Tried & True
The Best Undershirts for Any Body Type at Any Price
A good undershirt is one of your first lines of defense against sweat stains. Plus, they keep you cooler. That thin layer wicks sweat from your skin, helping to regulate body temperature. But which is right for you? Crew neck or V-Neck? Pima cotton or hemp? It all depends on your needs (and budget). We tested dozens of styles, washed them and wore them again, and these seven stood out from the pack.
Tried & True
The Best Undershirts
for Any Body Type at Any Price
A good undershirt is one of your first lines of defense against sweat stains. Plus, they keep you cooler. That thin layer wicks sweat from your skin, helping to regulate body temperature. But which is right for you? Crew neck or V-Neck? Pima cotton or hemp? It all depends on your needs (and budget). We tested dozens of styles, washed them and wore them again, and these seven stood out from the pack.
Tried & True
The Best Undershirts
for Any Body Type at Any Price
A good undershirt is one of your first lines of defense against sweat stains. Plus, they keep you cooler. That thin layer wicks sweat from your skin, helping to regulate body temperature. But which is right for you? Crew neck or V-Neck? Pima cotton or hemp? It all depends on your needs (and budget). We tested dozens of styles, washed them and wore them again, and these seven stood out from the pack.
Our Top Picks
Sunspel
Sunspel designed the undershirts Daniel Craig wore as James Bond, so it's not surprising that the British-made tees have a superior quality to them. What is shocking, though, is how this discreetly thin collar hides in plain sight or how the lightweight stretch cotton jersey feels like you're not wearing an undershirt at all. Leave it to the British to master a fit like this—close enough to be supportive, without being restrictive.
$60 by SunspelDerek Rose
The absolute lightest undershirt we've ever found, this fabric looks like linen but is really made from double mercerized cotton knit from superfine threads. And while it seems too light to do the job of an undershirt and absorb perspiration, it does a bang-up job without bunching up or adding any bulk under a shirt. The flat, minimalist hems and collars are nearly imperceptible under even the thinnest shirt. And the tailored torso and longer body ensures that it stays tucked.
RibbedTee
Instead of designing this like a standard T-shirt, RibbedTee's designers went for a more modern interpretation of what a man might want from his undershirt. A longer, curved tail to keep it tucked when you sit? Check. A snug, compression like fit? Check. A lightweight, silky fabric that's 50% better performing than cotton when it comes to managing heat and moisture? Check. An ergonomic raglan sleeve design for easy movement (and no seams visible under your shirt)? Check. The American-made tee also comes in various shades including grey and beige, which are easier to hide under light colored dress shirts.
$32 by RibbedTeeJungmaven
If you're looking for an undershirt to wear under an open shirt, or even on its own on a really hot day, this is your best bet. Lightweight and breezy, the tee is made in the United States from a hemp blend fabric (30% hemp, 70% cotton), which gives it a slightly nubby vintage feel. The more natural, "washed white" color won't contrast or shine through lighter top shirts and the comfortable classic fit features a wider set, lay-flat collar.
Kirkland Signature
We were testing all of these T-shirts from the best brands when someone on the team spoke up and demanded we not sleep on his go-to brand for comfortable, long-lasting tees—Kirkland Signature. That's right, the house brand of CostCo. And we have to say, these are pretty damn good. Like some of our favorite high-end styles, these are made from sturdy yet soft pima cotton, but the shape-retaining V-neck collar and reinforced seams mean that it will easily stand up to the most rigorous of washings. Plus, the price ain't bad either.
$13 (for four) by Kirkland SignatureMack Weldon
It's the best of both worlds—comfort and performance. This luxuriously soft pima cotton T-shirt has silver particles incorporated into the stretch fabric that are both naturally thermo-regulating as well as antimicrobial. Which means it feels great under a shirt, moves easily with your body and has the technical capability to keep you dry, cool and smelling fresh.
Alternative Apparel
A basic done right in every sense of the word, this T-shirt is cut in a classic, relaxed fit from organic Peruvian pima cotton, so it's soft against the skin and hangs just right. The sleeves aren't too long and neither is the torso—which means it's a good option on it's own or under an open shirt. But it may be a touch too short if you're planning on tucking this in under a dress shirt.
$46 by Alternative ApparelAsk Valet.
Need help tracking down a specific item or how to pull it all together? Drop us a message.