Streetwear has elevated the status of the t-shirt beyond an everyday essential. Up till 2023, the best streetwear brands like Fear of God Essentials and Bape have reinvented the t-shirt for men and women by experimenting with the proportions, construction and prints of t-shirts. Their radical approach to apparel design and streetwear completely changed the scene, reinventing what it meant to look fresh. Bape formed the template for bold prints and shark hoodies in the early 2000s while FOG defined athleisure in the 2010s.
On the other hand, brands like Kith and Stussy use graphics prints, vivid storytelling and creatively styled lookbooks to share the stories of the communities that their clothes were inspired by and made for. Kith creates collections and in-store experiences that reference sneaker culture in New York while Stussy was born from surf culture. Wearing their t-shirts is a way of showing support for their message and heritage.
For your next t-shirt pickup, we have curated a selection of streetwear brands that have produced some of the best t-shirts in 2023 for both men and women. They have stood out from the crowd with their refreshing designs informed by a unique point of view. Scroll to view the full list and shop pieces from each brand too!
Antisocial Social Club was founded by Instagram personality Neek Lurk in 2015 and was inspired by his struggles with mental health. A combination of a relatable message and a slew of celebrity endorsements from the likes of Don C, Kim Kardashian and the late Virgil Abloh skyrocketed the brand’s popularity. ASSC tees often feature their bold logo with unique detailing. ASSC has collaborated with brands like Mastermind and Bape, the latter collection sold out in just two minutes.
Product: Anti Social Social Club Logo 2 T-Shirt ‘Black’
Price: S$84.74 (L)
Shop here: GOAT
In 2018, Jerry Lorenzo launched Fear of God Essentials, or Essentials for short, in a bid to make his brand more aspirational and attainable. A sister brand of Fear of God, Essentials offered the same color palette and boxy proportions but at a much more affordable price point. Their range of apparel offered a refined spin on the athleisure trend that Fear of God propelled and quickly became one of the most recognizable brands in streetwear.
Product: Fear of God Essentials Essentials Tee ‘Iron’
Price: S$105.26 (L)
Shop here: GOAT
Stüssy is one of the most highly regarded brands in streetwear since it was established in the early 1980s by Shawn Stussy. The Californian brand began as a surfboard manufacturer, producing hand-crafted boards signed off by Stussy himself. They eventually began producing tees, caps and shorts that were designed for surfers. As surfwear gained popularity in the early 2000s, Stussy became one of the biggest names in streetwear and went on to pioneer the formula used by streetwear brands today, which prioritizes community-inspired designs, simple apparel and global collaborations. Today, Stüssy t-shirts continue to incorporate designs that nod to their surfer origins and feature the iconic Stussy surfer and signature.
Product: Stussy World Tour Tee ‘Black’
Price: S$335.31 (M)
Shop here: GOAT
Bape was founded by Nigo in 1993 and offered a new, bold spin on streetwear. Just as hip-hop began to adopt brighter and more colorful apparel, Pharrell linked up with Nigo and began a decades-long friendship that saw the American rapper bringing the Japanese streetwear brand to America. Soon their colorful ABC camo print tees and shark hoodies became some of the most coveted streetwear apparel in the streetwear scene. Often regarded as luxury streetwear, Bape continues to release bold apparel that perfectly encompasses that era of rap and street culture.
Product: BAPE 1st Camo Big Ape Head T-Shirt ‘White’
Price: S$203.53 (L)
Shop here: GOAT
In 2011, OG sneakerhead Ronnie Fieg established Kith in the heart of New York City. A well-organized series of weekly drops and curated apparel built the store a cult following that is loyal till today – it’s not uncommon to see long lines outside their doors. Kith has gained a reputation for releasing retro-inspired yet luxurious streetwear collaborations that often include apparel, accessories and sought-after sneakers.
Product: Kith For Spider-Man Allies Vintage Tee ‘White’
Price: S$395.77
Buy here: GOAT
Head over to GOAT to shop their wide selection of t-shirts from iconic brands like Stussy, Kith, BAPE, ASSC and more!