If you’re like most guys, your t-shirts get the most play in your weekly wear.
As much as I enjoy fashion and layering this and that, there’s no replacing the simple beauty of a great tee.
Over the past two years, I’ve tried t-shirts from over 20 brands. The two best brands in the budget category are Fresh Clean Threads and True Classic Tees.
I wear shirts from these two brands more than anything else in my closet (except my jeans, and I wear the same pair every day).
Because the two brands are so similar, I decided to do a detailed breakdown so I can definitively recommend to you the best t-shirt brand for your money.
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Fresh Clean Threads vs True Classic Tees Overview
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| Fabric | StratuSoft (CottonPoly blend) | 60% ringspun cotton, 40% polyester |
| Size Range | S-3XL | S-3XL |
| Cost Per Single Shirt | $19 | $23 |
| Warranty | 100 day guarantee | Free exchanges and returns |
| Check Best Price | Check Best Price |
Fresh Clean Threads
Fresh Clean Threads (rebranded in August 2022 from Fresh Clean Tees) is one of the first brands to make more modern, fitted shirts at an inexpensive price point. They got their start in 2015 as a t-shirt subscription service, but eventually moved to the current direct-to-consumer model they operate with now.
You can still opt in for their subscription service, but in my detailed Fresh Clean Threads review, I found that there wasn’t a tremendous benefit to make the monthly subscription worthwhile.
You get free shipping, but I’d rather buy a bulk pack of five shirts and pay a bit of shipping up front than get one shirt per month for five months.
I was super impressed with the fit and feel of Fresh Clean Threads. I’ve had my six shirts from them for about a year now and they still look good as new. I only had one shirt that frayed a bit at the hem, but I still wear it all the time.
The major thing is that these shirts don’t pill or fade. And because they use a poly/cotton blend, they don’t need steaming or ironing before putting them on.
Pros
The slimmer, more modern fit is refreshing when so many budget brands drape like a potato sack.Â
They have a huge variety of colors—mostly subdued and neutral.
The price is right at $19 for a single shirt (and the price goes lower when you buy multiple).
Cons
Compared to True Classic Tees, Fresh Clean Threads doesn’t have the same variety of styles, and their hoodies aren’t as economically priced.
Fresh Clean Threads' tees have a unique, flattering fit that emphasizes your shoulders and doesn't swallow your arms. The cotton-polyester blend holds its color well and doesn't wrinkle easily.
True Classic Tees
I thought Fresh Clean Threads was my number one budget t-shirt brand, but then I tried True Classic Tees and they give the reigning champ a run for their money.
True Classic Tees is a younger company, and while they were founded in 2018, they didn’t really pop-off until early 2020.
I’ve been really impressed with the fit and feel of my True Classic Tees and I’m happy to support the company because they have such an extensive giving back program. They partner with the Tiny House Project to provide housing for veterans, and they also donate an average of 15,000+ shirts per month to homeless shelters in the Los Angeles area.
True Classic Tees are remarkably similar to Fresh Clean Threads in the fit and fabric. The True Classic Tees allow a bit more room in the torso, so they’re my top recommendation for guys with dad bod.
However, because they average about $3-4 more per shirt compared to Fresh Clean Threads, and the quality is the same, I recommend Fresh Clean Threads for those more cost-conscious.
Pros
Excellent fitted silhouette in the chest, shoulders, and arms, plus a little more room in the torso.
The cotton and polyester blend holds color well, doesn’t wrinkle, and is very comfortable.Â
True Classic Tees has an amazing selection of hoodies and sweaters that are best in class.Â
Cons
Compared to Fresh Clean Threads, they’re more expensive per shirt, though the quality and fit is basically the same (though True Classic does leave a little more room in the torso).Â
True Classic Tees offer some of the best value and fit you can find in basic t-shirts. If you’re looking to stock your wardrobe with some simple tees that fit well, are flattering in the shoulders and chest, and don’t cost a ton, True Classic is a fantastic brand for you.
Features Face to Face
Fabric
After owning shirts from both brands and putting each through the wash at least a half-dozen times, I haven’t noticed any significant difference between the two.
Fresh Clean Threads uses their own proprietary StratuSoft fabric, which is a cotton and polyester blend. They don’t disclose anything other than that, so I’m not sure on the exact makeup.
True Classic Tees uses 60% ringspun cotton and 40% polyester, so it’s also a cotton/polyester blend.
In my experience, they’re exactly the same. Both strike an excellent balance of being lightweight while still fairly thick. They’re both flexible and breathable. Neither wrinkle much, fade, stretch, pill, or shrink after a wash.
I like the fabric for both (and if I’m honest, I think they’re practically identical), so neither one notches a point over the other in this category.
Fit
The fit is the biggest difference between these two brands. But there are a lot of similarities in the fit, too.
The fit is basically the same in the chest, shoulders, and arms. True Classic Tees leaves a little more room in the torso, which makes it a better choice for guys rocking a dad bod. That said, neither of these brands fit loosely like Hanes or Fruit of the Loom.
Both are quite tailored and have a modern athletic style. I think the fit for both brands is universally flattering for guys—whether you’re slim and toned or have love handles, each brand is going to look significantly better than the basic t-shirts we’re all used to getting from the bargain bin.
If I had to choose a fit I prefer, I’d go with True Classic Tees, just because it has the tiniest bit more room in the torso. Still, the difference is marginal, and the fit between the two brands is essentially interchangeable.
The biggest takeaway for you to know is that the fit for both Fresh Clean and True Classic is far better than most other t-shirts in the $20 range.
Stand Out Features
Selection
If you can’t tell by now, I think a basic crew neck t-shirt from Fresh Clean Threads is about the same as a basic crew neck from True Classic Tees.
Because of that, when deciding between the two brands, the selection makes a big difference.
Fresh Clean Threads has a far greater color selection, and their site is easy to navigate. I also like the packs Fresh Clean Threads puts together more (I picked up the Earth Tone 5-pack and have been wearing them nearly every day).
If you're as crazy for olive green shirts as I am, you'll go nuts for the Earth Tones 5-Pack. Just a few clicks fills up your drawer with well-fitting shirts (they make your shoulders look good).
But True Classic Tees also have a few tricks up their sleeve. They offer pocket tees (Fresh Clean doesn’t), so if you love that little chest pocket as much as I do, True Classic is the only way to go.
Each brand has sweatshirts, hoodies, v-necks, long sleeves, and henleys (again, Fresh Clean Threads has a better color selection).
Fresh Clean Threads costs around four dollars less for a single t-shirt, and when you factor that into the bundles, the price difference can be quite significant. That said, as of writing, True Classic Tees has better prices on their hoodies and they offer other cool products like beanies and underwear.
If you like bolder colors, you’ll want to start your shopping with Fresh Clean Threads. Because they have so many different options, you’re more likely to find louder colors like crimson and kelly green. True Classic has reds and blues, but they’re much more muted.
Fresh Clean Threads vs True Classic Tees: Which is Best for You?
This is a tough call: I think both brands are phenomenal, and nearly every day I wear a t-shirt from one of these two brands.
The fabric quality and durability is the same, so that shouldn’t factor into your decision.
The fit is nearly the same, but True Classic Tees leaves a bit more room in the torso. True Classic is still a much slimmer fit than most regular t-shirt brands, but compared to Fresh Clean Threads, they’re a slightly better match for you if you’ve got a bit of belly.
True Classic Tees offer some of the best value and fit you can find in basic t-shirts. If you’re looking to stock your wardrobe with some simple tees that fit well, are flattering in the shoulders and chest, and don’t cost a ton, True Classic is a fantastic brand for you.
That said, Fresh Clean Threads is a decent amount less expensive. If you’re only buying one crew neck, the four dollar difference might not mean much to you. But when you get into the bundles, the cost savings add up.
Because the quality is the same and the fit is similar, when I pick up my next batch of t-shirts, I’ll go with Fresh Clean Threads.
Fresh Clean Threads' tees have a unique, flattering fit that emphasizes your shoulders and doesn't swallow your arms. The cotton-polyester blend holds its color well and doesn't wrinkle easily.
But I feel I need to add this caveat: at the time of writing, I’m just finishing a holiday season filled with overindulgence, so I’ve got a belly. And I’m wearing my True Classic Tees more than my Fresh Clean Threads tees right now.
If you’ve got some dad bod going on, you’ll want True Classic Tees. And while you’re there, check out their other items like their hoodies and beanies.
But if you’re a slimmer guy, I see no reason to spend extra for True Classic, and in that case, I would choose Fresh Clean Threads.
FAQs
What brand is best for men’s t-shirts?
For budget friendly t-shirts, I like Fresh Clean Threads and True Classic Tees. For more luxury, I like Goodlife and HNLY.
Are 100% cotton shirts good?
100% cotton shirts can be great, but they shrink a lot, wrinkle, and fade. But you can also get more interesting and high-end textures with 100% cotton. For everyday shirts, I like added polyester because they’re easier to care for and more resilient.
What is a crew neck t-shirt?
Crew neck refers to the collar, and it’s one that sits around the base of the neck without any extra room (like a v-neck).
