The 16 Best Undershirts for Men, Tested by Style Experts

Tommy John V-neck undershirt is step above your average option when it comes to polished layering. Its slim cut and modal fabric give it shape and structure, so it skims the body without feeling tight—perfect for showing off a chest workout without clinging in a unflattering way.

One of the best features is how it tucks. The snug-but-not-tight fit keeps the shirt neatly in place under dress shirts or sweaters, so you don’t get bunching or riding up. This makes it ideal for formal and office-ready attire, where a clean, smooth base layer is essential. It’s also stretchy without being too thin and has yet to pill, five washes later. I recommend letting it air dry, so it doesn’t shrink or become tight since the undershirt has a slim fit.

After multiple wears, the V collar doesn’t give “bacon neck”, which makes it look worn-out. It sits closer to the neck than Mack Weldon’s version, but I still can hide it by closing the top two buttons of my dress shirt. I love the buttery-soft, which feels breathable and light, even in warmer 70-degree temps.

A major qualm with undershirts is their neckline can easily get ratted through the wash. We found Jockey's Made in America tees to keep a strong neckline and provide overall durability as an everyday undershirt. This is one of those cases where it's worth paying the extra bucks for an American-made garment.

The Made in America factor isn't just for show. The quality that comes with it is apparent. The construction is clean and the fabric is thick enough that this undershirt can double as a plain white tee. So if you ever need to shed a layer or two, you can fall back on this as a base layer t-shirt. You can even style it on a hot day with just a pair of shorts.

More importantly, we found that Jockey has nailed the standard 100% cotton plain white undershirt in the best way possible. It feels like a traditional soft cotton tee, but after putting it through the wash and dry cycles since 2021 over a dozen times, it managed to withstand all tear and wear and stay intact, proving its durability. The fabric even has a tech built-in to reduce piling and fading. And I love that the cotton is engineered to be able to wick away sweat in a heartbeat to keep me fresh all day. The only thing is that the fabric isn't wrinkle-resistant, so store these shirts carefully.

ATEK’s Stay Cooling undershirt is engineered for guys who run hot. The nylon-spandex blend feels slick and technical—almost like performance base-layer gear—but that’s exactly why it works. It wicks sweat fast, dries quickly, and stays smooth under slimmer dress shirts without bunching or clinging. I’ve been wearing it while commuting and traveling since 2021, especially on days when I’m bouncing between the subway, the office, and post-work plans. The stretch makes it easy to move in, and after dozens of washes, it hasn’t shrunk or warped.

Gollayan put it through even tougher paces. He wore it under tailored dress shirts during long shoot days and under knit polos in the summer heat, noting that it kept sweat marks at bay and didn’t show through lightweight fabrics. He also flagged how well it holds its shape through the torso—no bacon-neck collar, no sagging by 4 p.m. If you love the soft, matte hand-feel of classic cotton, this one may feel a bit slick and synthetic. But that’s the trade-off for serious cooling power.

There has never been another brand with more hype around it than the early 1990s "My Calvins" undergarment campaign. But Calvin Klein's classic ribbed tank is not just hype, it is actually a really solid undershirt. If you prefer the minimal fabric feel of a tank or you just wear them when it's hot out then Calvins are hard to beat. And these, as undershirts, are practically perfect in terms of fabric, fit, and durability.

The full cotton fabric is stretchy as we found, despite having no built-in elastane or spandex. More importantly, we love its soft-to-touch quality as well as natural breathability, the latter helps with wicking away sweat. The classic fit we found is slim without being constricting and they're just long enough to be tucked in if you need to but they can hang out with showing. The classic scoop neckline and seaming have also lasted well, and the fabric after over a dozen wash and dry cycles has remained as stretchy, soft, and breezy as when it was just off the rack.

For layering, we love putting it underneath a button-down or sweater/sweatshirt, though if you’re prone to underarm, we’d advise against this undershirt as your go-to.

Bugatchi’s crew neck tee is another great option that blurs the line between undershirt and standalone tee, but it leans more dressy than most. Made from a silky-soft Pima cotton, it has a luxe feel and fluid drape that’s more cocktail hour than couch rotting. I’ve worn it tucked in slacks with dress shoes for a fancy dinner, and it held its own. The fabric skims the body without clinging, and the finish reads sleek, not sporty.

It doesn’t have a durable ribbed collar like other dressier T-shirts, but it has a clean binding, which keeps its shape and frames the neck well. Compared to Reigning Champ’s athletic cut, this tee offers a touch more room in the torso, which flatters buffer guys. It layers neatly under jackets, but isn’t skin-tight. Out of all the undershirts on this list, this one has the best color options. When I'm heading into the city for dinner, I go with the mint to pair with cream dress pants for a clean, sharp ensemble. But for weekend errands or a coffee run, I throw on the air blue with jeans.

Gap has long been my go-to for affordable basics that punch above their price point. This undershirt is no different. While it’s not the most trendiest or technical, the shirt is made with an ultra-light, superfine jersey that’s buttery smooth, breathable, and almost weightless. I found it feels so nice and comfy that I lounge and sleep in it too. Unlike your average undershirt, which can feel a little thick or rough over time, this one stays silky and cool after multiple wears, making it perfect for layering under a blazer or shacket. Or, you could just throw it to kick back on the couch.

The straight fit is a major win for guys who want an undershirt that feels natural rather than overly snug or restrictive. The looser cut drapes smoothly over the body without awkward bunching, so you can wear it all day. In terms of the quality after washing, I have never seen the fabric pill. This kind of cotton manages to stay incredibly soft, cycle after cycle, speaking to its high quality.

At first glance, Reigning Champ’s jersey slim t-shirt might look like your everyday summer tee, but don’t be fooled. Yes, it has that easy, breezy fabric you want in a lightweight layer, but it’s not filmy, too thin, or see-through. It’s made from premium cotton that’s both smooth and breathable, yet structured enough that it retained its shape. I've tossed in the wash at least four times now, and it still comes out looking good as new. The cut is slim and subtly tapered at the hem, which looks sharp on athletic builds and lean frames.

Unlike looser, floppier collars that stretch out after a few cycles, this one is topped with a rib-bound collar that stays in place. It’s one of the only lightweight undershirts we tested where the collar didn’t droop, curl, or widen after wash two. I’ve worn it solo with shorts and jeans for coffee runs and quick errands. It also handled light activity in the park without showing any sweat and still looked fresh after hours of wear. Bonus: the color selection offers a number of neutrals that work for every outfit.

If you’re looking for the most breathable undershirt, it’s hard to beat the Uniqlo AIRism T-shirt. It’s made from a lightweight, high-tech fabric that consists of a polyester-elastane blend that dries quickly and helps regulate body temperature to keep you cool and comfy all day. I wore the tee during a full-day shoot under a denim overshirt and didn’t overheat once even under direct sun and studio lights.

It wicked away sweat faster than I expected and, more impressively, dried completely by the time I was back indoors. Also put it through a few airport and train travel days, the stretch fit held its shape, didn’t smell funky, and kept me feeling way fresher than any basic cotton tee could. Whether you’re layering it under a button-down or wearing it solo on a hot commute, it keeps you cool, not clammy, even in peak humidity.

The ribbed texture is what really sets this tee away from your average undershirt. It adds natural stretch and recovery, which means the shirt contours to your body, especially around the chest, arms and torso, without feeling tight or restrictive. The result? A more sculpted, flattering fit that holds its shape throughout the day. I tested it on a few hours-long photoshoots and can confirm: it doesn’t ride up, it breathes well, and the collar doesn’t sag by mid-afternoon.

The fabric itself, a soft organic and recycled cotton-blend jersey, has just the right amount of weight. The fine ribbing, which creates raised vertical lines that look like subtle ridges, adds structure without veering into ’90s tank top territory, and the slim fit gives it that clean, tailored base layer vibe. It’s also a subtle style flex: if you shed your overshirt, it doesn’t look like a throwaway white tee. It actually holds its own, especially when paired with jeans or trousers.

If you’re looking for a classic cotton undershirt that feels premium but not flashy, Brooks Brothers’ Supima Cotton V-Neck is it. It’s not built for performance like Mack Weldon’s tech-forward v-neck; it leans hard into comfort and breathability. Produced from Supima cotton, it’s noticeably smoother, softer, and more durable than other cotton shirts. It doesn’t hug the body as tightly, which actually makes it more forgiving on punchier guts and more comfortable for long days on the move. This is the undershirt for guys who want something that disappears under button-ups; more work meeting than gym locker room.

I tested it under a white oxford shirt for a photoshoot at the office. The v-neck stayed completely hidden, even with the top two buttons undone, and the fit was trim enough that it didn’t bunch or add bulk under the shirt. Even under hot studio lights, I didn’t feel like I was sweating bullets. After three washes at home (cold wash, low tumble dry), the softness held up. It stayed smooth against the skin, with no pilling, collar warping or shrinkage. The seams stayed flat and clean, and the fabric has just enough weight to feel substantial, but still light enough to hide under thinner shirting.

Of all the undershirts we’ve tested, Fruit of the Loom’s 8-Pack undershirts easily provides the most value per wear. While it’s not as soft or moisture-wicking as more expensive shirts we’ve tried, it has a polyester-cotton blend that’s still comfortable and breathable enough to get you through the day. It doesn’t feel plastic-y, like other budget shirts we’ve tried. Rather, they have a natural cotton feel. Plus, the polyester blend does a competent job of wicking away sweat, and helps keep its shape.

The Skims Classic T-shirt is a jack of all trades because it works as a base layer, a solo tee, or even a sleep shirt—it’s that comfortable. It offers stretch, meaning it moves with you, whether you’re lounging at home, running errands, or layering it under a jacket. This kind of flexibility makes it far more versatile than a standard undershirt, which can sometimes feel stiff or lose its shape over time.

The fabric is also lightweight and super breathable, so you won’t sweat if you decide to catch some Z’s in it. Unlike oversized loungewear tees or super tight compression shirts, this one sits in the middle ground with its classic fit and crew neck. It’s tailored enough to look clean under a cardigan but still relaxed to wear with joggers or jeans for an easy off-duty look.

The key to the 72-Hour Tee is its merino wool fabric. Huckberry engineered this tee to utilize the natural features of merino wool, which is breathable, moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and temperature-regulating. The goal of the 72-Hour Tee was to create an undershirt that you can wear for three days straight without getting gross.Our testers wore it during long flights as long as 16 hours overseas. While we initially didn’t like the neckline or the hem—we did find that the 72-Hour Tee managed to stay hidden in our outer garments. And with its merino build, the fabric pass our tests of smell, sweat, cooling, and softness even after hours of non-stop wear. We also found that the fabric is soft and doesn’t itch, and could withstand wash cycles like a pro.

Sometimes you need an extra thick base layer to build your outfit on top of. Enter the Field-Spec Cotton Heavy Tee from Buck Mason. It's made from a 100% cotton jersey fabric that was inspired by old rugby jerseys, which is twice as thick as the fabric of regular t-shirts.

It's the perfect undershirt for cold days or a plain t-shirt for rugged pursuits. It's cut in a classic fit that is slightly boxy but the sleeves are not too long. This is a heartier undershirt for those times when a light cotton or blend won't do, but you don't want to wear it for athletic activities or in extreme cold. That thick cotton will just absorb all your sweat and weigh you down if you're working out and put you at risk in the extreme cold.