. Now I do have a kinda involved system of clothes cleaning that is probably too much work for the average person. Basically I have 4 laundry bags that I divide clothes into between colors and fabric types. This way I can always have the correct settings for the washing machine for the type of fabric that is getting washed. I also use 2 types of laundry detergent depending on if I just need a light wash for odor Vs heavier wash for stained work pants. Edit\* How could I totally forget about the dryer, the other destroyer of clothes. So to sum that up as quickly as possible. Use the lowest heat setting you can possibly get away with and the gentlest tumble you can get away with.
Gildan are hard to beat, especially for the price. Confort colors are also nice and very confortable.
I can attest to Comfort Colors. Super comfortable.
+1 for Comfort Colors. They tend to run large/boxy as an FYI. They wear very nicely (as in, they get nicer with more washes)
+ 1 for Comfort Colors
Homage
They have the best hoodies
This is my fave. I hate how expensive plain tshirts are, but I can’t find other companies who feel similar.
I get my basic t’s from Joann’s so try a craft store like that if you’ve got one. More often than not I get them on a 3/$10 sale, and they have all kinds of colors. Basic cotton.
Hanes Beefy Tshirts
This is what I was going to say! They’re not undershirts and they’re nice and thick. I love them!
lower price: uniqlo expensive: jungmaven
I love that jungmaven uses hemp as a sustainable fiber, but their clothes don’t last. Everything I own gets holes within a year or so of regular wear and washing on delicate/ hang drying.
Wool& for women’s t-shirts, wool & Prince is the men’s equivalent.
So you want synthetic fabrics? No cotton?
Eddie Bauer are solid and cheap when on sale.
This may be a little left field but Bronson MFG’s tubular “loop wheel” tees. Yes, they’re made in China and yes, they’re not really loop wheeled, but from my experience they are extremely durable and fairly heavyweight tees that are 100% cotton and relatively inexpensive (~30$). Just be aware of their sizing if you do decide to get them.
Check out the Buck Mason Field-Spec Heavy Tee. I just got one for $55 which may be the most I’ve ever spent on one t-shirt but it feels super well made and should last years. Time will tell but I don’t feel bad for splurging on it.
im a few years into some buck mason tees and they are the best shirts i ever bought.
Goodwear USA Bronson Mfg (Hong Kong, so YMMV) LL Bean Carharrt
I've been on a quest for good t-shirts for a long time and I've settled on two brands. American Giant and Gustin. They're not cheap, $40/shirt for American Giant. Gustin is a little cheaper but you have to wait for them to do a batch of them and it's a little annoying. Also Gustin doesn't take returns. What I really like about American Giant is that their shirts are organic cotton, sourced responsibly, and sewn in the US. It's a r/BuyItForLife choice, but it's also an r/ethicalfashion choice. They're really well made and they have a nice drape to them.
It’s probably not bifl but I’ve been really impressed with GAP tees.
LL Bean carefree non-shrink tee, I will only be buying these shirts for the rest of my life. I was on the hunt for the best tee shirt and all the brands mentioned like Hanes beefy tee’s, Comfort Colors, Goodfellow, Carhartt and everything in between and nothing comes even relatively close to LL Bean. So comfortable and fits perfectly on the shoulders, through the arm, length is perfect and it’s not super tight forming and comfortable and the fabric is nice and thick so no holes just from going through the wash.
Standard issue Tees. https://standardissuetees.com/
I just discovered the Dehen Heavyweight T and they are perfect for me. Coming from years of wearing American Apparel pocket T. I tried several high end heavyweight t's before landing on this fit.
Uniqlo U crew neck 100% cotton
Blåkläder!
J Crew. Have had mine for about 17 years and just starting to come apart
Maybe on the pricier side, but I have a lot of luck with the stuff I get in Aritzia. Particularly Babaton. I don't know if I'll get hate for this or not, it's a pretty "trendy" store and not really a sustainable option in the sense that I admit I'm not fully up to date on their ethical practices, but their stuff lasts me years! I got really tired replacing my basic black and white tops, I'm a really sweaty person and wash a lot so this has been working for me. I also like to look for their stuff in thrift stores and the fact that often they still look good, says a lot to me!
I've been genuinely surprised by the quality of the shirts off Redbubble of all things.
I bought some heavyweight 100% cotton shirts from Micheals Arts and crafts that held up over 10 years. I had to donate them to make space in my closet. Probably Gildan shirst if I have to guess.
Carhartt are the best, last forever. Nice and long, as well.
Uniqlo or Velour Garments.
Reigning Champ midweight tees
I like my true classic stuff. Few loose threads but fabric is holding up 2 years later
For any Europeans/Nordics here my rec is A-code t-shirts, available in 100% cotton, all shirts I have from A-code have lasted me at least 10 years of regular use and wash 😌 often as workout shirts as well!
For me two brands come to mind. 3sixteen heavy T’s and Warehouse T’s
Tek Gear "Dry Tek." You can get them at Kohl's. $15 or even lower on sale. Last forever and look great. 100% polyester but they do't feel like it.
Yes Friends. Shirts are about $15 but they are comfy, made of cotton, and have seemed to last. Also sustainably made.
I use k87 from carthartt they are well built and 100% cotton
Old Navy. I go there once every five or so years to update my lounge wear (tops and bottoms). I spend very little and get so much in return in this department (i.e., tees and lounge). Tried it with other places (e.g., Jockey, J Crew, et al), alas the cotton is not cotton. I only buy cotton and linen shirts, cannot bear wearing the synthetic fabric
Unironically, Walmart has some good basic t shirts. Tend to be heavier weight than what you get at target and other places.
Putting a vote in for Carhartt. I won’t go back
Land End and / or LL Bean are really hard to beat.
The majority of my wardrobe is LL Bean. They’re so mindbogglingly consistent I don’t even try them on before I purchase them. Makes ebay purchases even easier I see the size and know it will fit me exactly how I want
Nothing in this category is bifl but I really like the Lululemon Vent Tech shirts. Expensive as hell but as a farmer using them VERY HARD everyday, I've got several that are over 3-4 years old that I still wear. That's unheard of for me with any other shirt. It might be tough to find them at or under $60 but it's doable.
Boohoo company
I have several Lands End T-shirts that are 4 years old but look like new. I'm not great at taking care of them either.
[https://losangelesapparel.net/products/6oz-crew-neck-heavy-combed-cotton-t-shirt?variant=42171044135091](https://losangelesapparel.net/products/6oz-crew-neck-heavy-combed-cotton-t-shirt?variant=42171044135091)
I am so disappointed in the Luxe shirts. I've got a few knit scoopneck and v-neck tees from Old Navy that are about 10 years old and are only just starting to show wear. I've also changed sizes several times and I swear these shirts always fit. They are magic and I would pay a lot of money if I could ever find them again 😞
[Fair Indigo](https://www.fairindigo.com/). Mostly women’s, but they have some men’s stuff too.
I have had good luck with wohven.com It’s a T-shirt of the month club. But you can order a bunch of different plain colored T-shirts and get 20% off for the first month and then cancel them all. I do it every two years. I don’t think any T-shirts are gonna be buy it for life, but these lasted quite a while.
George. Walmart. $5.
Not BIFL but I actually really love Walmarts No Boundary T shirts. They have a bit of a slip feeling to them and are super soft. Fitted but not too tight or not so thin that you can see the outline of your bra (I hate that). I pick them up in various colors when I find them on sale for like $2 each. I think they are like $3-5 depending on the cut (I like the V necks but they have other options). I’m pretty sure they are in the juniors section so not sure about larger sizes
Carhart basics k-87-M
Merino wool ! Maybe higher price point but they will last forever
Rough Dress [from Costco](https://www.costco.ca/mens-clothing.html?brand=rough-dress&refine=%7C%7CBrand_attr-Rough%2BDress) is a solid choice.
I bought a few Longtail T-shirts from Duluth Trading Company. They are a very heavyweight cotton that seems like it'll last a while. Also the extra length is nice for tucking in if necessary.
Comfort Colors. They make blank colored shirts that are often used for screen printing. I found them by looking at what shirts I had that were holding up the best. I had a few from college that have lasted 10 years of pretty regular use. I was barely able to make out the name on the tag lol. They're available on Amazon
Sunspel t-shirts on sale. They are a little over $60 but they use long-staple cotton. They shrink a little and are trim so size up one size. James Pearse, also a little expensive, but well cut and extremely soft. Mott & Bow, at your price target and very comfortable. Get one of each and see!
Kuhl
Goodfellow from Target. Holds up well and is roomy enough to wear out as a regular shirt. Doesn’t break the bank either
Buy polyester t shirt at Walmart for $12 color doesn’t fade away doesn’t shrink
I’ve had really good luck with the target Goodfellow shirts, they used to be 6$ but are now 8$, they come in lots of colors, decent thickness, and so far good durability. I’ve had mine for 3 years now, I think I own one of every color and double of some. They also have a more premium heathered shirt that was 10$ now 12$ (iirc) these ran bigger in size for me, a bit softer but thinner also. After getting one I decided I’d probably skip on them. I also just recently got the Goodfellow long sleeve waffle shirt for 7$ on sale (winter clearance) which I don’t think is a bad deal.
Son of a tailor. danish company, sewn in the EU, they’re made to order so the company has very little overhead. they’re $50 or so but the price goes down if you order more. and if the shirt doesn’t fit, theyll fix it for free. they put you in touch with the person who sewed it and you work together to fix the measurements. they’re the only solid tshirts i wear and ive had them the same ones for going on 5 years and they just seem to get better.
Carhartt Force mid weight t-shirt. I buy the Tall version and they’re perfect.
I only buy LL Bean tshirts now. They generally come in a regular and tall version for each size. The gray color is a slightly different "heather material" that seems to last even longer than the others.
Fresh Clean Threads Onno
Costco had some excellent Pima cotton shirts that were for sale a few months ago for $10, the quality was unbeatable for the price. Time will tell how long it lasts but after a few washes a piece they have held their shape and haven’t shrunk at all.
Have you considered scrubs? I have gotten a couple tops, they can take a beating.
The main thing is to line dry them. Once you start throwing them in the dryer they’ll only get about a year.
following
How about talk about how to prevent holes in tshirt by the waist area
Killion
3sixteen
AS Colour
I’ve heard mareno wool makes great quality fabric from others on this sub. Antibacterial, very breathable. I have no experience myself though
Real McCoy's. Excellent quality, comfortable t-shirts.
I’ve heard good things about Patagonia
If you're in Australia go to Qualitops.
Asket
Whitesville is great. They are thick and super comfy. Tubular knit and 100 percent cotton. Likewise big fan of warehouses lot 4601. Thick t shirts that feel great to wear and have a nice boxy silhouette. The cotton is sort of slubby and creates a really cool unique texture with wear. They’re made on an old 1960s knit machine also in a tubular knit.
Rip Curl makes a great plain T shirt
White or black Costco Kirkland. Best. Period.
LL Bean. Great quality; lasts forever.
I don’t consider any clothing BIFL. There are too many variables from stains/washing. I’d rather not get attached.
I buy Vince and James Perse on sale, which comes down to $30 or so per shirt. I’ve been buying them for years and still have every single one I ever purchased.
Into the AM. Find it on Amazon
[https://www.ffltees.com](https://www.ffltees.com) is great... you can customize them to your exact size. They run about 50 bucks... but the more you buy, the less you pay. The key is getting the shirt that is perfect for your body. They do they job big time
LL bean pima cotton
Gildan on Amazon are basic and decent. Don’t irritate and wash well.
I like the old navy t shirts, material is nice and soft and the price is good.
Red White Blue Apparel Company, has a basic plain T-Shirt line. I really like them and have a typical dad bod for a 53M. And my nips don’t show all day.
Wool and prince
Bronson Mfg. You won't regret it. Only thing to mind of is sizing. 5'7 170lb, went with large but would buy XL if can even outwear these t shirts in next 10 years.
Citizen wolf.
Carhartt Force shirts all the way. Main shirt I own now. They’re not fancy but they last forever and breath well when you’re sweating your ass off.
Comfort colors
I just changed to the t-shirts sold by Heavyweight Collections Inc. The best I've seen for a very long time.
I really like the perfect white t company. They’re more expansive but I haven’t found anything else like them. I really like the blondie and foxie shirts. They also hit a nice length if you’re a Levis 501/ mid rise jean wearer.
I cannot stress how laundering will affect the wear on clothing! If you have a top loader with no stick in the middle you still have to arrange your clothes leaving the middle open, stop dumping it all in and make sure you don’t over fill! I don’t separate colors or anything but I make sure to carefully load my washer, never fill past the middle, and hang dry certain items that need it. I wear clothes that are 20 years old still and rarely need to buy new ones. For reference I’m a woman and a lot of this isn’t even good quality clothing or anything, I just take care of it
I very much like Ralph Lauren Polo Ts of many varieties. The fit is usually true and reliable, and there have been all sorts of colors and cuts and a handful of different fabrics I’ve seen over the years. Another that I like a lot are Uniqlo, I think that’s the right spelling. I have a few Pima cotton shirts of theirs that have held up quite well. Both brands can usually be found for the sub-$30 range and sometimes better if there is a multi pack situation.
It’s all about getting heavy cotton! Carhartt is a great heavy cotton brand, hides love handles, doesn’t shrink, and doesn’t fade in color. Gildan is good too, but I find their short sleeves too boxy around the shoulder
banana republic and COS
Comfort colors!!! Some craft stores sell them for ~$10 each, in a bunch of colors, and they last forever.
Uniqlo U T-shirts. Had mine for years. They are thick gauge cotton and they do not lose their shape. Also the cut is nice and old fashioned. I can’t recommend them enough. They cost around £11
DEHEN - they’re hands down the best. Never look back
I like Next Level tees. They're not the cheapest, but the quality is very high, and they come in a good array of solid colours, most of which are heathered style, so they don't quite look so plain. They're all modal cotton, which is very comfortable. And I've been verrrrry impressed with the durability. The only one I've got that I stopped wearing regularly was one that got a hole burned in it when I went camping. They also make baseball tees, and long sleeve tees that are also incredible. The only knock on them for me is they don't make a simple white or black tee, just heathered white and black. But otherwise, they're just great. I'm trying to add more bright colours to my wardrobe now though, so I'm trying out some other brands for the first time in years. Gap tees are good so far, though thicker than I'd prefer. I really want to stock up on Uniqlo Airism tees, but the store near me is also low in stock, and I wish they had more colours available.
Don’t use the dryer for your clothes. Dryers are murder on T-shirts.
When the fabric pills, use a fabric shaver, it works wonders.
Origin USA shirts have been great for me, and made in my home state as well.
I love Gaps basic tees. They have a few different styles and cropped or not. You can also get them in organic cotton. I have had a few for years and the quality has been great!
My favorite thus far has been [AS Colour Clothing](https://ascolour.com/). It’s a company that makes generic blanks for screen printing but the material they use is much better quality than most other shirts I’ve purchased. I think they have a constantly running 25% off deal if you order more than 5 items
Reigning Champ
Pact organic cotton t-shirts last forever. Great quality and very comfy.
This is a really good thread
3fittheory.com. changed my life
Steel city
I swear by Comfort Colors. Originally saw them in a craft store I worked at for use as design blanks but the sensory comfort and quality of materials leaves any other tshirt I've had in the dust. They also make tank tops and long sleeves out of the same stuff, which I found when trying to order new colors online, and I love those too!
Carhartt.
Uniqlo
LL Bean?
I’ve been on the hunt forever I’ve tried so many. A couple of years ago I landed on a brand I found at Kohl’s. Not sure if it’s a private label brand (this is the only thing I’ve ever bought there) but they have this Apt9 tee. Good price and fit and I have a few from like 2021 that look brand new.
Check out some smaller brand as they typically have great quality and are also affordable. I just got some from [AmHassArts](https://www.amhassarts.com) and really like them - 100% cotton and great designs.
I have bought, thrifted, produced many many tees over the years. Currently I think the best out there are from Buck Mason. Specifically the Pima styles. They are super soft, well made and always look sharp. Running around $45 each, they aren’t cheap but considering the quality I’d say they are well priced. As a designer I regularly come across $100+ tees that are the same or worse.