Our 12 Favorite Slub Cotton Tees

Nobody ever wants to wear something that’s imperfect — unless, of course, it’s deliberate like the kind of “mistakes” you get with the perfectly imperfect slub cotton tee. 

Made with yarn of an uneven, bumpy texture that was once caused by poor spinning, today a slub cotton tee is an all-season staple, revered for being lightweight and breathable with just the right amount of stretch. Plus, it’s got a slightly textured, organic look to help you channel an attitude of nonchalance to look cool without even trying.

From low-key to luxe, here are our 12 favorite slub cotton tees

Todd Snyder Made In L.A. Homespun Slub Pocket T-Shirt

The Todd Syder brand is synonymous with New York style with its cutting edge fashion retail that’s forever pushing creative boundaries. It makes sense that the Homespun Slub Pocket T-Shirt is made in L.A. – it’s got that effortlessly cool vibe going for it that would make James Dean proud. Made from premium imported cotton that’s garment-dyed for a soft, vintage feel, this is the sort of shirt that will look better as it ages and is perfect for layering.

• Price: $68
• Color Options: Black, Railings, Original Navy, Surf Green, Olive, Cider, Soft Pink, and White
• Made In: USA 

Forty Five Slub Pocket Tee

In the same way the 45 RPM record revolutionized the music industry, the Forty Five Slub Pocket Tee is just another one of the brand’s well-crafted hits. It achieves the look and feel of a well-worn vintage tee from the 60s or 70s and it’s preshrunk for the perfect fit. If you’re looking to stock up on t-shirts this season, this one is available in ten color options and at an affordable price-point, no less.

• Price:$35
• Color Options: Almond, Daphne Blue, Peach, Shoreline Green, Terracota, Vintage Wash Dusty Field Grey, Vintage Somerset Blue, Vintage Wash Fern, Vintage Wash Lagoon, and Vintage Wash Washed Navy
• Made In: Peru

Buck Mason Slub Classic Tee

Armed with a mission to provide American men with cool, quality clothes, in 2013, Buck Mason was founded. Consistency in fit, fabric and quality is imperative to the brand. The Slub Classic Tee follows these staunch rules. Cut from USA grown 145 GSM cotton jersey, it’s prewashed with enzymes and softener to create a warm, lived-in feel, and a straight hem that hits just below the waist.

• Price: $38
• Color Options: Black, Midnight, Moss, Clay Venice Wash, Thyme Venice Wash, Limestone Venice Wash, and Lake Venice Wash
• Made In: USA 

L.L. Bean Men’s Explorer Slub Tee

A slub cotton tee that also doubles as a performance tee? Talk about checking off all the boxes. Lightweight and breathable, this ultrasoft knit is still tough enough to withstand a range of strenuous activities, while still managing to keep you dry. With a fit on the more roomier side, this tee is abrasion resistant and it’s designed for maximum sun protection with UPF 50+ rated fabric that will block 97.5% of the sun’s UV rays.

• Price: $34.95
• Color Options: Dark Russet, Nautical Navy, Quarry Gray, Soft Spruce, and Warm Gold
• Made In: Imported (country not specified)

Alex Mill Standard T-Shirt in Slub Cotton

When Alex Mill first launched in 2012, it was with the goal of making the perfect shirt. Over the last ten years, the brand has had the opportunity to perfect their collection of effortlessly cool wardrobe staples and the Standard T-Shirt is a perfect example of this. Soft and breathable and featuring a subtle variation in texture, this tee will only look better with wear and works well on its own or layered under a jacket or blazer.

• Price: $48
• Color Options: White, Navy, Black, Heather Grey, Dark Spruce, Washed Cobalt, Faded Deep Olive, Graphite, Buckwheat, and Barn Red
• Made In: Not specified

Tecovas Slub Tee

Claiming this is the only shirt you’ll ever need, the Tecovas Slub Tee is cut from 100% cotton and pre-washed for minimal shrinking. It features a ribbed collar and fits true to size – no surprises here. A mid-weight fabric will keep it from looking sloppy and combat that ‘see-through’ effect seen in some lower quality cotton shirts.

• Price: $32
• Color Options: Sage, Indigo, Smoke, Onyx, and Bone
• Made In: Not specified

ATM Slub Jersey Crew Neck Tee

If you’re on the market for a luxury tee made from unimaginably soft Peruvian cotton, the ATM is for you. Available in multiple colorways, it features a loose-fitting classic crew neck, and a relaxed fit through the body. Featuring the subtle ‘ATM’ tattoo on the sleeve, wear it tucked or untucked depending on the occasion.

• Price: $80
• Color Options: Heather Grey, White, Midnight, Black, Coal, Earth, Forest Green, White Combo, Army, Powder Blue, Aqua Mist, Seaweed, White/Aqua Mist, Sky, Deep Ocean, Azalea, Pear, Wisteria, Lemonade, Plum, Mango Combo, Dijon, Heather Iceberg, Mustard, and Peacock
• Made In: Peru

Massimo Alba Panarea Slub Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt

Named after the smallest and most stylish of Sicily’s seven Aeolian Islands, it’s no surprise that Massimo Alba’s Panarea Slub Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt is also the priciest on our list. Available in only one color — black, the shirt oozes an effortless Italian elegance that’s difficult to achieve in sportswear. Made exclusively in Italy, it’s designed to be worn under a tailored jacket or mixed and matched with separates. 

• Price: $175
• Color Options: Black
• Made In: Italy

J.Crew Slub Cotton Crewneck T-shirt

Made from garment-dyed slub cotton in shades that will softly fade over time, this tee from J. Crew has a price-point we can get behind and more than 25 different colors to stock up on. Available in classic, tall, or slim fit, the tee is well-known for maintaining its shape after washing, while a thicker, ribbed neck lends it a slightly tailored look. 

• Price: $29.50
• Color Options: Limoncello, Light Pineapple, Tuscan Sunflower, White, Marine Navy, Vintage Ruby, Ridge Red, Warm Red, Light Thistle, Pink Blush, Pale Brick, Fresh Peach, Natural, Baywood Green, Dark Juniper, Misty Olive, Amalfi Blue, Aqua Coast, Peri, Shallow Sea, Evening Storm, Vivid Cobalt, Amalfi Coast, Slate Blue, Black, Purple Twilight, and Surf
• Made In: Imported (country not specified)

Johnston & Murphy Slub Crewneck T-Shirt

Known for serious quality without the serious attitude, Johnston & Murphy have been outfitting the masses in their high-quality crafted clothing and accessories since 1850. The Slub Crewneck is a soft, shape-holding tee that’s both breezy and light, with a superb fit that is also extremely wearable and easy-to-style.

• Price: $69.50
• Color Options: Mint
• Made In: Imported (country not specified)

American Giant Premium Slub Crew Tee

American Giant spent over a year perfecting and developing the premium slub fabric used to make the brand’s Crew Tee, so you know it will be built to last and worthy of your investment. Cut from 100% cotton, the non-see-through, non-torquing fabric sets the tone for a low-key vibe and is made from a rich, varied texture that holds its shape.

• Price: $50
• Color Options: Black, Bone, Iron, Navy, Castle Wall, Cannon Grey, Flaxen, Harbor Blue, Sand Storm Khaki, Vintage Indigo, Burnt Clay, and Agave Green
• Made In: USA

Theory Essential Tee in Cosmos Slub Cotton

Cut from a jersey fabric that’s knit with Peruvian organic cotton, Theory calls this lightweight wardrobe staple their most casual t-shirt. Super airy, it’s designed with a bound neck trim and double topstitching on the sleeves and hem and stays true to the brand’s philosophy that clothes should be well-tailored while still being extremely comfortable. 

• Price: $75
• Color Options: Black, Sargasso, Dark Stratus, Balsam Green, White, Eclipse, Rose Dust, Olympic, and Plush
• Made In: Imported (it’s made from cotton grown in Peru, but it doesn’t specifically say that the shirt is made in Peru)

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