Best White T-Shirts for Men, Tested and Reviewed

Basics like white tees are the very building blocks of a wardrobe, but it can be astonishingly difficult to find one that does exactly what you want it to. There are just so many variables: You find one that’s beautifully soft and perfectly fitted, but oh look, instead of sleeves, someone appears to have added a pair of pteranodon wings. Hey, this one’s just the right length, the sleeves cuff nicely, and—nope, it’s so thin, I’d be more covered up if I was wearing sheer lingerie. To help narrow down the field, we’ve compiled the best white t-shirts for men, so come on—let’s get back to basics.

Our picks for the top white t-shirts for men

How we tested and selected the best white t-shirts for men

I made my selections through a combination of rigorous testing and thorough research. The shirts I tested personally were worn, washed, and worn again, to ensure comfort, durability, and fit. The shirts I didn’t personally try, I picked after scouring customer reviews to ensure that all of my selections have had overwhelmingly positive feedback.

What to consider when buying white t-shirts for men

Material

The majority of white t-shirts worth buying are going to be 100% cotton, making them light, soft, and breathable. There are plenty of polyester options available, but while this tends to be more durable and will stand up better to frequent washing, it’s also prone to clinging, and is more likely to trap heat in warmer weather. In terms of the cotton options, some may prefer a cotton blend, including a small amount of materials like spandex to add a little extra stretch and comfort.

Fit

This is down to personal preference, but it’s smart to have an idea of what you want before you start shopping, as it’ll help whittle down the options. Are you looking for something long and airy? Baggily oversized? Figure-accentuating? Perfectly fitted? It’s best to consider what sort of outfit you’ll be wearing it with and go from there.

Occasion

The biggest question is likely, where are you going to be wearing this? Your needs for a good pajama t-shirt vs one that you’ll wear on a night out are vastly different, so buy accordingly. Obviously, if you’re primarily looking at it as loungewear, go soft and baggy. If it’s for layering, choose something thin and fitted. If it’s to be worn by itself, maybe opt for something a little more visually interesting, like a henley, or one with an eye-catching cut or contrasting pocket.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Which brand is best for t-shirts for men?

This is going to be a recurring theme throughout this FAQ, but a lot of this will come down to personal preference. If you like heavyweight, oversized t-shirts, Carhartt will likely be a good starting point. If budget is your primary concern, it’s tough to argue with Amazon’s Essentials range. Those wanting something super soft should look at brands like Bonobos and Goodlife. In short, decide what you want out of a shirt, then look for brands who specialize in those qualities.

Which white shirts are not see-through for men?

It’s really, really tough to find a white tee that’s not at least a little bit see-through. Of the shirts here that I tested personally, I found that the options from Buck Mason and Carhartt were the only ones thick enough to be entirely opaque. I did, however, consider the options from Amazon, Good Counsel, and Penguin to be on the less see-through end of the spectrum.

Which type of white shirt is best?

As with any kind of clothes, be it the best t-shirts for men, the best dress shirts for men, or anything else, it really depends on the occasion. Cold outside? Choose something soft, warm, and thick for layering under a flannel and a jacket. Hitting the beach bar? Pair a thin, longer tee with a pair of cut-offs and some white sneakers, and off you go. If you want something to wear under a bomber jacket, get something fitted, maybe with a chest pocket as an extra detail. A white tee is rarely the focal point of an outfit, but you still need to choose carefully to make sure the outfit hangs together.

Do men look good in white t-shirts?

The short answer is, yes, of course, men and women can look good in a white t-shirt (it’s why our team also compiled the best white t-shirts for women). But, there’s also stuff you can do to make it look its best.

“The best way for a guy to make a white t-shirt look good is to make sure it fits right by complimenting the silhouette he has,” advises Charles Fratto, style director for ILOE Studios. “The fabric should also be made with a quality knit fabric, one that will keep its shape and stand up to multiple washes. Not all white t-shirts are patterned and sewed the same and the general belief is the more simple the design, the more you need to concentrate on the material and construction to make the garment look its best. Bonus points if you iron your t-shirt, too. Ironing a white t-shirt might seem odd at first, but this little detail will take you so very far.”

How do you care for white t-shirts?

According to Angela Brown, host of the Ask a House Cleaner podcast, t-shirts yellow over time because residue from deodorants and body lotions react with the natural oils and sweat produced by your body and the shirt’s fabric. Over time, these reactions can oxidize and become yellowish, particularly in areas where the material comes into contact with your skin, such as the collar and underarms.

“The key to keeping white shirts white is to wash them in a load of laundry with nothing but white clothing,” says Brown. “You can break down the enzymes of the body oils and sweat with a quality laundry soap. I recommend pre-treating them by soaking them in a sink full of hot water with 1/4 cup of OxiClean Stain and Odor Remover, to break down the enzymes and bleach the fabric before washing.”