Finding a T-shirt that’s right for you is a bit like falling in love: when you know, you know. The mythic search for the so-called perfect T-shirt is just that: a myth. Your one-and-only T-shaped soulmate isn’t out there waiting for you. The grail simply doesn’t exist. And, even if it did, do you really see yourself as a one-T-shirt kind of guy? We suggest something of a polyamorous approach this season; there are plenty of fish in the sea. In fact, we count 20 of them – these are our favourites to see you into summer and beyond.

You’re likely to get through dozens of white tees in your lifetime. You want something reliable that doesn’t cost the earth. James Perse’s are made of high-quality combed cotton and are reasonably priced for a luxury product, so you won’t have to worry too much about laundry mishaps or need to maintain a reasonable distance from any foodstuffs with the potential to leave permanent stains at all times. Get one. Hell, get five.

Linen’s lightweight and breathable properties make it suited to the summer months. But, since it’s harvested from flax seed (that’s right, the same one you put in your smoothie this morning), it is also an incredibly sustainable alternative to other fibres, too. It also lends itself well to garment-dyeing, a process in which dye is applied to the clothes, rather than the uncut fabric. This results in a washed finish, which emphasises the material’s natural characteristics – exemplified by this tomato-red tee from Bologna-based linen specialist, 120%.

It’s logical to presume your environmental footprint is reduced during summer – the heating’s off, it’s finally warm enough to walk to work and, now the evenings are light enough for socialising, you’ve significantly reduced your Netflix viewing time. But then, there’s air conditioning and going on holiday and all those beers served in single-use plastic cups… Buying a T-shirt made from organic fair-trade cotton won’t miraculously negate the effects of climate change, but if you’re trying to be more conscious of your consumption, it’s certainly a start. Plus, this one from eco-friendly outfit Nudie Jeans – from its limited-edition “Colors” collection – has a suitably seasonable wave motif on the front.

Ideally, and not just as dictated by the temperature, summer dressing should be as simple as possible. Maritime origins aside, we think that’s one explanation for the existence of the Breton top. This classic Armor Lux rendition is an especially appropriate addition to your warm-weather wardrobe because, uncannily, it seems to go with just about anything. We suggest white jeans.

It’s no coincidence that the popularity of the logo trend has ignited interest in an exclusive set of brands that specialise in the exact opposite. These “stealth luxury” labels, as they’ve come to be dubbed, offer the antithesis to conspicuous branding: no branding at all. The Row, named for Savile Row (what else?), is one such line that practises typographic restraint in favour of perfecting fit and fabric. This plain T-shirt, for example, is made with fine silk.

And now for something completely different. We suspect Mr Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s creative director and arbiter of the “more is more” maxim, might not be minimalism’s greatest fan. He is, after all, a man who wears, on average, 10 rings at once. If your reaction to that revelation was intrigue – rather than, say, befuddlement – then you’ll probably find this bold leopard-print logo tee very much to your liking.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it once more: there are few things as summery as a tie-dye, if anything. But a T-shirt is a probably the easiest kind of tie-dye thing to pull off. Evidently, The Elder Statesman founder and (and all-round excellent dresser) Mr Greg Chait is a fan of the look – it’s one of the most persistent themes in the LA designer’s collections and for SS19 it was plastered over everything from fleeces to this cashmere and silk-blend T-shirt. Resist the temptation to go full-blown Grateful Dead and pair it with tailored trousers instead.

Since we’ve already designated tie-dye as the summeriest of all the summer-related sartorial things, dip-dye will have to settle for second place. Executed excellently on this Howlin’ T-shirt, it conveys the same carefree vibe with none of the psychedelic associations. And it’s made from cotton-terry, the same plush towelling as, yes, towels. So, really, it’s a two-for-one purchase that’ll save precious space in your suitcase… That’s what we keep telling ourselves, anyway.

Highlighter hues – neon, Day-Glo and the like – started to pop up at the most inopportune moment last season. It was right around the time everyone was ready to swaddle themselves in cashmere and hibernate for the winter. Thankfully, they decided to stick around until the sun started shining, too. Negotiating a trend so bold is not without its challenges, so if you’re feeling apprehensive about going too much, too fast, a plain T-shirt – such as this one from Balenciaga – will demand the least amount of effort on your part but will produce maximum effect.

The ability to deliver clothes when the weather dictates you need (and want) them was one of the main reasons we decided to launch our own private label, Mr P. So, here you go: a T-shirt we anticipate you will want, at a time you’re most likely to need one. What’s so special about it? For starters, the construction – it’s stitched with herringbone side-tipping and a has a ribbed neckline for extra durability. Also, it’s striped, which, aside from being the friend of pattern-lovers and dodgers alike, makes it incredibly easy to wear.

The speed with which Mr Virgil Abloh has cemented himself as one of the world’s most celebrated designers is remarkable, sure, but not surprising given how his brand Off-White is putting the fun back into fashion. A collection of The Simpsons-inspired T-shirts to celebrate the TV show’s 30th anniversary? That’s one way to do it.

Enough column inches have already been spent debating the logo tee. Whatever your thoughts on the matter, the fact is that they’re very much here to stay. A more topical subject for discussion, perhaps, is the revisionist approach designers have applied to them lately. Take Fendi, for example. The label has been reformulating its moniker for the last couple of seasons, most recently enlisting the help of artist-in-residence Mr Nico Vascellari to create the “FIEND” anagram on this white tee – it’s apparently a meditation on humanity’s inherently dualistic nature. Think of it as the thinking man’s logo T-shirt.

Like a fine wine, Polo Ralph Lauren just gets better with age. The brand, which just finished celebrating its 50th birthday, seems be more prolific than ever. To round off a bumper year, the label released a capsule collection titled the “Great Outdoors” in tribute to all things wilderness-related. If the idea of sitting in a liberally air-conditioned office all summer long has you breaking out in a cold sweat, take a trip with this cobalt-blue tee instead.

Not just a sugary pick-me-up between Paris shows, Ladurée macarons appear to be the main inspiration behind this season’s dominant colour palette: pastels. Not content to stick to one shade? Invest in this multipack from Maison Margiela, which consists of three tees in typically summery tones of mint, lavender and peach.

Is all this talk of powdery pastel shades a little saccharine for you? If you count yourself among the anti-summer contingent, there is an entirely divergent aesthetic to aim for: namely, summer goth. The steadfast refusal to stray from a mainly-black palette becomes something of a hindrance this time of year but look on the bright side: at least no one will see evidence of your sweltering in Aries’ grungy Moonhenge tee. Hardcore.

What’s in a name? Just ask Missoni. Before it was one of Italy’s most iconic exports, the brand traded under another label entirely: Maglificio Jolly, a jaunty-sounding moniker that roughly translates to “joker knitwear factory”. We’re glad they changed it, but the general proposition remains: Missoni’s designs are never without fun, which makes them perfect fodder for summer. The irrefutable proof? This space-dyed jersey T-shirt.

Does summering in the Italian Riviera sound appealing to you? We thought as much. So, it seems, did Maison Kitsuné – the brand comprising a record label, cafe and, soon, a hotel – which found inspiration for its SS19 in the sun-soaked locale. The La Dolce Vita collection is packed with summery, souvenir-inspired motifs, including this charmingly retro lemon print. Insert platitude about life and lemons here.

Besides providing a modicum of much-needed ventilation in stifling hot weather, the tiny tears in this AMIRI T-shirt speak to that laid-back, no-cares-given LA state of mind: it’s surf, skate and Sunset Boulevard all rolled into one. And if that doesn’t persuade you, the bright shade of aquamarine just might.

Remember when, about a decade ago, everyone got together and collectively decided to wear a Ramones T-shirt? It’s a sartorial phenomenon that birthed one of the only style rules we implore you not to break: it is only acceptable to wear a band tee if you’re willing and able to recite said band’s entire back catalogue, er, backwards. That said, TAKAHIROMIYASHITA TheSoloist.’s tee – printed with a reference to Mr Charles Peterson’s seminal photoessay on grunge – makes it well worth digging out those Nirvana B-sides.

What do you get when you cross a global sportswear giant with one of the Japan’s most hype-worthy streetwear outfits? A highly covetable capsule collection, that’s what. Adidas has a long history of similar alliances, including partnerships with Mr Yohji Yamamoto, Neighborhood and Hender Scheme. This latest endeavour sees the megabrand team up with Have A Good Time, a tiny Tokyo outfit that specialises in graphic (and cheerful) slogans.