About BestTops

Our Story

BestTops started from a simple frustration: finding genuinely helpful information about men's clothing in Australia was surprisingly difficult. Most fashion content focused on high-fashion trends that didn't translate to everyday life, or was thinly-veiled advertising masquerading as advice. We knew there had to be a better way to help Australian men make informed decisions about their wardrobes.

Our founding team came together in 2024, united by a shared passion for quality menswear and a belief that good style shouldn't require a fashion degree. James had spent years working in retail, watching customers struggle to find garments that actually fit their bodies and lifestyles. Sarah brought her background in textile science and sustainability advocacy, understanding the environmental impact of fast fashion. David contributed his expertise in technical and performance clothing from years in the fitness and outdoor industries.

Together, we created BestTops as a resource we wished had existed when we were building our own wardrobes. We test products in real Australian conditions—enduring Melbourne's unpredictable weather, Brisbane's humidity, Perth's dry heat, and Sydney's coastal environment. We understand that a t-shirt performing well in a controlled testing lab might fail completely during a summer cricket match or a bushwalk in the Blue Mountains.

What We Believe

We believe that dressing well is about understanding what works for your body, lifestyle, and budget—not following trends or buying expensive designer labels. A well-chosen $30 t-shirt that fits perfectly will always look better than an ill-fitting $150 designer piece. Quality matters, but quality doesn't always mean expensive.

We believe in buying less but buying better. The environmental cost of fast fashion is staggering, and constantly replacing cheap garments ends up costing more than investing in durable pieces that last. We encourage our readers to build thoughtful wardrobes with items they genuinely love and wear regularly, rather than chasing every trend and accumulating clothes that never leave the closet.

We believe in honesty. When we recommend a product, it's because we genuinely think it's worth your money. We participate in affiliate programs—including Amazon Associates—which means we may earn a commission when you purchase through our links. This supports our work without costing you anything extra. But we never recommend products just because they offer higher commissions. Our integrity is the foundation of our value to you.

Our Team

James Mitchell - Senior Style Editor

James has been obsessed with menswear since his university days, when he discovered that dressing well opened doors and built confidence. After years in retail management, he transitioned to writing about fashion and helping men navigate the overwhelming world of clothing choices. He specialises in wardrobe fundamentals, fit guidance, and translating runway trends into practical everyday style. When not writing, James is usually hunting for vintage pieces at op shops or testing the latest Oxford shirts on his never-ending quest for the perfect button-down.

Sarah Chen - Fashion & Sustainability Writer

Sarah holds a degree in textile science and has worked in both fashion manufacturing and environmental advocacy. She brings a unique perspective to BestTops, combining deep technical knowledge about fabrics and construction with a passion for sustainable practices. Her articles focus on garment care, fabric education, and helping readers make environmentally conscious choices without sacrificing style or quality. Sarah believes that understanding how clothes are made helps you appreciate them more and care for them better.

David Thompson - Fitness & Activewear Specialist

David spent a decade in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and gym manager before transitioning to writing about activewear and performance clothing. He understands that gym clothes need to work as hard as you do, and that the wrong gear can actively sabotage your training. David tests everything from compression tops to hiking shirts in real workout conditions, providing insights that go beyond marketing claims to actual performance. Outside of work, you'll find him trail running, surfing, or attempting increasingly ambitious outdoor adventures.

How We Work

Every piece of content on BestTops goes through a rigorous process. For product recommendations, we research extensively, examining materials, construction, brand reputation, and customer feedback before featuring anything. Whenever possible, we test products ourselves in real conditions over extended periods—a shirt worn once in a studio doesn't tell you much about how it holds up after twenty washes.

For educational content, we draw on our collective expertise and supplement it with research from industry sources, textile science, and fashion history. We aim to provide genuinely useful information that helps you make better decisions, not just content designed to generate clicks.

We're always learning and improving. Fashion evolves, new brands emerge, and our understanding deepens with each article we write and product we test. If you ever spot an error or have suggestions for how we can be more helpful, we genuinely want to hear from you.