T-SHIRTS & POLOS

Okay, quick confession. There's a drawer in my house that I call the T-shirt graveyard. A white one that went see-through in about a month. A black one that's now more of a tired charcoal. And a grey tee whose collar went all wavy, like a strip of bacon, so it's sleepwear now and nothing else. For the longest time I assumed that's simply how a t shirt for men behaves: you buy them, they fall apart within a season or two, and you head back to the shop and buy more without thinking about it.

Then, almost by accident, I picked up one properly made tee. Three years on, it still looks fine. Annoyingly fine, actually. That's when I started paying attention to what makes a good T-shirt for men, and it turns out it isn't complicated.

Why a Good T-Shirt Is Worth Getting Right

You probably wear a T-shirt more than anything else you own. Yet it's the thing most of us spend the least time choosing.

A good one keeps its shape, holds its colour and still sits right on your shoulders after the twentieth wash. That's what "premium" should mean, not a big logo on the chest.

Cotton or Organic Cotton: What Your T Shirt Is Made Of

Most of what Selected sells here is cotton, and a big share of it is organic cotton. Organic just means it's grown under organic farming rules, so usually no synthetic pesticides or fertiliser. Wearing it, it just feels like good cotton, and the label tells you the exact mix.

The knit matters more than people think. Most tees are a light single jersey, which is cool and easy in our heat. Some of the polos use textured or structured knits that have a bit more body and hold their shape better. There's a merino wool polo in there too, and a linen one.

Want cotton T-shirts for men that'll survive an Indian summer? Feel the fabric. It should be smooth and a little dense, not thin and floppy. Then hold it up to the light. If you can see straight through it, put it back.

Slim, Regular or Relaxed Fit T Shirts for Men

Regular fit is the safe bet, and it's what most of the range is. It runs straight through the body, neither tight nor baggy, and it works on pretty much everyone.

Slim fit hugs the chest and arms a bit more. Great on a leaner guy or under a blazer. In Chennai in May, though? It can start to feel clingy by lunch.

Relaxed fit t-shirts for men are what I live in on weekends now. The shoulder drops a little and the body's roomier, so air actually moves and you look easy rather than sloppy, even after a long afternoon out in the heat. There are a few loose and boxy cuts too, if you want even more room.

One trick for the trial room. On a regular or slim tee, the shoulder seam should land near the edge of your shoulder. On a relaxed one, a bit past it is fine. Sleeves around mid-bicep. Hem covering your belt, but nowhere near halfway down your fly.

Crew Neck, Henley, V-Neck or Polo?

The crew neck is the classic one. It goes with literally everything, so if you only own one type, make it this.

A Henley has that short row of buttons at the neck. Slightly more interesting than a crew neck, and really good under an open overshirt on those November evenings when a jacket feels like overkill.

The V-neck is where people get nervous. Keep the V shallow and it looks clean, especially under a blazer. Too deep and, well, hello 2008.

Then polos. They're about half the collection, and for good reason. A polo is basically a T-shirt you're allowed to wear to the office. The knitted and half-zip ones look surprisingly sharp with proper trousers.

Why Solid T Shirts Do Most of the Work

I like a printed tee as much as anyone. But if you told me I could only keep three, they'd all be plain.

Solid T-shirts for men just work. Most of the range is solid or plain anyway, in colours like off-white, dark blue, dark green, beige and brown. If I were starting over I'd grab off-white, navy and one earthy shade, maybe dark green.

How to Wear a T-Shirt Beyond the Weekend

At work, try a polo tucked into grey or navy tailored trousers, with loafers. Or a solid crew neck under an unstructured blazer. Both pass in most offices.

Weekends are easy. Relaxed tee in a deep colour, dark jeans, white sneakers.

For an evening out, I go black or navy tee, overshirt on top, chinos, suede shoes.

Travelling? Throw in a couple of organic cotton tees. They're light and roll up tiny.

How to Make a T-Shirt Last

This is the bit that actually saved my tees. Turn them inside out before washing, and use cool water. Keep them out of the dryer, because heat is what shrinks cotton and ruins collars. Dry them flat or on a wide hanger, never pegged by the shoulders, which pulls them out of shape. And never iron straight onto a print. My three-year-old tee has had exactly this treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About T Shirts for Men

What makes a premium T shirt for men different?

A premium T-shirt uses denser, better-quality cotton, a cleaner cut and stronger stitching, particularly at the collar and shoulders. That's why it keeps its shape, colour and fit after many washes. Look for fabric that feels smooth and slightly weighty rather than thin or see-through.

Which T shirt fit is best for men?

Regular fit suits most men and most plans, since it's neither tight nor baggy. Slim fit looks sharper on leaner builds and under jackets. Relaxed fit feels cooler in hot weather and looks easy at weekends. Go with your build and where you'll wear it most.

Are cotton T shirts good for Indian summers?

Yes, they're one of the best options. Cotton breathes and absorbs sweat, so it stays comfortable in heat. Lighter single jersey fabrics and relaxed fits let air move more freely. Darker colours hide sweat marks better, while lighter shades feel cooler in direct sun.

Can I wear a T-shirt to the office?

In most smart-casual offices, yes. A polo with tailored trousers, or a plain crew neck under a blazer, looks polished and professional. Skip big prints, faded colours and very loose fits on working days, and check your company's dress code first.

Start With Three Good T-Shirts

You honestly don't need a drawer full. Three solid tees in colours you like, plus one polo for work, will cover most of your week. Have a look at T-shirts for men at Selected and find the ones you'll still be wearing years from now.