Details Magazine: The Return of the Graphic Tee
Sometimes I think Details Magazine just publishes stuff to make people roll their eyes. This time they claim that the Graphic T-Shirt might once again become the go-to choice for style conscious men. From Details.com:

Then the first t-shirt they show you is a $69 rainbow lightning bolt tee. I’m failing to see the make-under. It only gets worse after that, with slide #5 being a $185 Dior t-shirt. There are some affordable options like this $20 tee from The Gap, but the question remains: Is the Graphic Tee back? And what’s the superior casual shirt for warm weather short sleeve style? A graphic tee? A plain tee?
The correct answer is a well fitting plain polo. (Below: Express Signature Polo – $34.50)

Although some of the tees they showed I actually liked (though you are right, they were majorly expensive), I do have to agree with you. Those Express Signature Polos rock, and they have already become my go-to staple for the spring & summer. I really wish they would come out with a few more colors. I looked at target for the ones you said were similar but as with the Fitted Dress Shirt, it seems my local targets have discontinued the polos. Bummer.
I guess those tees from Details might be expensive and not really my best shot. I worder about those rock style gargoyle t-shirts that are selling in most of the stores today, I really like the graphics but not sure if that is what Details is refering to.
Graphic Tees are tacky as hell.
Polos are great but wearing them all the time is boring. I like to mix it up with plain pocket tees, lightweight madras, or just rolling the sleeves on a button-down.
While those t’s would look good on my 8yo, it’s not happening for me.
The Express polo is it.
I hate graphic tees and I think it is funny that Details is saying they are making a comeback, hell 80% of men with terrible style are still wearing them and never stopped. I think a nice fitted polo is a great option. I also wear plain crew and v-neck tees, light weight/linen button ups and just roll up the sleeves like Dave said or even a nice short sleeve plaid/madras is great. (Dave we are on the same page here).
The answer is right here: https://dappered.com/2010/02/the-best-t-shirt-youll-ever-own/
I am going to agree with Dave above. The tees are tacky as hell, and i wonder why we (guys) wear that tacky crap…You dont want to be predictable by rocking a Polo all the time, so I def agree with the strategy you he(dave) has going.