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True Classic vs. Fresh Clean Comparison: TL;DR
Fresh Clean Tees and True Classic Tees are neck-and-neck in the t-shirt game. Both offer comfort and durability, but Fresh Clean Tees edges out with its proprietary “StratuSoft” fabric. True Classic has a broader product range, but when it comes to tees, it’s all about your style preference.
If you’re in the market for a new tee, you’ve probably come across both Fresh Clean Tees and True Classic Tees. They are both great basic tees with some very minor differences.
In short, it all comes down to what styles you prefer. So, which one is right for you? Let’s take a closer look at each company (in addition to some other t shirts we’ve tested) and compare the ultimate winner: true classic vs. fresh clean tees!
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5.0Buy Now Promo CodeA great shirt at a great price. Super comfortable and fits incredibly well.
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What’s the big idea with these t shirts?
The big idea of both Fresh Clean Tees AND True Classic Tees is pretty simple for both brands:
- High quality shirts
- Incredible comfort
- Great fit – for dad bods and beyond
- A great value – around $20
- Classics that stand the test of time
Also, see our best shirts for dad bods.
And to be 100% frank: both Fresh Clean Tees and True Classic Tees live up to the hype. They are both incredible t-shirts that will serve you well for years. In fact, we’ve been wearing Fresh Clean Tess for several years and True Classic for several months and have no complaints whatsoever.
Why you should trust us
First of all, $20 is about the upper limit for any t-shirt. Sure, there are more expensive shirts, like Goodlife, but there’s no way I’m paying $60+ for a t-shirt that isn’t autographed by the pope. Even if it wasn’t autographed, I’d have a hard time wearing it.
We also love Buck Mason T-shirts. They are incredibly well made, but also more expensive.
- Super easy to wear
- Fits perfectly
- Lasts a long time
- American-made
- Classic style
- Slightly more expensive (but last longer)
- Limited colors and styles
Is anyone else this way? They don’t wear their more expensive clothes because they are afraid they’ll get ruined? Well, I might be weird but I think that’s dumb. Life is too short to own clothes you love but won’t wear.
Second of all, we have tested a LOT of t-shirts over the years and these are two of our favorites. In addition to Fresh Clean Tees and True Classic Tees, we’ve also tested Perk Clothing (read our Perk Clothing Tee Review) and Buck Mason Tees (check out our Buck Mason Tee Review, too).
In short, these two are the gold standard of shirts for us. While they are both slightly more expensive (you can save with our Perk Clothing Promo Code), they are both great, high quality shirts that have lasted us for years.
So, when we see clothes like Fresh Clean Tees and True Classic, we hold them to a bar similar to Perk and Buck Mason. Fair? You be the judge.
Also, see our “dressy” t-shirt review: Robert Barakett Review and Goodlife Review.
Fresh clean tees vs True classic tees: What’s the t shirt shtick?
Each t shirt company seems to have some sort of shtick. What’s a shtick?
Shtick is when a company does something to stand out from the others.
So, what’s the difference?
The main difference between True Classic Tees and fresh clean tees is in the styles offered by each company. In the comedy world, it’s defined as “a gimmick, comic routine, style of performance, etc. associated with a particular person.” The same is true for all the t shirt brands, too.
They each have their shtick. Let’s dive into what they are for each brand.
True Classic Tees: What’s their difference?
Here’s what True Classic Tees Says:
It’s NOT just a t-shirt. Our premium tees are designed for guys’ bodies. They accentuate the arms & shoulders to make you stand out and feel great. They’re also super soft, wash well and reasonably priced.
What do we think?
We happen to agree. They are a perfect fit overall and fit a “dad bod” pretty well.
The shirts are super soft and fit well right out of the package.
Fresh Clean Tees: What’s their difference?
Here’s what Fresh Clean Tees says:
In 2015, we set out to create high-quality t-shirts, hoodies, and men’s basic tees. No frills. Just comfortable, affordable, super soft, and stylish essentials for you to live in. Our goal has been to empower guys to look and feel their best so they can explore, conquer, and LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!
They also say their fabric is StratuSoft, a super-soft proprietary cotton-poly fabric. Their shirts fit really well and are also super soft.
Fresh Clean Tees also started as a subscription t-shirt company, an option that is still available today, but it is downplayed on their website.
See why these are both on our list of best shirts for dad bodies.
The offerings: Fresh Clean Tees vs. True Classic
It seems like both shirt companies started out with a couple of simple crew neck t shirts and expanded pretty quickly from there.
As of the time of writing this, Fresh Clean Tees offers: crew neck t-shirts, tanks, v neck t shirts, pocket tees, henleys, polos, hoodies, pull-overs and long sleeve tees.
True Classic offers the same as Fresh Clean but also offers: joggers, shorts, socks, underwear, hats, beanies and jackets.
The clear winner in terms of simply offerings here is pretty straightforward: True Classic.
In addition to simply the number of types of clothes True Classic offers, they also offer a wider variety of colors – including super bright colors we would never want, but the options are there.
Let’s talk fit
Both Fresh Clean Tees and True Classic Tees fit incredibly similar.
In fact, for comparison, I put a Fresh Clean T Shirt on top of a True Classic T Shirt (both were the crewneck style). They appeared to be EXACTLY the same size – as best as I could tell in my 100% unscientific study of both.
When wearing the Fresh Clean version of the Crewneck, it did appear to be SLIGHTLY shorter. However that could have been simply because I’ve worn and washed it many times.
In these photos, I was wearing a brand new True Classic Tee (never been washed or worn before) and a Fresh Clean Tee that I’ve worn and washed probably close to a dozen times.
So, the clear winner here is: it’s a tie!
Both shirts fit exactly the same – at least in my experience.
True Classic Tee: Quick Review
As I try more True Classic Tees, I’ll give you my honest review here and at my True Classic Tees Review.
True Classic Tees: T-Shirt Review
True Classic Tees are the perfect choice for anyone looking for a classic, comfortable tee that will last. Made from premium butter-soft fabric, True Classic Tees are perfect for everyday wear. The 60% combed cotton/40% polyester blend will shrink minimally (5%) on a low heat setting in the dryer, and the classic side seam provides the best look and fit.
Plus, the soft tag is screen-printed inside the tee for maximum comfort. That means there literally is no physical tag. True Classic Tees are comfortable, fairly cheap, and unassuming (in the best way possible). Whether you’re looking for a new everyday tee or something to wear to bed, True Classic Tees are a great choice.
Let’s talk about some shirts like true classic tees.
Fresh Clean Tees: Quick Review – A Great True Classic Alternative
I’ve had the chance to try several Fresh Clean Tees products: from their tees to their polos and much more. Here are some super quick mini-reviews of those products.
Fresh Clean Tees: T-Shirt Review
Fresh Clean Tees has some of the best t-shirts around, and for a great price too! You’ll find comfortable, stylish shirts that are perfect for any occasion.
Whether you’re looking for a new shirt to wear out or just something to lounge around the house in, Fresh Clean Tees has you covered. And with such a great price, you can stock up on all your favorite colors and styles. So next time you’re in need of a new t-shirt, be sure to check out Fresh Clean Tees! You won’t be disappointed. Read our full Fresh Clean Threads Review.
Fresh Clean Tees Polo Review
I’ve also had the chance to check out their Polos. Read our full Fresh Clean Tees Polo Review.
I was incredibly surprised by the Polos made by Fresh Clean Tees. They were the perfect combination of easy-to-wear, comfortable, breathable, and looked decent.
In our best men’s clothing guide, we discussed that one of our pet peeves with polo shirts are collars that curl up. Polo shirts naturally do this over time, so we’ve found that Under Armour Shirts do not do this. We haven’t had the Fresh Clean Tees Polos long enough to test if the collars will curl up, but they shouldn’t.
The Fresh Clean Tees Polos are some of the best we’ve ever tried and we highly recommend them. The killer feature is also the price: They are only about $25 bucks. Even better
Fresh Clean Tees Hoodie Review
We also dived deep into the Fresh Clean Tees Hoodie Review. What did we find?
One of my favorite hoodies to wear is the Fresh Clean Tees Perfect Tee Hoodie. It’s super soft and really comfortable. It looks more expensive than it really is.
It runs true to size and is one of the lighter hoodies in my arsenal of hoodies, which is great for layering. The Fresh Clean Tees Perfect Tee Hoodie is a great choice for anyone looking for a stylish, well-priced hoodie that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.
Price: Which is a better value?
At first glance and paying full retail, Fresh Clean Tees is the obvious winner.
Fresh Clean Tees standard crew tees retail for $19.
True Classic Tees standard crew tees retail for $26.99.
However, you can save on both by using our Fresh Clean Tees Promo Code and our True Classic Tees Promo Code.
It gets even more complicated when you look at the different packs available. You can get a True Classic Tee 6 pack of shirts for $112.99 – which works out to $18.83 per tee.
You can get a 5 pack from Fresh Clean Tees for $79.99, which works out to $15.99 a tee.
Almost any way you slice it: Fresh Clean Tees is the winner here.
The Fabric
Here’s where things get a little crazier: both shirts sell a cotton and polyester blend t shirt.
In fact, both brands t shirts have 60% cotton and 40% polyester. Fresh Clean Tees says their shirts are made from proprietary “StratuSoft” – while True Classic Tees simply says their shirts are a 60% cotton and 40% poly blend.
Both shirts feel nearly identical to me. I didn’t have a brand new Fresh Clean T Shirt to test against the brand new True Classic shirt, but they both were soft to the touch and felt great! They are slightly stretchy but not too stretchy and also hang really well.
There is enough structure to make it not look like you are wearing a sheet but also enough stretch that it feels comfortable.
The bottom line: they are both great shirts made of something really close to the same fabric – so it’s a tie!
I would give a very slight edge to Fresh Clean Tees simply because of their proprietary fabric. It’s not that it’s a proprietary fabric that I love, it’s just the fact they have something that can’t be copied from somewhere else, at least exactly.
Fresh Clean vs True Classic: How else are they similar?
These shirts are close in price, fit and fabric, but they’ve also got a couple of more similarities.
One small one is there is no physical tag on the inside of the shirt. Instead, the shirt’s “tag” is screen printed on the inside.
They also both have a “Classic side seam” for the best look & fit.
Giving back: a unique approach
While there are many ways that these t shirt brands are similar, they are different in one key way: how they give back.
Fresh Clean Tees, born in a San Diego Garage, Fresh Clean Tees gives back to the beach. A percentage of EVERY sale is donated to the Surfrider Foundation to help achieve their goal of protecting all 12,000 miles of the U.S. coastline.
While that’s a noble cause, we more identify with how True Classic Tees gives back: their Co-Founder and CEO, Ryan Bartlett, has a deep family background in military service with grandparents and parents who served in WWII, Vietnam, the Gulf war, and more.
It was a personal and professional passion of his to bring awareness and aid to the veteran community and the ever-rising homelessness issue within it. Partnering with the Tiny House Project was an easy and obvious choice for True Classic Tees. Since then, they’ve been able to expand their donations to other homeless shelters beyond just the veteran community.
True Classic Tees is a company making a difference we support.
The Final Verdict: True Classic vs Fresh Clean Tees
As we’ve discussed a lot in this review, True Classic Tees and Fresh Clean Tees are very similar. From the fabric to the pricing, they are both very close.
We’d have to give the slight edge to Fresh Clean Tees – but it’s a slight edge. If you find a style you like more in True Classic Tees (especially the brighter colors) then you won’t be disappointed with True Classic Tees, either.
A great shirt at a great price. Super comfortable and fits incredibly well.
It really comes down to what style you prefer. The fit, price and fabric are all comparable, so it’s up to your personal preference in style that will make the decision for you!
If you like a particular shirt from one of these two companies more than another, don’t hesitate – buy it! One thing they do have in common is giving back: both Fresh Clean Tees and True Classic Tees donate a portion of their proceeds towards a bigger cause. Be sure to read our Fresh Clean Tees Review, our True Classic Tees Review, our Perk Clothing Tee Review and even our Buck Mason T-Shirt Review.
Which company would we choose? We’d give the slight edge to Fresh Clean Tees because they offer something unique with their proprietary “StratuSoft” fabric while True Classic Tee simply says theirs is 60% cotton/40% polyester blend. But like we said, it’s a small edge.
Both companies are great and you really can’t go wrong with either one! Thanks for reading and hopefully this has helped you in your decision process! Let us know which company you went with in the comments below!
Look for something more sporty? Check out our Fabletics Review. We hope you had some true classic tees alternative options and some fresh classic tees alternative options.