Hey fellas, quick question. How many white tees do you currently own? Probably more than a few, we’re willing to bet.
Men’s style doesn’t get more basic than a white t-shirt, but what might seem to be a rather humble garment at first glance is arguably one of the most important, foundational pieces a man can own.
Inherently casual but infinitely malleable for a variety of aesthetics, the white tee has cemented itself as a cornerstone of the modern men’s fashion landscape.
The classic white crew-neck tee is derived from the undergarments worn by men in the navy during the 1930s, but can even date back further the looser you become with the term and its definition.
And impressively, the humble white tee (and its more colorful counterparts) has hardly evolved much since then. While materials, their origin, and manufacturing methods have certainly shifted with the times, a white tee today can still echo the very same look as it did back in the day.
But in truth, some white tees are better than others. Whether you’re prioritizing comfort, affordability, or durability, we’ve taken the time to research the best white t-shirts a man can buy in 2024.
So, to all of you James Dean and Marlon Brando wannabes, listen up!
The Best Basic, All-Day White Tee: Supima Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt by Uniqlo
For solid, competitively priced basics, you can rarely do much better than Uniqlo.
The Japanese retail giant has a number of popular t-shirt models, including their trendy oversized AIRism Cotton Oversized Crew Neck Half-Sleeve T-Shirt (honorable mention), but for everyday, all-day purposes, their Supima Cotton T-Shirt is hard to beat.
Usually available for under $20, this tee has a classic fit and a well-constructed, thick collar that doesn’t lose its shape easily – a must for any decent t-shirt. It’s made from medium-weight, 100% cotton, making this a perfect shirt for nearly any time of year.
The Best Heavyweight White Tee: 9 oz US Cotton Tubular T-Shirt by Bronson MFG.
Sometimes you just want something a bit heftier. If you’re a t-shirt all-year-round kind of guy, we’re sure you can appreciate the benefits of a heavier weight tee when the temperature begins to fall.
This sturdy option from Bronson MFG. is made from 100% USA cotton, with a tubular, no-seam construction. You can also expect the sleeve to fall a bit closer to the elbow, keeping in line with its heavier fit and style.
For under $25, you get a truly solid shirt at a super solid value.
Best Height-Inclusive White Tee: Pima Classic Tee by Buck Mason
Buck Mason has been kind of killing it lately, gaining new fans by the day as the brand has expanded in recent years. Their garments reference a sort-of rugged Americana vibe that few others can truly capture, and their Pima Classic Tee echoes that exact spirit.
This tee is made at their very own BM Knitting Mills in Mohnton, PA, sourced from USA-grown Supima cotton. Each shirt is also garment washed with enzymes and softener for a lived-in feel.
You can expect a fit that is both classic and flattering. Roomy where it ought to be, and a bit more fitted in others. Buck Mason also offers a slub variation in case you want something with a bit more (albeit subtle) texture.
The best part? Both the Pima and Slub versions are available in short, standard, and tall lengths, so you never need to worry about your tee being too long or too short – it’s a truly height-inclusive garment! This might come in handy if you’re really trying to embody that old-school James Dean or Marlon Brando look – it needs to fit you just right!
While its $45 price tag is higher than some other options on this list, we’d argue that this tee is well worth it.
Best Heritage Brand White Tee: Crew Neck T-Shirts (Set of 2) by J. Press
Chances are, if you’re into menswear, then you’re most likely familiar with J. Press. One of the original grand-daddys of classic American men’s style, J. Press was founded in New Haven, Connecticut over a century ago, and is perhaps best known for their ivy-adjacent oxford shirts and Shaggy Dog wool sweaters.
But their t-shirt offerings aren’t anything to skim over! For a surprisingly great value of under $30, you can snag a 2-pack of their classic Crew Neck T-Shirts, made from 100% cotton and featuring a nice, thick collar band. With J. Press’ reputation for quality, you can rest easy with this pick, and look fresh while you’re at it.
The Best Performance White Tee: Performance T-Shirt with COOLMAX® Technology by J. Crew
You can always rely on J. Crew for solid menswear at a fair price, and in recent years, they’ve somehow gotten even better by going back to their stylistic roots and referencing the classic American style that made them so big in the first place.
Which is why it may come as a surprise that they can be fairly cutting-edge, as well. Their Performance T-shirt is a perfect example, and our top pick for a tee that works as well as it looks.
J.Crew’s COOLMAX® tech is made possible by utilizing a unique cotton-blend fabric that’s naturally moisture-wicking (think of your favorite golf polo) and features UPF 50 sun protection to keep your skin feeling comfortable and safe.
With some added stretch for good measure, this is one comfy tee that knows how to stand up to a challenge – perfect for anything from a morning run to a brunch at noon.
It’ll run you about $50, but that’s not a bad price for this kind of performance.
The Best Comfort-Concerned White Tee: Garment-Dyed Allday Crewneck Tee by Madewell
If you’re looking for the perfect white tee that balances comfort and style at just the right degree, Madewell’s Allday Crewneck Tee might be your best bet.
Composed of a high-quality, ringspun jersey cotton, this tee feels incredibly soft on the skin without compromising on its shape and silhouette. The sleeve length is pleasantly perfect, hitting around the mid-bicep for a look that’ll flatter just about anyone without feeling too constricting.
It’s bound to get softer with each wash, too and will only run you about $35. Not bad, huh?
The Best V-Neck White Tee: Luxury-Touch V-Neck T-Shirt by Banana Republic
For those of you who prefer a v-neck tee, we’ve got just the thing. See, the last thing you want is to look like a college student in the late 2000s, something that the ultra low-cut v-neck of your youth might be associated with.
Banana Republic’s Luxury-Touch V-Neck Tee is anything but. If anything, it’s actually pretty damn smart. Made from 100% cotton with a luxurious, smooth finish, this v-neck option is strangely elegant.
Maybe that’s partly due to its traditional fit, but regardless, we’re pretty big fans of this one. For $40, you get something that’s a little bit different, and a whole lot sleeker than you’d expect.
The Best Premium Heavy White Tee: Field-Spec Cotton Heavy Tee by Buck Mason
We promise, we’re not naturally biased toward Buck Mason here, but some of their stuff is too good to ignore. That’s why you’re seeing them yet again on this list. While Bronson MFG.’s heavy white tee is an exceptional value, you could be looking for something that feels even more premium – with the same heavyweight feel.
Buck Mason’s Field Spec Cotton Heavy Tee is near perfection. This all-cotton tee is hefty, made from a 310 GSM cotton jersey that is sturdy, substantial, and oh-so-soft.
Featuring a classic fit that’s not too slim, nor too loose, you can rest assured that you’ll look (and feel) like a million bucks here, something that you might not have even thought was possible with just a plain white t-shirt.
For $55, it’s not too pricey, but you definitely get a truly premium product here.
The Best Premium White Tee for Enthusiasts: Whitesville Off-White Tee – 2-Pack
So, you’ve been around the block. Bought some white tees, in your lifetime, have you? Not unlikely, to be honest. But perhaps you’ve tried several on this list already, and you’re ready to take the next step.
Men’s style nerds everywhere have been geeking out over the Whitesville Tees for a good while now, but certainly not without reason.
Down to their charmingly retro packaging, Whitesville Tees are pretty impressive right off the bat. Made in Japan, they’re crafted using a tubular one-piece loopwheeled body from long-staple combed cotton, prioritizing comfort and construction simultaneously. They’re cut relatively close to the body, as they’re intended for both undershirt and regular use, but their slimmer fit hugs you in all the right places regardless.
For $90, it’s a bit steep, but you do get a 2-pack out of it, which in our opinion, ain’t too shabby.
All Tee-d Up
White t-shirts are quite possibly the most foundational pieces of the modern man’s wardrobe – so it can’t hurt to make sure you’ve got yourself at least one or two that you truly love.
There are dozens of great options across the market, but at Real Men Real Style, we try to take the time to compile the ones that we feel will serve you the best.
A good outfit needs to be intentional, all the way down to the basics. The white tee that got you through college might have been a fine enough option then, but give it a look-over now. If it’s shrunk, got yellowing under the pits, or the collar looks and feels just a bit worn out, it might be time to invest in something new.
Hopefully, something on this list catches your eye. Because we certainly think these white tees will capture the attention of others – even in their simplicity.
That’s the magic of a great white t-shirt.
