I Tried All the (Under $30) Tees From Abercrombie
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It’s become increasingly common to see a nearly $100 price tag on awhite tee. Those prices often signify “high-quality” cotton, heavyweight fabrics, and some expert marketing — two of our writers, in fact,tested several options in that range last month. But the truth of the matter is that some T-shirts should just be T-shirts — as in the no-fuss top you can throw on whether you’re planning to eat a full plate of spaghetti or head to a crowded bar downtown — and an expensive price tag takes theeaseout of a breezy tee. Over at Abercrombie, they seem to hold a similar opinion because all of the brand’s tees cost $29 or less. In my book, that’s cheap enough for the “buy it in every color” mentality, especially since it feels like Abercrombie is always hosting a sitewide sale. Its lineup spans from the baby tee to the loose everyday tee, and I tried all of them to compare, contrast, and nitpick so you can find the one for you. For reference, I’m five-foot-three and have a short torso. I tried everything in an extra-small, my usual size at Abercrombie.
My top picks
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It’s not too tight but not too loose, soft without being silky soft, and hits at the hip.
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The name says it all: It’s easy to throw on and soft enough to wear all day or sleep in all night.
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Wear it either tucked or untucked to the office, drinks, and dinner, too.
The Goldilocks T-shirt for the office and after
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Abercrombie’s cheapest tee has the elements to please most people: It’s not too tight but not too loose, soft without being silky soft, and hits at the hip, so you can wear it both tucked and untucked. The fabric itself is made of 100 percent cotton that feels cool and crisp, like a worn-in set of sheets. Along with coming in your classic T-shirt colors (gray, black, and white), it’s available in a couple of striped variations that mix stripes of different widths to make a more visually appealing top. I’ve enjoyed styling it withjean jacketsand unbuttonedbutton-downsto turn an otherwise basic (though tried-and-true for a reason) outfit formula into something more surprising.
A sleep-worthy tee that’s nice enough to wear out and about
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The Everyday tee is the loosest of the bunch, but it’s slouchy without being schlubby thanks in part to a thicker neckline. Paired with ablazer, I’d even say it’s nice enough for a business-casual office. The cotton itself, which is smooth yet cool to the touch, is thicker and heavier than the Essential tee, and it’s slightly more expensive as a result. The midweight fabric makes it easy to either French tuck or wear as is. I’ve found myself throwing on the tee whenever I’m cooking dinner or running errands — the loose silhouette feels fitting for those relaxed moments. It’s soft and breathable enough to wear to sleep, too.
The supersoft T-shirt that’s office appropriate, too
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On mornings when my covers are more cozy than the chilly air outside, the thought of getting into a silky-soft T-shirt helps me find the motivation to get out of bed. That’s exactly what this T-shirt is for. The ribbed modal-blend fabric is stretchy and soft, almost like a pair ofEberjey pajamas. In the black version I tested, the shirt looks sleek — not at all like the loungewear it feels like. It is formfitting without being tight and ends around the hip, depending on how much you stretch it, meaning it looks nice both tucked into a pair of jeans or bunched around the hips. I just wish it were available in more colors.
A looser take on a baby tee
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Consider this tee a thicker, slightly more crisp version of the Essential tee. The cotton jersey fabric has fine ribbing that keeps the tighter, more form-flattering silhouette breathable. It falls about an inch below my belly button and feels like a slightly thicker version of theUniqlo mini-teesI’ve written about elsewhere on our site. Since it’s slightly more cropped than many of the other shirts I tested, I’d recommend pairing it withhigh-waisted jeans— yourLevi’s RibcagesandAbercrombie High-Rise ’90s— if you’re planning on wearing it to the office. Otherwise, paired with a midi skirt or your favorite bottoms, the more structured cotton makes the tee feel dressy enough to wear to weeknight drinks or a weekend brunch.
The platonic ideal of a baby tee
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Crop-top haters, beware: This tee hits right at my belly button. However, if you’re not afraid of a little navel action, expect a true baby tee — stretchy yet form-hugging feel, slim sleeves, and Goldilocksian hems at the waist, sleeves, and collar. The fabric itself is soft and flexible, almost like a pair of (mostly) all-cotton leggings. I imagine that paired with some Aritzia sweatpants, it’d do numbers as a travel uniform on a bachelorette trip.
A close-fitting T-shirt to tuck into jeans and trousers
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Don’t be fooled by the phrasebaby teein the product name. This 5 percent elastane top hits at my hips and can stretch even further. It’s really just a longer, ever-so-slightly softer version of the baby tee above for those who’d rather not bare their midriff. Similar to the bona fide baby tee, it’s stretchy yet formfitting like a good pair ofleggings. As someone with a short torso, this shirt is almost too long on me, but it looks best when tucked into a pair ofhigh-waisted jeans.
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The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
