Jordan Bowman is a commerce editor at NBC Select. His expertise lies in tech, style, fitness and outdoors.
The 50+ best white t-shirts tested and ranked, according to NBC Select editors
NBC Select editors spent six weeks testing and ranking the best white t-shirts on the market.
Methodology
Over the course of six weeks, our team called in more than 50 white T-shirts from brands offering a range of styles, fabrics and price points. Each editor tried 8 to 12 shirts, scoring them based on material, fit, comfort and how well they held up to repeated wear and washing.
We wanted to see how these shirts looked on different body types and how they behaved after multiple washes. Would the neckline stretch out? Would the seams unravel? Would the fabric lose its softness? These are the kinds of details we obsessed over.
Scores were tallied and used to create our master ranking — divided into men’s, women’s and unisex categories. We included as many standout options as possible, with some brands appearing more than once due to their variety of fits.
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Top 5 men’s white t-shirts
1. Reigning Champ Lightweight Jersey T-Shirt
I need a white T-shirt to be four things: comfortable, flattering, easy to layer and long-lasting. The Lightweight Jersey Tee from Reigning Champ hits all four marks. It’s a slightly slim, well-made tee that’s durable and comfortable (a rare combo). I can easily dress it up or down and know that if there’s something off about my fit, it’s not the shirt. It can hold its own as the center of a summer look or peeking out of a layered winter outfit. And it’s 100% cotton, machine washable and machine dryable — the definition of no-nonsense. — Harry Rabinowitz, reporter
2. Uniqlo Supima Cotton T-Shirt
When it comes down to a plain white shirt, I mostly think of it as an undershirt to sweaters and dress shirts. I need it to be comfortable enough that I’m not distracted by the texture of the fabric. It also needs to be solid enough to be washed multiple times and still survive without holes or loose threads. Uniqlo’s SUPIMA® Cotton T-Shirt is the perfect medium for my needs — to the point that I would wear it as just my primary shirt for a day. — Josh Rios, social media video producer
3. Buck Mason Field-Spec Cotton Heavy Tee
I’ve had a Buck Mason Field-Spec T-shirt in my closet for about four years now. It was great to test it alongside other white shirts, which helped me focus on some of the details I love about this one. It has a sturdy feel and looks more flattering than your average white T-shirt. While the ring-spun cotton is heavy, it also has a broken-in feel that lays perfectly across the body. It’s a classic fit that isn’t overly boxy or too slim. This T-shirt has a noticeable structure, and it’s something you should consider if you’re looking for heft. The other shirts on this list are great, but it’s hard to find a better heavyweight shirt than what Buck Mason is offering. — Jordan Bowman, commerce editor
4. Abercrombie Relaxed Essential Tee
When I first put on this T-shirt, I was truly shocked that it clocks in at just under $20. It’s incredibly soft (both before and after putting it in the wash), it’s a true white but isn’t really sheer at all — which I love, especially when I wear it on its own. I also found the fit to be the most inclusive of all the shirts that I tried, which, for me, is a rarity. The sleeves don’t flare out, the neckline maintains its shape, and the bottom doesn’t get that weathered look you get with cheaper options. Plus, the shirt works under a button-down, blazer, or even just for sleep. — Cory Fernandez, commerce editor
5. Asket The T-Shirt
This T-shirt excels in both form and function. It’s 100% cotton, and the extra-long staple fibers feel so soft on my skin. Its fabric is medium weight, so it’s breathable without being too sheer, and robust and durable without being too heavy. The shirt comes in sizes XS to XXL, and the length is customizable with short, regular and long options so you can work with your torso dimensions for the silhouette you want. I like the comfortable yet structured quality of the shirt and will definitely be wearing this in the summer. This is a great option for anyone looking for a reliable basic shirt to add to their capsule wardrobe. — Elliott Hyon, NBC page
Top 5 women’s white t-shirts
1. Comfort Colors Unisex T-Shirt
When someone says “white T-shirt,” this is what immediately springs to mind. The cut is clean without trying too hard, the fit walks that rare line between relaxed and refined and the opacity? It held up even under harsh office lights. It’s soft enough to pass for sleepwear — like, actually comfortable — but structured enough to throw a blazer over it and call it a look.
There’s a reason my sorority practically had a lifetime contract with Comfort Colors for our merch: the brand knows what it’s doing. It’s not flashy. It’s not trendy. It’s just good. Classic, because it’s earned it. And after a few spins through the wash, it came out looking exactly the same — no shrinking, no warping, no heartbreak. — Lauren Swanson, editorial director
2. Nordstrom Pima Cotton Blend Crew Neck T-Shirt
This shirt has become my new favorite T-shirt — not just white T-shirt — but my favorite T-shirt overall. After I tried it on for the first time, I ran to check if it came in other colors because I needed all of them. I absolutely love the material because it’s so seamless and buttery soft, even after washing it. I usually struggle with the length of T-shirts, and I hate when a shirt has long, flared short sleeves. But this one fit like a glove — no awkward lengths — and it’s super stretchy. But even though it’s stretchy, it wasn’t sheer at all, which is so important to me. It’s perfect for layering fun outfits and dressing it up, but I can also dress it down for a relaxed look. — Natalia Chancafe, associate social media editor
3. Levi’s Essential Short Sleeve T-Shirt
Shopping for, well, anything, as a petite person is challenging — especially clothes. I have to get many things tailored, so when I find something that fits perfectly the moment I try it on, I have to tell anyone who will listen. This T-shirt is one of those moments. I love where it lands on my waist — I can tuck it in or wear it out, and both ways look flattering. The white is a softer shade that doesn’t feel blinding when I look in the mirror. The fabric is soft, even more so after washing. — Nikki Brown, SEO editor
4. Aritzia Babaton Wirth T-Shirt
This truly is everything I look for in the perfect white T-shirt — the fit is flattering and non-boxy, the material is soft yet durable, and it looks the same after washing as it did off the rack. I love that I can dress it up with a pair of trousers and loafers, or dress it down with my favorite sweatpants or jeans and still look effortlessly put together. The shirt’s fit is relaxed, so it doesn’t squeeze or feel tight around my waist or chest, and the length of the sleeves and the shirt itself is more flattering than 90% of shirts I’ve tried (though I do gravitate more toward a cropped tee, which Aritzia also has great options for). When I do want that more cropped style, however, I can easily tuck it into my jeans or trousers to play around with the fit. It’s also not super see-through, which is a huge plus. — Mili Godio, updates editor
5. Gap Organic Cotton VintageSoft T-Shirt
I’m usually more of a baby or super-oversized tee type of girl, but this tee from Gap made a strong case for the “standard” fit. I initially thought it would be too big, but after wearing it a few times, I think it’s actually the perfect “standard”-fitting white tee. It’s not as form-fitting as a baby tee or fitted tee, but it’s also not massively oversized. I also like the boxy shape, which helps the bottom of the shirt actually interact with and complement the pants I’m wearing, rather than hanging down over them or bunching up at the bottom. — Ashley Morris, associate SEO reporter
Men’s ranking
6. Everlane The Essential Organic Crew
8. Mack Weldon Pima Crew Neck T-Shirt
9. Banana Republic Premium Wash T-Shirt
10. Hanes Beefy-T Heavyweight Cotton
11. Everybody World Short Sleeve Trash Tee
12. Alo Double Take Short Sleeve
13. Levi’s The Essential T-Shirt
14. Bombas Premium Weight T-Shirt
15. Abercrombie Premium Heavyweight Tee
16. Uniqlo U Crew Neck T-Shirt
17. Tommy John Second Skin Crew Neck
18. Buck Mason Pima Classic Tee
19. Old Navy Crew Neck T-Shirt
20. Carhartt Loose Fit Heavyweight Tee
22. Gap Jersey Crew Neck T-Shirt
Women’s ranking
9. Aritzia Original Contour Crew Hip T-Shirt
10. Uniqlo Supima Cotton T-Shirt
11. Commando Essential Cotton Crew Tee
12. Banana Republic Vintage Cotton Crew Neck T-Shirt
13. Uniqlo U Crew Neck T-Shirt
14. Madewell Cotton Perfect Crew Neck Tee
19. Everybody World Tailored Trash Tee
25. Everybody World Baby Trash Tee
26. Amazon Essentials Organic Cotton Boxy T-Shirt
28. American Eagle Everyday Luxe Relaxed T-Shirt
Why trust NBC Select?
Jordan Bowman is an editor for NBC Select with years of experience in the apparel, tech and commerce space. Our staff tested over 50 white t-shirts for this project over the course of 6 weeks to find our favorites for both men and women. We considered options from a wide range of brands and ranked our favorite shirts based on editorial feedback.
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