Pledge Your Allegiance: The 20 Hottest Designer T-Shirt Brands For Men

Designer T-shirts: the Marmite of the menswear world. To some, they’re a fun way to bring punch and pep to a wardrobe while laying personal brand allegiances bare for all to see. To others, they’re regarded with upturned noses for many of the same reasons.

Whichever side of the argument you’re on, it’s difficult to deny that designer T-shirts are a major men’s fashion trend at the moment. In fact, they have been for several seasons now and their popularity shows little sign of waning.

Premium tees adorned with big logos, attention-grabbing slogans and eye-catching prints are now a mainstay in the collections of hyped-up streetwear labels and haute-couture houses alike. If you don’t already own a few, now might be a good time to consider investing.

But a designer tee is tricky to get right; there’s a very fine line separating tasteful and tacky. To make sure you remain on the right side of it, we’ve rounded up the best options available. From the unadulterated Italian opulence of Gucci to the neo-streetwear stylings of NYC’s Aime Leon Dore, this is Ape’s edit of the most sought-after designer T-shirts.

Maison Kitsune

A clothing brand by day and indie-electronic record label by night, Maison Kitsune has found success in both fashion and music circles. The Parisian brand’s tricolour fox emblem has become a common sight on the hangers of the world’s coolest menswear boutiques and, of course, their T-shirts.

Designs vary from season to season, but a simple pocket tee bearing a woven fox patch to the breast is one of the constants.

Shop now at END.

Stone Island

Italian luxury sportswear label Stone Island is best known for its innovative fabrics and dyeing techniques. Admittedly, there’s little place for the former in the world of plain cotton T-shirts. That said, you better believe the brand’s short-sleeved offerings are coloured to perfection.

The logo patch tee has been a key fixture in Stone Island’s collections for several seasons now. They typically feature the iconic compass badge and are garment-dyed for softness and a relaxed, lived-in finish.

Shop now at MR PORTER

AMI

Alexandre Mattiussi’s stripped-back pieces have been popular among style-savvy gents across Europe since his AMI label first emerged in 2011. Fast forward to now and the French brand is nothing short of a global phenomenon.

The logo T-shirt has played a big role in AMI’s rise to prominence and remains one of its hero pieces. Designs are often neatly embroidered, rendered in tactile fabrics or incorporate tasteful yet eye-catching graphics for a subtler take.

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Aimé Leon Dore

If you want to see a modern example of a fashion success story, look no further than Aimé Leon Dore. This New York label’s colourful blend of streetwear and classic menswear has seen it grow from a small startup to one of the most talked-about names in the industry. Or, as The New York Times put it, “from a brand seeking out inspiration to one that provides it.”

King among ALD’s seasonal collections is its punchy T-shirts, featuring bold block colours and subtle script branding.

Shop now at Aimé Leon Dore

Gucci

Italian fashion house Gucci’s sales have been on the up since 2018. The label’s return to form at the hands of creative director Alessandro Michele has been marked by two key shifts. Firstly, the embracing of streetwear. And secondly, the reappropriation of simple garments like hoodies and T-shirts as high-end, luxury pieces.

Gucci has been instrumental in reigniting the public’s love for branded T-shirts. So much so that its colourful designs have come to define the trend.

Shop now at MR PORTER

Balenciaga

Balenciaga has quickly repositioned itself as one of the coolest luxury menswear brands in the world. Under the guidance of Vetements founder Demna Gvasalia, the Parisian fashion house takes traditionally stuffy concepts like tailoring and structure and gives them a contemporary streetwear twist.

The results are pretty unique and perhaps not to everyone’s taste. However, one thing we can all agree on is that Balenciaga’s range of logo T-shirts have become some of the most desirable in the world for both A-Listers and fashion insiders alike.

Shop now at END.

Saint Laurent

If there was ever a high-end designer label capable of making a logo T-shirt slick and subtle it’s Saint Laurent. The French fashion house may be best known for leather jackets and slim cuts now thanks to Hedi Slimane, but T-shirts are still a seasonal staple.

Designs tend to favour restraint over brash branding and boldness. It’s an approach showcased perfectly by its range of simple logo T-shirts, featuring celestial motifs and an undersized branding.

Shop now at SSENSE

AMIRI

If Saint Laurent had a lovechild with a Sunset Strip rock band, it’d look a lot like AMIRI. The LA-based label is all about distressed luxury, and its tees come with high-gloss finishes, graffiti fonts and enough swagger to warrant their designer price tag.

Glamorous, gritty and designed for after-dark adventures.

Shop now at MR PORTER

Off-White

Virgil Abloh may no longer be with us, but his legacy lives on through Off-White. The brand’s T-shirts walk a razor-thin line between streetwear and high fashion, splashed with bold prints, diagonal stripes, and tongue-in-cheek quotation marks.

Subtle? No. Covetable? Absolutely.

Shop now at FarFetch

Comme des Garcons PLAY

Comme des Garcons PLAY at Farfetch

When it comes to the weird and the wonderful, there are few houses more experienced than Comme des Garçons. The CDG brand is made up of a number of lines, the most wearable of which being CDG PLAY.

PLAY is based around simple pieces. Things like hoodies, Breton tops, knitwear and, of course, T-shirts. There are plenty of big logo options for the more daring dressers. However, for those who prefer to keep it simple, the signature bug-eyed heart tee is a solid option that comes in multiple colourways.

Shop now at END.

Burberry

Having clawed back it’s tattered reputation, Burberry has emerged as one of the hottest names in high fashion. With Ricardo Tisci at the helm, the British brand has begun to incorporate streetwear-leaning styles, with the logo T-shirt becoming a hero piece.

Go bold with across-the-chest Burberry branding, or opt for something a little more restrained with a tasteful monogrammed option instead.

Shop now at SSENSE

Brunello Cucinelli

Brunello Cucinelli made a name for himself crafting colourful, cashmere sweaters. Today, his label is better known for its ultra-luxe aesthetic and upscale casualwear. This consists largely of relaxed tailoring, linen and sneakers, but don’t be surprised to find the odd premium T-shirt too.

Brunello Cucinelli’s take on the designer tee is less about big, brash branding and more about quality. Expect soft Jersey cotton construction and subtle stitched logo detailing.

Shop now at MR PORTER

Acne Studios

Acne Studios has long been the insider’s choice for elevated wardrobe staples. The Stockholm label made its name with sharp denim, but its T-shirts are equally worthy of praise—think boxy fits, premium organic cotton and subtle Scandinavian design.

The small emoji-style face patch has become something of a cult symbol, worn by those who appreciate minimalism with a wink.

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Fear of God ESSENTIALS

Fear of God ESSENTIALS at MR PORTER

Fear of God’s ESSENTIALS range does what it says on the tin: offers quietly luxe wardrobe basics with a laid-back California attitude. The tees are generously cut, come in muted earth tones, and feature subtle branding.

They’re perfect for the guy who wants to flex designer labels without shouting about it.

Shop now at SSENSE

Loewe

Loewe has long been a haven for those who appreciate artistry in their attire. Now under the creative direction of Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez—the duo behind Proenza Schouler—the Spanish luxury house continues to blend craftsmanship with contemporary design.

Their T-shirts often feature delicate embroidery, hand-drawn designs, or surreal graphics that wouldn’t look out of place in a gallery. More Picasso than Primark.

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Palm Angels

What do you get when an Italian art director becomes obsessed with LA skate culture? Palm Angels.

Expect gothic fonts, dystopian prints and T-shirts that look like they’ve been scorched in the name of fashion. Ideal if you like your streetwear a little unhinged—in the best possible way.

Shop now at Farfetch

Celine Homme

Celine Homme at MR PORTER

Under Michael Rider’s new creative direction, Celine Homme is embracing a refined aesthetic that balances modernity with timeless elegance.

Rider, who previously worked under Phoebe Philo and led design at Polo Ralph Lauren, brings a nuanced approach to menswear. His T-shirts are characterised by clean lines, quality fabrics and understated branding, offering a sophisticated take on casual luxury.

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BODE

BODE isn’t your average designer label—it’s a love letter to craftsmanship, nostalgia and vintage Americana. The brand’s T-shirts often feature hand-stitched appliqués, embroidery and one-of-a-kind detailing.

It’s the sort of thing that looks plucked from your grandmother’s attic and remixed by a Lower East Side creative.

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Kapital

No one does off-kilter cool like Japan’s Kapital. Known for its denim, tie-dye and trippy graphics, the brand’s T-shirts are eclectic, eye-catching and wildly collectable.

They’re the kind of pieces that make people ask, “Where did you get that?”—and then pretend to know the brand when you tell them.

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Rhude

Rhude has taken the idea of vintage Americana and run with it, straight into the streetwear fast lane. The brand’s graphic T-shirts draw on everything from 90s NASCAR to classic rock, resulting in bold, sun-faded styles that look like they’ve already lived a full, rebellious life.

Chuck one on, and you’re halfway to front row at Fashion Week.

Shop now at SSENSE