Top Cotton Shirt Brands: From Comfort to Chic

Cotton shirts are a staple in any wardrobe, providing comfort and style for various occasions. With numerous brands available, it can be challenging to determine which ones offer the best quality and fit. Some standout brands have consistently impressed with their craftsmanship, materials, and design, ensuring you look sharp while staying comfortable. If you're curious to explore the top brands that have perfected the art of making exceptional cotton shirts, read on below.

Illustration of cotton shirts

Best brands of cotton shirts in 2025

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren stands out as a pioneering brand in the production of high-performance cotton shirts, leveraging innovative technology from Natural Fiber Welding (NFW) to create garments that combine the comfort of cotton with the performance attributes of synthetic fabrics. By 2025, Ralph Lauren aims to source 100% of its key materials, including cotton, sustainably, and has already made significant strides by introducing the RLX Clarus Polo Shirt, which uses a patented platform to transform virgin and recycled cotton into high-performance materials. This technology enables the creation of cotton fibers with enhanced attributes like quick-drying and moisture management, similar to those of polyester and nylon. For the 2024 Paris Olympics, Ralph Lauren debuted polo shirts made from 100% recycled cotton, further highlighting its commitment to sustainability. The brand's use of AVITERA(r) dyes also reduces water and energy consumption by 42% and 80%, respectively.

Brooks Brothers

Brooks Brothers, founded in 1818, is the oldest apparel brand in continuous operation in the United States, renowned for its high-quality cotton shirts. The brand, particularly famous for its iconic twill button-down oxford shirts, has maintained a strong presence with over 210 stores in the U.S. and 70 internationally as of 2015. Despite facing challenges, including a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brooks Brothers continues to operate at least 125 retail locations in the U.S. under new ownership. The brand's commitment to quality is evident in its classic cotton shirts, which are often preferred over non-iron options for their comfort and durability. Brooks Brothers' shirts, especially those from the Golden Fleece line, are tailored in the U.S., ensuring a premium finish.

Tommy Hilfiger

Tommy Hilfiger is a leading brand in the fashion industry, renowned for its high-quality cotton shirts. In 2022, cotton accounted for 69% of all raw materials used by the brand globally, with 97% of this cotton coming from organic, regenerative, and recycled sources. The brand is committed to sustainability, aiming to use 100% sustainable cotton by 2025. Tommy Hilfiger's manufacturing processes involve advanced technologies like 3D design and CAD software to ensure precision and reduce material waste. The brand's global production network spans countries such as China, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, ensuring efficient and quality-driven production. Learn more about Tommy Hilfiger's sustainable cotton initiatives.

J.Crew

J.Crew is renowned for its high-quality cotton shirts, although some recent feedback suggests a decline in fabric thickness and durability. Historically, J.Crew has been praised for its well-made cotton pieces, such as sleepwear and summer slub tees, which have been popular among customers. The brand's Thomas Mason shirts, in particular, are valued for their excellent fabric and tailoring, even at lower price points. However, there have been complaints about the thinness and poor longevity of some recent cotton items. Despite this, J.Crew remains a significant player in the apparel market, with a strong customer base and a wide range of products sold through various channels.

Uniqlo

Uniqlo stands out as a leading producer of high-quality cotton shirts, particularly with its Supima cotton offerings, which are renowned for their softness, durability, and affordable price point. These shirts, made from 100% Supima cotton, have been praised for their long-lasting material that withstands numerous wash and dry cycles without shrinking or losing shape, even after years of use. As of 2023, Uniqlo has achieved a significant global presence with over 2,434 stores worldwide and a notable operating revenue growth of 204% since 2012. The brand's commitment to quality and innovation is reflected in its Heattech technology and other signature lines like LifeWear and AIRism. Uniqlo's annual revenue has seen a substantial increase, reaching $15.83 billion in 2023, highlighting its strong market position.

Banana Republic

Banana Republic is renowned for its high-quality 100% cotton shirts, offering breathability, comfort, and durability. The brand's collection includes versatile styles such as slim-fit dress shirts, relaxed boyfriend tees, and cropped tops, suitable for any occasion. Despite a decline in sales, with net sales of $480 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2023, down 11% from the previous year, Banana Republic maintains its market share and continues to provide timeless classics and on-trend designs. Their cotton shirts are crafted from premium cotton fabrics, ensuring exceptional comfort and softness. Whether you prefer a classic button-down or a trendy tie-back style, Banana Republic's cotton shirts are a wardrobe staple.

Gap

Gap Inc. has established itself as a leader in sustainable cotton sourcing, committing to use 100% sustainable cotton by 2021 for its flagship Gap brand. This initiative includes sourcing cotton certified by the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), as well as organic, recycled, and verified American and Australian-grown cotton. By 2021, Gap had already sourced 11.5 million pounds of better cotton, enough to manufacture 7.4 million pairs of jeans. This commitment is part of a broader sustainability strategy that includes reducing water use and limiting the environmental impact of cotton production. Gap's efforts align with industry trends, as 19% of global cotton production now meets BCI's standards. For more details, explore their sustainable cotton commitment on Triple Pundit.

L.L.Bean

L.L.Bean is renowned for its high-quality cotton shirts, known for their durability and comfort. Despite some recent criticisms about quality control, many of their products still maintain a high standard, with items like the Comfort Stretch Pima Short Sleeve Tee and the Washed Cotton Double-Knit Crew Neck Long Sleeve receiving positive reviews, often rated 4 to 5 stars out of 5 by customers. However, some consumers have noted a decline in quality since the brand began outsourcing manufacturing to countries like Bangladesh and China. Historically, L.L.Bean has been a staple for reliable and long-lasting apparel, a reputation it aims to maintain. The brand continues to offer a wide range of cotton shirts with various features such as insect shield technology and unshrinkable materials.

Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein is a prominent brand in the fashion industry, particularly renowned for its high-quality cotton shirts. As of 2020, 49% of Calvin Klein's global retail sales were generated in North America, highlighting its strong market presence in this region. The brand's international segment contributes significantly to its revenue, with Calvin Klein International net sales accounting for 28.14% of the total revenue in the third quarter of 2024. Calvin Klein's products, including cotton shirts, are popular globally, and the brand continues to grow with a notable 6.57% year-over-year revenue increase in the international segment. The brand's commitment to quality and style has made it a favorite among consumers. For more detailed statistics, visit Calvin Klein retail sales share by region worldwide.

Levi's

Levi Strauss & Co. is a leading producer of cotton-based products, with over 90% of their offerings being cotton-centric. The company has committed to sourcing 100% more sustainably grown cotton, focusing on reducing water use, cutting carbon emissions, and minimizing the use of fertilizers and pesticides. As part of their sustainability efforts, Levi's has joined the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, which provides verified data on sustainability practices from U.S. cotton growers. In 2022, 90% of the energy used in Levi Strauss facilities was renewable, with a goal to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2025. Levi's also offers initiatives like in-store recycling and a 'tailor shop' to extend the lifecycle of their products.