10 Best Undershirts for Women to Wear Under Everything
Say goodbye to feeling itchy while wearing your scratchy sweaters.
Tested by Amanda ConstantineHome & Apparel Reviews Analyst
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While wool sweaters keep you warm in the winter and are often available in fun patterns for every occasion, some can be itchy. Thankfully, undershirts exist to provide a comfortable and breathable layer between your top and bare skin, and they can help your nicer blouses last longer since sweat and odor will touch your undershirt first. Because they are available in a variety of necklines and with or without sleeves, you can find a style that will work for your wardrobe.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, our experts test almost every clothing essential you may keep in your closet from the best women's jeans and T-shirts to the best tights, women's underwear and no-show socks. When evaluating the best undershirts for men and women, we begin with market research of top-selling brands. We then pull testing data from previous categorical tests of adjacent clothing verticals, considered GH staffer favorites and read through online shopper reviews to find the only undershirts worth buying.
Gap is a go-to brand for wardrobe essentials including white T-shirts like this Gap Organic Vintage tee that can also be worn as an undershirt. Since the T-shirt has a relaxed silhouette, our style pros recommend opting for a smaller size if you want a snugger fit that may create less bunching underneath tops. One GH analyst who has worn this tee for years said, "I swear it feels softer with every wash." We also appreciate that Gap offers tall and petite sizing.
Sizes: XS–4X | Material: 100% organic cotton | Colors: 13
When I first slipped on this short-sleeve T-shirt from A New Day, I was blown away by the soft fabric and assumed it retailed for around $40. Imagine my shock when I found out it was only $6! It's made from a blend of cotton and modal, giving it a comfortable and relaxed feel. Of all the white T-shirts we tested in the Lab during our most recent evaluation, testers named this one the softest.
A main con to this lightweight T-shirt is that it is a bit see-through. Worn as an undershirt, though, this problem is solved since you will be wearing a blouse or sweater over it.
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Materials: 60% cotton, 40% modal | Colors: 28
Intissimi Long Sleeve Scoop Neck Top in Ultralight Modal with Cashmere
We saw a major peak in Intimissimi long-sleeve tops last year, especially the Ultralight Modal with Cashmere Long-sleeve top. It's lightweight but still cozy and retails at a comparable price for a shirt made from cashmere. Online shoppers gave it top reviews for quality and comfort.
One five-star review called it their "go-to in the fall and winter." Wear any of the five neutral colors under another top or on its own as a regular long-sleeve shirt. Just note that the slightly sheer fabric may make this undershirt a bit see-through.
Sizes: S–L | Materials: 85% modal, 9% cashmere, 6% elastane | Colors: 5
Old Navy balances classic staples with affordable pricing. If you prefer a v-neck to a scoop neck, you will like the Bestee V-neck T-shirt. It has shorter sleeves and a snug fit, but the spandex helps it feel not restrictive.
We previously tested the crew-neck version, which has a slightly different material composition (1% less spandex and 1% more modal). Despite this minor difference, we think the v-neck will be an equal favorite in your closet. You will be able to find the perfect fit too, thanks to Old Navy's extensive sizing ranging from XS to 4X and options for tall and petite.
Sizes: XS–4X | Materials: 57% cotton, 37% modal, 6% spandex | Colors: 4
L.L. Bean Women's Soft Stretch Supima Scoopneck Long-sleeve Tee
From women's loungewear to women's bathrobes, L.L. Bean is home to some of our favorite cozy essentials. Made from a blend of Supima cotton, modal and spandex, the brand calls this its "softest tee yet." The spandex gives it some stretch and the scoop neck makes it versatile.
The shirt has over 500 online reviews with an overall 4.2-star rating. One five-star review said,"[It] makes a good underlayer for a flannel shirt or a sweater," while another added that it's the "best tee you will own."
Sizes: XS–XL | Materials: 56% Supima cotton, 38% modal and 6% spandex | Colors: 7
GH staffers love Skims bras, underwear and clothing and feel the splurge is worth it for flattering shapewear and loungewear. If you have a cropped blouse or sweater that you need to wear an undershirt with or simply don't want any part of it peeping out from under your top, try out this cropped T-shirt.
It's designed to be super soft and breathable, and multiple five-star reviews called it their all-time favorite cropped tee. You can browse best-selling baby tees for more options if you want a full-length T-shirt instead.
Sizes: XXS–4X | Materials: 91% modal, 9% elastane | Colors: 3
Lululemon Wundermost Ultra-Soft Nulu Hip-Length Crew Short-Sleeve Shirt
While you can wear this short-sleeve shirt with a sports bra when being active in warmer months, it's also a great layer for the winter season. Made using the brand's ultra-soft Nulu fabric, the Wundermost Crew is lightweight and has four-way stretch.
Although designed for casual wear, it features sweat-wicking and quick-drying capabilities to help keep you comfortable during workouts. If you wear it beyond exercise, you will appreciate the elevated, brushed feel and flattering, curved side seams. It is one of our more expensive picks at just under $70, but we think its construction and versatility make it a worthwhile splurge.
Sizes: XS–XL | Materials: Nulu fabric | Colors: 5
RELATED: The Best Workout Tops for Women
Amazon Essentials Women's Slim-Fit Camisole, Pack of 4
When you need an undershirt ASAP look no further than Amazon Essentials which can arrive at your door quickly, thanks to Prime two-day shipping. The #1 best-seller has almost 42K online reviews, accumulating an average 4.4-star rating. For around $24, you will get four tank tops in the same or various colors.
The camisoles have a slim fit and are made from a cotton-spandex blend for added stretch. You can adjust the thin straps for a better fit and layer under a blouse, sweater, jacket or wear it on its own tucked into a pair of jeans. One five-star review noted the camis were thicker than they were expecting but wished there was a built-in bra for larger-chested women.
Sizes: XS–XXL | Materials: 95% cotton, 5% spandex | Colors: 24
I am so often surprised by how clutch Uniqlo is for layering basics like undershirts. Many GH staffers agree and one analyst recommends this HEATTECH Ultra Warm tee that is designed to be more than two times warmer than regular HEATTECH products by the brand, according to the product description. It's made from high-density fabric that is brushed for a soft feel.
We like that it is meant to be moisture-wicking so you can avoid feeling cool and damp if you get sweaty on a cold day. Uniqlo shoppers reported the shirt runs true to size and confirmed it is comfortable and keeps them warm in the winter.
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Materials: 41% acrylic, 37% polyester, 18% rayon, 4% spandex | Colors: 4
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When it comes to flattering shapewear, Spanx is our go-to answer. The drawback is that one of its basic tanks can be an investment. Our best overall shapewear brand is worth it though. The SPANXshape Invisible Tank provides medium compression while maintaining a breathable feel. The tummy control panel wraps around the entire tank to create a slimming effect.
You can wear a bra underneath for extra support or rely on the non-compressive bust that is meant to help prevent the uni-boob look. One satisfied customer wrote, "Not only does it provide incredible support and shaping for a sleek silhouette, but it's also incredibly comfortable to wear all day long."
Sizes: XS–3X | Materials: 55% nylon, 45% Lycra elastane (body); 77% nylon, 23% elastane (bust) | Colors: 4
RELATED: The Best Shapewear for Women
What to look for when shopping
Before you buy one (or more) undershirts, consider the following design aspects.
✔️ Material: For the most part, undershirts are fully or partially made with cotton, a natural fiber that's soft against the skin, absorbent and breathable. Modal, a regenerated cellulose fiber, is also found in many undershirts because it has a buttery soft, almost lived-in feel. Synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon are popular too because they can be moisture-wicking and durable.
✔️ Fit: Some undershirts may have a looser fit, but most people prefer a fitted option because it allows for less bunching under a top layer.
✔️ Style: As you may have noticed from our picks, undershirts most often have a crew-neck style akin to T-shirts. This helps "provide enough coverage over the torso and the underarms and extend up to the collarbone," said Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst Amanda Constantine. A v-neck or scoop-neck design is less likely to peek out from underneath your top, though. Meanwhile, a sleeveless tank top is even easier to conceal under tops. Keep in mind that a tank won't do as good of a job at protecting against sweat and stains. A long-sleeve undershirt is the best option to wear under an uncomfortable blouse or sweater because it covers the most skin compared to other styles.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Elizabeth Berry is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she collaborates with directors and analysts across Labs to optimize our shopping guides and ensure they reflect current testing and pricing information. She has reported on clothing staples from the best women's T-shirts and women's loungewear to the best wool socks and women's suits. Berry relies on undershirts during the winter so she has a layer between her skin and her favorite wool sweaters.
To curate this guide, she collaborated with Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst Amanda Constantine who researches and reports on clothing, accessories and 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.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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.
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