For decades I’ve worn inexpensive, cotton-poly blend V-neck T-shirts made in one developing country or another. But there comes a time in every man’s life when he needs to own some nice T-shirts, and for me that time has come. For one thing, I needed crew necks, which look much nicer under a blazer or cardigan, or by itself. I also wanted high-quality T-shirts made in the USA, supporting companies devoted to creating American jobs. So I embarked on a search to find the best American-made T-shirts, perusing many websites until I decided to buy styles from four of the most appealing brands, which I tested and ranked below.
If you love American craftsmanship as much as I do, explore more U.S.-made options on our American-Made Apparel page.
Notes on restrictions for my Best American-Made T-Shirt contest:
- I’ve never spent more than $40 on a T-shirt before, so I kept the budget below $60 per tee.
- I don’t like long T-shirts. It’s annoying when a T-shirt sticks out beneath a sweater or button-up, and I prefer not to tuck in. So if I saw a company’s website pictures showing a model holding up a bunched T-shirt or the shirt covering their butt, it was a pass.
- I only considered 100% made in America tees, from growing the cotton to the spinning to the cutting to the sewing. So I did not include several companies that use imported cotton to make a shirt in the USA.
1. Imogene + Willie
The Cotton Project Tee in Faded Black
$56 each, or a 2-pack for $98
Medium
The first company I tried was Imogene + Willie. They’re out of Nashville, with a store there and in Austin, Texas. Having a Southern-hip aesthetic, all of their clothes are 100% made in the USA. The cotton for this Cotton Project shirt was grown on their farm in nearby Alabama, and is 100% organic regenerative cotton—unlike most companies, or even other shirts from Imogene + Willie, they can precisely trace where the cotton for this tee comes from. So if sustainability is your thing, this is the brand and style for you.
For being fully cotton (compared to a blend), the Cotton Project tee is very soft and feels nice and light—it’s 6 oz. The neckline is wide and strong, looking nice and fancy under a blazer, cardigan, or my Devium trucker jacket. The color is a true vintage black, unlike some other brand’s so-called vintage black, which turn out to be more of a bland brownish-gray. The length of the Cotton Project tee is shorter than most tees, which for me is perfect, hitting just below my waistline.
If there’s a flaw, it’s that the cut slightly flares at the bottom. It’s not necessarily boxy (they offer a Faded Black Box Crew for anyone interested), but a bit billowy—from the back, it looks wide at the hem. It’s a unisex tee, so perhaps this cut was designed with ladies in mind, as it gestures toward a cropped cut. This may be the look that hipster dudes in Nashville, Austin, or Brooklyn want, but it’s not ideal for me. In any case, it’s not a deal breaker, as it’s barely noticeable.
Classic Knit Heather Gray Crew
Medium — $56
Good thing I also ordered Imogene + Willie’s Classic Knit Heather Gray Crew. Because this is a dream of a T-shirt. A blend of cotton, poly, and rayon, it’s luxuriously soft. It’s a bit stretchy too, which makes it extra comfortable. I love how it feels on my skin. It’s an inch longer than the Cotton Project Tee, but still hits just right, without being too long. The shoulders are slightly snug, so perhaps size up if you’re between sizes. I like the solid, wide neckline, which also looks great under a blazer, cardigan, or jacket—just as I hoped.
This is truly an ideal tee. The only problem is that it only comes in heather gray. If Imogene + Willie made these in black and white, I’d buy them up. Even so, I’ll likely buy more, because it’s always good to have a few heather gray tees on hand. I friggin’ love this tee!
2. American Giant
Premium Slub Crew Tee
Medium — $65 each, or bundle three for 20% off
The second company I tried was San Francisco-based American Giant, which is, well, giant. They’ve been around a while, have received widespread acclaim, and have many tee options with more colors and styles than other companies. In addition to the Premium Slub in Black, I also ordered colors in Bone and Lemon Pepper; I also had my eye on their V-neck options for when I need to replace my inexpensive V’s. Overall, they have a no-frills Everyman’s aesthetic, for a classic but low-key look.
Their Premium Slub is sturdy, made with cotton grown in South Carolina and sewn in Los Angeles. I don’t love the term “slub,” but apparently it’s a thing now—it refers to variations in the yarn that give a fabric texture, like jersey cotton. Though the shirt is tough, it’s still soft—just not as soft as the others I tried. The black color is deep, giving a sharp look.
But I had a problem with sizing. Reading that American Giant shirts run large, I initially bought size small. It was the right length for me, but way too snug on my shoulders and arms. So I exchanged it for a medium—American Giant made the exchange easy. Unfortunately, though the medium fit perfectly on my chest and shoulders, it was way too long. Both sizes were a bust. Someone with a different body type or style preference might find American Giant good for them, however.
3. Rowan
Noah Standard Tee in Black
$55 each, or bundle three for $135 ($30 off)
Small
The third company I tried was Rowan, which also operates out of California. The company is named after the founder’s son, and though they’re committed to legacy and superior quality, not all of their clothes are made in the USA. From all the brands I tried for this contest, I think Rowan’s material is the overall best—it’s super soft while also sturdy and solid. The Rowan shirts have a rustic, West Coast-chic look.
I chose to start with their Noah Standard Tee, as it is both less expensive and a medium weight balance compared to their Asher (lighter) and their 1955 Asher (heavier). The Noah is 100% cotton jersey and made in Los Angeles. The material is slightly softer than American Giant’s Slub Crew yet retains a sturdy thickness and serious quality of spin.
Despite liking the vibe of the company, there were a few things off about the Noah tee. Though the shirt fit well around my shoulders and chest, the sleeves were snug around my arms, hugging my biceps as if I were a bodybuilder. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but noticeable. I also didn’t love the double-stitch neckline—it felt a little too prominent. Still, the black and white versions looked clean and well-made.
4. Buck Mason
Pima Classic Tee
White — $48
The fourth company I tried was Buck Mason, and I had the highest of hopes for them. The California company has made a stellar reputation for creating iconic, long-lasting clothes with the sophisticated look of a gentleman traveler. Only their T-shirts are made in the USA, with their other apparel made abroad.
I was excited for the Pima Classic Tee because they offer a short version, reducing the length by an inch and a half. The medium fit me perfectly—it came down to the top of my fly and didn’t stick out under a jacket. The Supima cotton is soft and pre-washed for a lived-in feel.
However, the material was so thin it was slightly transparent—a deal breaker for wearing on its own. Compared with the Rowan Noah tee in white, the Buck Mason Pima Classic even seemed a bit flimsy. This issue likely wouldn’t exist with darker colors, but those were sold out.
Toughknit Classic Tee in Vintage Black
Medium — $62
In addition to the Pima, I tried Buck Mason’s Toughknit Classic Tee in vintage black. Now this is an exceptional T-shirt. Made of USA-grown cotton, it’s thicker and sturdier than the Pima Classic. The fit is great—slightly snug around the shoulders but not tight. It’s double-washed, so there shouldn’t be shrinkage. The neckline is strong, and the vintage black color looks sharp under a blazer or trucker jacket.
Overall Rating
-
Classic Knit Heather Gray Crew by Imogene + Willie
It’s almost unfair, because the cotton-poly-rayon blend is softer than cotton itself. But this one was hands down the winner. -
Toughknit Classic Tee by Buck Mason
Solid, soft, and the best overall fit. -
The Cotton Project Tee by Imogene + Willie
Slightly boxy cut, but great material and sustainability. -
Noah Standard Tee by Rowan
Excellent fabric, but sleeves too snug. -
Premium Slub Crew Tee by American Giant
Great build, but fit issues. -
Pima Classic Tee by Buck Mason
Too transparent in white.
Final Thoughts
From this experience, I’ve learned that you really have to try on shirts to know if they’re right for you. Before starting this contest, I figured I’d order several tees and they’d all be perfect—but most had small flaws that made them unwearable for me.
Preference is personal. Some guys might like the longer shirts I don’t, or prefer tightness where I prefer looseness. For anyone in apparel design: offer different lengths. Nearly every website shows a model who’s 6’1” wearing a medium. But most men aren’t 6’1” and skinny. The average American male is 5’9”, which means most guys need shorter-length shirts than models wear.
So, shirt makers, take heed—design your shirts for your customers, not your models.
