Top Picks for Women’s Long-Sleeve Tees
With the arrival of cooler fall weather, I’ve been swapping out my short-sleeve layering tees for long-sleeve styles. Good quality long-sleeve tees for women can sometimes be hard to find, so I wanted to share a few of my favorites.
Long-sleeve tees: unsung wardrobe heroes
While there’s nothing particularly exciting or glamorous about layering tee shirts, they’re what I call “wardrobe glue.” As we transition from fall into winter, they can function as a base layer underneath sweaters, or work as a non-bulky option to wear with blazers or jackets. They’re great for travel, too!
I don’t know why, but for some years, it’s been hard to find long-sleeve tees (especially cotton) in colors other than black, white, or gray. But this season I’ve run across a few that I think are worth adding to my wardrobe.
Refined: Eileen Fisher 100% organic cotton jersey
My sizes: Tee – Petite Small, Cardigan – X-Small, Pants – X-Small
I think this would be a comfortable and practical travel day outfit! I’m wearing the Eileen Fisher organic cotton jersey tee and washable ponte knit carrot pants, both in the color “Wren,” which is close to Dark Brown in the both the Spring and Autumn palettes.
I’m so impressed with this tee! It’s 100% organic cotton jersey, and has a very refined feel and silky texture. It’s a classic crew neck style, and hits at high hip. The tee is offered in a bunch of great colors (Winters, check out “Violette,” which looks close to your Blackberry. And Autumns, there’s Deep Adriatic for you too!) Sizes XXS-3X and Petites (!).
Yes, the “carrot” pants are a little long for me, as they aren’t currently offered in Petite sizes. I’ve cuffed them here and will be getting them hemmed. Sizes XXS-3X.
Lots of style options: Talbot’s Pima cotton tees
This crew-neck tee from Talbot’s is also 100% cotton, and though not as refined as the Eileen Fisher above, has a nice weight and fit for layering. It’s a little longer, and the neck is a bit more open. It’s offered in Misses, Petite and Plus sizes in this “Toasted Coconut” color (again, good for Springs & Autumns).
More tees from Talbot’s
Misses, Petites, Plus & Plus Petite
Lots of colors!
Misses, Petite, Plus & Plus Petite
Also lots of colors!
Misses, Petite, Plus & Plus Petite
Casual comfort: Lands’ End
Lands’ End makes some nicely substantial cotton tees. Their 100% Supima cotton tees have a more relaxed fit than the Eileen Fisher or Talbot’s styles. Most are available in Misses, Tall, Petite, and Plus sizes. (Prices shown are full-price, but there are almost always discount codes available.)
More from Lands’ End
(This one does have 6% spandex in the blend for a slimmer fit)
As we transition from fall to winter, long-sleeve tees like these can be real workhorses. More fitted styles will work best underneath pullover sweaters or fitted cardigans. Or layer relaxed styles over a fitted base layer for milder days. Don’t be afraid to add a little color with your tees! Do you have a particular favorite brand or style of long-sleeve tee?
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Talbot’s has always made a great long sleeved tee. I’ve been buying them for years and have them in almost every color. Love the sweater vest.
Nice post! Today I am throwing on a warm purple long sleeve t-shirt, I think this one is from Target, under a thrifted purple blazer that is a good tone-on tone match.
I keep looking at your Vince loafers in every photo you wear them. They look so good!
Another thrift find was from J Jill, a pima/supima? T-shirt. They are nice. I would recommend J Jill as having a solid t-shirt quality.
Have a great week!
P.S. I am coming up on a big anniversary and am thinking about buying jewelry. But meh, I don’t know what’s quite my style, or to go for something fancy w/stone or more fashion/everyday without stones or with colored gems or plain stones. Budget is decent for an anniversary gift but not huge. I love your jewelry / accessory style.
On the other hand, I am thinking of getting a cat instead of jewelry, but my husband prefers that I would get jewelry, LoL.
I would love some high class T-shirts with long sleeves in other colours than white or black. They are hard to find here too.
And we don’t have Eileen Fisher or Talbot…
I know! Why are older women always offered such boring colours in Winter! I came across this shop in London ! https://www.gudrunsjoden.com/global
I loved it so much I spent over an hour enjoying the colour and styles and bought some beautiful items that are a joy to wear!
Great post. Headed to Talbots today!
I do have a favorite brand for workhorse pieces that travel well: Uniqlo! Great prices too
100% agree, Uniqulo has great t-shirts. I haven’t bought their short sleeve, but I’ll try them first. Thanks for the reminder
Those tees are tempting, but what’s really calling my name is that Me+Em vest, which looks like the perfect third piece and like nothing I currently own.
I have so many of the Land’s End Supima tees. Short, long, and 3/4 sleeve. Love them!
I agree about Lands’ End. I originally found them on the Target site when other Target brands were no longer all cotton. I also buy EF when they are not boxy/ square shaped. I also have a couple from LL Bean which have been great- different collar and great winter colors (don’t know about this year’s styles). Vive long sleeve cotton tees!
Have you ever tried L. L. Bean? They are a mail order company out of Maine I think. They sell Pima/Supima cotton T’s that are great quality and feel and wear wonderfully. The standard long-sleeve crew neck comes in 12 colors. They also have V-neck, Cowl neck, Shawl neck and they used to have Turtle neck (and may still, I just didn’t check). There are a variety of sleeve lengths and patterns too. I have some of their T-shirts from the 90’s that are still in perfect condition–so seriously long lasting! The only downside for you is the colors tend to skew cool, but the vanilla and teal should work. Best wishes!
LL Bean has the best in my view. I’m lucky in that I can shop at the store. Their tees include organic cotton, pima, and ‘regular; cotton, I’ve bought some recently and the cotton is a nice medium weight. Some of their shirts can shrink vertically, so I wash as instructed but then dry flat … or even on a hanger. These are better quality than Talbots, even though I love the T’s colors. LL Bean is an outdoors company, so they aren’t as stylish as some others, but I agree they last a long time! [p.s. This may be a dupe b/c my first comment got blown away …]
Long sleeved T-shirts are a staple in my wardrobe. It’s great to see the wonderful colors in the Eileen Fisher collection…but the sticker shock! I live in Canada and buy my T-shirts from Joe Fresh, a Canadian company. They are very good quality but make sure you are ordering 100% cotton because they also come in a variety of mixtures. Some are blended fibers – cotton mixed with polyester, rayon and/or elastin. I also really like the ones that are 100% rayon. There is a large variety of colors though none so exotic as Eileen Fisher’s. Sizes are from XXS to 3X. Prices range from $19-24 Can. Very well worth ordering on line and paying the shipping costs.
My favorite long sleeve tee for the perfect base layer is the Everlane luxe rib long sleeve crew. It does not add bulk and comes in several colors. It is a rare winter day when I am not wearing one.
Same here! They are my absolute favorite!
I’ll add LLBean , as I totally agree with Green Goddess, but another recent favourite for a more form fitting top is Athleta. Great under a vest or blazer , and their palette works well for me…a soft Autumn.
Susan – You are always so good about matching colors to seasons when you post clothing. What season are you?
I like the Vince long-sleeve Pima cotton crewneck tees, for the silky feel and the fit of the crewneck. They always show black, white, and gray, but periodically other colors are available. I have found tees in rosewood and in olive at Nordstrom’s near me, but I don’t see other colors on the Vince online site at this time.
I just bought two crew neck Talbot’s t-shirts today. They are 30% off and 3x points if you make an appointment with a sales clerk. I love their Pima shirts. Lands End’s Pima cotton shirts wear forever. I have a tank top that is at least 20 years old and still looks like brand new. I’ll also add what others have said that LL Bean also makes beautiful T shirts.
Just chiming in to say, I have a pair of the Carrot Pants and I love them. Just a little more body-conscious and formal than the Lantern Pants, but 99% as comfortable which works for me:)
The link to the me and em vest is not working for me. Is it a heavy knit? Great post – so practical – I live in long sleeved Tshirts.
Hi Kathryn, I’ve linked to the US site as that’s where a majority of my readers are. If you aren’t in the US, you may need to change destination to your country. The vest is a medium knit, not super bulky or heavy.
The Me + Em half zip vest is *SO* good! Totally unique and really elevates an every day look! Great suggestions on long sleeve tees – Thank you!
Kettlewell makes excellent long-sleeved tees, vees, and turtlenecks. I don’t care for thick 100% cotton, so their blends suit me and look more refined.
Long and 3/4 sleeve tees are staples for me. We had the “week where it was 90+ degrees” recently, which involved short sleeved tee shirts and dresses. Most of mine are from LL Bean, Lands End in 100% pima or supima cotton. Universal Standard’s tee rex is mostly modal and cotton with a bit of stretch.
T shirts are hard to find. When layering I like ones that have a wide band at the neck and are a little higher on the neck. For me they layer better. The Gap used to make tees like these but not anymore. I have Lands End and Talbots but the neck isn’t quite right. Uniqlo’s have a nice neck.
I am very sensitive to both wool and cashmere. This is a tough time of year for me! So many beautiful sweaters, coats, jackets, and vests.
Smooth cotton is my best friend. I was trying to recall a brand that I liked in the past. As I was searching, I came across the brand Fair Indigo.
It intrigues me. Organic Peruvian Pima cotton, some pieces with a bit of spandex. Seems like a company with good ethics. I’m giving them a try.
I ordered two. I’m especially excited to try the Women’s 100% Organic Cotton Knit Button Down Shirt.
I have had a lot of luck with COS T-shirts. Both long and short sleeved. Last year I purchased a few from JCrew and I was very disappointed with their lack of quality. The necks of the shirts were out of shape after the first wash. Everlane also has a good selection of high quality T-Shirts.
Those are some of my favorite tees too! I do sometimes like a little bit of rayon or spandex in the tees to keep their shape longer while wearing. I like Universal Standard and L.L. Bean.
I know you featured solid tees here but wanted to mention that I recently bought two long sleeve striped tees from Frances Valentine…in green and a bright navy with oyster…pricey but already work horses in my daily wardrobe….good for layering but still a bit boxy and not too long (a problem I have with Talbots)..