The Best Undershirts Are Outfit-Saving, Year-Round Necessities

Wearing an undershirt might feel like your first steps toward dad style—and not the cool kind. But the best undershirts for men don’t call to mind Homer Simpson or Ed Bundy. Like other uber-practical investments—think ball powder, nose hair trimmers, and calf-high dress socks—the best men’s undershirts just make sense. Whether you opt for an 100% cotton version or a moisture-wicking synthetic number, a Sopranos-style ribbed tank top or a classic crew (we’re still out on deep V-neck tees), you need a base layer that guards against excess sweat and nipple visibility. 

The Best Undershirts Shopping Guide

• The Best Buy-in-Bulk Undershirt: Uniqlo Airism short-sleeve T-shirt, $15
• The Best Buy-in-Bulk Winter Undershirt: Uniqlo Heattech ultra warm long-sleeve T-shirt, $30
• The Best Kitten-Soft Undershirt: CDLP midweight T-shirt, $85
• The Best Classic Cotton Undershirt: Calvin Klein cotton classic fit crew neck T-shirt (3-pack), $38
• The Best “The Laundromat Was Closed This Weekend” Undershirt: Proof 72-Hour merino tee, $78
• The Best Silky, Slimming Undershirt: Tommy John Second Skin tank, $38
• The Best Gains-Enhancing Undershirt: 2(X)IST essential cotton square cut tank (2-pack), $36
• The Best Closeup-Ready Undershirt: Mister Freedom “Stanley” T-shirt, $70
• The Best “My Yacht Has Its Own Yacht” Undershirt: Loro Piana Gift of Kings T-shirt, $2250

Come the swampiest stretch of summer or the chilliest days of winter, the undershirts below are specially engineered to keep you dry, comfortable, and completely stench-free. And, since their main purpose is to sacrifice themselves to save your favorite button-downs and dress shirts, most of our top picks cost less than a fancy cocktail—so you can wear and wash them to death, and then replace ‘em semi-regularly without a care in the world. Oh yeah, and all of ’em are tagless, because no one needs to spend all day trying to ignore a tiny rectangular piece of fabric. Without further ado: the 21 best undershirts for men to tuck in pronto.

The Best Buy-in-Bulk Undershirt

Uniqlo stays doing what Uniqlo does best: delivering tech-driven, well-designed, perfectly-fitting basics at no-brainer prices. The brand’s Airism tees are crafted from a smooth and breathable polyester blend that’s anti-microbial and deodorizing, all the better to keep your underarms feeling cooler than the Fonz in the face of turgid, muggy July days (or equally freezing January nights). At just $15 a pop, you can afford to buy enough for every day of the workweek, plus a few extra for the gym, those early-morning jogs, and whatever else the season throws your way.

The Best Buy-in-Bulk Winter Undershirt

Uniqlo Heattech ultra warm crew neck long-sleeve T-shirt

Uniqlo’s GQ-favorite Heattech garments are expressly designed to keep your body cozy—but not, y’know, shvitzy—when you’re freezing your ass off halfway through winter. This particular version clocks in on the warmer end of the spectrum and comes in a silky-smooth fabric that’s been brushed on the inside for maximum softness—exactly what you should look for in an undershirt you’ll throw on beneath every layer you’re wearing right now. 

The Best Kitten-Soft Undershirt

It’s no surprise that CDLP’s silky-smooth T-shirt is a lot like its underwear: softer than you’re prepared for and cut so precisely that you’ll feel like the style god of your choice every time you throw it on. It’s made with a healthy serving of lyocell—a fast-absorbing, moisture-wicking fabric that lends it an extremely slinky hand—the same material is uses to craft its top-notch undies. And because it’s a midweight tee, imbued with the heft of a standalone layer, you won’t feel like an underdressed schmuck wearing it solo with dark denim and a pair of sleek black boots. 

The Best Classic Cotton Undershirt

Calvin Klein cotton classic fit crew neck T-shirt (3 pack)

In the event that you really just want to keep things old-school, well, Calvin Klein still makes the very best 100% cotton undershirts in the business. They’re lightweight, fit well, and are polished enough to wear around casually as a regular tee. If you’re lucky enough to land on the drier, less-malodorous end of the scale, and just need an easy, classic, regular cotton base layer to get you through the week, this is the three-pack for you.

The Best “The Laundromat Was Closed This Weekend” Undershirt

Proof’s 72-Hour merino tee delighted us. Why? Well, it turns out that Merino wool, a fabric typically relegated to plush sweaters and swanky suits, also makes for an incredible undershirt. That’s because its naturally imbued with temperature-managing, moisture-wicking, and antimicrobial properties. Trust us—we wore it for three days straight and came out the other side miraculously not smelly. The fabric is airy, wildly soft, and boasts an incredible drape, a criminally overlooked aspect in the world of T-shirts. We’re sucker for tees with a slightly slouchier fit, but the tailored silhouette here is better suited for a supporting role.

The Best Silky, Slimming Undershirt

Tommy John Second Skin tank undershirt

Tommy John’s aptly-named undershirt doesn’t just fit like a second skin—after a few wears, it molds to your body, hugging its every contour with more gusto than your most affectionate aunt. Its soft, silky finish won’t pill no matter how many times you put it through the ringer (or the washing machine, for that matter), and in a micromodal blend—with a touch of spandex for good measure—it’s a solid Spanx alternative for anyone trying to hide a growing gut.

The Best Gains-Enhancing Undershirt

2(X)IST essential cotton square cut tank (2 pack)

Far be it from us to unilaterally declare anything objectively sexy, but if we had to pick a tank that fits the descriptor, 2(X)IST’s might just be the one. The brand’s distinct square-cut style will make your upper body look exponentially more defined, no matter how long it’s been since you last saw the inside of a squat rack.

The Best Closeup-Ready Undershirt

Mister Freedom “Stanley” T-shirt

The undershirt became a silver screen icon the moment Marlon Brando dropped to his knees and wailed “Stellaaaaa!” in A Streetcar Named Desire. If you want a tee that perfectly emulates the one Brando wore on screen (before tattering it to bits…not what we’d advise), then Mr. Freedom’s take—cut with exacting detail and inspired by undershirts from the ’40s—is for you. It’s got the classic made-in-USA construction and the bicep-exposing sleeve length—heck, it’s even called the “Stanley” in a knowing wink to the source material.

The Best “My Yacht Has Its Own Yacht” Undershirt

Loro Piana Gift of Kings T-shirt

We’ll level with you: no matter how many zeros are in your bank account, you’re going to have a tough time explaining away the purchase of a white T-shirt that costs over two grand. That’s a level of opulence pure logic can’t make the case for. Put shopping—even for something as seemingly mundane as an undershirt—shouldn’t always be constrained by pure logic. And if your bank account isn’t limited by that kind of reasoning either, Loro Piana’s ridiculously luxurious tee (made from Merino wool harvested in New Zealand exclusively for the brand) will help you live out your high-flying fantasies in style.

Plus 12 More Undershirts We Love

Sunspel Superfine cotton underwear T-shirt

When in doubt, go classic. When in doubt when it comes to undershirts, go cotton. And when in doubt when it comes to cotton, go Sunspel. The British, Bond-approved operation outfits its superfine cotton tee with a cut that’s long enough to tuck in and wide enough to layer over a tank. 

Indera cotton waffle knit heavyweight thermal top

There’s a reason these shirts are a staple of jobsites everywhere: they’re cheap, comfortable, and stand up to heavy-duty wear better than plenty of pricier counterparts. 

Norse Projects “Joakim” Tech standard SS T-shirt

Norse Projects’ Joakim tee is way more advanced than it seems. It derives its secret powers from the brand’s proprietary 37.5 fabric, which helps regulate body temperature in cold and warm climates alike. Consider it your personal thermostat.

Smartwool Merino 150 long-sleeve baselayer

Merino wool is a wonder fiber beamed in from a utopic vision of the future. It wicks away moisture, regulates temperature, and blocks odors like a champ.

Carson Wach K3 thermal long sleeve T-shirt

Undershirts are usually the supporting role in the ensemble, but Carson Wach’s is clearly gunning for the lead role.

Hanes ComfortSoft short sleeve T-shirt (6 pack)

No scratchy tag, no twisted collar, and all at a price that allows you to invest in an emergency multipack to stash in your desk drawer. 

Mack Weldon silver crew neck T-shirt

Infused with antimicrobial silver to keep your armpits smelling fresh for way longer than they have any right to. 

Nike Dri-FIT ReLuxe crew neck undershirt (2-pack)

When things get sweaty, you’re going to want a workout buddy this capable of offering a hand. 

Lady White Co. Lite Jersey tee

The level of detail that goes into Lady White Co.’s knits is consistently incredible. Despite its lightweight fabric and easygoing vibe, this tee doesn’t sacrifice an iota of that pedigree. 

Lululemon Drysense Training short sleeve shirt

Meet your new favorite gym partner.

Handvaerk Pima cotton T-shirt

So lightweight and soft it’s hard to believe it’s made from pure cotton and not a performance-enhanced synthetic blend. 

Everlane organic cotton crew

Sturdy enough to throw on every day beneath your beefiest flannels, smart enough to wear on its own as a standalone layer.

Fruit of the Loom Stay Tucked crew T-shirt (6 pack)

For guys who want their undershirts to stay put all day long, Fruit of the Loom’s OG crews are where it’s at. The longer body means they tuck in easy and won’t come undone every time you bend over to pick up an errant penny.