By this point in the autumn, a T-shirt feels wildly optimistic but a jumper is still too much. Enter, then, the long-sleeved tee: ostensibly one of the least exciting items in the wardrobe and, at this precise moment in the year, possibly the most useful.
The latest crop has moved some way beyond the anonymous layering basic. There are Breton-ish stripes and contrast sleeves, boat necks and baseball shapes, neatly fitted versions to tuck into high-waisted trousers and oversized ones to throw on with jeans. Wear one alone while the weather allows; later, don it beneath blazers, cardigans and chunky knits. From excellent £10 basics to the rather more investment-worthy, these are the long-sleeved T-shirts we’ll be wearing on repeat.
The Long Game: 30 Of The Best Long-Sleeved T-Shirts
Not quite knitwear weather? The humble long-sleeved T-shirt is autumn’s most useful in-betweener. Here are the ones worth layering up in now
AT A GLANCE
- Best For An Everyday Basic: John Lewis Organic Cotton Long Sleeve T-Shirt, £18
- Best Budget Buy: M&S Pure Cotton Relaxed Top, £10
- Best For Stripes: & Other Stories Cotton Jersey Top, £37
- Best Oversized: Reformation Asher Oversized Long Sleeve Tee, £58
- Best Baseball Style: ME+EM Slim Baseball Top, £75
- Best Sporty: Free People In Motion Baseball Layer, £58
- Best Boat Neck: Toast Lia Cotton Boat Neck Tee, £65
- Best Investment: James Perse Cotton Jersey T-Shirt, £90
- Best For Colour: Colourful Standard Organic Long Sleeve T-Shirt, £39
- Best For Layering: Uniqlo Airism Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt, £22.90
FAQs: Long Sleeved T-Shirts
How should a long-sleeved T-shirt fit?
That depends on how you plan to wear it. A slim-fitting style works brilliantly tucked into jeans and trousers or layered beneath knitwear, while a boxy or oversized cut makes a useful standalone top. If you want one to do both jobs, look for a relaxed rather than dramatically oversized shape.
What should you wear with a long-sleeved T-shirt?
Almost anything. Wear a simple white or grey version with jeans and trainers; tuck a striped or fitted style into tailored trousers; or layer one beneath a blazer, cardigan or sleeveless knit when temperatures drop. Contrast-sleeve and baseball styles work particularly well with denim.
Are long-sleeved T-shirts good for autumn?
They are one of the most useful pieces for transitional weather: warmer than a standard tee but considerably lighter than knitwear. They also layer easily, meaning they remain useful well into winter.
What fabric is best for a long-sleeved T-shirt?
Cotton is the classic choice: breathable, comfortable and easy to layer. Organic cotton is increasingly widely available, while Supima cotton tends to feel particularly soft and smooth. A little stretch can be useful in close-fitting styles.
Are striped long-sleeved T-shirts still in style?
Very much so. Breton stripes are perennial, but this season there are plenty of alternatives, from sporty contrast sleeves and baseball styles to wider, more graphic stripes. Think less seaside uniform, more useful way to bring interest to jeans and trousers.
What is the difference between a long-sleeved T-shirt and a base layer?
A long-sleeved T-shirt is designed to work as a top in its own right as well as underneath other clothes. A base layer is generally closer fitting and primarily designed to provide warmth or wick away moisture beneath other layers.
