From oversized silhouettes to graphic motifs, what to look for when considering a new tee.


Everything you need to know when considering a new T-shirt.

A foundational building block of any wardrobe, the <a href="https://www.goat.com/apparel/tops">T-shirt</a> is a ubiquitous cultural icon that transcends time and trends. Whether it’s a graphic statement piece or a pragmatic underlayer, there are certain aspects to consider when choosing the right tee—from the materials and knit to the seams, silhouette, hem, neckline and length.&nbsp;
The T-shape that gives the T-shirt its name dates back to ancient times. Fast forward to the present day and the silhouette continues to be fashioned in myriad styles and shapes. Length and volume are two fundamentals to consider: some people prefer a tight cut, while others opt for a looser fit.&nbsp;
Typically, a crewneck style collar is considered the standard but can be switched out for henley, scoop and V-neck types. Many short-sleeve <a href="https://www.goat.com/apparel/tops">tee</a> designs are also available with long sleeves. In terms of composition, cotton is a popular choice because of its breathability, comfort and robustness.&nbsp;
Below, a guide to different T-shirt types.
 
<h3>Oversized Tees</h3>
Once confined to the realm of hip-hop, billowing, oversized <a href="https://www.goat.com/apparel/tops">T-shirts</a> that engulf the body have transitioned to the world of luxury, beloved by designers from <a href="https://www.goat.com/brand/gucci">Gucci</a> to <a href="https://www.goat.com/brand/martine-rose">Martine Rose</a>. Some big tees are composed of stiffer fabrics that hold their shape over time, while others employ modern textiles that prioritize breathability.
 
<h3>Vintage Tees</h3>
Vintage tees evoke a sense of authenticity and history. Such garments, often featuring retro designs, band logos or classic movie references, help signal the wearer’s cultural sensibilities. Washed-out colors, frayed and timeworn elements add to the allure. In the late 2010s, labels such as <a href="https://www.goat.com/brand/fear-of-god-essentials">Fear of God</a> and <a href="https://www.goat.com/brand/midnight-studios">Midnight Studios</a> helped fuel a renaissance in rare vintage designs, a trend that was carried further by artists like <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/designer/asap-rocky">A$AP Rocky</a>. Today, the vintage tee is a style staple in its own right, with brands distressing new garments to achieve the worn-out aesthetic.
 
<h3>Graphic Tees&nbsp;</h3>
Graphic T-shirts typically collide colorful designs with expressive imagery, abstract statements, pop culture references and logos. A bedrock of <a href="https://www.goat.com/apparel">streetwear</a> and sportswear, luxury houses regularly present their own iterations of graphic <a href="https://www.goat.com/collections/t-shirts">tees</a> with premium fabrics and elevated craftsmanship.

Cactus Plant Flea Market x Coachella Tee 'White/Red'

Sp5der I Heart Sp5Der Tee 'White'

Chrome Hearts Los Angeles Horseshoe T-Shirt 'Black'

Cactus Jack by Travis Scott For Fragment Sunrise Tee 'White'

<h2>The Best Brands for T-Shirts</h2>
 
Brands are perennially updating their product catalogs with new <a href="https://www.goat.com/apparel/tops">T-shirts</a> designs. Below, a selection of labels pushing the silhouette to new heights.

<h2>Balenciaga</h2>
 
Graphic T-shirts became a major talking point of Nicolas Ghesquière’s tenure at <a href="https://www.goat.com/brand/balenciaga">Balenciaga</a>, including the iconic “JOIN A WEIRD TRIP” tee from 2013, cited by the late <a href="https://www.goat.com/sneakers/designer/virgil-abloh">Virgil Abloh</a> as a major influence on his career.
In the intervening years, Georgian designer <a href="https://www.goat.com/collections/demna-gvasalia">Demna Gvasalia</a> has upended luxury since succeeding Ghesquière as artistic director of <a href="https://www.goat.com/brand/balenciaga">Balenciaga</a> in 2015. Redefining the house’s identity through an irreverent point of view, Gvasalia holds an affinity for playful graphics, bold wordmarks and surprise collaborations. Such design cues manifest on the Speedhunters capsule (a merchandise range for a fictionalized band), Y2K-indebted “Year of the Tiger” tees and co-branded pieces with The Simpsons and Sony PlayStation.

Balenciaga T-Shirt 'Black/Ecru'

Balenciaga T-Shirt 'Cream/Black'

Balenciaga T-Shirt 'Marine Blue'

Balenciaga T-Shirt 'White/Black'

<h2>Supreme&nbsp;</h2>
 
The <a href="https://www.goat.com/collections/supreme">Supreme</a> box logo—broken down as the word “Supreme” in white Futura Heavy Oblique font on a red background—is a beacon of <a href="https://www.goat.com/apparel">streetwear</a> and one of the most recognized logos in the world. Subversive T-shirts are a mainstay of the New York label’s seasonal collections, citing art, design, film, sports and more as creative reference points.&nbsp;
Beyond box logo T-shirts, the brand is known for its photo tees, placing Kate Moss, Mike Tyson, Lou Reed, Kermit the Frog and others on heavy cotton. Additionally, regular collaborations with brands such as <a href="https://www.goat.com/brand/comme-des-garcons">Comme des Garçons</a> and <a href="https://www.goat.com/brand/the-north-face">The North Face</a> regularly yield new T-shirt designs.&nbsp;

Supreme Mutants Tee 'Heather Grey'

Supreme Hell Tee 'Red'

Supreme Warning Tee 'Magenta'

Supreme Smoke Tee 'Pale Blue'

<h2>Chrome Hearts</h2>
 
<a href="https://www.goat.com/apparel/brand/chrome-hearts">Chrome Hearts’</a> gothic-inspired motifs, Olde English font, fleur-de-lis, horseshoe and cross logo are perennial design hallmarks of the label’s <a href="https://www.goat.com/apparel/tops">T-shirt</a> output. Crewneck styles are the most common type of neckline, with sleeve length typically alternating between short and long sleeves.
Renowned for intricate details and rock ‘n’ roll aesthetics, Chrome Hearts prints may crack with time for a vintage, worn-in effect.
<a href="http://goat.com/brand/chrome-hearts">Chrome Hearts</a> tees predominantly adhere to a monochromatic color scheme in black or white. Collaborators include <a href="https://www.goat.com/brand/off-white">Off-White</a>, <a href="https://www.goat.com/brand/comme-des-garcons">Comme des Garçons</a> and LA-based artist Matt DiGiacomo, aka <a href="https://www.goat.com/collections/chrome-hearts-matty-boy">Matty Boy</a>, who now serves as creative director of the label.

Chrome Hearts Multicolor Horseshoe T-Shirt 'White'

Chrome Hearts T-Shirt (Los Angeles Exclusive) 'White'

Chrome Hearts Dagger T-Shirt 'Orange'

<h2>Stüssy</h2>
 
T-shirts are the foundation of <a href="https://www.goat.com/brand/stussy">Stüssy</a>. Founder Shawn Stüssy created the blueprint for streetwear in 1980 when he started screen-printing tees and shorts to help promote his surfboard business. Bridging Californian surf culture with a distinctive graffiti-influenced hand style, Stüssy’s signed last name would go on to serve as the brand’s logo. Early collections would reference the world of luxury, including an interlocking “S” design that served as a flip on <a href="https://www.goat.com/brand/chanel">Chanel’s</a> “CC” logo.
These sensibilities continue to inform an expansive lineup of <a href="https://www.goat.com/collections/t-shirts">tees</a> in various styles, typically rendered in pastel hues and vibrant color schemes that reflect the brand’s laidback, West Coast provenance.

Stussy Plush Tee 'White'

Stussy Stock Box Tee 'White'

Stussy x Born X Raised 8 Ball Tee 'White'

Stussy Flower Bomb Tee 'White'

<h2>Vlone</h2>
 
In 2023, <a href="https://www.goat.com/apparel/brand/vlone">Vlone</a> relaunched under a new, anonymous design collective, with the mission of “embracing distinctive creatives who defy the norm and inspire the willing.” The debut collection, titled “Brick by Brick,” saw the return of the brand’s “V” logo, alongside weathered details and bright orange accents. Today, these signifiers and more are visible across <a href="https://www.goat.com/editorial/vlone-size-and-fit-guide">Vlone</a>’s extensive T-shirt offering.

Vlone x Rodman Muy Thai T-Shirt 'Black'

Vlone x Juice WRLD 999 T-Shirt 'Black'

Vlone x Juice WRLD 999 Short-Sleeve T-Shirt 'Blue'

Vlone x Rodman Airbrush T-Shirt 'White'

<h2><a href="https://www.goat.com/brand/fear-of-god-essentials">Fear of God</a></h2>
Jerry Lorenzo launched Fear of God in 2013, leveraging his deep knowledge of vintage rock tees to build a creative universe grounded in luxury T-shirts. Over time, <a href="https://www.goat.com/apparel/brand/fear-of-god">Fear of God</a> has experimented with all types of T-shirt variations—from sweatshirt-inspired styles to V-necks—in addition to a more minimalist range through its Essentials line.

Fear of God Essentials Tee 'Stretch Limo'

Fear of God Essentials Tee 'Light Oatmeal'

Fear of God Essentials Tee 'Dark Oatmeal'

Fear of God Essentials Tee 'Cloud Dancer'

<h2><a href="https://www.goat.com/apparel/brand/hellstar">Hellstar</a></h2>
 
With the seal of approval from streetwear icons like The Hundreds founder Bobby Kim, Hellstar’s take on the vintage distressed T-shirt has seen the label become one of the landscape’s most talked-about underground brands. Designs filter maximalist iconography through a luxury lens, drawing inspiration from eclectic sources including football and record labels.

Hellstar Goggle Tee 'Purple'

Hellstar Classic Tee 'Black/Pink'

Hellstar Classic Tee 'Black/Orange'

Metro Boomin x Hellstar Cover Tee 'Black'

<h2><a href="https://www.goat.com/apparel/brand/kith">Kith&nbsp;</a></h2>
 
Kith founder Ronnie Fieg may be best known for his work in sneakers yet his label’s T-shirt output is just as prolific. In addition to presenting its own version of the box logo, seasonal collections are brimming with graphic styles and collaborations. The latter is represented by nostalgic partnerships with the likes of Batman, Disney, Coca-Cola and many more.

Kith Tee (3 Pack) 'Multicolor'

Kith LAX Tee 'White'

Kith Geometric Tee 'Black'

Kith Hoops Tee 'Black'

Related Articles: <a href="https://www.goat.com/editorial/best-designer-hoodie-brands">Best Designer Hoodies</a>, <a href="https://www.goat.com/editorial/sp5der-apparel-faq">Sp5der Apparel FAQ</a>, <a href="https://www.goat.com/editorial/bape-size-and-fit-guide">BAPE Size and Fit Guide</a>, <a href="https://www.goat.com/editorial/vlone-size-and-fit-guide">Vlone Size and Fit Guide</a>

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Hellstar Powered By The Star T-Shirt 'Black/Purple'

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