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Lana Del Rey said it best: “Blue jeans, white shirt. Walked into the room, you know you made my eyes burn.” A great white tee is one of the coolest, sexiest, most “fresh to death” things someone can wear (alongside great blue jeans, of course). Plus, in the current fashion landscape, the best white T-shirts are permitted in almost every setting. Wear them with slacks and loafers for business-casual occasions, or dress them down with, well, anything in your wardrobe.
At a Glance: The Best White T-Shirts for Men
But not just any white T-shirt will do. Everything from the fabric thickness to the collar to the sleeve-to-body ratio can drastically change how a tee looks and feels. If you’ve ever tried a few different tees at the mall, you’ll know what we mean. But here’s the kicker: many of them are not worth your money.
The Best White T-Shirts for Men
The only downside with white tees? They don’t always last long. Even high-quality options can become discolored by sweat or stains, and they’ll all eventually fall apart at some point. If your white tee collection needs a refresh, read on. Ahead, our editors have rounded up eight of the best white T-shirts for men that stood up to multiple months of wearing and washing.
Editor’s Pick
Abercrombie Premium Heavyweight 2.0 Tee
This Premium Heavyweight 2.0 tee from Abercrombie has been the one I reach for most over the last several months. The shirt’s 275g fabric is thicker and softer than most, and I’m a big fan of the boxier, slightly shorter fit. The white is exceptionally crisp and bright, which can’t be said for every white tee. At $40, it’s also not too pricey; I’ll be re-upping soon and buying some other colors too.
Runner-Up
Reigning Champ Lightweight Jersey T-shirt
Countless brands now promise “elevated basics,” but Reigning Champ is one brand that actually delivers on that promise. Their Lightweight Jersey T-shirt is my favorite from the label. Despite the name, it actually has a substantial weight and is one of the most durable-feeling builds of any tee in my closet. It’s neither boxy nor slim, which I’d expect it to be a Goldilocks fit for most guys. It’s pricier, but it will certainly last longer than cheaper options and just feels better.
best value
Levi’s The Essential T-Shirt
You really can’t go wrong with anything Levi’s makes (there’s a reason they’ve been around for over 170 years), and this simple white T-shirt proves it. Priced under $30, it feels more heavy-duty than other budget-friendly tees — meaning you won’t find any flimsy or see-through fabric here.
That extra weight also means it flatters on the days you skip the gym, covering what you want and nothing you don’t. It’s comfortable, durable, and built to last for years without pilling or fraying. That said, I’d still recommend grabbing a few — not because it won’t hold up, but because you’ll probably want to wear one every single day. Just remember: you’re a grown man, and shirts really do need a wash after each wear. Consider this your friendly reminder.
Budget Pick
Hanes Essentials Crewneck T-Shirt
Hanes crewnecks were the first T-shirts I ever bought, and they’ve been part of my rotation ever since. They’re cheap for regular re-stocking and ideal for wearing under other shirts thanks to their longer length and very slim fit. They also have a good neckline, which is essential for undershirts.
Great Build
Buck Mason Pima Cotton Tee
Another one of my all-time favorite T-shirts is Buck Mason’s Pima cotton tee. Like most things from the California brand, the tee is a bit of a throwback both in look and feel. It’s neither boxy nor slim, sits right at the hip, and the collar stays planted — even under shirts. The build quality is also exceptional: After over a year of intense wear, the shirt is still fresh.
Most Versatile
Lululemon Zeroed In Short-Sleeve Shirt
If you need a shirt that can do it all — from running to relaxing to dinners — check out this Lululemon Zeroed In tee. It’s heavier than a regular workout tee, but features Lululemon’s advanced moisture-wicking tech and plenty of stretch for intense movement. Plus, it comes in a huge assortment of colors.
Linen
Alex Crane Sun Tee
This linen tee from Alex Crane is one of my favorites for hot weather. It’s softer and thinner than most, lending a casual, ultra-comfy hang. Because it’s made of sustainably-grown French linen, the closest thing to white that the brand offers is “bone,” which I actually prefer over crisp white sometimes. The fit is flowy and long, so consider sizing down if you want something more slim.
Workout Tee
Rhone Atmosphere Tee
Need a white tee that can handle serious sweat and movement? Grab Rhone’s Atmosphere tee. As the name suggests, it’s extremely lightweight. You’ll also find raglan sleeves for better movement, as well as anti-odor sweat-wicking tech. It’s been a regular in my workout wardrobe rotation for months, and I haven’t seen any wear.
How We Chose the Best White T-Shirts
I’ve tested dozens of best-selling tees for this and other fashion stories. Here’s my biggest takeaway: They’re all more varied than you might think. Despite the T-shirt’s ubiquity, every brand does things very differently, from the fit to the fabric to details like the neckline and tag placement.
Here are some of the things I look for while looking for the best white T-shirts:
Fit: Every T-shirt fits differently, even if they’re described as having the same fit. I like having a mix of tees with different fits, including longer ones for tucking, slimmer ones for a classic look, and boxier ones when I want to be more comfy. Since it’s hard to tell online, I highly recommend ordering multiple tees in multiple sizes and trying them all to find your favorite.
Feel: Softness, weight, and stretch all vary from tee to tee. You can check a shirt’s fabric makeup to get a rough sense, but it’s hard to know without touching a shirt. Above, I’ve done my best to describe what to expect. I mostly prefer shirts with a weighty, substantial material, but some people also like a thinner, more vintage-y feel.
Color: Remember that business card scene in American Psycho? “White” can mean many things, and that goes for white T-shirts, too. I like a crisp, classic white, but noted if certain tees are anything else.
Durability: I’ve spent months with all the T-shirts on this list (and many others) to get a sense of how well they hold up to wear and washes. The best white T-shirts I chose above are all still in great shape, from the stitching to the color to the neckline.
