Dappered | 20 of the best T-shirts for Men – Summer 2021

[Dappered | 20 of the best T-shirts for Men – Summer 2021]() --------------------------------------------------------------- - [20 of the best T-shirts for Men – Summer 2021](#1) - [Style Scenario: Shorts Sneakers T-Shirt – Trailhead Edition](#2) - [Style Scenario: It Got Hot (Smart Casual)](#3) [20 of the best T-shirts for Men – Summer 2021](r/Dappered/~3/UEScN2zlQsI/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email) Posted: 07 Jul 2021 03:00 AM PDT Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head [here]( to learn more. T-shirts can be a lot like jeans or [polos](. It’s weirdly difficult to find ones in timeless fits, good fabrics, and avoid of any sort of crazy logos. But there are some (really) good ones out there! Here’s what we think are the best of the best when it comes to men’s tees for 2021, in a variety of fabrics and across different levels of affordability. If you’ve got a tip on a favorite t-shirt? Send those into joe@dappered.com. [Huckberry Made in the USA “Forty Five” Supima Crew Tee – $35]( Made in the USA is tough to do these days. From Huckberry’s in-house “45” brand. Fit is great. Fabric is great. Leans vintage-y but doesn’t look ratty or worn out. One thing that might be a deal breaker for some is the collar and how it sorta “bacon waves” a bit, as shown above. Adds character for some, a deal breaker for others that want something more polished. Want to save a few bucks? Buy three and they’ll charge you $95 (that’s $31.67 per tee) AND they’ll ship for free. Size shown above is a medium on Joe who is 5’10″/185. [Huckberry Made in the USA “Forty Five” Slub Tees – $35]( Annnd the slub options. Available in either [straight hem w/ a pocket](, or [the pocketless curved hem shown above](. Nice and lightweight without feeling thin. Slub is there, but not so aggressive that some areas are thick and others are almost see-through. Variation to the depth of the fabric (that’s what slub is), but not over the top. Size shown here is a medium on 5’10″/195. [Old Navy Go-Dry Cool Odor-Control Printed Core Tee for Men – $12]( It’s soft, it’s a tech tee for sure, but there’s really not any significant amount of stretch. That’s the one surprise. Sure is cheap though! Great for wearing around, but for working out in? Not sure about that, since it might not flex as you, uh, flex. Size shown above is a medium on 5’10″/185. [J. Crew Slub jersey T-shirt in deck stripe – $36.50](//www.jcrew.com/p/mens_feature/newarrivals2/justin/slub-jersey-tshirt-in-deck-stripe/AH885?color_name=navy-deck-stripe) //www.jcrew.com/p/mens_feature/newarrivals2/justin/slub-jersey-tshirt-in-deck-stripe/AH885?color_name=navy-deck-stripe Lightly slubbed. Enough so that you barely notice that slight (very slight) variation in texture. Goes with everything. Looks terrific layered under a lightweight merino cardigan. And the slub jersey fabric is a really nice point of differentiation. Classic fit only here. No slims. Sure do wish they made slims. Size shown here is a large in that classic fit on 5’10” / 185. [J. Crew Slim Broken-in pocket crewneck T-shirt – $34.50]( A pocket t-shirt, but it really does feel nicely upgraded. Super smooth 100% cotton jersey that’s been washed but doesn’t look washed out. Size shown above is a large slim. Spendy without a promo or code. [Target Goodfellow Regular Fit Micro-Stripe Jersey Tee – $9.99]( [Goodfellow and Co. Regular Fit Short Sleeve Crew Neck Novelty Jersey Tee in Teal]( On the product page, it just looks like your run-of-the-mill marled/heathered tee. Not so. It’s a [fantastically detailed, subtle stripe pattern](, with lots of visual interest and color variation that dress it up more than a flat-color tee. 60% cotton, 40% poly blend. Nice and soft. Size shown above is a small on Ryan, who is 5’7″/155. [Bonobos Jetsetter Performance Tee – $49]( If you’re a Bonobos devotee, this is the tee to get from the brand, but good grief it’s expensive. You really need to be a loyalist to justify buying this over another option in this round-up. This Jetsetter version is intended to be an upscale, more polished tee for the summer, and while I recognize the fabric here is “premium,” owing to the 50% drydex/50% pima cotton blend, it’s really hard to say this is worth nearly[$50 for a tee shirt.]( Is it great? It’s great! Better than your average tees. But not worth the price of admission. Pictured above in the now sold out “lotus pink” color. Size is a large slim fit on Jason, who is 5’7″/175. [Target Goodfellow & Co Lyndale Standard Fit Tee – $6]( ***BEST IN SHOW CHEAP*** And now, the polar opposite in terms of price. SIX DOLLARS. Wow. T-shirts are the definition of a basic, a staple, but six bucks? That’s really something. Target to the rescue! Goodfellow & Co has produced possibly the best bargain this summer in the Lyndale tee. Standard, classic fit and a quality exceeding the price point. A no-brainer buy at $6, and the best value pick of this entire lot. Buy 8 (!) of these instead of ONE of the Bonobos Jetsetter tees. Excellent color on this shade of green, too. Shown above is a large on 5’7″/175. [Huckberry PROOF 72-hour Merino Tees – $72]( Sweet merino goodness! But that means… money. Yet PROOF (another Huckberry exclusive brand) claims that you can wear one of these for three days straight and it won’t stink or feel nasty. Thus the magic of lightweight merino wool. 87% 16.5 micron merino wool, 13% nylon. Ten different shades to pick from. Machine washable. [Lululemon Metal Vent Tech 2.0 Tee – $78]( Lululemon’s metal vent tech fabric might just be the standard bearer for tech-wear across the athletic clothing industry. It’s lightweight, it moves great, it fights stink, and it breathes and wicks like crazy. It’s just crazy-expensive. Raglan sleeves for ease of movement. Smart perforations provide extra breathability, yet still blend in with the rest of the fabric. The one drawback (aside from price) is the collar. It seems a little larger than some may prefer. It’s not slouchy, but it’s not as structured as some other options. Size shown above is a large on 5’10″/185. [Abercrombie & Fitch Airknit Curved Hem Crew Tee – $12.50 – $25]( [Airknit Curved Hem Crew Tee in Light Heather Blue]( Not quite a basic crew tee, yet it doesn’t feel or look like a dedicated workout/weight lifting shirt either. One of those in-between items, which is precisely what a lot of brands are going for these days ([ahem]() to try and replicate the success of [Lululemon](. Made from their “airknit” material and comprised of 88% polyester and 12% elastane. The slim fit and overall softness is a win for something with a modern cut. Being that this is a curved hem vs straight hem of traditional tees, it’s more of a style that the “younger kids” are going for, yet not exaggerated like some street brands are styled. Surprisingly, just like most of [the rest of Abercrombie & Fitch’s 96 hours collection](, there isn’t any branding or logos present. Five different colors to pick from. Some colors are on sale, some are still pegged at full price. Size shown above is a medium on Paul who is 5’10 / 175 lbs. [Rhone Delta Pique Notch Tees – $39]( FINAL ($78) For those that understandably love [the Rhone Delta Pique tech polos](. Same fabric here, only in a t-shirt shape with a not-too-deep (thank goodness) slight contrasting notch at the neck. Size shown above is a medium on 5’10″/185. [Under Armour MK-1 Tech Tees – $22.99 – $26.97]( ($30 – $35) Gets mentioned a lot for workout reasons, and for good reason. From their “Fitted” line. Not loose, but not compression tight. In-between. Fabric has good stretch and terrific breathability. A step above basic tech-tees. Getting a bit tough to find in terms of size and color selection. (Couldn’t even get my hands on a new one for this post!) Does seem to run longer than an average t-shirt, but that’s not unusual for workout gear. [Bonobos Soft Everyday Tee – $29]( A really nice, naturally draping, unstructured tee. Truly a tee that matches the moniker: a very soft, comfortable tee to wear every day without sacrificing durability. Available in both slim fit and standard fit, and most guys should find the slim fit to have enough room in the chest and a welcomed taper to provide a soft and well-mannered tee for the summer. For broader guys, consider choosing the standard fit option. One minor quirk that might influence your decision – the collar around the neck is thinner than your average tee, creating a larger opening. It leans a bit trendy, but could be not a favorite for others. Keep that in mind before buying, especially if you prefer a closer fit. Shown in a Large slim fit on Jason, who’s 5’7″/175. [StringKing Made in the USA Custom Pocket Tee – $26.99]( Never thought I’d turn to a company that was founded to create Lacrosse gear (hence the “string” part of their name referencing the nets on the end of Lacrosse sticks) for USA made, super soft, custom made t-shirts. But that’s what we have here. Weirdly one of the most comfortable t-shirts I’ve ever worn. You answer a few questions about your dimensions, you turn it over to their algorithms and their database of thousands of body scans, and they send you a made in Los Angeles t-shirt. [Wills Made in Portugal Finespun Tee – $42]( ***BEST IN SHOW SPENDY*** If a “Dressed up” tee can exist, this would be it. But it’ll look just fine with shorts and sneakers too. Spendy, but if you’re looking for a t-shirt with a bit of luxe, this could be it. Mercerized cotton with a cotton-spandex collar that is super smooth and crazy comfortable. Impressive. But you’ll pay for it. Also available in navy or gray. Size shown above is a medium on 5’10″/185. [Icebreaker 87% merino wool, 13% nylon Tech Lite Natural Performance T-Shirt – $75]( [IceBreaker tees]( Enormous fan of merino tees, with Icebreaker as a brand certainly excelling in this space. One possible drawback… I’ve personally experienced some wrinkling “bacon neck” on the collars. Not sure why. Most of the time I just put it on, don’t notice any further, and I’m on my way. But if that sorta thing really bugs you, know it could (read: COULD) be a risk. [Target All in Motion Performance Tee – $12]( Target’s All in Motion lineup [debuted at the top of 2020](, right before the pandemic hit, and was a hit with our guy Ryan. This year’s crop of the performance tee is a bit of a miss, in Jason’s opinion. It comes down to how you like your gym wear to, well, wear. This tee is very loose, with a very large neck opening – nice if you want that extra bit of freedom, less than ideal if you prefer a closer, more secure fit. The fabric touches on the benchmark tech tee traits – moisture wicking, odor resistant, quick drying, and flat seams all in the name of no-nonsense performance. And in that regard, they do the trick. Shame about the fit, though. [Huckberry Made in the USA Forty Five Textured Tee – $35]( One last t-shirt from 45, being that they’re making their stuff stateside and that’ll appeal to plenty. Gonna say these are the sneaky winner of that trio. Why? Couple of reasons. The collar is great. Not flimsy. Not tight. Not droopy. Perfect and smooth. Body has some texture, but really quite soft. 60% cotton / 40% poly. Fit is spot on. Not tight, not blooming out. Speckled/heathered look to the fabric. Not as lightweight as the slub or supima options, but not a hanes beefy tee either. Fabric has a little bit of depth and squish, but not spongey. All of the 45 tees are pretty impressive, and I’m thinking most will gravitate to the supima or slub options. And those are more than fine, but this one really feels like the winner. [Banana Republic Authentic Supima Crew-Neck T-Shirt – $25ish]( ($34.50) [Banana Republic Authentic Supima Crew-Neck T-Shirt]( ***BEST IN SHOW OVERALL*** A new favorite. These are terrific. All pima cotton in a tight weave leaves the fabric and the wearer feeling (I think the word is) “crisp.” This is NOT some wispy tri-blend, slub, or overly squishy/smushy feeling tee. But it’s not a heavyweight beefy tee either. Just right. Pocket at the chest and vented seams are nice visual touches. Shown above is a machine washed and dried Medium on 5’10″/190, in the “sidewalk gray”. Didn’t seem to shrink for me in the wash. Apologies for the slight wrinkling. Sat in the dryer overnight. It’s actually pretty smooth in person/not in harsh direct sun. Bottom line: BR’s got a real winner on their hands here. We miss something? Send us your tips for great t-shirts (or frankly, anything else) to joe@dappered.com. ff/Dappered?a=UEScN2zlQsI:Pc6KAp8pfYc:yIl2AUoC8zA ff/Dappered?a=UEScN2zlQsI:Pc6KAp8pfYc:qj6IDK7rITs ff/Dappered?a=UEScN2zlQsI:Pc6KAp8pfYc:gIN9vFwOqvQ [Style Scenario: Shorts Sneakers T-Shirt – Trailhead Edition](r/Dappered/~3/Fmt8SBScU_k/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email) Posted: 06 Jul 2021 02:00 PM PDT Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head [here]( to learn more. [Shorts Sneakers T-Shirt]( is a riff on our series for [Chinos, Chukkas, Polo](. Incredibly basic? You bet. So basic that you’d almost think this is satire (it’s not… I don’t think). But crazy designer logo tees, grubby cargo shorts, and [mattress/sneaker hybrids]( (snatresses!) can all push this seemingly basic combo off the rails. There’s a million ways to do it and look sharp, and it can be executed at all levels of style budgets. Below are picks to maximize your summer athleisure look, with an eye on functionality, not just form. Got a suggestion for Shorts Sneakers T-Shirts? Send those into joe@dappered.com. [Style Scenario: Shorts Sneakers Tee Trailhead] The T-Shirt: [Under Armour Tech Tee in Navy – $25](. Or whatever your go-to tech tee is, but not all are the same. Under Armour is possibly THE Godfather of the tech tee movement, and what former CEO Kevin Plank founded the business upon. Lightweight. Breathable. Fit is from their “looser” line, so if you’re between sizes, size down. The Sneakers: [Danner Overlook Knit Sneaker in Black – $170](. The hybrid trail sneaker is quite trendy this summer, as more folks hit the outdoors after extended time inside. These work well transitioning from hardcore hiking boot to running errands around town or popping into your local shop to grab a coffee. Knit construction lets your tired feet breathe, and these will work well for more leisurely strolls on hard-packed trails in town parks with their Vibram soles. Just don’t effort a substantial hike in these – there’s just not nearly enough support. But, the series is called “shorts sneakers tee”, so, here be some sneaker leaning (heavily leaning) trail kicks. The Shorts: [Patagonia Nine Trails 8″ Shorts in Grey – $65](. A true do-it-all reliable summer fitness short. Patagonia packed these with features for the gym, the park, and around town. Zippered pockets keep your valuables secure, and a stretch liner keeps your….valuables secure. Water repellant and moisture-wicking fabric keeps you dry and is lightweight for high temperatures. These are my go-to hiking shorts AND travel shorts. Recently on a road trip, I spilled a bottle of water on them while stopping for lunch. Gonna be damp and uncomfortable for a bit in the car right? Nope. The liquid beaded off the shorts. Nifty. The Sunglasses: [Huckberry Polarized Weekenders in Tortoise – $45](.  A bargain buy from the minds at Huckberry. Classic casual styling in a cost efficient polarized package. And, in the event you lose them at a barbecue, on the lake, on the trails, or otherwise, you won’t be too upset given the low cost. The Liquid Vessel: [Yeti 16 oz Rambler in Aquifer Blue – $25](. For a pre or post sip (drink water, [lots of water]( on the trail). Avoid single-use plastics, and get an insulated bottle or thermos like this slick teal blue Yeti pint and keep plastics out of streams. An investment, but you’ll use it forever. 16 ounce version pictured above and linked here, but also available in [a variety of other styles]( to fit your drinking needs. The Watch: [Fitbit Charge 4 – $128](. It’s not often I ([the Jason guy]() suggest a tech-forward timepiece instead of a dive watch or cheap Casio rubber watch in a casual scenario, but if you’re moving and grooving it’s encouraging to know how long and far you’ve been trekking, as well as your heart rate and overall performance. The Fitbit Charge 4 offers all that in a sleek and well-designed package. The Socks: [Darn Tough Darn Tough Hiker 1/4 Cushion Sock – $18.95](. They’re quite literally Darn Tough’s “Hiker” sock. Quarter height protects your achilles whereas a no-show wouldn’t. Made in the USA. Extremely well reviewed, because they’re kinda the industry standard. BONUS: [Tick Twister Set – $8](. Stay vigilant in checking for ticks after hikes, walks in the woods, and even picnics in an open field. Ticks are nasty things, and your initial reaction might be to rush to rip it off you, but that can leave behind pieces of their body stuck in your skin. Instead, keeping one of these small twisters in your pocket when you’re out in the wild will allow you to safely remove them from you – or your pet – with limited resistance and breakage. About the Author: Jason P. spends his days working in the creative marketing department of a big telecom company. He also does a bit of real estate investing on the side. He believes in curating a timeless, classic wardrobe with subtle modern touches for today. He and his wife love hiking with their dog and shopping at local small businesses and antique stores when they travel. Jason is a practitioner of muay thai and traditional boxing, and his favorite drink is a hoppy New England IPA ff/Dappered?a=Fmt8SBScU_k:tiduluqIDDA:yIl2AUoC8zA ff/Dappered?a=Fmt8SBScU_k:tiduluqIDDA:qj6IDK7rITs ff/Dappered?a=Fmt8SBScU_k:tiduluqIDDA:gIN9vFwOqvQ [Style Scenario: It Got Hot (Smart Casual)](r/Dappered/~3/T8_2HfK0Tn4/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email) Posted: 06 Jul 2021 08:00 AM PDT Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head [here]( to learn more. What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. Summer is here, and while it’s totally understandable to revert back to the elastic waists of 2020 in the hot hot heat of 2021, throwing a “[I dressed up for the hell of it](” twist in a few times a week (or, I dunno… once?) can do wonders for your self-confidence. Here’s one contemporary way to do a smart look that also has some elements of being slightly dressed down and relaxed. It is summer after all. [Style Scenario: It Got Hot Smart Casual 2021] The Sportcoat: [Bonobos Unconstructed Italian Wool in Light Gray – $400](. Was just 30% off over the long weekend. The champ for dressing up a bit when it’s freaking hot out. Airy, lightweight, Italian hopsack wool. No structure. Barely any lining whatsoever. Spendy, but worth it. A linen or linen blend (like what’s shown at the top of the post) would work here too, but those are oddly hard to find this summer. Must be supply chain stuff. Again. The Pants: [Banana Republic Core Temp Chinos in Navy – $58.80]( ($98). The “goldilocks” chino. Has great properties of a tech-style chino thanks to their “core temp” technology, but they’re still mainly cotton so they look, feel, and sound more like a traditional chino than other tech pants. Slim fit here. Cardmembers can knock an additional 20% off with the code BRCARD20 through 7/7/21. The Shirt: [Charles Tyrwhitt Slim Fit Non-Iron Poplin – $40ish when on sale](//www.ctshirts.com/us/non-iron-poplin-shirt---sky/FON0216SKY.html?). Or whatever your favorite light blue dress shirt happens to be. Just make sure it has a good collar that looks good without a tie. No major spread collars here. Those can look a bit odd minus a necktie. [Ledbury]( would be a great play, albeit super spendy. A polo could also work here, as long as it also has a good collar, which won’t pancake down or flop over the lapels. Heck, even a t-shirt could work. The Sunglasses: [Sunski Yubas in Cola/Slate – $58](. Polarized. Gray slate lenses with 9% light transmission. Translucent “cola” frame is on-trend without diving fully into the crystal clear frames territory. The Watch: [Timex Marlin Hand-Wound California Dial 34mm in Green/White – $199](. Well that’s new. And fun. The Belt: [Banana Republic Bombay Suede Belt in Mahogany Brown – $35.70]( ($59.50). Suede for summer. Affordable here. Part of BR’s long weekend sale. If you’re a cardmember, you can take an additional 20% off with BRCARD20. The Shoes: [Nike Air Jordan 1 Centre Court Sneaker in White – $135](. Any clean white sneaker would do here, but that wrap around wings detail is really, really hard not to like. Sizes are scattered at post time. Ships and returns free via Nordstrom. Want a splash of color? [The yellow accent option]( is mostly in stock, and could be fun here. The Bag: [Tumi Alpha Bravo Aviano Slim Briefcase – $196.50]( ($395). Gets mentioned a lot because it walks the line between professional, and not too rigid/full leather attache case. And that’s hard to do these days. On sale at Nordstrom Rack. ff/Dappered?a=T8_2HfK0Tn4:uegHLMdUFtQ:yIl2AUoC8zA ff/Dappered?a=T8_2HfK0Tn4:uegHLMdUFtQ:qj6IDK7rITs ff/Dappered?a=T8_2HfK0Tn4:uegHLMdUFtQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ You are subscribed to email updates from [Dappered Style Mail](). To stop receiving these emails, you may [unsubscribe now](. Email delivery powered by Google Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States