The Best White T-Shirts for Men in 2024
Top-tested tees you won't want to take off.
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White T-shirts are a wardrobe staple, perfect for every occasion — from throwing one on while you're lounging at home to layering one under a button-up shirt when you're headed into the office. But it can be surprisingly difficult to find the perfect white tee that's not too thick or thin, not too light or heavyweight and not too stiff or too clingy that actually fits, doesn't shrink in the wash and looks great for more than one wear.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, we put white T-shirts (including the best white tees for women) to the test to help you find your perfect fit. After scouring the internet for popular picks and asking GH editors to recommend their favorites, we chose 15 men's white tees to evaluate in the Lab, analyzing the construction of the T-shirts, measuring shrinkage and assessing opacity to ensure the tees aren't too thin or sheer.
We also considered properties like softness and appearance, both before and after washing. Along with testing in the Lab, we shared T-shirts with consumer testers with different body types who tried the tees for themselves before providing us with real-user feedback.
Pros
- High opacity scores
- One of the softest tees
- Quality construction
Cons
- The shortest tee in our tests
With the perfect balance of softness and structure, this white tee from Madewell stood out in all of our tests. The 100% cotton material has a comfortable, lived-in feel, and we and our testers appreciated the high-quality construction, with a tester describing the tee as "sturdy" and analysts highlighting the quality stitching and thick collar. One tester said the T-shirt felt a little oversized and wished it were more fitted. It does have a boxier cut and is the shortest T-shirt we tested, but it barely shrunk in the wash and maintained its shape impressively well, so what you see is what you get.
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Material: 100% cotton | Colors: 11 options
Hanes Short Sleeve Beefy-T (2-Pack)
Pros
- Felt softer after laundering
- Two-pack
- Substantial material
Cons
- Most shrinkage in tests
For less than the price of one T-shirt from other brands, you can score two from iconic tee brand Hanes. According to one tester, the Beefy-T is like his "other basic tees but better," and we agree. The T-shirt is thicker than other affordable styles we tested and earned high scores for opacity in the Lab and it felt softer after we washed it according to its care instructions. It has a slightly oversized look but did shrink more than any other tee in our test, so if you prefer a roomier fit, you may want to size up. There are more sizes and color options available on Amazon and on the brand's site.
Sizes: S–6XL (all sizes available on brand's site) | Material: 100% cotton | Colors: 11 options (all colors available on brand's site)
Pros
- Slim fit prevents bunching
- Lightweight
- Soft Pima cotton fabric
Cons
- Some shrinkage in the wash
If you're looking for the perfect tee to layer under a button-up shirt, Mack Weldon has you covered. This super thin and lightweight tee has a slim-fit silhouette, so you won't have to deal with excess bulk and bunching around your arms or waistline. Since it's made with 100% Pima cotton, it has a super smooth and soft feel that our testers and analysts loved. One GH staffer shared, "This is my ideal T-shirt. I'm picky about tees, and this one is the perfect weight." There was some shrinkage in the wash, but the T-shirt still looked and felt good as new.
Sizes: S–XXL | Material: 100% Pima cotton | Colors: 17 options
Pros
- Substantial material
- Quality construction
- High softness rating
Cons
- Some online reviewers say it doesn't fit wide shoulders
Made of 100% organic cotton, this T-shirt from Everlane is bound to become a staple in your closet. While some organic cotton shirts we've evaluated feel stiff after a cycle in the laundry, this tee felt just as soft and smooth when we pulled it from the dryer — maybe even a little softer. We were highly impressed by the construction, including the structured yet stretchy collar. The quality stitching and seams didn't fray or dimple in our tests. Plus, it earned high scores for softness, with one analyst saying it has a "dreamy, cloud-like feel." While our testers didn't have issues with fit, some online reviewers say the shoulders are a bit narrow, so it may not be the perfect tee for someone with broader shoulders or a more athletic build.
Sizes: XS–XXL | Material: 100% organic cotton | Colors: 14 options
Uniqlo U AIRism Cotton Oversized Crew Neck Half-Sleeve T-Shirt
Pros
- Longer sleeves
- High opacity scores
- Light and airy fabric
Cons
- Boxier fit
Uniqlo's modern, oversized tee is everywhere — and for good reason. As the name implies, the Airism T-shirt has a light and airy feel, thanks to its unique cotton and polyester blended fabrication. While it does have an airy feel, the tee is still substantial, which testers loved, and the thicker material earned some of the top scores for opacity in our tests. A tester shared, "It feels more durable than most white tees I've worn." The sleeves are roomy and oversized, hitting at your elbow instead of the upper arm, and the T-shirt has a boxier fit overall with lots of room in the torso but a shorter length from shoulder to hem.
Sizes: XXS–3XL | Material: 53% cotton and 47% polyester | Colors: 8 options
Pros
- Great stretch
- Extended size options
- Highest softness scores
Cons
- Slightly oversized fit
This super cozy tee from Old Navy is a total steal, priced at just $12.99 (and usually on sale for less!). During Textiles Lab testing, we were blown away by how soft the polyester and cotton blend material felt, earning it the highest scores for softness out of all of the tees we reviewed. It also has great stretch and a comfortable feel that one tester described as "lightweight and breathable." We noted in our evaluations that the T-shirt had a slightly oversized fit, and one tester agreed, sharing that he would recommend sizing down if you prefer a more formfitting style or want to wear it as an undershirt.
Sizes: XS–XXXXL with tall options | Material: 60% cotton and 40% polyester | Colors: 38 options
Pros
- Structured design
- Highest opacity scores
- Testers described it as "stylish"
Cons
- Lower softness scores than other styles
If you're searching for a white T-shirt that can hold its own, look no further than this pick from Buck Mason. The heavyweight Field-Spec T-shirt stood out in our tests thanks to its elevated look and structured design. The material has a substantial feel that our testers loved, and it was the most opaque fabric in our tests, so you don't need to layer a tank underneath to feel covered. It isn't the softest tee we tested, but it still feels comfortable against the skin and it did get softer after being washed. One happy tester shared, "This shirt felt way more lux and sturdy than other white tees" and another described it as "more stylish" than other T-shirts he's worn.
Sizes: XS–XXL | Material: 100% cotton | Colors: 8 options
Pros
- Soft Pima cotton
- No major shrinkage
- Fitted style
Cons
- Some rippling at the collar after washing
Our testers loved this basic tee from Bombas, a brand well-known for making some of our favorite socks. The lightweight tee is made of 100% Pima cotton for a soft and smooth feel, but it's not overly see-through like some other lightweight styles we tested. It's substantial enough to wear on its own but fitted enough to wear under a button-up. One tester who loved the Bombas tee said, "This T-shirt is of noticeably higher quality than most T-shirts I wear," further describing it as "incredibly soft" and "durable." We found the T-shirt to hold up well in the wash without major shrinkage or deep wrinkles, but there was some rippling at the collar, which you should be able to iron or steam out.
Sizes: S–3XL | Material: 100% Pima cotton | Colors: 4 options
Pros
- Soft fabric
- Made with organic cotton
- Tall sizing available
Cons
- Attracted lint in the wash
This soft pocket tee from GAP stood out in Textiles Lab tests for having a great fit. The T-shirt fits true to size with a classic silhouette that's not too snug or oversized. Tall options are available, as well, for those with longer torsos or who prefer a tee that hits below the hips. We love that it's made of 100% organic cotton with a soft feel that didn't stiffen in the laundry. When we washed it according to its care instructions, the T-shirt looked great without major shrinkage, but it did produce some static and attracted lint and fibers from other tees.
Sizes: XS–XXXL with tall options | Material: 100% organic cotton | Colors: 10 options
Duluth Trading Co Longtail T Relaxed Fit Short Sleeve T-Shirt
Pros
- Thick material
- Split hem design
- Oversized fit
Cons
- Wrinkled more than other styles
Ideal for someone who wants a tee with a little more room without having to size up, this T-shirt from Duluth Trading Co. has a relaxed, oversized fit. The tee was longer than any other style we tested at 32 inches from the shoulder seam to the hemline, so it hits past the hip and won't ride up when you bend over or raise your arms. It has a split hemline with small cutouts on each side for a little extra freedom for movement, too. The shirt barely shrunk in the wash and felt soft when we pulled it from the dryer, but it did wrinkle more than other styles. We were also impressed by the thick, sturdy material, and it received high scores for opacity.
Sizes: S–4XL with tall options | Material: 100% organic cotton | Colors: 12 options
Pros
- Testers loved the fit
- Didn't shrink much in the wash
- Substantial feel
Cons
- Felt slightly stiffer after laundering
A tester favorite, this white tee from Levi's is as classic as they come. The brand says it has a relaxed fit, but our testers said it felt true-to-size, with one sharing, "I loved the cut and the fit... Levi's knows a classic American man's silhouette." Another tester highlighted the thickness of the material, describing it as "heavy" and sharing that you couldn't see through the shirt when it was on. When we washed the T-shirt according to its care label in the Lab, it held up well without major shrinkage or wrinkling, but the material did stiffen slightly. Testers gave it high ratings for softness overall, though.
Sizes: XS–XXL | Material: 100% cotton | Colors: 7 options
What to look for when shopping for a white T-shirt for men
While white T-shirts may seem like a simple style, there are subtle variations between each tee that can impact the overall look, feel and fit. When you're shopping for a new white T-shirt, here are a few things to keep in mind:
✔️ Material: Most white T-shirts are made of knit jersey, a soft and stretchy fabric. They're typically 100% cotton, which is a natural fiber with great breathability and a comfy feel. Others blend cotton with different fibers like polyester or rayon to enhance the overall performance or softness of the fabric. Some tees have a little bit of spandex or elastane for added stretch.
✔️ Weight: For a shirt that you can comfortably layer under a button down or sweater, look for a lightweight, thinner style. Heavier weight tees tend to be more structured and stiff and look great on their own without a tank layered underneath.
✔️ Neckline: The majority of men's T-shirts have a classic crew neckline, which has a banded collar that fits closely to your neck. You may also find a V-neckline with a "V" shape that cuts downward towards the chest or a subtle scoop neckline with more of a "U" shape.
✔️ Length: Men's T-shirts tend to hit around the hip with a length of about 29 inches from shoulder seam to hemline, so you can easily wear them tucked or untucked. Some oversized, more relaxed tees are a little longer, with the longest we tested measuring 32 inches. We recommend checking the length of the T-shirt before buying, especially if you're tall.
✔️ Fit: Most men's T-shirts have a boxier cut with more room throughout the bodice and a less restricting feel overall. Oversized tees often have longer sleeves and longer hemlines, while a tee designed to be worn as an undershirt may have a bit of a slimmer cut to fit perfectly when layered underneath another shirt.
How we test T-shirts for men
In the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test apparel of all kinds, including the best underwear for men, the best work pants for men and the best tees for men. To determine which white T-shirts for men are the best, we scoured the web to find the most popular styles online and reviewed characteristics like style, fiber content and care instructions, and we read real-user reviews. Then we selected 15 styles to test in the Textiles Lab and share with consumer testers. Here's how we evaluated the white T-shirts:
In the Textiles Lab, we assessed the construction and fabrication of each T-shirt (pictured). Next, we placed each of the T-shirts onto a form to determine the fit and to review the style — boxy, oversized, fitted, etc. We also reviewed the neckline, sleeves and hem details and the structure and drape of the material. We placed a black tank on the form, then placed the white tee over it and rated how distinctly we could see the black tank through the T-shirt. The more opaque the material was, the higher the score the shirt received.
To evaluate shrinkage and wear, we first measured each T-shirt from shoulder seam to hem. Then we laundered the tees according to their care instructions and noted any visual changes in appearance including fraying, wrinkling or rippling at the collar or hemline. We then remeasured the T-shirts from shoulder seam to hemline and used our pre- and post-wash measurements to determine the amount of shrinkage.
Along with testing in the Lab, we shared T-shirts with real consumer testers with different body types ranging in sizes from S through XXL who wore and styled the shirts in their daily lives. They provided us with real-user feedback about characteristics like overall fit, appearance, comfort, softness and opacity. Testers also had the opportunity to share how well the tees held up in the wash, highlighted what they specifically liked and disliked about the tees and compared the T-shirts to others they've worn.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Amanda Constantine joined Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a home & apparel reviews analyst. She has a background in fashion and is GH's resident style expert. She has covered apparel content for men and women including the best clothing subscription services, the best underwear for men and the best white T-shirts for women. For this article, Amanda conducted white T-shirt testing in the Textiles Lab and used her relative expertise when making selections for the best white T-shirts for men.
Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.
