Everyday T-Shirts

How many tees does a wardrobe actually need?

Five to seven in colours you genuinely wear will outperform fifteen in colours you do not. Basics earn their value through repetition, so the useful question is which ones survive a year of washing rather than which look best in one photograph. The bulk of this collection sits at INR 999 - Boozee's Spray Grey Wash Stripes, Main Character's Reimagined and Nevermind prints - which is cheap enough to build a full rotation in a single order.

What to buy

• The INR 999 core - Boozee's Rust Orange Smoke and White Brushstroke Drip, Main Character's Sacred and Germanica.
• Oversized layering - Rules The World Oversized Unisex Tee at INR 1,199 and Kisses & Cuddles Graphic Oversized Tee at INR 1,299.
• Tanks for summer - Boozee's Magic Graphic Tank and Off The System Puff Print Tank at INR 999.
• Heavier picks - Desert Burn Brown Oversized at INR 1,404, Main Character's Midnight Eco at INR 1,599 and Off Sinners' Play Metal at INR 2,099.

Do these shrink?

Cotton settles slightly on the first wash. Wash cold, skip high-heat tumble drying, and the fit stays stable after that. Puff-print pieces such as the Off The System tank want an inside-out cold wash, because heat and friction flatten the raised print long before the fabric fades. Lighter tees dry quickly but show sweat sooner; heavier ones hang better and take much longer to dry in humid months.

Where to go next

See the wider range in men's t-shirts, layer up with hoodies and sweatshirts, or read the oversized graphic tees buying guide.