10 Best Plain Black T-Shirts for Men

Merino is one of my favorite fabrics, and it should be one of yours, too. It’s naturally anti-microbial and anti-odor, it’s durable, it’s made to move with you and it does a standout job when incorporated into everything from T-shirts to boxer briefs.

The good folks at Huckberry have done wonders with this merino tee from in-house brand Proof, which you really can wear for 72 hours straight (they should know – that’s how they tested it). The tailored fit and sharp black color makes for an ideal base layer or a straightforward tee on its own.

The great thing about the best plain black T-shirts, in my experience, is their variety and versatility. The right plain black tee, like this one from my personal favorite, Fresh Clean Threads, wears well with just about anything you can dream up, and the fit bolsters your arms, shoulders and chest.

There are a few subtle ways the best plain black T-shirts stand out from the pack, as simple as their color scheme might be. Buck Mason, a favorite brand of mine, knows how to nail those small details in expert fashion, like using a curved hem for a flattering fit on all body types.

The use of slub cotton–for summer-friendly softness–plays nicely with a classic fit, another flattering detail on guys everywhere.

The little details really do make the difference when it comes to the best T-shirts on the market, specifically the right cut of the tee itself and the proper fabric.

I’ve found that Flint and Tinder gets these details right in every way possible, especially the soft, vintage-inspired slub cotton material and the eye-catching chest pocket.

It makes perfect sense, when you think about it, that a brand that specializes in USA-made henleys would also deliver the perfect black T-shirt for a nice change of stylistic pace.

Natural stretch organic cotton makes all the difference here, providing both durability and comfort in the summer heat. The raw hem and unfinished sleeves are also cool visual touches–roll those sleeves to show off your hard work in the gym.

If you can trust any brand to make basics that really shine, it’s British heritage outfitter Sunspel. You might recognize the brand’s tees and polos as worn by one James Bond, so it’s no wonder that they’ve had a breezy time making one of the best plain black T-shirts for men.

Using 100 percent cotton and a just-right fit, it’s high time you picked up at least one essential black tee from a revered English clothier.

It’s hard to go wrong with the classics, and Hanes knows a thing or two about making ‘em the right way at fair prices.

Its aptly named Beefy T-Shirt is designed to stand up to repeat wear while holding its shape and offering a flattering fit – whether worn with jeans, chino shorts or hybrid shorts.

DUER’s aptly named take on the black T-shirt has been engineered to deliver on both style and performance quite handily, and in a rather impressive manner. Pima cotton blends with nylon and durable TENCEL for a solid amount of stretch, moisture-wicking capabilities and breathability, all at once.

The fit is tailored enough to rock as a base layer, but flattering enough to wear all on its own, if you prefer. And the sub-$50 price tag isn’t half-bad for a performance tee, either.

When done the right way, wearing a plain black T-shirt can convey an edgy sense of style, as with this crew neck from luxury-leaning brand James Perse.

Minimal though it might seem, a well-fitting black tee can look sleek and classic with dark blue jeans & broken-in tan leather boots, or it can wear nicely underneath a black denim jacket with light wash jeans–and black Chelsea boots–for a bit of rock n’roll style on a Saturday night.

I’ve found that the best black T-shirts function expertly if you want a solid, reliable basic you can throw on at a moment’s notice, whether dashing out on a weekend trip or layering beneath a denim jacket.

Roark’s sustainable organic cotton tee can do both those things, and then some.