Comparing True Classic vs Buck Mason T-shirts? We’ve worn both brands for years and tested 23+ styles combined. Here’s our honest verdict on which men’s t-shirt deserves your money.
Quick Verdict: Who Should Buy What
Want a great t-shirt brand that won't break the bank? Check out True Classic Tees.
Choose True Classic Tees if you want:
- Best value for the money (as low as $16/shirt in packs)
- Flattering fit for “dad bods”
- Wide variety of colors and styles
- A brand that supports a cause
Choose Buck Mason if you want:
- The highest quality t-shirt you’ve ever owned
- Classic American-made craftsmanship
- Shirts that last 4+ years
- Premium materials (Pima cotton, Slub textures)
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
Our Winner: For pure quality, Buck Mason is our go-to. For value and variety, True Classic is nearly impossible to beat. Different budgets, different winners.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | True Classic Tees | Buck Mason |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $27 retail ($16-20 in packs) | $45 |
| Material | 60% cotton / 40% polyester | 100% Pima cotton or Slub variations |
| Made In | Ethically sourced (overseas) | USA |
| Fit | Flattering for dad bods (tight arms, room in stomach) | Classic fit, true to size |
| Shrinkage | ~5% in dryer | Preshrunk, minimal |
| Colors Available | 20+ colors | Limited (mostly neutrals) |
| Product Range | Tees, polos, hoodies, pants, underwear | Tees, henleys, outerwear, denim |
| Durability | Good (maintains shape, minimal fading) | Excellent (4+ years tested) |
| Social Mission | Donates to homeless shelters (~15,425 shirts/month) | Sustainability focus |
| Best For | Budget-conscious, variety seekers | Quality-first, classic style |
True Classic Tees: The Value Champion
The Pitch
True Classic Tees launched in September 2019 with 673 orders their first month. Now they’ve sold over $250 million in t-shirts. That’s pretty incredible for a brand that’s essentially built on one promise: flattering fit at accessible prices.
Their design philosophy? T-shirts that accentuate arms and shoulders while still having room in the stomach area for a “dad bod.” It sounds simple, but they nailed it.
The Quality
True Classic Tees offer a snug, flattering fit and buttery-soft comfort. They’re well-priced and true to the claims they make.
The 60% combed ringspun cotton / 40% polyester blend is the secret. This combination creates lightweight, breathable fabric that doesn’t shrink much and maintains structure in the sleeves, shoulders, and arms.
The blend also means:
- Minimal shrinkage (~5% in dryer on low heat)
- Resists fading, pilling, and warping
- Necklines don’t stretch out after washes
- Soft, screen-printed tag instead of physical tag
The Fit
This is where True Classic genuinely shines. The shirts are designed to:
- Fit perfectly through the shoulders
- Accentuate your arms (even if they’re not gym-ready)
- Have room through the stomach
- Work for “regular guy” bodies
It’s a “happy medium” fit—not too loose, not too tight for most guys.
We wear a size medium in just about every t-shirt we own, and we wear a medium in True Classic. They run true to size before washing.
The Value (This Is The Real Story)
Here’s what makes True Classic incredible: the pack pricing.
Single shirt retail: $26.99 But the packs change everything:
- All-Blues 3-Pack: $59.99 ($19.99/shirt)
- Using promo codes: ~$15.99/shirt
For high-quality shirts at under $20 each, you can’t beat True Classic. This is a fantastic method to keep your closet full of great basics.
Beyond T-Shirts
True Classic has expanded beyond tees to offer:
- Polos (the collar stays intact remarkably well after washes)
- Hoodies and sweatshirts
- Joggers and pants
- Underwear
- Bomber jackets
They listened to customers and now offer a complete basics wardrobe.
The Cause
True Classic donates to homeless shelters, with deep ties to the veteran community. Their Co-Founder has a family background in military service, and partnering with the Tiny House Project was natural.
They’re donating about 15,425 shirts a month. That’s incredible for any company, let alone a relatively new one.
Buck Mason: The Quality King
The Pitch
Buck Mason was founded in 2013 in Venice, California by neighbors who wanted to simplify men’s style. Many of their clothes are made in the USA—including their signature t-shirts.
We first heard about Buck Mason from Shark Tank and loved the idea: classic men’s staples that don’t require a lot of thinking. Plus, American-made.
The Quality
Simply put, Buck Mason T-Shirts are the go-to in our closet.
We’ve been wearing these shirts for 4+ years with no problems. One shirt (that they no longer make) started to tear after about a year—we emailed them, explained we’d only washed it 3-4 times, and they replaced it immediately.
The fabric options include:
- Pima Cotton: Smooth, uniform, modern. Made from USA-grown long-staple Supima cotton with a soft, smooth hand.
- Slub: Textured, unique variations throughout. Lightweight, breathable, with a subtly rugged aesthetic.
Both are garment washed with enzymes and softener for a lived-in feel from day one.
The Fit
Buck Mason runs true to size—before AND after washing. They don’t shrink, so no worrying about size changes.
The curved hem is a nice touch, especially for guys with shorter legs and longer torsos. It’s so subtle you probably won’t notice it, but it makes the shirt drape better.
Pro tip: Avoid lighter colors. The fabric is loosely woven for breathability, which means chest hair can poke through on light colors. Stick with darks.
Our Favorite: The Pima/Slub Tees
Here’s what we love about these shirts:
- The variation in color (black speckled with white) looks nice
- Hides anything that gets on your shirt (dust, dog hair)
- Super soft and gets softer over time
- Keeps its shape
- Doesn’t shrink in the wash
The Slub texture creates those tiny horizontal stripes and natural variations throughout. It allows the shirt to drape over your body naturally.
The Price Reality
At $45 per shirt, Buck Mason costs nearly double True Classic’s retail price. That sounds steep.
But consider:
- These shirts last 4+ years
- Made in the USA
- Premium materials
- Better construction
The cost-per-wear math actually favors Buck Mason for anyone keeping shirts long-term.
Sustainability
Buck Mason emphasizes eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing. Many items use organic cotton, reducing water usage and pesticide exposure. Their packaging is designed to minimize waste and be recyclable.
Head-to-Head: The Key Comparisons
Comfort
True Classic: Buttery soft from day one. The cotton/poly blend feels lightweight and breathable.
Buck Mason: Also incredibly soft, especially the Pima cotton. Gets softer with every wash.
Winner: Tie—both brands nail comfort.
Durability
True Classic: Maintains shape, minimal fading, necklines stay intact. Good longevity for the price.
Buck Mason: We’ve worn the same shirts for 4+ years. Exceptional durability. Premium construction pays off.
Winner: Buck Mason—the quality difference shows over time.
Fit
True Classic: Designed for “dad bods”—flattering through arms/shoulders with room in stomach. Works for most body types.
Buck Mason: Classic fit, true to size. Not specifically designed for any body type—just classic proportions.
Winner: True Classic for accessibility; Buck Mason for classic proportions.
Value
True Classic: As low as $16/shirt in packs. Incredible value.
Buck Mason: $45/shirt. Premium pricing, premium product.
Winner: True Classic for budget. Buck Mason for long-term investment.
Style Options
True Classic: 20+ colors, multiple styles (crew, V-neck, henley, long sleeve, tank), plus polos, hoodies, pants.
Buck Mason: Limited colors (mostly neutrals), but multiple fabric options (Pima, Slub, ToughKnit, Field-Spec).
Winner: True Classic for variety; Buck Mason for focused quality.
Made In
True Classic: Ethically sourced from overseas with BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) certified suppliers.
Buck Mason: Made in the USA, specifically at BM Knitting Mills in Mohnton, PA for many items.
Winner: Buck Mason for American-made—if that matters to you.
The Honest Comparison: Wearing Both
We wear Buck Mason in most of our YouTube videos. It’s simple, easy, comfortable—and doesn’t distract. It just looks good without being attention-grabbing.
When someone asks what we’re wearing, it’s almost always the Buck Mason Vintage Tri-Blend Tee (though they no longer make it—the Pima Curved Hem Tee is almost identical).
True Classic is what we reach for when we need to stock up on basics. At $16-20 per shirt in packs, we can fill the closet without breaking the bank.
Real talk: Buck Mason is objectively better quality. But True Classic is objectively better value. Most guys need both positions covered.
[Image: Both shirts being worn side by side]
What About Fresh Clean Tees?
Since we’re comparing budget t-shirt brands, we should mention Fresh Clean Tees (now Fresh Clean Threads).
We actually like Fresh Clean Tees slightly more than True Classic for just t-shirts. They also have a 60/40 cotton/polyester blend and similar pricing.
But True Classic’s broader product range (polos, pants, hoodies) and their charitable giving push them ahead for most buyers.
For a deep dive, check our Fresh Clean Tees vs True Classic comparison.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy True Classic Tees If:
- Budget matters — You want great shirts at $16-20 each
- You need variety — 20+ colors and multiple styles
- “Dad bod” fit appeals — Designed for regular guy bodies
- You want a complete wardrobe — Tees, polos, pants, underwear
- Supporting causes matters — 15,000+ shirts donated monthly
- You’re stocking up — Pack pricing is unbeatable
Buy Buck Mason If:
- Quality is paramount — You want the best t-shirt you’ve ever owned
- American-made matters — Made in USA craftsmanship
- You prefer classic neutrals — Focused color palette
- Long-term investment thinking — $45 shirts that last 4+ years
- You appreciate premium materials — Pima cotton, Slub textures
- You don’t need variety — A few perfect shirts beats many OK shirts
Honest Negatives
True Classic Tees Cons
- Limited to one fit style — Great for dad bods, less ideal if you prefer different proportions
- Competition with other brands — Fresh Clean Tees, Buck Mason offer similar or better quality
- Slight shrinkage (~5%) — Dryer can cause some shrinkage
- No standout feature beyond value — Nothing attention-grabbing
- Online only — Though they’re opening physical stores
- Made overseas — Not American-made if that matters
Buck Mason Cons
- Price ($45/shirt) — Premium pricing isn’t for everyone
- Limited colors and styles — Mostly neutrals, focused selection
- Light colors problematic — Chest hair can poke through
- Classic fit only — Not designed for specific body types
- Some items discontinued — Our favorite Tri-Blend Tee is gone
- Harder to stock up — Price makes bulk buying tough
Final Verdict
After testing 23+ styles combined, here’s our honest take:
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
Buck Mason is the better t-shirt. Full stop. The quality, craftsmanship, and longevity justify the $45 price tag. These are the shirts we reach for when we want to look good effortlessly. They’re what we wear in our videos. They last 4+ years.
If you had to get one Buck Mason shirt, start with the Pima Curved Hem Tee. It’s the most accessible entry point at $45.
True Classic is the better value. At $16-20 per shirt in packs, you can stock your entire closet with quality basics. The fit is flattering, the variety is unmatched, and the quality is legitimately good. For the price, you can’t do better.
Want a great t-shirt brand that won't break the bank? Check out True Classic Tees.
Our recommendation: Own both.
Buck Mason for when you want to feel good about what you’re wearing. True Classic for everyday rotation when you need reliable basics.
There’s no such thing as one perfect t-shirt for every situation. But between these two brands, you’ve got every situation covered.
Read Our Full Reviews:
What Others Are Saying
FAQ
Are True Classic Tees any good?
Yes! They offer a snug, flattering fit with buttery-soft comfort at accessible prices. The quality matches the claims. They quickly became a wardrobe staple for us.
Are Buck Mason shirts preshrunk?
Yes. Their shirts are preshrunk, so you can expect consistent fit after washing. They run true to size before and after washing.
Do True Classic Tees shrink?
About 5% in the dryer on low heat. If you’re worried, hang dry. The poly blend prevents significant shrinkage.
What’s the difference between Buck Mason Slub and Pima?
Pima: Smooth, uniform, modern look. The cotton is wound tighter for a sleek finish. Slub: Textured variations throughout. More casual, rugged aesthetic. Better draping.
Both are 100% cotton but feel and look different.
Which brand fits better?
True Classic is designed for “dad bods” (flattering arms/shoulders, room in stomach). Buck Mason is classic fit that works for standard proportions. Neither is “better”—depends on your body.
How long do these shirts last?
True Classic: 1-3 years with regular wear. Buck Mason: 4+ years (we’ve tested this personally).
Which is better for everyday wear?
Both work for everyday wear. True Classic is easier on the wallet for daily rotation. Buck Mason is better quality for when you want to look good without thinking.
People Also Ask
Is True Classic or Buck Mason better quality?
Both brands have their strengths. True Classic tends to excel in certain areas while Buck Mason has advantages in others. Check our detailed comparison above for a breakdown by category — we tested both extensively before picking a winner.
Is True Classic worth the price?
It depends on what you prioritize. True Classic delivers solid quality for the price point, but Buck Mason may offer better value in some categories. We break down the cost-per-wear math in our full comparison above.
What do people on Reddit say about True Classic vs Buck Mason?
Reddit users are split — some swear by True Classic for durability and quality, while others prefer Buck Mason for comfort or value. The consensus? Both are legit brands, and the “better” choice depends on your specific needs. We’ve read hundreds of threads so you don’t have to.
Can you return True Classic if you don’t like them?
Most brands in this space offer 30-day return policies, though some are more generous than others. Always check the current return policy on their website before ordering. We recommend trying both if you’re on the fence — return whichever doesn’t work for you.
Are there cheaper alternatives to True Classic and Buck Mason?
Yes! We’ve reviewed dozens of alternatives across different price points. Check our related comparisons below for budget-friendly options that don’t sacrifice quality.
