Long Sleeve T-Shirts for Women: The Designer Tees Worth Buying, and How to Layer Them

The short answer: a good long sleeve T-shirt is midweight cotton, slightly roomy through the body, with cuffs that stay put when you push them up, and it is the piece that makes every autumn layer work. Wear it under a slip dress, under an open shirt, and on its own with a pencil skirt. Our pick is the Dries Van Noten Long sleeve cotton tee in White, a regular-fit crew neck in midweight cotton jersey with a Flemish Fruits graphic on the chest. Browse every style in our designer T-shirts edit and the Dries Van Noten collection.

A plain long sleeve tee is one of the hardest-working things you can own. It is a base layer, a whole outfit and a sleep shirt. The difference between a cheap one and a good one shows after ten washes, when the neck has stretched and the body has twisted. Designer tees cost more because the cotton is denser and the cut is designed.

How a long sleeve tee should fit

• Neck: a close crew that lies flat. It should spring back after you pull it on.
• Shoulder: the seam on the shoulder bone for a fitted tee, slightly dropped for a relaxed one.
• Body: straight, skimming, long enough to tuck.
• Sleeves: to the wrist bone, with enough length to push up and stay.

Plain, striped and graphic: which to buy

How to wear a long sleeve tee

1. Under a slip dress. The 1990s layer, still the best. See how to wear a slip dress.
2. Under an open check shirt. See plaid shirts for women.
3. Tucked into a pencil skirt. See how to wear a pencil skirt.
4. With khaki pants. See khaki pants for women.
5. Under a blazer. A graphic tee under tailoring is the easiest way to soften a suit.

How to care for a cotton tee

Wash at 30 degrees inside out, which protects a printed graphic, then dry flat. Tumble drying shrinks cotton and cracks prints. Fold rather than hang knits and heavy jersey so the shoulders do not stretch.

Our picks

1. Dries Van Noten Long sleeve cotton tee in White

Midweight cotton jersey with a Flemish Fruits graphic, regular fit, crew neck. Made in M and L.

2. Versace Stretch Cotton-Jersey Long-Sleeved T-Shirt in White

A fitted white tee in stretch jersey, the perfect base layer.

3. Toteme Classic long-sleeve tee in White

Toteme’s classic white tee, plain and well cut.

4. Toteme Stripe jersey long-sleeve tee in White and Black

A Breton stripe in heavy jersey, for weekends.

5. MM6 Long-Sleeve Overdyed Handwritten-Print T-Shirt in Black

An overdyed black tee with a handwritten print, the graphic tee for grown-ups.

6. Jacquemus The London Address Long-Sleeve T-Shirt

A white tee with a small address graphic, subtle and witty.

7. Patou Long-sleeve T-shirt in White organic cotton

Organic cotton, a soft white tee with a feminine fit.

8. Fabiana Filippi Ribbed Cotton Jersey Long-Sleeved T-shirt in Vanilla Yellow

Ribbed cotton in vanilla yellow, for close layering under knits.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best fabric for a long sleeve T-shirt?

Midweight cotton jersey. It holds its shape, layers well and softens with washing. Add a little stretch for a closer fit.

How should a long sleeve tee fit?

Close at the neck, on the shoulder bone, skimming the body, with sleeves to the wrist bone.

Can you wear a long sleeve tee under a dress?

Yes. Under slip dresses, pinafores and sleeveless dresses it adds warmth and makes a summer dress work in autumn.

How do you stop a T-shirt neckline stretching?

Wash cool, dry flat, and pull the tee on by the body rather than the neck.

Are graphic tees still in style?

Yes, especially subtle graphics on a good cotton tee, worn with tailoring and skirts rather than only with jeans.