Ah, the humble T-shirt. It’s the foundational building block of every guy’s wardrobe. Perhaps your go-to is a plain white tee – hopefully by Uniqlo or Sunspel – or maybe you’re more of a vintage graphic tee kind of person. Either way, it’s probably the silhouette that you wear the most.
Designer t-shirts, though, are a whole different ball game. You may only have a few (if you’re lucky!) that you wear on rotation on special occasions – namely casual birthday parties or low-key date nights. Usually amped up with print or embroidery, logo or otherwise, it’s an investment to wear with confidence for low-effort outfits that flex our fashion knowledge.
Just look to the A-listers acing it on the menswear front - namely Paul Mescal, Justin Bieber, Austin Butler, Frank Ocean, Shawn Mendes or Harry Styles. Each and every one of them has been spotted in a designer tee at one time or another, whether they’re wearing it with a suit on the red carpet or pairing it with tiny short shorts running around London (we’re looking at you Mescal).
Here’s the hard part, though – which brand do you choose to splash your precious pennies on? Whatever you go for has to feel decidedly you. If you’re into a laid-back summer vibe, go for a sunny printed tee by Jacquemus or Bode. If you reside in East London, a cult favourite like Martine Rose may be more your speed. Or, if you’re simply into luxury, it’s Loewe, Celine or Jil Sander which should be at the top of your list.
And, since it’s literally the most versatile wardrobe staple, you can wear them with just about anything. Jeans, work pants, trousers, shorts, trainers, loafers, under a shirt, over a shirt, with a jumper, beneath a jacket… You get the picture. So, though it’s an investment, the amount of wear you’ll get makes it fully worth it. It seems we could learn a thing or two from girl math, after all.
Keep scrolling for the best designer t-shirts for men.
Casablanca Tennis Club T-shirt
The 70s jet-set aesthetic is the starting point for Casablanca’s collections – T-shirts included. Why not jump on this year’s tennis-core train with this retro take from the luxury label?
Buy now £195.00, Flannels
Martine Rose Black T-shirt
Every season, Martine Rose comes through with a fresh range of printed tees, often with tongue-in-cheek illustrations or reimaginations of her logo. Our favourite, though, is the menswear extraordinaire’s signature black design.
Buy now £112.00, Yoox
Bode Discount Taxi Printed Appliquéd Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
Appliqued with recreations of 60s patches, Bode’s tee has a vintage-summer-camp finish à la Troop Beverly Hills. Buy this and the style badge is yours.
Buy now £325.00, Mr. Porter
Jacquemus White Les Sculptures 'Le t-shirt Cuadro' T-Shirt
Somehow, Jacquemus’ founder Simon Porte Jacquemus manages to capture the optimism and joy of the sunny season in his illustrations each and every time. And this T-shirt is a case in point.
Buy now £178.00, SSENSE
Ami De Coeur T-Shirt
Anything adorned with the Ami De Coeur logo gets a yes from us. From the heavyweight cotton to the relaxed fit to the sleeves that sit just right, this T-shirt feels expensive – we want it in every colour.
Buy now £150.00, Ami
SCRT American Psycho Embroidery T-Shirt - Black
If you’re into cult classic movies, SCRT is the brand you need on your radar. With illustrations inspired by everything from Lost in Translation to American Psycho as well as Clockwork Orange, the brand is every film buff’s dream.
Buy now £50.00, SCRT
Jil Sander Logo-Printed Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
As you’ve probably seen all over TikTok, this year’s hyped-up logo tee is by Jil Sander. In a simple black and white, this will work with nearly any fit you put together.
Buy now £330.00, Mr. Porter
JW Anderson Anchor Patch T-shirt
Every guy needs a solid navy T-shirt in their wardrobe – and the fact that this one features JW Anderson’s anchor patch makes it even better.
Buy now £100.00, Liberty
Aries Temple Short Sleeve T-Shirt
A good entry-level designer tee, Aries’ signature is one that’s both affordable and coveted. Better yet, it’s cut to a slightly cropped fit using a weighty cotton so it looks much more expensive than its £65 price point.
Buy now £65.00, Flannels
Loewe Logo-Embroidered Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
A T-shirt you’re bound to see on the fashion circuit, Loewe is loved by celebs and editors alike. Available in five colourways, the hardest decision you’ll make today is choosing which you want most.
Buy now £350.00, Mr. Porter
Garbstore & Honda T-shirt Navy
West London boutique Couverture & The Garbstore have collaborated with Honda on a collection of motocross-inspired T-shirts – and we’re into it. Now all you need is the bike to match.
Buy now £49.00, Garbstore
Celine Logo-Embroidered Striped Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
Though most of Celine’s tees are minimal – simply featuring the iconic sans-serif typeface – this one takes it up a notch with a multicoloured stripe and the embroidered ‘triomph’ logo.
Buy now £485.00, Mr. Porter
