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Where to Shop for the Best T-Shirts in New York

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A good T-shirt is a non-negotiable essential in any wardrobe. And now that they're coming out from under sweaters and heavy winter coats, it makes sense that you're thinking about refreshing your personal selection of the staple item. Finding a favorite tee can be tricky, so we've mapped out where in New York City to find the best ones, whether you're looking to splurge on a cool-kid brand or stock up on multiples without going completely broke.

Check out our ten favorite spots below, mapped out from north to south. If you don't see your favorite here, leave us a note in the comments — and if you're going for that James Dean effortlessness, grab a pair of good jeans to go with your new purchase.

Photo: Driely S./Racked

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The Japanese superstore full of wardrobe essentials is built on simplicity, quality, and longevity. With tee shirt price tags starting at $8, you can stock up on supima cotton and dry tech styles without thinking twice.

Marine Layer

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San Francisco has birthed many a basics brand (shoutout to Silicon Valley!), and luckily Marine Layer has crossed the country to bring New Yorkers that perfect T-shirt that won't lose its shape after a few washes for just 40 bucks. The store now boasts three NYC shops — here, Nolita, and Cobble Hill.
Kristen Philipkoski/Racked

James Perse

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This is one of those Los Angeles brands that New Yorkers love. Known for its super-soft, American-made 100% cotton tee that's just the right weight, you can find basically any wardrobe essential within this brand for men and women.

T by Alexander Wang

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Another one for the hopelessly cool, the designer's diffusion line includes tees that fall in the $100 range, but you are pretty much guarenteed to rave about it to anyone who will listen.
Anthony Thomas Melillo's acronymic collection is full of luxe tees made from modal and cotton jersey that start at $76. You can find them in Barneys' uptown flagship, as well as a few specialty boutiques around the city like Kirna Zabete and Otte.

Madewell

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Madewell is known for timeless basics that live up to the brand's name. It's called its best-selling tee a "forever favorite," and if you scroll the reviews, you'll have no choice but to accept it as a fact.

Aritzia

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This Canadian boutique has been stepping up its game as of late with very feminine staple pieces made to last. Get your fill of basic tees starting at $35 from in-house brands including Talula, Wilfred, and Community. This Flatiron location opened last fall, and other NYC stores can be found in Soho and at Rockefeller Center.

Basic Basic

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The name pretty much sums up this Noho store. The exterior looks a tiny bit American Apparel-esque (it used to be one, after all), and the interior is stocked with nothing but investment basics by the likes of Wildfox Couture and James Perse, to name just a few. With a wide range of brands comes a wide range of price points — shirts start at $19 and go upwards of $110.
Thank goodness the celeb-loved indie brand didn't get killed by American Apparel, because then we'd be without its house line A.OK shirts that come in slouchy, classic, and cropped fits starting at $52.

American Apparel Factory Outlet

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Despite its recent controversy, American Apparel has always been a solid bet for basics. You can get pretty much any kind of tee that you're searching for without breaking the bank here — especially if you're shopping this factory outlet location.

Uniqlo

The Japanese superstore full of wardrobe essentials is built on simplicity, quality, and longevity. With tee shirt price tags starting at $8, you can stock up on supima cotton and dry tech styles without thinking twice.

Marine Layer

San Francisco has birthed many a basics brand (shoutout to Silicon Valley!), and luckily Marine Layer has crossed the country to bring New Yorkers that perfect T-shirt that won't lose its shape after a few washes for just 40 bucks. The store now boasts three NYC shops — here, Nolita, and Cobble Hill.
Kristen Philipkoski/Racked

James Perse

This is one of those Los Angeles brands that New Yorkers love. Known for its super-soft, American-made 100% cotton tee that's just the right weight, you can find basically any wardrobe essential within this brand for men and women.

T by Alexander Wang

Another one for the hopelessly cool, the designer's diffusion line includes tees that fall in the $100 range, but you are pretty much guarenteed to rave about it to anyone who will listen.

ATM

Anthony Thomas Melillo's acronymic collection is full of luxe tees made from modal and cotton jersey that start at $76. You can find them in Barneys' uptown flagship, as well as a few specialty boutiques around the city like Kirna Zabete and Otte.

Madewell

Madewell is known for timeless basics that live up to the brand's name. It's called its best-selling tee a "forever favorite," and if you scroll the reviews, you'll have no choice but to accept it as a fact.

Aritzia

This Canadian boutique has been stepping up its game as of late with very feminine staple pieces made to last. Get your fill of basic tees starting at $35 from in-house brands including Talula, Wilfred, and Community. This Flatiron location opened last fall, and other NYC stores can be found in Soho and at Rockefeller Center.

Basic Basic

The name pretty much sums up this Noho store. The exterior looks a tiny bit American Apparel-esque (it used to be one, after all), and the interior is stocked with nothing but investment basics by the likes of Wildfox Couture and James Perse, to name just a few. With a wide range of brands comes a wide range of price points — shirts start at $19 and go upwards of $110.

Oak

Thank goodness the celeb-loved indie brand didn't get killed by American Apparel, because then we'd be without its house line A.OK shirts that come in slouchy, classic, and cropped fits starting at $52.

American Apparel Factory Outlet

Despite its recent controversy, American Apparel has always been a solid bet for basics. You can get pretty much any kind of tee that you're searching for without breaking the bank here — especially if you're shopping this factory outlet location.