The 12 Best Long-Sleeve T-Shirts for Women

Banana Republic / The Line By K

Long-sleeve T-shirts are hardly a revolutionary piece of clothing, but the right one can make your whole outfit — or seamlessly blend into your look, depending on what you want to get out of it. These handy wardrobe staples come in every flavor: fitted, oversized, smooth, ribbed, thermal, lightweight. You name it.

Although no single shirt can have it all, we spoke to style experts and researched our way around the internet to find the very best ones in every category. Believe us, you’ll want to buy more than one of these in several colors. In particular, the SKIMS Boyfriend Long Sleeve T-Shirt is an actually unisex oversized tee that comes in sizes up to a 4X, and we love pretty much everything about it.

These are the long-sleeve T-shirts that stood out to us the most.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Skims Boyfriend Long Sleeve T-Shirt at Nordstrom ($52)

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Best Budget:

Old Navy Long-Sleeved T-Shirt for Women at Gap.com (See Price)

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Best Splurge:

Citizens of Humanity Follie Top at Citizensofhumanity.com (See Price)

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Best Plus-Size:

Girlfriend Collective Cupro Long Sleeve Tee at Girlfriend.com (See Price)

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Best Petite:

Banana Republic Crew-Neck T-Shirt at Gap.com (See Price)

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Best Turtleneck:

Aritzia Sunday Best Freshman Turtleneck at Aritzia.com (See Price)

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Best Scoop Neck:

Splendid Reversible Scoop Neck Tee at Splendid.com (See Price)

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Best Oversized:

Everlane The Organic Cotton Oversized Long-Sleeve Tee at Everlane.com (See Price)

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Best Fitted:

SKIMS Fits Everybody Long Sleeve T-Shirt at Nordstrom ($48)

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Best Thermal:

Uniqlo Women's HEATTECH Turtleneck T-Shirt at Uniqlo.com (See Price)

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Best Overall

Skims

View On Nordstrom $52 View On Skims.com

What We Love

It’s size-inclusive and unisex.

What We Don’t Love

Some people find the neckline a little high.

It’s taking great strength for us not to order this shirt in every color — baggy in all the right places yet incredibly cute, made from a breathable fabric with a little stretch, and a genuine “boyfriend” shirt that you can actually share with the men in your life, it’s everything we want. Just be aware that some people find the neckline a little high. Apart from that, it comes in a wide range of sizes and nine neutral tones, ready to throw on over some bike shorts for your best cool-girl style yet.

Size: XXS-4X | Number of Colors: 9 | Material: Cotton, modal, spandex

Best Budget

EveryWear Slub-Knit Long-Sleeved T-Shirt for Women

Old Navy

View On Gap.com

What We Love

This shirt is not too loose nor too fitted, lending it greater versatility.

What We Don’t Love

It probably is not very sustainable.

The EveryWear shirt could not be more aptly named. With a fit that’s neither oversized nor body-skimming, it works just as well worn loosely over your trusty leggings as it does tucked into a pair of daisy dukes. We love that Old Navy carries so many items in sizes XS to 4X, plus in petite and tall options (though only up to an XXL), which is more size-inclusive than pretty much any other label that’s on the more affordable side. That said, the brand doesn’t list any of this shirt’s sustainability credentials, but that’s unfortunately often the case with lower-priced items.

Size: XS-4X | Number of Colors: 8 | Material: Cotton

Best Splurge

Bloomingdale's

View On Citizensofhumanity.com View On Bloomingdales

What We Love

The elegant details elevate this basic into a starring role.

What We Don’t Love

We need more sizes.

While a basic long-sleeve tee is an awesome staple for casually throwing on or layering, we’re also partial to a more elevated style that can totally make an outfit. With its tight fit, boat neck and scoop back, this design by Citizens of Humanity does both effortlessly. Austin-based stylist Stephanie Coultress O'Neill is sold: “The fit is always on point and can be a little more fun with the textured fabric,” she says. It’s disappointing that it comes in such a limited size range because we’re otherwise fully into it — not least because it’s made from breathable, sustainable organic cotton and Tencel Lyocell.

Size: XS-XL | Colors: 3 | Material: Organic cotton, tencel lyocell, spandex

Best Plus-Size

Girlfriend Collective

View On Girlfriend.com

What We Love

This tee is made with planet and people in mind.

What We Don’t Love

The lightweight material means it’s fairly sheer, so it’s more suited for layering.

Girlfriend Collective pretty much always nails it. It’s hard to beat their size range that goes up to a 6XL. Plus, their ethical and sustainable production methods mean you can feel good about your purchase, which also won’t set you back thousands. This long sleeve T-shirt is made from a cupro and organic cotton blend that’s entirely biodegradable (we just think this is so cool). To top it off, it’s hypoallergenic and anti-static. Obviously, design matters, too: Reviewers love this one for its breezy fit, including the side slits that add a little dimension. The lightweight material makes it a little too sheer for some, but that’s not really a problem if you’re looking to layer this shirt or wear it in hot climate. It does tend to wrinkle, though.

Size: XXS-6XL | Number of Colors: 6 | Material: Cupro, organic cotton

Best Petite

Banana Republic

View On Gap.com

What We Love

It’s the perfect basic for tucking into high-waisted bottoms.

What We Don’t Love

The sizing is a little inconsistent.

We’re partial to a stretchy rib fabric, and Banana Republic delivers on that front. This is a hard-to-fault basic designed for those with a shorter bust. It comes in discreet black-and-white options that allow you to have a little more fun with your choice of bottoms. The tight fit here means this T-shirt will easily tuck into a high-waisted skirt or pants. Even though sizing seems inconsistent from one colorway to the next, customers who purchased the right size love the design and super soft cotton on this shirt.

Size: XXS-L | Colors: Black, White | Material: Cotton, spandex

Best Turtleneck

Aritzia

View On Aritzia.com

What We Love

The material feels butter-soft on your skin.

What We Don’t Love

This shirt is a little see-through in the white colorway, but not in darker ones.

We love keeping turtlenecks on hand for fall layering, whether for wearing alone or fitting under a crew neck sweater. If you’re in the market for the perfect one, Aritzia’s ribbed offering may well be your answer. It features a snug fit for easily tucking into your bottoms, and the material is incredibly soft. It’s so lightweight, however, that it can appear see-through in white and pale pink. But it will be more opaque in the many other shades it comes in. It’s also made from Tencel Modal, which is responsibly produced from wood pulp and comes in a pretty solid range of sizes. You’re going to want to collect it in every color.

Size: 2XS-2XL | Number of Colors: 15 | Material: Tencel modal, elastane

Best Scoop Neck

Splendid

View On Splendid.com

What We Love

You can wear it as a scoop neck or a scoop back!

What We Don’t Love

The size range isn’t good enough.

Can’t decide if you prefer the look of a scoop neck or a scoop back? With this reversible shirt, you don’t have to: It can be worn from front to back or back to front, depending on your mood and where you like your scoop. Celebs including Jennifer Aniston and Mila Kunis love Splendid for their famously soft fabrics, and there’s a good chance they’d love this model too, thanks to its lightweight, soft-feel blend of breathable materials. But like with many otherwise splendid picks (pun definitely intended), its bare-minimum size range lets this shirt down.

Size: XS-XL | Number of Colors: 5 | Material: Supima cotton, micro modal

Best Oversized

Everlane

View On Everlane.com

What We Love

It’s made from breathable, sustainable fabric.

What We Don’t Love

It doesn’t come in bright colors.

Somewhere between a long-sleeve tee and a sweatshirt, this design is ideal if you love the oversized look but want a little more definition, which you get from this one’s cute gathered cuffs. Plus, it will take you through seasonal transitions with ease. “This oversized long-sleeved tee from Everlane is fantastic for late summer and into the winter,” says Lisa Sanchez, in-house stylist for The Nines. “It is made of organic cotton and is breathable so it’s comfortable for a cold summer evening, but also perfect for layering when the weather gets colder.” It comes in a great range of basic shades, but no fun brights — though we do love the baby blue nautical stripe option.

Size: XXS-XL | Number of Colors: 6 | Material: Organic cotton

Best Fitted

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom $48 View On Skims.com $54 View On Bergdorfgoodman.com

What We Love

It molds to your skin without causing you to overheat.

What We Don’t Love

The fabric is synthetic and a little see-through.

“SKIMS Fits Everybody Long Sleeve T-Shirt is the most versatile basic tee,” says style expert Katya Bychkova. “I love styling it with edgier bottoms to balance the look.” The brand takes the meaning of “second skin” a step further, with neutral shades designed to approximate your skin color. With that in mind, the expert notes that the black option makes a great basic for anyone. Shape-wise, this is a truly fitted top — almost like a bodysuit — but without being uncomfortably warm. You can’t have everything, however: The synthetic fabric used to achieve those features can get a little see-through. On the bright side, Bychkova is impressed with how many sizes this and other SKIMS products come in, as are we.

Size: XXS-4X | Colors: 11 | Material: Polyamide, elastane

Best Thermal

Uniqlo

View On Uniqlo.com

What We Love

It’s ideal for winter layering.

What We Don’t Love

You can’t put it in the dryer.

Staying stylish when it gets chilly out can definitely be a challenge, which is why we love sticking to a winter outfit formula. A thermal turtleneck is perfect for those purposes, since you can just throw it on with your favorite pair of jeans and a big coat, and you have an instantly put-together look. Uniqlo is famous for its thermal range, and with reason: People who try this shirt are so taken with it that they often come back for more, collecting it in both basic and bright colorways for all their winter dressing needs. It’s made from soft fleece that’s not too thick and still allows for movement, with a relaxed fit that means you can both layer it or wear it alone. You need to care for it properly, though, by only washing it cold and never putting it in the dryer, which could cause it to shrink.

Size: XS-XL | Number of Colors: 8 | Material: Acrylic, rayon

Best Ribbed

View On Everlane.com $50

What We Love

The fabric is super comfortable and feels high-quality.

What We Don’t Love

The sleeves are a little long.

Like our other pick from Everlane, this ribbed long-sleeve only comes in basic colors, which seems to greatly sadden its many fans, who want it in every color under the sun. This is a snug-fit, stretchy shirt that feels incredibly soft and comfortable due to its high-quality supima cotton. Importantly, you can wash it without fear of damaging the shirt or causing any annoying pilling (albeit on a cold machine cycle). It features a seam down the back, which allows for a more flattering drape throughout the rest of the body. Though some people find its sleeves a little long, you can easily roll them up or hem them in thanks to the slightly thicker material.

Size: XXS-XL | Colors: 7 | Material: Pima cotton, elastane

Best Waffle Knit

The Line by K

View On Thelinebyk.com View On Revolve

What We Love

The material is beautifully soft and stretchy.

What We Don’t Love

Some reviews say it runs small.

Bychkova says she owns a few shirts from The Line by K, and keeps coming back for more. “For me, it's the softest T-shirt brand,” she explains. “I love their open-back styles, and long-sleeve options are fabulous, too.” She recommends this fun twist on a basic long-sleeve “for its thermal knit fabric and fun cutout in the front.” The waffle effect here is achieved using breathable cotton and modal, plus a touch of spandex for that all-important stretch factor. Despite this, reviews suggest sizing up, which isn’t ideal considering sizes stop at an XL. We have no other complaints, though.

Size: XS-XL | Number of Colors: 2 | Material: Cotton, modal, spandex

What to Keep in Mind

Weight

Of course, a T-shirt made from a heavier fabric will tend to keep you warmer, while a lighter fabric will tend to keep you cooler, but that’s not necessarily the case: For example, our thermal pick from Uniqlo is made from fairly thin fabric, but is designed to warm you up. On the other end of the spectrum, Everlane’s organic cotton tee may be made from more heavyweight stuff, but it’s still very much suitable for mid-season dressing. Weight matters for other reasons, however: The heavier a shirt is, the more it’s designed to wear casually over tighter bottoms. Lightweight tees, whether fitted or not, are easier to tuck into high-waisted bottoms without causing any odd bulking. And lastly, keep in mind that lighter fabrics may be a little see-through, so you might have to get creative with your undergarments, or use lighter-weight shirts for layering.

Warmth

Now you know that a heavier fabric doesn’t necessarily equate with a warmer shirt, here’s what does. As a general rule, synthetic materials such as acrylic or polyamide will create more warmth than cotton will. More fitted long-sleeves are also better for the winter because they prevent the wind from cooling your skin down, and can be layered under sweaters and jackets, which won’t really fit over a thick, oversized style. With that in mind, make sure to check each product’s specific features, because a tight-fitting synthetic shirt sometimes manages not to be too warm either — as is the case with SKIMS’ Fits Everybody style.

Your Questions, Answered

What fabric should you look for to ensure the long-sleeve T-shirt isn’t too warm?

For Coultress O'Neill, there’s no question: “Cotton is always the best, [most] breathable fabric for any T-shirt,” she says. “It's easy to wash and wear too.” Fashion blogger and stylist AK Brown agrees, explaining that cotton is “perfect for summer or the beginning of fall, or for anyone who overheats easily.” Other natural fibers such as modal, cupro or TENCEL will also keep you nice and cool, while synthetic materials are typically best kept for the colder months.

How can you fix sleeves that are much too long?

“Take your arm measurements” ahead of purchasing a long-sleeve tee, Brown recommends. “This way, you can check your measurements against the length of the sleeves to ensure the best fit.” But if you’ve already ordered the shirt, there are so many ways to make sure its sleeves sit in the right place on your wrist.

Of course, if you know how to sew or have access to a tailor, you can take the sleeves in. But if that sounds like it would involve too much effort and/or money, there are so many other clever options out there. “Try an age-old trick for hemming pants: hem tape,” Sanchez suggests. “Hem tape used to be kind of a hassle when it only came in iron-on options, but there is a new adhesive that will offer an instant fix.”

Or you can simply go for the old-school roll, which is obviously the easiest solution and also looks very cute. “As a style tip for light fabrics that are too soft and will not give you a button to secure it: Roll up the sleeve and add a hair band similar in color at the arm to hold the roll in place,” says Jeffrey Ampratwum, a professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology. “Adjust so that there isn’t any pressure at the arm.”

Why Shop With Us

Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based freelance journalist, author, and copywriter. She covers everything from celebrities and relationships to fashion and beauty for numerous publications, like InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle, Women’s Health, and many more. For this story, she interviewed numerous experts on what to look for in a high-quality long-sleeve T-shirt as well as their favorites to buy.