Shirts updated 2026
 

I've looked through the boards and most of what I'm finding is older information. I used to love the A Cut Above - Cirrus, but the last time I ordered from them the sizing and materials had gone downhill. (couple of years ago)
I understand they changed suppliers several years back and that may be what I got caught up in.

I'm curious what folks are ordering currently (2025-26) that they are happy with and why; fit, material, customer service, durability, etc.

I am more of a fan of their Brooks material right now. Super soft and comfortable. I ordered Brooks and Cirrus late last year and neither material is giving me any issue so I'm happy.

A Cut Above
Cirrus- bought one a long time ago and hated the material. Not enough stretch for me so can't give you objective feedback.

Tropo- I believe the material has improved since they cheapest out but the sizing went slimmer around the arms. Slim fit is SLIM. Material is super stretchy, lady's a long time and doesn't wrinkle but it's a thicker shirt. It'll get hot on the summer

Altus- currently my Cur Above favorite. Thinner, breathable, plenty of stretch. Downside is it's slightly less wrinkle resistant than the Tripod but should still easily last you a whole 3-4 day without ironing.

Jetseam

Gold label- bad. It's comfortable but wrinkles extremely easily. I only wear mine for day turns

White label- it's a slightly thinner and slightly more wrinkly than Altus. I give it 3.6 Roentgen: not great, not terrible


Flight- super thin so don't forget your undershirt. Plenty of stretch and breathability but to some people it feels "synthetic". It does have that Under armour feel. Also, frockets are unpleated, it may bother some people.

"Ok meme I just want something like my old cirrus"

Check out Airman. They're in the UK. Shirt felt very good quality and feels like a slightly stretchier cirrus. Just not stretchy enough for me. I need that SSSTTRRREEEETCCHHHH.


Now, don't go spending money on shirts to cheap out on some bulls#!t Hanes undershirts. That's the real game changer. I recommend Uni Qlo Airism polyester undershirts. Seriously breathable and comfortable.

Thompson tees are an excellent quality undershirt as well. Particularly for those of us prone to be a little sweaty.

Anybody jumping on the anti micro plastics bandwagon?
I'm slowly phasing out my under armor and other synthetics in favor if natural fibers like cotton, bamboo and hemp. Fan of Underdog and Onno for casual T-shirts.

Definitely agree on good undershirts with the uniform.

Airman shirts are awesome, the best I've ever tried, and I've tried most of the options over the years.

I haven't found any pilot shirts made out of natural fibers other than cotton. I'm not interested in cotton, I'd try something else though.

literally stumbled on this the other day. Timely. Haha
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...ffM1uvzGw&s=10

The next shirt I want to try is ACU Brooks—50% bamboo, the other half is still synthetic, but at least moving the right direction.

I bought a Cirrus and Tropo last time—the Cirrus is a lot more stiff than the ones I bought years ago so not quite as comfy, I like the Tropo but they arent super durable—started pilling pretty quickly.

I tried ACU back when they first appeared on the scene. The fabric was fine, but the collar of the shirt was way too tall. I tried them again a couple years later and the fabric sucked. Haven't been back.

I don't have much to add other than I've been disappointed with A Cut Above lately. The last order I did even though it was the same size collar I always order it is bigger and doesn't fit me as well. I probably should have returned them honestly. I did try out the new material (Brooks I think) and it's very nice but the fit wasn't like it used to be, which is why I started buying ACA shirts to begin with.

I had a terrible experience with A Cut Above last year. Their customer service took a dive apparently. They did eventually do the right thing but it required pulling many teeth.

Anybody try whitepilotshirts.com?

The Crew Outfitters Platinum are the best I’ve ever worn, after years of being a ACA loyalist. Best part is you can try them on and buy them in the A lounge store on your next ATL sit and skip the shipping and returns.

I’ve switched to Pact for undershirts, been happy.

For the Costco faithful out there…the Cool32 tshirts are back in stock in my store.

A Cut Above Brooks all the way! Super soft, cool, comfortable. Only downside is you have to iron them. I wear the Tropo in the winter. A little thicker and they don’t require ironing.

I agree, these are very nice.

These feel like plastic to me.

I'm swearing by the Airman shirts right now. I have the softer of their two main fabrics, and it feels similar to a Vuori shirt, it's the best feeling dress shirt (as much as a pilot shirt is one) I've ever worn. You can also wad it into a ball at the bottom of your bag, and it'll be wrinkle free after hanging in the closet overnight.

My only complaint is that it pills easily, I think it's my ID lanyard that's causing it. I will try their standard fabric next time.

I'm gonna test these out. I've been an ACA fitted tropo wearer for like 15 years, but I never know what I'm gonna get when I order from them. Would you suggest the fitted or slim? Do they need ironing or can you just take them out of the dryer and hang them and they're good to go?

I haven't tried them yet (just waiting for my current Flight shirts to wear out), but several of my buddies have started using BomCrewMall and absolutely love it. Very customized, the dude will send you a test shirt for your to make measurements on, and makes sure your shirt is perfectly tailored to you. Not the cheapest option but not outrageous, especially for the great quality and customer service.

It's a neat idea, but it's cheaper to just buy a "regular" pilot shirt and take it to a local tailor.

I've heard good reviews on the shirts. I've had one of his leather bags since the days when he used to sell directly to the crews in Mumbai. Good quality.

I was thinking about getting Flight’s new cotton shirts. Hopefully that’s less synthetic. I’ve never tried Flight before but they look appealing to me because of their “fitted” style. Most shirts fit my torso fine, but the sleeves are 2 sizes too big width wise. Maybe it’s time I start hitting the gym again, and fill out those sleeves :D

That's what I don't like about crew outfitters shirts, the sleeves make my pencil arms look even more pencil-y. ACA tropo looks normal. I'm hoping the slim fit platinum from crew out fitters has less wide sleeves than their other shirts.

A Cut Above Tropo fitted has been my go to for years. Brooks is nice too, more ironing required though. Bought the Cirrus due to the hype and didn't like it.

I didn't buy them to avoid plastic , but I cannot say enough good things about these undershirts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084TRVGHY They are by far the most comfortable, form fitting shirts I've ever worn and do everything a good undershirt should do. Their customer service is also spectacular. I had an issue with a shirt and they sent a replacement next-day, no questions asked. Didn't even have to send the first one back.

Yep I used to be a cirrus then tropo wearer myself before the lady who used to work in the crew outfitters store got me to try these on. I get the 16.5 fitted personally, I’m 6’1 and 215 athleticish (slowly declining lol) and it fits well and doesn’t need tailoring. It’s a nice fitted look.

Definitely do not need to iron. I put creases in the sleeves when I first bought them and they’ve stayed in since. Machine wash and dry and hang up right away. They’re super cool and sorta stretchy and I rotate them out after about 6 months and they look brand new. I can’t tell you how nice these are to try on in person and not deal with all the BS of ACA.

Worn them too. Not bad but my main complaint with the Crew Outfitters shirts is the neck padding. For some reason those shirts really irritate my neck and I always try to wear a half size bigger for comfort. They start giving me neck rash after a long day when the 5 o' clock shadow starts showing. By day 3 of a trip my neck looks so red I look like I survived a Mob hit.

Neck liner padding is the only area where ACA is still top choice for me. Second would be Jetseam White labels and Flight third.

I got a platinum crew outfitters shirt one time and the body size was crazy. I got my normal neck size and could fit, no joke, two people in the shirt and still button it up it was so big.

I can vouch for Thompson tees though, I sweat like a ***** in church and they save my shirts. Plus I don’t get the aluminum discoloration on the shirt pits too.

Did you try the Vortex or the Voyager?

Voyager, I suspect the Vortex will be better as far as pilling.

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll be trying them next. RIP ACA Tropo.

I just got two Brooks and it’s pathetic how poorly they fit. There’s even a difference amongst the two.

I didn't care for Brooks but Altus was nice. Like a more breathable Tropo

Recommended source for purchasing uniqlo airism t-shirt?

A Uniqlo store on your next big coastal city layover if don't live in one.

Or the convenient store located right in Disney Springs on your next MCO layover

I buy mine when I'm on SEA layovers. The mall attached to our hotel in Bellevue has a store.

Hijack

what pants are getting recommended in 2026?

Pants have never changed, probably never will. It’s always been the haggar cool 18 pro’s.