It’s nothing new – white t-shirts are still cool.
Like all the best pieces of clothing, plain white tees have a star-studded, rags-to-riches history. They used to be a standard-issue military undergarment, but they became a powerfully simple style swerve in the 60s – largely thanks to James Dean’s iconic white t-shirt outfit in Rebel Without a Cause. Now you can catch nearly any stylish celeb rocking a crisp white tee, including Harry Styles, David Beckham and Kanye West. You’ll also see each of these guys wearing the wardrobe staple with various looks, from Kanye’s futuristic rapper athleisure to Beckham’s trend-savvy grown-up uniforms. In short, everyone can (and should) have a few outfits that feature the classic shirt.
However, finding the perfect plain white tee is harder than ever. There are different materials, neck styles, fits and wildly different price points (ranging from $15 five-packs to $800 designer options). Plus, shopping for a plain white t-shirt online can be tough when every little thumbnail looks more or less the same.
So to help you find that crispy, beautiful, go-to white t-shirt, we combed through a handful of websites and came up with some of the very best white tees for every guy. Check them out below.
1. Gildan Crew T-Shirt (5-Pack)
Best Budget
Some guys prefer a straight-forward, affordable pack of white tees that they replenish every year or so. That’s a perfectly good way of stocking up on the essential shirt, ensuring that you’ll almost always have a freshie. We recommend going with this Gildan 5-pack for a good fit and incredible value, as they come very highly-rated with 4.3 stars and over 2,100 reviews.
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2. Under Armour
Best Athletic
If you’re looking for a white t-shirt for exercising, grab one of these from Under Armour. It’s made of a quick-drying, sweat-wicking polyester material, and features anti-odor technology to keep BO at bay while you’re in the gym, out on a run or taking a class. Its style is low-key enough to wear while running errands or putting around town too, so it doesn’t have to be exclusively for working out.
3. Levi’s
Best V-Neck
V-necks are a flattering alternative to the classic crewneck, but as you probably know, too deep of a V will send you into bad territory stylewise. To nail the V-neck look, go for this Levi’s Harper shirt. It has a slightly vintage look, and features a more high-quality build than you’ll get from a pack of undershirts. Plus, a convenient pocket scores some style points.
4. Everlane Cotton Crew
Best Overall
Everlane has become a champion of minimal, affordable wardrobe essentials, so it makes perfect sense that their plain white t-shirt is the best. It comes very highly-rated thanks to a light yet sturdy middleweight fabric, while a combed cotton ensures softness that just gets better with wear. And at just $18, we think it’s worth picking up more than one.
5. Polo Ralph Lauren Logo T-Shirt
Best Logo
A small logo can go a long way on a white tee. It’ll make the shirt feel a little less like an undergarment, which is a concern for some guys. This one from Ralph Lauren is a great option because it features the recognizable Pony logo, but doesn’t cost as much as other tees with designer logos.
6. Rag & Bone Standard Issue Henley
Best Henley
Henley’s are a less popular neck style than their crew and V-neck brothers, but they’re worth considering for one good reason: they’re very flattering. Something about the buttons adds ruggedness and shows some skin, making it a versatile, attractiveness-boosting go-to. If you decide to pick up a henley, we recommend this premium option from designer Rag & Bone.
7. Sunspel Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
Best Designer
Because we end up rocking white t-shirts so often, many guys are willing to spend a little extra on a designer tee. If you can swing it, we suggest this one from Sunspel because it doesn’t have any logos or accents, and it features a premium cotton-jersey fabric. This is a high-quality knit style that increases the softness and durability, ensuring that you won’t need to replace the shirt as often as less expensive options.