Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
Fun and extravagant pieces are great and all, but they’re completely useless without some goods basics to set them off. Today we’re exploring the world of long sleeves tees—while they might not be the most exciting garment out there, they’re the base layer for some of the best fits out there.
1) J.Crew: Essential Crewneck
J.Crew is known for their top-notch basics, so it should come as no surprise to see their Essential Crewneck on our list of long-sleeved tees. Available in a wide range of colors and sizes, these tees aren’t standouts in many respects, but they are the style of shirt you’ll find yourself reaching for when you get up in the morning. These cotton tees are made with ribbing at the neck and wrist to help give an ideal fit.
Available for $27 at J.Crew.
2) National Athletic Goods: Long Sleeve Gym Tee
National Athletic Goods’ Long Sleeve Gym Tees are perfect for cold-weather layering, given that they’re made from 7oz. cotton jersey fabric. This material is sourced from Japan and the shirts made in Canada, which ensures the best possible quality. They’re made with v-gusset necklines to help the shirts slip on without stretching out, and flat-lock seams to make sure the shirts are as durable as possible.
Available for $105 at Lost & Found.
3) Veilance: Frame Shirt
If techwear is your thing then it doesn’t get much better than Veilance. But of course, you already know that. Their Frame shirt might not be as exciting as some of their other offerings, but the lightweight and breathable 100% merino wool fabric and gusseted arms really do set these shirts apart from the competition. They’re constructed with wide, almost scooped neck openings, and their wide range of basic colors ensure they can fill any hole in your wardrobe’s basics.
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Available for $200 at Veilance.
4) Uniqlo: Supima Cotton Shirt
Uniqlo is known for making some of the best basics on the market, and the fact that they now offer Supima Cotton Shirts is just that much better. Available in every color you could possibly want, these 100% Supima cotton shirts are some of the most enticing on the market. While they don’t have elasticated cuffs and necks like many of the other tees on this list, that doesn’t make them any less viable for daily tees.
Available for $15 at Uniqlo.
5) wings+horns: Signals Tee
wings+horns Signals Tee are another great option if you’re looking for a more tech-y long-sleeved tee. With Japanese fabric made from a blend of synthetic materials, these lightweight tees offer 4-way stretch and a reinforced collar. They’re made in Canada with freedom sleeves, which imbues these shirts with great flexibility and comfort.
Available for $135 at Division Road.
Plus One — Velva Sheen: Long Sleeve Pocket Tees
Velva Sheen is one of the most well-respected tee shirt makers out there, so it should come as no surprise that they made it onto this list. These particular Long Sleeve Tees are constructed using a heavy 8oz. jersey cotton without side seams, which is only possible due to the tubular knitting of the fabric itself. While this might seem like a small detail, it gives added comfort and causes the shirts to sit better against the body. Each tee is finished with a single chest pocket: the perfect finishing detail.
Available for $75 at Lost & Found.
