The Best White T-Shirts for Men, Tested by Fashion Editors

We’ve tested more than 40 white t-shirts in the past year, but Uniqlo’s offering from the brand’s AIRism collection gave the competition a run for its money. The secret is in its high-performance fabric, which feels incredibly cooling and comfortable. It’s super lightweight and breezy, so you barely even notice you have it on. That’s a steal in itself, in addition to the wallet-friendly price tag.

Let’s talk about special features. The AIRism material—a cotton-polyester blend—is designed to wick away sweat and keep you cool and dry, no matter how hard the sun is beating down. The shirt is also made with a hint of stretch. That means there’s some level of elasticity or give, so when you move around it moves with you. Based on our extensive testing, we found that it fights off any funky odors, helping you stay fresh, especially during hot days.

Our fashion editors are fans of the slightly oversized fit. It’s especially great to wear during the summer season because they catch breezes and don’t stick to your body. Rather than look slouchy, the cut offers that chill, effortless vibe, whether styled like a French or full tuck.

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Just like the brand’s legendary underwear, Calvin Klein’s white t-shirts are an absolute must-have because they’re ridiculously comfy. Take this ultra-soft cotton tee, which feels heavenly on your skin and pulls moisture away to keep you from feeling gross upon breaking a sweat. What’s even more clutch: This shirt has a substantial amount of stretch, which hugs your body better than others we’ve tested—giving you a sleek, flattering look.

Thanks to the flexible material, it’s also functional for all-day wear because it adapts to your movements, whether you’re reaching for something on a high shelf or lounging on the couch. Plus, the stretchy material helps the shirts maintain their shape after several washes, so it stays looking fresh longer.

Cozy, but not smothering, this shirt feels like a hug from your favorite blanket. When it comes to hugging your arms, the fabric rests easy on them, letting you flex those guns. And around the stomach? It’s forgiving on spare times, so you can throw this on without worrying about any unwanted muffin top action. And as for pairing it up, it looks great with pretty much anything. Jeans, shorts, heck, even joggers—the tee plays with others. Don’t feel obligated to only rock around the house; our editors have worn it to a baseball game or a weekend brunch.

Buck Mason’s tees are a hit with our fashion editors. They’re incredibly soft and built to go the distance, and it’s all due to that fancy long-staple Supima cotton. Stafford says that this caliber of cotton fibers is twice as strong as regular cotton, giving you that silky smooth feel—like you’re wrapping yourself in fine luxury sheets.

We love how it doesn’t pill and keeps its vibrant white color after being washed in a number of loads. However, the beauty of this tee lies in its versatility. You can wear it with shorts and sneakers for a summer-ready look, or tuck the tee into some chinos for an office casual fit. Then there’s an opportunity to layer it underneath a jean jacket when it gets nippy at night.

For most guys, the fit is pretty relaxed, falling away from the body and hitting that sweet spot at hip level where it doesn’t ride up or hang too low. The sleeves stop right at the mid-bicep, perfect for showing off those muscle gains.

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After a few spins in the washing machine, some white t-shirts we’ve tested start to go downhill. The necklines get all stretched out and won’t sit flat anymore. It was a different story for this garment-dyed version from Madewell. Based on our testing, we found it didn’t lose its original fit or quality after being cleaned a dozen times. The collar, which is much thicker than others, remained sturdy and intact. After all, it’s made of a cotton-blend jersey that handles washing and drying like a champ. Beyond its durability, we also found that the neckline is very flattering, and helps frame your best feature: your face.

Our testers also love that the shirt falls at the perfect length—28 ½’’ to be exact—while the arms stop to show off those chiseled biceps. It’s not as dressy as the J.Crew shirt, but we found that it still pairs with joggers or shorts for casual looks. We own it in white, of course, but also picked up a few other colors since there’s more than 15 different hues to choose from. All things considered, we understand why the crewneck tee is a best seller for the New York-based brand.

Of all the shirts we’ve tested, we found this option from J. Crew the absolute softest of the bunch. That’s because the cotton is brushed for a smooth, suede-like finish that looks and feels expensive. This texture makes the shirt look more polished and high-end compared to standard cotton tees. That means you can wear this with dressier fits like a pair of tailored trousers, a blazer and loafers.

Despite the luxurious finish, the fabric maintains the breathability of cotton, keeping you cool as a cucumber on warmer days. In terms of fit, the shirt hits right above the elbow and below the waist for most guys. It’s got a bit more structure than your usual t-shirt, giving you a flattering silhouette that skims the body without being too tight or too loose.

Alex Mill’s slubbed cotton tee is our everyday shirt because it has an ideal balance between weight and texture, offering breathability for guys on the move. We love that the cut is forgiving in the stomach area. It’s not too clingy or tight, so it won’t hug your midsection too snugly if you just devoured a burger.

In terms of construction, the collar has triple stitching for extra durability. The cotton fabric has the perfect mix of softness and broken-in comfort like your favorite vintage find that’s been around for plenty of good times. In fact, the material also gets softer wash after wash. Our fashion editors recommend rocking this white t-shirt with a pair of your best jeans. If we could, we’d wear it every single day.

Hanes t-shirts deliver great quality for a price that won’t hurt your wallet. That’s because the fabric is relatively breathable, and the fit is just right for wearing on casual errands. The sheer cotton material also wicks away moisture, so it’s best for those who are prone to sweating—especially in hot temps. As for the flat crew neckline? It’s the epitome of cool and casual, not stiff and awkward like other budget t-shirts that we’ve put through the wringer.

While this tee might sag a bit after many cycles, it’s easy to stock up on a bunch because they’re incredibly affordable. We like to rotate in a fresh tee whenever we feel like it. And let’s be real, nothing feels better than wearing a crisp white tee straight out of the pack. The fit is pretty snug, not too close-fitting, but relaxed enough to wear at home versus to the office.

If you need a top-notch white tee to wear to your 9-to-5, then we suggest you turn to this stunner from Everlane. It’s the best office-ready shirt on the list because the fabric looks and feels much more luxurious than your average tee. The sleeves hit right at the middle of your bicep, ticking all the boxes for dressing up your t-shirts. The fit is super clean and tailored, but still comfy. You can easily dress it up with work pants or even with a slim-fit blazer, if that’s your jam.

Compared to other white t-shirts we’ve put to the test, this one can withstand loads of washing without shrinking. We love the flattering cut since it doesn’t squeeze you when you’re sitting at your desk all day. Not to mention, you can clock out and head to dinner without needing an outfit change.

When doing market research, our fashion team did not find a lot of great t-shirts that cater to taller guys. That was until we landed on this long cut shirt from Abercrombie. We found that its hem hit right below the waist for most guys over six feet tall, which is the ideal length for an untucked tee. We also appreciate its roomy shoulders, which give your upper body some breathing room on hot afternoons.

But hey, don’t think this white t-shirt is just for the lofty fellas. If you have a shorter frame, a longer cut can make your torso look longer, which helps balance out your proportions. Plus, those longer lines draw the eye down and give the illusion of added height.

Our fashion editors say it’s perfect layering for under a cardigan or jacket in the spring, but really steals the show in the summer as a solo piece for a coffee date or food festival. Style tip: tuck it in denim or wear out over shorts.

If you want a white t-shirt with a heavier build, Reigning Champ has your back. The athleisure brand makes one designed from sturdy jersey cotton, which has enough density to ensure the white color remains vibrant in the long run. We found that the medium-weight fabric provides enough warmth for shoulder season, but it may be too thick to wear especially on hot summer days.

We like the extra beefy material because it will maintain the tee’s crispness and won’t become stretched out. The shirt can be styled with everything from track pants and sweat shorts to classic denim jeans for everyday wear. Another bonus: the wide rib collar helps balance your proportions and can make your shoulders look broader, giving you an overall flattering fit.

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Vince’s white t-shirt is like the luxury sports car of t-shirts—you pay a bit more, but the quality and style makes it worth every penny. The fit falls in that happy medium between relaxed and tailored, making you look effortlessly stylish. And let’s discuss fabric. It’s not made from just any flimsy cotton. It’s a premium, super-soft weave that feels like it was spun by the gods. Plus, the garment dye process gives it this rich, vintage allure right out of the box.

Our Fashion Director Ted Stafford owns this t-shirt in white and other colors. “If you’re looking for a tee that’s got it all, Vince’s garment-dyed offering is a no-brainer,” Stafford says. “It’s perfect for the gym, dinner dates and everything in between.” Basically, it’s ideal for guys who value both comfort and style equally. Once you try it, you’ll be glad you didn’t ever settle for less.