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The Best White T-Shirts to Keep in Your Daily Rotation, Tested

We tested the classics and deep cuts to break through the white noise.

Close up of a white t-shirt collarPhoto by Brad Lanphear for Gear Patrol
black and white headshot of brad lanphear

By Brad Lanphear

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The humble plain white t-shirt may be the most ubiquitous garment in the world. However, making a really good one is deceptively complex. Everybody wears them, and everybody needs them. Yet few people know the nuanced details that separates a good tee from a great one.

Key details to consider

First, there is the fabric and how it is knit, which affects how the shirt is sewn together. Fabric weight also significantly impacts how long a t-shirt will last. Lighter fabrics offer that soft, lived-in feel of vintage t-shirts but it won’t last nearly as long as a heavyweight tee. That trade-off is completely a matter of preference.

close-up of a bound t-shirt collar
A bound collar, like the one pictured above, is folded over both sides of the t-shirt body.
Photo by Brad Lanphear for Gear Patrol

Then, there is the stitching and the neckline, both woefully underappreciated details. For example, a ribbed bound neckline will keep its shape for much longer than a knit-band neckline.

There’s no right or wrong, per se, however these details usually affect both the longevity and price of the finished product.

How we tested

To find the best white t-shirts for everyday use, we tested both classics and deep cuts. Our reviewers started with the tees in their own closets and compared them with dozens of options out there, paying closest attention to how the fabric was knit; weight and texture; shape and fit; collar construction; and overall longevity after multiple washes.

four t-shirts laying on a Persian rug
Gear Patrol editors have tested dozens of plain white t-shirts to find the best everyday options.
Photo by Brad Lanphear for Gear Patrol

Best Overall White T-shirt

a plain white t-shirtComfort Colors

Comfort Colors 1717 Heavyweight Tee Two Pack

Specs

Material 100% Ring spun cotton
Weight 6.1oz
Country of Origin Honduras

Pros

  • Comes in multipacks
  • Wide ribbed neckband

Cons

  • Cut long in the torso

Chances are that you’ve come across this t-shirt without even knowing it. Comfort Colors is a sub-brand of Gildan that offers a heartier t-shirt at a similar value, making it a favorite among hobbyist t-shirt makers and large-scale printers alike. Fortunately, you can pick up the blanks individually or in multiple package sizes.

The 6.1-ounce ring-spun cotton hits a sweet spot between flimsy and bulky. After wearing this shirt for a few years, the biggest standout is how well it has held its shape. There is no perceivable shrinking or distortion, most notably in the neckband.

close up of the collar on a white t-shirt
Color Comforts offers the sturdiest collar that we have found in the sub-$20 category.
Photo by Brad Lanphear for Gear Patrol

Comfort Colors t-shirts get a treatment wash that creates a soft, broken-in feel right out of the box. This also contributes to it holding its shape so well.

Price is the deciding factor that landed Comfort Colors in the top spot. A two-pack runs $26 and can often be found discounted. Even with all the fancy fabrics and intricate details of higher-end tees on this list, there is no beating a bargain like this.

Best Affordable White T-shirt

A man in a white t-shirt and blue jeansGildan

Gildan G5000 Heavyweight Cotton T-Shirt Two Pack

Specs

Material 100% Tubular cotton
Country of Origin
Weight 5.3oz

Pros

  • Available in multi-packs
  • Wide sleeve opening

Cons

  • Texture is a bit rough before first couple washes

Pound for pound, Gildan offers the best value in t-shirts, and the G5000 is its welterweight champ. It does everything you want a plain white tee to do, and you can pick one up for less than ten dollars. Or you can buy as many as ten at a time for an even better bargain.

The G5000 has been one of our testers’ go-to tee for years. Its crowd-pleasing fit isn’t quite boxy but definitely not slim. The arm openings are slightly wider than average, which helps with comfort and flexibility.

close up of the seam stitching on a white t-shirt
Simple but effective stitching helps keep Gildan’s prices low.
Photo by Brad Lanphear for Gear Patrol

One odd feature is the name. At 5.3 ounces, the fabric is more midweight than heavyweight. It is heavier than the more popular G3000 light cotton tee, but the name is still misleading.

Also, the short-staple, open-ended cotton has a slightly itchy feel when brand new. However, it goes away after the first couple of washes and gets a little softer with every subsequent cycle. Using that cheaper variety of cotton helps keep the price low, so it is a fair trade-off.

Best Heavyweight White T-shirt

A man in a white t-shirt and jeansBuck Mason

Buck Mason Field-Spec Cotton Heavy Tee

Specs

Material 100% Jersey knit cotton
Weight 11oz
Country of Origin USA

Pros

  • Ideal for a cold weather base layer
  • Will outlive most other tees

Cons

  • Takes some breaking in

There isn’t a clear-cut definition of what makes a heavyweight t-shirt, but anything that uses 10-ounce fabric or heavier is a good place to start. Buck Mason’s Field-Spec tee is made of an 11-ounce jersey knit cotton that feels closer to a sweatshirt than a typical t-shirt, but that is part of the appeal.

This won’t be the most comfortable t-shirt out of the box; the burly fabric takes a couple of wears to break in. But just like with a pair of boots, this is a testament to durability. It has one of the thickest bound necklines our testers have ever seen on a t-shirt and, despite the fact that it is not ribbed, it holds its shape after even a few years of consistent wear.

close up of the neck and sleeve of a white t-shirt
The neckline feels like a sweatshirt on the Buck Mason Field-Spec tee, meaning it will never lose its shape.
Buck Mason

The heavier weight does not prevent this tee from being comfortable in warm weather. On the contrary, the jersey knit is exceptionally breathable, and the thicker fabric can absorb sweat without becoming misshapen or transparent.

Best Luxury White T-shirt

A plain white t-shirtSunspel

Sunspel Classic T-shirt

Specs

Material 100% Extra-long staple Supima cotton
Weight Not listed, appoximately 4oz
Country of Origin England

Pros

  • Exceptionally soft
  • The slimmer fit has a more refined look

Cons

  • It is close to being transparent in certain lighting
  • Cannot be machine dried

Sunspel doesn’t cut corners on anything and this t-shirt is a perfect example. It is made from extra-long staple cotton grown in California, which creates a silky smooth texture to the knit fabric. Every shirt is hand-finished in the brand’s own factory in Long Eaton, England, which cuts down on minor imperfections.

This is about as formal as a t-shirt can get. The long-staple cotton’s smooth appearance allows it to pair well with dress pants, a blazer, or a full suit.

close up of a white t-shirt on a wood hanger
The only issue with a light and soft fabric like the one used by Sunspel is a slight transparency.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

The only watch-out, besides the price tag, of course, is that it is slightly transparent in certain lighting. Unfortunately, this is the nature of such a lightweight white cotton fabric.

Other White T-Shirts to Consider

a man wearing a white t-shirt and black pantsLady White

Lady White Our T-shirt Two Pack

Specs

Material 100% Tubular cotton
Weight 6oz
Country of Origin USA

Pros

  • Flattering fit, not too slim or loose
  • Heavy ribbed neckline

Cons

  • More expensive than similar options

Tubular knit t-shirts are useful because there are no side seams to create friction points, and they create a more natural fit that complements the torso. Lady White makes this one in Los Angeles from domestically grown cotton.

A man wearing a white t-shirt and navy blue chinosReigning Champ

Reigning Champ Heavyweight Jersey Relaxed T-shirt

Specs

Material 100% Jersey knit cotton
Weight 10oz
Country of Origin Canada

Pros

  • Flatlock seams eliminate friction points
  • Semi-raglan shoulder creates easy range of motion

Cons

  • Very wide sleeves

This tee is made from start to finish in Reigning Champ’s Canadian factory. Its boxy fit and heavy jersey fabric are inspired by the kinds of t-shirts athletes wore in the mid-twentieth century.

A plain white t-shirtStandard and Strange

Standard and Strange Wakayama Special Loopwheel Tee

Specs

Material 100% Loopwheel cotton
Weight 7.5-8oz
Country of Origin Japan

Pros

  • Loopwheel fabric has plenty of give
  • Super soft long-staple cotton

Cons

  • Expensive for a t-shirt

With long-staple cotton, loopwheel knitting, a middle-of-the-road 8-ounce weight, and a ribbed bound neckline, this t-shirt checks all the boxes. The only issue may be the creamy off-white, but it is a pretty nice color.

a man with a beard wearing a white t-shirtBronson Mfg.

Bronson Loopwheel Tubular Athletic T-shirt

Specs

Material 100% Loopwheel cotton
Weight 10.5oz
Country of Origin USA

Pros

  • Heavyweight cotton will last a long time
  • Ringspun knit has plenty of natural give

Cons

  • Neckline is a bit tight

This Bronson t-shirt is made from ringspun cotton, which means that it has a soft feel right out of the box. Using loopwheel knit fabric gives it a comfortable stretch without using any synthetic fibers. The most remarkable thing is that it only costs $33.

A man wearing a white t-shirt and black shortsEverybody World

Everybody World Boxier Trash Tee

Specs

Material 100% Tubular knit cotton
Weight 6.5oz
Country of Origin USA

Pros

  • Made from reclaimed scrap cotton
  • Comfortable boxy fit

Cons

  • A bit short in the body
  • May contain stray fibers that aren't white

The Trash Tee is so called because it is made from reclaimed cotton scraps that are processed and knit into a tubular jersey fabric. The whole process is done in multiple facilities throughout Los Angeles.

A man wearing a white t-shirt and navy blue chinosMerz B. Schwanen

Merz B. Schwanen 1950s Loopwheeled T-shirt

Specs

Material 100% Loopwheel cotton
Weight 4.6oz
Country of Origin Germany

Pros

  • Soft feel
  • Comfortable slightly loose fit

Cons

  • Fabric is slightly transparent

Appearing in The Bear turned Merz B. Schawnen into one of the most coveted t-shirt brands in the world. This made the particular shirt worn by the lead character, Carmy, virtually impossible to keep in stock. Fortunately, the small German operation makes a similar alternative in a lighter-weight fabric, which can be purchased above.

Uniqlo-U-Tee-Gear-PatrolUniqlo

Uniqlo U Crew Neck T-shirt

Specs

Material 100% cotton
Weight Not listed, approximately 6oz
Country of Origin Bangladesh

Pros

  • Great value
  • Thick, ribbed neckline

Cons

  • Very wide sleeves

Uniqlo uses volume to keep prices low. This is an excellent t-shirt, and the only reason it is 20 dollars is that the Japanese manufacturer makes a ton of it every year. The fit is boxy and very comfortable.

a man wearing a slub cotton white pocket t shirt.Standard and Strange

Warehouse Slub Cotton Pocket Tee

Specs

Material 100% Tubular knit cotton
Weight None listed
Country of Origin Japan

Pros

  • Comfortable slightly-loose fit
  • Ribbed collar

Cons

  • Wil shrink a bit with first wash

Warehouse’s founders went to great lengths to get the fabric for this t-shirt just right. The specific slub texture is achieved using a vintage loom from the 1960s that they found in Japan.

Cotton Terms to Know

a wrinkled up white t-shirt
Not all cotton is created equally.
Photo by Brad Lanphear for Gear Patrol
  • Weight: Textiles like cotton are measured in ounces per square yard. The weight listed is not the weight of the shirt, but the weight of one square yard of the fabric used in the shirt.
  • Staple Length: Cotton plants produce fibers of varying lengths, known as staple length. Long staple cotton can be spun into yarn that is stronger and softer than short staple cotton. Short staple fibers come loose from the yarn on a microscopic level that you probably won’t see but can feel on your skin.
  • Ring Spun: A process that turns raw cotton fiber into yarn by tightly twisting the fibers to create a smooth surface. Fabric knit from ring-spun cotton is the softest and strongest variety.
  • Combed: A process that removes undesirable shorter cotton fibers to create a softer yarn.
  • Loopwheel Knit: An old-fashioned way of knitting cotton yarn into fabric by using the force of gravity. It is much slower than modern machine techniques but creates fabric with more give to it that will hold its shape better.
  • Tubular Knit: A modern process of mechanically creating tension to quickly knit tubular cotton fabric. Since the fabric does not require side seams, it is cheaper to manufacture into t-shirts.
  • Flat Knit: The most common type of cotton fabric is knit into flat sheets. While this type of fabric is cheaper, flat knit t-shirts require side seams and are more complex to produce.

Cotton vs Synthetic T-shirts

Pure cotton t-shirts are the best option for everyday wear because the fiber balances breathability and moisture regulation. Certain synthetic materials are great for working out because they draw sweat off of the body and increase airflow, while other materials insulate body heat to protect from the cold. Cotton walks a middle ground that holds in some body heat, but not too much, and regulates moisture by collecting minor perspiration.

Stretchy synthetic materials like elastane are commonly found in t-shirts, but high-quality cotton, like the kind found in every option on this list, naturally offers plenty of stretch. When elastane is blended with cotton, it tends to break down as shirts are worn and washed, especially if a machine dryer is used. The fibers break and come loose, which shortens the lifespan of the shirt.

How to Keep Your T-shirts White

  • Separate Your Laundry: Separating white from color is the easiest way to sort your laundry. If you have a white setting on your machine, you should use this. If not, just set it to hot water and fast speed. While hot water is detrimental to pretty much every other type of clothing, it helps keep white cotton nice and bright.
  • Bleach: Any kind of laundry-safe bleach will do, but only use a little bit, no more than a one-ounce shot glass size amount per every 10-15 items.
  • Pretreat Stains: There are plenty of laundry pretreatments, but Shout is the most common and very effective. Spray liberally and let sit for five minutes before washing. This is effective for whitening dingy necklines as well.
  • Deodorant: Avoid deodorants with aluminum in them. The aluminum will rust in the wash and create brown and yellow stains that cannot be removed.
  • Air Dry When Possible: This is a good rule for most laundry and has less to do with the color than the texture. Along with shrinking, machine drying can create a rough texture on clothing. This will show up most prominently on plain white t-shirts.

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