
Who Makes
the Best
Pocket Tees?
A warm weather staple that’s just a tad cooler than your standard tee
Maybe it’s the transitional weather. Perhaps it's because they're just a little bit different. In any case, we've been hunting for the perfect pocket T-shirt lately. Much like their simpler, pocketless brothers, these tees are an essential part of your warm weather wardrobe. The pockets come in a variety of shapes and styles, but one wonders if they're really meant to be used. While pockets have long been added to clothing, the pocket tee didn't really take off until the late '50s and '60s. After James Dean stepped onto the screen wearing a plain white T-shirt with a pocket in Rebel Without a Cause, they suddenly started showing up all over America. People discovered they made a convenient spot to store cigarettes, pens and other small items like business cards. So who makes the best ones? We tried on countless styles and have assembled a grouping of the best, in a range of styles and price points.
The Best Pocket Tees
in 2021
Heavy Bag tee,
$45 by Taylor Stitch

Slub pocket tee,
$32 by Forty Five

Loose fit heavyweight tee,
$16.99 by Carhartt

Slub cotton standard pocket tee,
$45 by Alex Mill

Hemp and cotton blend tee,
$52 by Jungmaven

Relaxed fit heavyweight tee,
$25 by Abercrombie & Fitch

Uniform organic cotton pocket tee,
$18 by Everlane

Slub classic tee,
$40 by Buck Mason

Boxy fit Lucky tee,
$108 by John Elliott

Garment-dyed slub cotton tee,
$29.50 / $19.50 by J.Crew

Groovy loose-knit organic cotton tee,
$58 by Outerknown

Sunfaded pocket tee,
$65 by Imogene + Willie
How to Buy Vintage Tees Online
Fit is key. So take one of your favorite T-shirts and measure it between the armpits and from the collar to the bottom hem. This will give you a reference to compare it to the listed dimensions on a vintage tee being sold online.