The Comfiest Soft Long Sleeve Shirts

Gap T-Shirt (also love the striped version & the printed version), Levi’s Jeans, J.Crew Shoes, EyeBuyDirect Glasses

Ever since I was a tiny tot, I had one very basic requirement for any garment that I would put on my body and I was very, very serious about it. It had to be comfortable. Which is why the topic of today’s blog post – the most comfortable, awesome, wear-anywhere, softer-than-soft, must-have-staple long sleeve t-shirts that you need in your wardrobe this Fall and Winter – has been such a long time coming. About three decades in the making, to be exact. There was actually a time in my life when I thought that silk and lace were the devil, and should be burned en mass. This was during my tomboy years from about 3 to 16 when I refused to let any fabric other than cotton touch my skin. So there’s that. Bottom line? I know a great tee when I feel one, and t-shirts fill my closet.

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During the week I’m usually wearing some form of soft tee or layering tee every single day because it just makes running around and getting things done so much easier. I can’t have anything fussy on when I’m working, so I save the more interesting items in my arsenal for dinner dates or weekend fun and live in the soft stuff during the work week. Which means that I’m always on the hunt for my next favorite tee because let’s be honest, when you wear them as much as I do they don’t last forever. I take really good care of my tees when I wash them, but because of how much I wear the ones I really love, they definitely have a shelf life. But that means that I’m always discovering new tees to love and stocking back up on the styles I’ve loved and worn until the holes and stains reached the breaking point.

And in all of this searching and wearing and testing, there’s one long sleeve tee that I’ve collected about 10 different versions of in the last two years that I can say, with total confidence, is not only my favorite (and most handy) layering tee for the colder months, but is my very favorite year-round, softer-than-soft tee in general. Seriously guys, it’s heaven. Pure, perfect, angelic, cozy, comfy t-shirt heaven, and it’s the Gap Featherweight Crewneck Tee that I have on here. It’s basically my best friend at this point, and I’m completely Ok with it. The sleeves are such a perfect length, I absolutely love the ease of the crewneck and the fit is perfectly elongated and slimming, which I really enjoy. And the only way I can describe the softness of this tee is to say that it feels like a second skin. The featherweight isn’t so light that it feels flimsy and cold, but it’s light enough to wear under sweaters for extra warmth or to protect from any sweater itchiness without making you overheat. See… I told you it’s perfect!

I’m wearing the solid heather grey color here, but if you’re only choosing only one other color I would also recommend picking it up in the oh-so-versatile white for easy layering (I wear the white one under sweaters all the time). I also have it in a bunch of different solid colors from this year and last, and the striped version and cute printed version, too. I’ve worn them alone with jeans like I’m wearing here and really love the ease and simplicity of it, but I’ve also worn them in a more functional capacity under sweaters, under sweaters/sweatshirts when I go snowboarding and bopping around town on the weekend after the gym/yoga/hiking/whatever other physical activity. So. Versatile.

Another one of my favorite comfy, cozy, versatile long sleeve tees that I can’t get enough of this year? Well, if you follow us on Instagram and Instagram Stories you’ve already heard me rave about this and my love for a great turtleneck in general – the Gap Ribbed Long Sleeve Turtleneck Top in Modal. This is another tee where I feel like the fabric has to be some sort of sorcery because it’s the softest material ever. I also love the fit of this turtleneck tee because the neck lays perfectly without folding and doesn’t feel tight or constricting, the sleeves are perfectly long and the body is elongated and slimming, just like the featherweight tee. I love the relaxed, easy chic-ness of that turtleneck and especially love it underneath a great winter coat.

On that note, I’ve included a bunch of turtleneck tees in this roundup of my favorite long sleeve tees out there, but if you’re not into a good t-neck don’t worry – there are tons of tees in the roundup that aren’t of the turtle variety. There’s something in there for everyone, and plenty of classic styles to go around. If you are, however a turtleneck lover like me, I’ll be diving into that subject (as you can tell I’m pretty passionate about my t-necks) in the coming weeks so we can celebrate turtleneck season in style together!

In general, if you’re looking for great, super soft long sleeve tees this season that are super comfortable, affordable, versatile, and come in all kinds of cuts and styles to love (i.e. crewneck, v-neck, long sleeve, pockets, lightweight, slub cotton, etc.) my go-to soft t-shirt gold mines are:

Gap

Aerie

J.Crew

Everlane

So what’s your t-shirt style? Are you v-necks all day every day? Crewnecks? Turtlenecks for life? And do you like a more substantial weight or weave, or do you prefer a versatile featherweight for layering? And are you as picky about the softness of your fabrics as I am? Please tell me I’m not alone in my weirdness! Also, if you have a great long sleeve t-shirt recommendation that we all need to know about, make sure you leave a link in the comments below. Sharing is caring!

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