The undershirt is one of the unsung heroes of the sartorial realm. Here are some of the best options!
You’ve experienced it before: You get home from a long day at work, take off your button-down, and are greeted with some not-so-savory body odor.
Your undershirt is important. For one, it’s the closest layer to your skin, so it needs to be soft. But it also needs to be able to handle sweat, movement, and time, or you’re going to be cycling through undershirts like hotcakes.
I’ve sifted through the best brands, from classic companies to startup challengers, to find eight shirts you’ll love and your body will thank you for.
The 8 Best Men’s Undershirts
These are the best shirts to handle your typical day.
Best Men’s White Undershirts
White is probably the most popular undershirt color (though it’s hard to tell). Check these ones out!
Jockey Made in America 100% Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt
Embrace the comfort of an original. This 100% cotton crewneck is made in America and is our pick for the overall best men’s white undershirt.
The relaxed fit will keep your body from feeling restricted, and the StayNew technology paired with signature Diamond Bright technology will make sure this shirt stays looking and feeling new for years to come.
Thoughtful features like a tagless label and durable neck make this our overall best pick. You really can’t go wrong with a brand with as much history as Jockey.
Tommy John Second Skin Crew Neck Stay-Tucked Undershirt
The Second Skin Crew Neck is designed for the modern man. Tommy John, a fairly new brand on the scene, makes innovative undergarments with cutting-edge fabrics and comfort.
The Second Skin Crew Neck is the brand’s take on the classic undershirt and is one of the best men’s white undershirts.
It’s made with a 90% modal fabric that’s ultra soft, keeps its shape, and won’t start pilling after a few washes.
This is like your basic cotton tee on steroids: it takes every feature and detail to the next level. Tag-free labels and a flat collar make this one of the most thoughtful shirts I’ve seen.
Best Men’s V Neck Undershirt
This is the best v-neck undershirt, in my opinion:
Rhone Essentials Undershirt – V-Neck
Rhone has made a name for itself with its techy basics. The Essentials Undershirt is a V-neck version of a classic tee and our pick for the best men’s v neck undershirt.
It’s made of a Pima cotton and elastane blend fabric, which makes the shirt soft to the touch but also adds some much-needed stretch.
The neck is designed to stay hidden underneath the shirt — think unbuttoned collars or golf shirts. If white isn’t your preferred color, Rhone also offers black and navy colors.
Best Men’s White Undershirt Tank Tops
We love this classic look from an iconic brand.
Calvin Klein Cotton Classics 3-Pack Tank Top
Calvin Klein isn’t just for Justin Beiber and Kendall Jenner. These tank tops can be a sample in any man’s closet. Soft, breathable fabric with a classic tank design makes these ideal for layers or solo wear when your body temperature gets hotter.
If you’re into understated wear, these tank tops are perfect for you. Calvin Klein continues its legacy for elegant essentials with these best men’s white undershirt tank tops.
Best Men’s Undershirts for Dress Shirts
Wear these with your button-downs for optimal performance.
Proof 72-Hour Merino T-Shirt – Performance Fit
Merino is one of the best fabrics for someone who travels a lot and is out of their home for multiple hours in a day.
It’s naturally odor-resistant and wicks sweat, and best of all, it’s super durable; you can just throw it in the washing machine.
Proof’s 72-Hour Merino T-Shirt is on the pricier side, its lightweight design and range of colors and fits make this one of the best performance shirts for the most extreme days.
UNIQLO HEATTECH Short-Sleeve T-Shirt
UNIQLO’s high-performance base layer is made with an advanced blend of fabrics that ensure warmth while not overheating the wearer. It offers a slim, simple design and comes in black and white.
Best of all? It’s friendly for all budgets at under $10.
Alo Conquer Reform Crewneck Short Sleeve
Popular yoga brand Alo brings its apparel expertise with the Conquer Reform Crewneck Short Sleeve. Made with a performance fabric (not cotton), it’s stretchy, soft, and doesn’t cling to your body.
If you go from the office to the gym, this tee is great because you can wear it as the best men’s undershirt for dress shirts in addition to a workout tee. Its breathable fabric can also handle sweat, and it’s designed for hot weather.
Thompson Tee Men’s Sweat Proof Undershirt – Original Fit Crewneck
Thompson Tee is solely dedicated to making shirts to be sweat free and stands by that promise with a guarantee.
Their bestselling shirt has a unique, patch-like design in the underarm designed to stop sweat stains and smells. And the brand offers a guarantee to stand by the quality of their tees.
Each shirt is made specifically to be tucked in and features a long, tuckable length. They feel incredible, made with 100% premium cotton that’s machine and dryer-safe.
They’re available in a few different colors and a v-neck version.
Conclusion: Consider Your Needs
When you’re looking for the best men’s undershirts, you want to make sure you know exactly what you’ll be using them for. If you’re just going to be hanging out in the office or around the house, you can probably get by with a simple cotton tee.
But, if you’re on the move and maybe hitting the gym after a long day, look for shirts with some type of performance material because they’ll do a better job at wicking moisture and reducing odor.
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Realize that this is from last year but curious if anyone has recommendations for an undershirt that is not super long, which seems to be the norm these days. I get that they need to be long enough so that they don’t easily come untucked. But it feels like regular undershirts are just not made for shorter guys and are way too long.