I Love This $16 Long-Sleeve Shirt From Amazon So Much That I Bought It in 6 Colors

As a fashion journalist, I get a thrill out of finding the best wardrobe items. Some of those end up becoming more like collection pieces that I don’t reach for often but still bring me joy, while others become part of my entire identity (yes, I am a major outfit repeater). When I find something I genuinely love, I will buy it in multiple colors. Case in point: After months of searching for the best coveralls, I fell in love with the Pistola Grover Short Sleeve Field Suit ($168) and now own several pairs (including the shorts style) in different hues. I love the way these coveralls fit and how easy they are to style, which is how I found another clothing item I now can’t live without: the Amazon Essentials Women’s Classic-Fit Long-Sleeve Crewneck ($16—and own in six colors.

Amazon Essentials, Women's Classic-Fit Long-Sleeve Crewneck T-Shirt — $16.00

Last fall, I envisioned myself wearing my beloved Grover Field Suit in dark ivy green with a black and white stripe long sleeve underneath. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money since it would technically be an undershirt and my Los Angeles wardrobe doesn’t need too many cold-weather staples, thanks to the year-round sunshine. So, I headed over to Amazon to find a good, basic long-sleeve in a classic black and white stripe print. It didn’t take long for me to discover the Amazon Essentials Women’s Classic-Fit Long-Sleeve Crewneck, which costs under $20 and has 4.4 stars from over 20,000 customers. I was intrigued and hit the Try Before You Buy button.

An honest review

Upon receiving the long sleeve, I was immediately sold on the striped print—it was exactly what I envisioned. The stripes boast the perfect thickness, which is not too thin and pinstripe-looking, but not too thick, either, giving it a more timeless feeling and look that I know will continue to be modern, despite the ever-changing trends.

Next was the fabric. I was actually shocked by the quality of the fabric, especially considering the $16 price tag. The material is made from 56 percent cotton and 37 percent modal with 7 percent elastane. It’s soft to the touch with tons of stretch, allowing it to form-fit around the body like a glove. It’s also not too thin and, therefore, not see-through at all, which is not always the case with a cheap top like this.

After wearing it under my coveralls—and with several other looks—almost every day for a week (I promise I washed it!), I knew I needed more than one in my wardrobe. Luckily, the long sleeve comes in 28 different colors, including staples like black, white, and gray, and fun pops of color like red, bright blue, and pink. I chose five new shades and have since worn them under cardigans, with denim jackets, under chunky cable knit sweaters (which upped the ante on warmth while visiting Canada in the dead of winter), and on their own with high-waisted mom jeans and my go-to checkered Vans slip-ons ever since.

We love an affordable fashion fairytale ending!