The best men's white T-shirts for every budget and style
Whether you’re after a boxier fit to suit modern sensibilities, or a classic cut, these are the best men’s white T-shirts.
By Brad Nash
THE HUMBLE white T-shirt isn’t just a menswear essential, it’s a clothing icon. Ever since the casual revolution of the early 20th century, men’s fashion has been defined not by red carpet classics, but by this ever-so-basic of garments. Think Dean, think Brando, think McQueen, and it’s likely you’ll picture them all in a simple white tee.
Nowadays, with more brands, materials and cuts than ever to choose from, nailing what’s ostensibly a pretty simple menswear move comes down to making a considered choice – something we’re here to help you with, whether you’re after a boxier fit to suit modern sensibilities, or a classic cut to channel your inner Hollywood poster boy.
The best all-round white T-shirt: Assembly Label Kylo Tee
You were expecting us to mention Uniqlo’s U line in this part of the article, right? Well, while the Japanese basics giant do a great job with their much-beloved heavyweight tee, Assembly Label’s Kylo tee delivers the same great fit and value with the added feel-good factor of supporting an Aussie designer that uses 100% responsibly-sourced cotton.
$30 from Assembly Label
The best breathable white T-shirt: Uniqlo U Airism oversized tee
Undefeated when it comes to maintaining one’s drip whether hitting the gym or the bar, Uniqlo’s Airism fabric uses a unique blend of cotton and polyester that makes their oversized tees more breathable and functional than any other. It’s no wonder they’re a constant best-seller.
$24.95 from Uniqlo
The best sustainable white T-shirt: Bassike regular fit white tee
Bassike is beloved among Aussie fashionistas thanks to its knack for making timeless wardrobe staples while maintaining an unwavering commitment to the planet and people. Nowhere is this more apparent than in their everyday essential tee, made from 100% organic cotton and made right here in Australia.
$110 from Bassike
The best budget white T-shirt: Hanes 3-Pack Tagless Crew Neck T-Shirt
There’s something romantic about the idea of some high-quality tees tightly packaged in a plastic pouch, and it all started with American workwear icon Hanes, who continue to set the standard stateside with the timeless cut and fit of their crew-neck tees. Grab a multi-pack and you’ll be paying little more than $10 a shirt for quality that’s undeniable.
$33 from Amazon
The Carmy special: Merz B Schwanen men’s loopwheeled T-shirt
Jeremy Allen White didn’t just get the nation’s girlfriends looking wistfully at their culinarily-impaired partners in The Bear: his ability to pull off a tight white tee set off a menswear storm, with even the folks at The Cut doing a deepdive to figure out exactly what tee he wore throughout the show. The show’s costume designer eventually revealed they used a number of different brands throughout filming, the most common being storied German basics brand Merz B Schwanen, who still traditionally manufacture on original loopwheelers for an unmistakably classic fit.
Approx. $107 from Merz B Schwanen
The best white tee for layering: Bonds Original Midweight Crew Tee
Honestly, the best white shirt for layering under a jacket or a blazer is a tank, but a slimmer, lighter-weight option designed to sit snugly under an outer garment and hug the body is the next best thing. Given it’s not going to be playing first chair, we recommend opting for a blend of value and sustainability, something Bonds continues to offer in spades.
$29.99 from Bonds
The best white henley: Rag & Bone waffle-knit cotton henley T-shirt
Pulling off a henley sits at as high a degree of difficulty as it’s ever done in 2024 , which is why you want to go to the best if you want to channel a little bit of Nathan Drake. New York menswear icon Rag & Bone, who made Daniel Craig’s now-famous Henley for his final outing as 007 in No Time To Die, should be your first port of call.
$309 from Mr Porter
The luxury option: Maison Margiela organic cotton-jersey T-shirt 3-pack
Why have just one shade of white when you could have three tasteful options, produced by no less than one of the most timeless names in luxury fashion? Treat them right, and they’ll last you decades. Cost per wear, right?
$877 from Mr Porter
The best white linen t-shirt: Sandro Paris Linen T-Shirt
While linen button-ups and trousers have become the new standard for leisurely summer cool, there’s also something to be said for the quiet luxury of adding a well-crafted linen tee to your summer rotation. We love this one from Sandro, made from 100% linen to add subtle texture to any outfit, and with a relaxed cut to keep you feeling light and breezy on warmer days.
$240 from Sandro Paris
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