The 3 Best Men’s White T-Shirts of 2024 | Reviews by Wirecutter

By Zoe Vanderweide and Justin Krajeski

One of our picks, the Uniqlo Supima Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt, has been redesigned; it’s now slightly longer, roomier, and more opaque. We tested it, and we recommend the new version.

A white T-shirt is the ultimate blank canvas. Versatile and classic, it can blend in or stand out, depending on the outfit and the occasion.

But there are thousands of white tees to choose from, so finding a favorite can feel anything but basic. In our search for flattering, comfortable, and well-made T-shirts worthy of becoming wardrobe staples, we sifted through heaps of contenders. And we enlisted the help of testers with different body types and style preferences.

Three favorites rose to the top of the pile: a polished and versatile $25 tee that feels pricier than it is, a high-end, splurge-worthy shirt, and an ultra-affordable white T-shirt that comes in lots of sizes.

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Made from smooth, medium-weight Supima cotton, this surprisingly well-priced T-shirt is polished and nicely constructed. It comes in a good range of sizes, from XXS to 3XL, though some testers found it a bit too long.

For a $25 tee, the bright-white, slim-cut Uniqlo Supima Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt over-delivers. Want a T-shirt made with smooth, opaque Supima cotton? Seeking something that’s carefully constructed and offers a polished, versatile look? And hoping to find a tee that comes in sizes from XXS to 3XL? Check, check, and check.

In fact, this medium-weight winner looks just as good with a nice pair of slacks as it does with casual shorts or jeans. Quipped one tester, “It’s nice enough to dress up, but cheap enough to paint a house in.”

Note: This shirt is a redesigned version of our previous Uniqlo pick of the same name. Compared with the older model, this tee has a slightly longer, more relaxed cut; thicker, more opaque fabric; and a narrower neckline.

It feels (far) more expensive than it is. If you closed your eyes and ran your hand over the Uniqlo Supima Cotton Crew, you’d never guess it was so budget-friendly. The fabric is sturdy and substantial, and it manages to be smooth yet not slick. That’s because this tee is made from 100% Supima cotton, an extra-long-staple variety that’s prized for its more-durable weave and silkier texture. (It’s often very spendy, too.)

Is this T-shirt made from the absolute softest, finest Supima we’ve ever felt? No. But given this tee’s price, we’re pretty impressed.

You can dress it up (or down). This tee has a polished, put-together look that plays nicely with casual and dressier ensembles alike. Testers praised it as “classic” and “versatile,” noting that “it works in lots of contexts.”

The fabric is opaque, with a subtle sheen; it drapes well over jeans and tucks smartly into trousers. “It’s a nice, clean, bright white,” one panelist said. Another remarked on the shirt’s “Centre Court at Wimbledon” vibes.

It has a long, trim cut. The Supima Cotton Crew has a relatively slim fit throughout. It’s not quite as body-skimming as our Bella+Canvas pick (post-laundering), but the material is more structured and less stretchy, so it makes its shape known. One broad-shouldered panelist (size M) noted that this shirt felt slightly snug in the chest and shoulders.

Like the Bella+Canvas tee, the Supima Cotton Crew has a longer-than-average cut: Brand new, a size L measured 29 inches in length (though after washing, it shrank down to 27½ inches, the same length as our Lady White Co. pick). Our 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-9 testers (both size M) found this tee was too long to wear untucked. But for others (a 6-foot tester, size L, and a 5-foot-10 tester, size XXL), the length worked well.

It’s solidly constructed. This tee has nicely finished seams and a well-built crew-neck collar. “It feels very well made with the stitching at the sleeves and at the neckline. I don’t think it will stretch and lose its shape,” one panelist observed.

It did shrink notably after washing and drying (about 3 inches across both length and width), but not as much as the Bella+Canvas tee. Yet its texture and appearance have both held up admirably; if anything, the feel of the cotton improved over several months of regular laundering.

Flaws but not dealbreakers:

Specs

Super-satisfying premium cotton, seamless construction, and a flattering, just-right cut make this off-white tee look and feel unusually luxe. But this is a lot to pay for a simple shirt, and it comes in a limited range of sizes (S to XL).

A white T-shirt may not be the fanciest item in your rotation, but when it’s done right, it could be the most frequently worn. So there’s an argument to be made for treating yourself to a really nice shirt—or, in the case of the Lady White Co. T-Shirt, two of them. This 100% cotton tee feels subtly elevated in all kinds of ways, from its unusual, pleasantly textured fabric to its effortlessly casual cut, seamless construction, and subtle off-white color.

The Lady White Co. tee comes in a limited size range, from S to XL, so we were disappointed that not all of our panelists could test it. Still, the four who could found this tee more flattering, comfortable, and durable than any other shirt they tried.

It has a classic, ultra-flattering cut. The Lady White Co. T-shirt is cut to perfection. A size L measures about 22 inches across the chest, so it’s roomier than our other picks and a touch more boxy yet still slim—and it drapes beautifully, without clinging to the stomach. One wearer (size L) quipped, “You look more like an alley cat in it than a chunky unit.” (And we’ll note that is intended as a good thing.)

This tee is slightly broader in the shoulders than others we tried, and the sleeves, which hit about midway to the elbow, are on the longer side too. “I like that they cover up my Shaggy-from-Scooby-Doo biceps,” cracked one panelist (size XL). It’s a bit shorter than our other picks (a size L measured 28¼ inches long before laundering and 27½ inches after), and it looked good untucked on our 6-foot tester.

Unfortunately, this shirt comes in the smallest size range of any of our picks; the largest size offered is a men’s XL.

Its cotton is discernibly different. Made from 100% North Carolina cotton, the Lady White Co. tee is thicker and more luxurious than the others we tested. (It also didn’t shrink much in our washing and drying tests—just 1 inch across both length and width.) The fabric feels dense, dry, and very textured, without being heavy or stiff. One tester remarked, “The shape and structure [of the material] hangs beautifully, even when not on the body.”

Note that when you order this tee in white, the color you’ll receive is more of a worn-in canvas shade. We ended up digging its vintage-y look. But given that this is a white T-shirt guide, it’s a point worth emphasizing.

It’s loaded with high-quality details. Uniquely among our picks, this T-shirt is made using a tubular construction, which means it doesn’t have any side seams. One tester (size XL) called this a “big bonus” because it allows the shirt to fall naturally on the body without the pull or pinch of a seam. Another tester described the tee’s construction as “immaculate.”

This shirt has a different collar than the others we tested; it’s a narrow band of ribbed, double-thick material, which makes it less prone to stretching out. It also gives the tee a more fashion-forward look—there’s no mistaking this for undershirt—though one panelist said that the collar felt too bulky for layering under a sweater.

It’s pricey, but it’s built to last. At around $110 for a pack of two, the Lady White Co. T-shirt is an investment. But experience has convinced us that the value is there. One panelist reported that he wore his Lady White Co. tees one to two times a week for about a year, and they were still holding up well. And he said the crisp cotton had gotten softer and more broken-in with regular laundering.

Flaws but not dealbreakers:

Specs

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This light- to medium-weight cotton tee—available in sizes XS to 5XL from some retailers—is soft, cozy, and priced to stock up on. But some testers found it too long to wear untucked, and it does shrink quite a bit in the wash.

No need to overthink it: Sometimes a T-shirt can just be a T-shirt. Take, for instance, the Bella+Canvas Unisex Jersey Tee. Simple and unpretentious, this light- to medium-weight all-cotton tee is a no-brainer. It’s super-soft and very inexpensive. And among all of the shirts we tested, this one offers the most inclusive range of sizes—from XS to 5XL, depending on where you buy it. It has a long, slim cut, and its stretchy fabric works especially well for people who wear larger sizes or have longer torsos.

There’s a good chance you may already own a Bella+Canvas T-shirt, whether you know it or not—it’s a popular choice as a so-called “blank” for printing and personalizations. (Think that tee you have from your corporate retreat or favorite barbecue restaurant.)

It’s cut long and slim. The Unisex Jersey Tee is a crew-neck T-shirt with a long, body-skimming cut—it’s the longest and narrowest of our picks. This shirt also shrank significantly when we washed and dried it. A brand-new size L tee measured 30 inches in length, but it shrank down to 27¾ inches after laundering, and it lost around 4¼ inches total across both length and width. So unless you like your T-shirts snug, we suggest buying one size up, or hanging it to dry.

The closer fit, including around the arms and neckline, makes this tee a good undershirt candidate. By the same token, it is the only one of our three picks that risks giving off vaguely “undershirt-y” vibes, particularly in plain white.

Our long-torsoed and taller testers appreciated this tee’s extra length, as did those who wore larger sizes. One panelist (size 3XL) pointed out that he could wear it untucked without worrying about his midriff peeking out. Another (size 2XL) found the shirt a bit too snug in the stomach but added that the length helped it to “drape just right.”

Other testers found this tee to be too long, especially for wearing untucked.

The shirt’s fabric quality is so-so. This tee’s 100% cotton jersey is breathable and very soft, with an almost brushed feeling. And it has some give, so it’s comfortable to move around in. It’s thinner and a bit more transparent than the material of our other picks, but it’s not see-through. Also, if the fabric is stretched too far, it can easily become misshapen.

It’s a great deal. This is the least expensive T-shirt we recommend, by a mile. It can be found at online retailers like Clothing Shop or Shirt Space for around $5, in sizes up to 5XL. (Admittedly, navigating those off-the-beaten-path sites can be a bit odd. Stock is inconsistent, the price varies by shirt size, and shipping can cost more than the garment itself.) Craft store Michael’s reliably carries the shirt for under $10 but only up to a size 3XL. It’s also sometimes available on Amazon, though the size options can be limited.

It’s surprisingly well made. Despite its low price, the Unisex Jersey Tee is solidly constructed, with neat, even stitching. “I feel like this shirt could stand up to use,” said one tester (size 3XL), who also praised its sturdy double-seamed hems.

One thing we didn’t love: the itchy tag sewn into the back of the collar. This is our only pick with that skin-irritating detail.

Flaws but not dealbreakers:

Specs

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The world of white T-shirts is vast—we could spend a lifetime testing and still not get through them all. To keep things manageable, we considered only white crew-neck men’s short-sleeve T-shirts, and we nixed any models with pockets, buttons, or other embellishments.

We confined our search to shirts made entirely or primarily from cotton. This is the most common T-shirt material, and it’s prized for its combination of softness, breathability, durability, and ease of care.

In 2020, writer Justin Krajeski tested 36 shirts, identifying seven finalists. A panel of five people, wearing men’s sizes M to 3XL, tested the shirts to evaluate their fit, style, comfort, quality and value.

In 2024, after several of our original picks had been discontinued or received significant model updates, we enlisted five more expert panelists (one had participated in the original testing), wearing sizes S to 2XL, to test for potential replacements.

Throughout, we judged the T-shirts based on the following criteria:

If you want a light, breezy organic cotton tee: Our testers praised the softness and “terrific airy feel” of the Bonobos Organic Cotton Tee (XS–XXL). It has an easy fit and classic crew-neck cut (available with or without a pocket); it also comes in a V-neck. While the fabric was a little lightweight for some testers’ tastes, everyone agreed that this tee was well constructed and had a high-quality feel. Ultimately, we just weren’t convinced that it was special enough to merit the price. But if you can find it on sale, we think it’s a good buy; we have (rarely) seen it go for under $30.

If you want a velvety-soft off-white tee: As the name implies, the ivory-color J.Crew Sueded Cotton T-Shirt has a decadent, almost plush texture that our testers unanimously loved. It’s comfortable and notably well constructed, and it comes in classic (XS–XXL), slim (XS–XL), and tall (M–XXL) cuts. But multiple panelists found the fit to be somewhat off—the body of the shirt was too wide for one, and it was too long to wear untucked for another. And we think the price (around $45) is overly steep for what you’re getting. Luckily, this shirt is often marked down to around $30, which is a good value if you can find a fit that you like.

If you don’t mind hang-drying your tee: The Kotn Essential Crew is very soft and comfy, but in testing it shrank by 7 inches after one wash. We found multiple complaints online reporting the same issue. But if you machine-wash this tee in cold water and hang it to dry, as the brand recommends, you should avoid this extreme shrinkage. (Or you could size up—the tee comes in sizes XXS up to 3XL). Aside from that one major nuisance, the Kotn is a good-looking, reasonably priced, comfortable shirt.

If you don’t mind a tee with an external tag: In testing, we found the Reigning Champ Lightweight Jersey T-Shirt (XS–XXL) to be comfortable and well made, but the branded tag on the outside of the shirt (near the hip) was polarizing. If you’d be okay with that, this one is worth considering.

If you want a boxier off-white tee: The Knickerbocker T-Shirt (XS–XXL) is an attractive and comfortable shirt; the brand’s version of white is a creamy color called “milk.” Like our Lady White Co. T-Shirt pick, it has a double-thick (and sturdy) ribbed collar that’s more pronounced than the flat collars on most tees. This tee has a boxy cut—it’s noticeably wider and shorter—which some will like and others won’t.

If you’re looking for a slim-fitting tee: The Save Khaki United Short Sleeve Supima Crew Tee (XS–XXL) has tight sleeves that one panelist said made his biceps look “hot.” If you prefer a form-fitting tee or are particularly slender, this is one to consider.

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Many of the less-expensive T-shirts we tested were plainly just undershirts. The Amazon Essentials Men’s Standard 2-Pack Slim-fit Short-Sleeve Crewneck T-Shirt, the Calvin Klein Men’s Cotton Stretch 3-Pack Crew Neck T-Shirts, the Fruit of the Loom Men’s Eversoft Cotton Stay Tucked Crew T-Shirt, the Gildan Ultra Cotton T-Shirt, and the Kirkland Signature Men’s Crew Neck T-Shirts (pack of 6) were all quite thin, and the sleeves were too short. What they did deliver were twisted seams and see-through fabric.

The Alternative Men’s Go-To Tee and the Alternative Men’s Organic Cotton Crewneck Shirt were too tight in the shoulders, restricting arm movement.

The American Apparel Unisex-Adult Fine Jersey T-Shirt, 2-Pack was quite loose around the neck—an issue that is likely to worsen with wear. Conversely, the Dickies Short-Sleeve T-Shirt and the H&M Regular Fit T-Shirt were both uncomfortably tight around the neck (and generally fit weirdly).

The American Giant Classic Cotton Crew Tee and the Mott & Bow Classic Crew Driggs Tee were both nice enough, but they didn’t stand out as anything special to our test panel. Plus, the American Giant T-shirt was cut shorter than we like.

Both the Banana Republic Authentic Supima T-Shirt and the Goodfellow & Co Men’s Casual Fit Every Wear Short Sleeve T-Shirt were scratchy and a bit transparent, while the Gap Classic Cotton T-Shirt had oddly snug sleeves.

The J.Crew Broken-In T-Shirt was a longtime pick in this guide. Unfortunately, the company changed the cut and fit, and not for the better. The old version was an across-the-board crowd-pleaser. But in our testing, the updated model managed to be simultaneously loose and tight in all the wrong places. Also, the material was far too translucent.

Our original test panel thought the Old Navy Go-Dry Crew-Neck T-Shirts, 3-Pack ran too long. But the online reviews are mostly positive. And since these tees are such a good value, we’ll likely give them another go in a future testing round.

The Acne Studios Crew Neck T-Shirt had a small but prominently positioned logo label sewn on the chest; we weren’t fans, but that’s entirely subjective.

We tested the Brunello Cucinelli Cotton Jersey T-Shirt—currently around $375—just for fun, but it didn’t turn us into believers. It’s a totally good-looking, slim white T-shirt that requires hand-washing and ironing. And that’s just too much pressure, considering its eye-watering price.

There was nothing particularly wrong with Theory’s The Essential Tee or the Todd Snyder Made in L.A. Premium Jersey T-Shirt. But they were even pricier than our Lady White Co. pick—and not as impressive.

This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson, Lizzy Briskin, and Jennifer Hunter.

Zoe Vanderweide

Zoe Vanderweide is a senior staff writer reporting on style and accessories at Wirecutter. She has been wearing things for over three decades, and she has spent years covering streetwear, luxury, art, and design. Off the clock, you can find her painting the town rainbow with her (devastatingly stylish) daughter.

Justin Krajeski

Justin Krajeski is a former staff writer covering style and accessories.

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