The two things I seem to always “need” and always have my eye open for are tee shirts and jeans. My wardrobe basically consists of both and honestly a really great pair of jeans that fit and a tee-shirt that makes you feel like a million bucks are pretty much the two best things you can own. Since a tee (or a plethora of tees) is a necessity in any closet, buy t-shirts that last is important, in my nerdy fashion opinion at least. Since I already went through the best high, low and medium priced skinny jeans (in a very overly detailed, nerdy way), it really just makes sense to do the same with tee shirts. Since you really don’t have to spend a hundred bucks to get yourself a really great tee-shirt (but you also can if you want), you just have to be able to do the work and hunt down the best at a better price point – and hey looky here, that’s pretty much what I’ve done for you. And just in time for back to school, for you – because you also deserve a few new things.

My personal requirements for THE BEST TEE SHIRT title: A really good cotton or cotton blend. Something that doesn’t pill (you know those annoying little balls that collect on knits?) and something that won’t easily catch and tear. Low on the shrinkage category and of course just a really good fit that doesn’t change after washing (isn’t that just the WORST when that happens?).
*All these brands do a really good basic tee, but they are the best because they do a really great basic and also more fashion-y tees that still fit all my nerdy fashion requirements.

Otherwise called the designer tee, the options are pretty darn vast (clearly I could only break it down to 6). See the thing with high-priced duds is they often automatically get high praise, but to be honest they don’t always deserve it. These 6 brands, are all really great in their own right and are very worth the high-priced praise.

vince ($125) – top-notch fit, that some how fits everyone like a glove — really fantastic all around basic tees that always have a tiny bit of extra style detailing.
james perse ($65) – A really great standard go to for those basic tees. The fit stays just right and the fabric is two thumbs up.
splendid ($85) – They do basic knits, really really well and I have yet to be disappointed in any way with one of their tees.
wilt ($175) – With a price like that I hope they fit and feel as good as they look, personally I haven’t tried one yet – but my the look of their collection  I couldn’t leave them off the list.
stateside ($72) – I really like this tee brand, it’s pretty much everything I wished for in a tee-shirt brand – basics and fashion-y basics all in one place.
monrow ($76) – Another brand I haven’t tried, but I got great reviews from friends so I figure that’s almost as good as one from me.

This is my favorite price point to hang out, when it comes to jeans and yes tees too. I somehow like the challenge of searching for really great things at not so high prices because they do exist (also sales!).

skargorn ($68) – Maybe, probably should have gone with the high-priced guys but it feels just a smidgen under that. This is one of my all time favorite brands, super thick cotton which makes it super durable and even “opps I accidentally thru that in the dryer!” friendly.
urban outfitters ($40) – They have a ton of brands, styles and price points but without a doubt I always leave with a great tee — sometimes it just takes a bit of a look.
aritzia ($40) –  They cover the gambit of style options super well, but you need to really look — I have some tees from here that have lasted me 6 years and some that have lasted just a few months, just depends what you are looking for.

It’s always fun when you find a really great tee, with a super low price tag. Like finding that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, a secret you want to tell everyone but also sorta kinda like keeping it in your back pocket. Like a secret style weapon, well here are all my secrets…when it comes to tee shirts at least.

everlane ($15) – Just make sure you go for the cotton tees (otherwise they don’t wear and tear too well), but as far as fit, fabric and durability go these tees are fantastic and probably your newest favorite.
alternative apparel ($32) – Go to basics that don’t change (for tee shirts, this is always a plus) and more fashion-y style that also have the same fabric (often organic) and awesomeness as the basics.
american eagle ($22) – So what if you’ll be shopping with all the teens, it’s probably even better than you remember it and the tees both fit great and are just super soft to wear.

And for fun, if you are looking for spring/summer tees that aren’t that basic, well we have that too!
Do you have a favorite brand of tees that I didn’t list? Do you have a brand you are wanting to try, after reading my list? And tell me, are you a high, medium or low-priced tee gal?