I’ve always thought the best way to judge a pizzeria is to order the margherita. After all, anyone can throw a load of fancy deli meats onto a sourdough base, but it takes real skill to make something simple stand out. The same principle applies to the plain white T-shirt. On the surface, it’s as basic as it gets – but that’s exactly why so many brands get it wrong.
When there’s nowhere for sloppy work to hide, everything has to be spot on: the fabric, the fit, the finish. Get any one of those wrong and it shows.
Of course, style is subjective. But broadly speaking, the best white T-shirts are the ones that balance a flattering cut, quality materials and the sort of durability that actually stands up to repeated wear and washing. With that in mind, I’ve spent the past few weeks testing T-shirts from across the market – from luxury options to budget-friendly basics. What follows is a regularly updated roundup of the ones that really deliver.
Table of Contents
- How we tested
- Why you should trust OPUMO
- The best white T-shirts for men
- Asket The T-Shirt: Best all-rounder
- ISTO Classic T-shirt: Best lightweight white T-shirt
- Armor Lux Plain T-shirt: Best loose-fitting white T-shirt
- Merz B. Schwanen 2M15C: Best for traditional construction
- Sunspel Classic T-shirt: Best made-in-England option
- Uniqlo U Crew Neck T-shirt: Best budget option
- CDLP Midweight T-shirt: Best for softness
- Eton Solid Filo di Scozia T-shirt: Best money-no-object option
- Luca Faloni Silk-Cotton T-Shirt: Best for luxury comfort in warm weather
- Velasca Sperlonga T-Shirt: Best garment-dyed option
- The verdict: The best white T-shirts for men
How we tested
The only real way to test a T-shirt is to live in it – wear it, wash it, and see how it holds up over time. So that’s exactly what I did. Some of the T-shirts below were tested specifically for this article, others I’ve had in rotation for years.
Throughout, I paid close attention to construction, fit and fabric. I also looked at how each T-shirt handled repeated washing – did it shrink, lose its shape, or start to feel cheap? If so, it didn’t make the final cut.
Why you should trust OPUMO
It’s part of my job to stay on top of what’s good in menswear. As a result, I know what makes a quality garment and I know which labels do them best. In addition to that, I have extensive experience outside of my work at OPUMO, testing and reviewing apparel and footwear for titles including The Independent and The Guardian.
But that’s not all. I’m also a new dad, the owner of a large mud-loving dog, and a chronic spiller of coffee/tea/red wine/curry, you name it. Suffice to say I get through more than my fair share of white tees, and finding the best white T-shirts has become a bit of a personal obsession along the way.
The best white T-shirts for men
Asket The T-Shirt: Best all-rounder
I’m a long-time fan of Swedish label ASKET. The market is awash with so-called ‘slow fashion’ brands claiming to be green while ultimately trying to sell you more stuff. ASKET is one of the rare few that actually practises what it preaches. Yes, it’s selling clothes – but huge amounts of effort go into making sure those clothes are long-lasting, versatile and fully traceable.
ASKET’s whole USP is refining the basics. Core wardrobe essentials done properly. Case in point: this buttery soft, mid-weight T-shirt with a slim but not restrictive fit. It features a ribbed neckline, relatively short sleeves and is cut from organic cotton. I found the size medium quite long in the body, but ASKET offers three different length options (I tested the ‘regular’), meaning most body types are covered. At £40, it’s not cheap, but it’s also far from the most expensive tee on the market.
The details
Weight: 180gsm
Sizes: XS-XXL, Short-Long
Made in: Portugal
Fit: Slim
Wash report: Holding up well after several washes, with little to no shrinkage
ISTO Classic T-shirt: Best lightweight white T-shirt
The Portuguese brand said it themselves: "simple is hard to get right". It's true, but in this perfectly proportioned plain white tee, ISTO have nailed it. Light, but not nipple-revealingly so; relaxed, but not to the point of bagginess; and sustainably made, but never at the expense of quality.
Admittedly, it's not the cheapest T-shirt on the market. But is the cheapest T-shirt on the market really what you want? Really? Here, you get what you pay for, and while €50 is fairly steep, it's in line with the key competitors, many of whom aren't making a tee this nice.
If you're after a heavyweight option, this is not it (it's worth noting that ISTO also offers a heavy version). But if what you seek is a light, airy and buttery soft foundation upon which to build your day-to-day outfits, you'll struggle to find better for the money.
The details
Weight: 180gsm
Sizes: XXS-XXXL
Made in: Portugal
Fit: Relaxed
Wash report: Holding up well with little to no shrinkage
Armor Lux Plain T-shirt: Best loose-fitting white T-shirt
I’ve been hunting for the perfect white tee for years. For my taste, Armor Lux’s classic plain T-shirts are as close as I’ve come. They’re not too pricey, cut from weighty 215gsm organic cotton, and the fit is slightly boxy and cropped – exactly what I like.
If you prefer slim fits, these won’t be for you. But for me, they’ve become a go-to. I have a week’s worth of them on rotation, and I throw one on every morning without thinking.
My only gripe is the small patch logo above the hem. I’d prefer them completely unbranded. Still, it’s a small compromise for the fit and quality.
The details
Weight: 215gsm
Sizes: XS-3XL
Made in: France
Fit: Relaxed, boxy
Wash report: Minimal shrinkage after the first wash, none on subsequent washes
Merz B. Schwanen 2M15C: Best for traditional construction
Merz B. Schwanen’s roots go back to 1911. Today, it’s a different beast, but one thing remains: it makes fantastic T-shirts. If you’ve heard the name, it’s probably thanks to The Bear, where Jeremy Allen White’s character wears one. Cue fashion forums ablaze with people trying to ID the tee, only to discover that – shock, horror – it didn’t fit them quite like it fit a literal Calvin Klein model.
Despite not being an underwear model myself, I was curious. So I bought one. And honestly, it lives up to the hype. The T-shirt arrives beautifully boxed, complete with detailed washing instructions – important, because traditional construction means you should expect shrinkage, as the brand notes.
I lost a good inch in length after the first wash, so size up. Still, the fabric is satisfyingly heavy at 230gsm, and there are plenty of nice details: bound neckline, underarm gussets, organic cotton. Unlike many of the brand’s tees, this one has side seams for a more structured look.
The details
Weight: 230gsm
Sizes: XS-XXL
Made in: Germany
Fit: Classic
Wash report: Significant shrinkage in length and chest after the first wash as expected. Go up one size.
Sunspel Classic T-shirt: Best made-in-England option
If you like to buy British, Sunspel should be top of your list. After all, it was one of the first brands in the world to produce T-shirts, and it still makes some of the best white T-shirts in the game today.
They’re not cheap, but they’re beautifully made, fit well, and come with serious heritage for those who care about that sort of thing.
Not all of Sunspel’s tees are made in England, but this one is, and it’s my go-to when I need something lighter, softer, and slim enough to tuck into dress trousers. It’s lightweight and breathable without feeling cheap. Quite the opposite, actually. Crisp and clean in white, but available in 29 other colours if you fancy mixing it up.
The details
Weight: Not specified. Lightweight Supima cotton
Sizes: XXS-XXXL
Made in: England
Fit: Slim
Wash report: No shrinkage. Still going strong after three years of light use
Uniqlo U Crew Neck T-shirt: Best budget option
When it comes to value for money, Uniqlo’s U Crew Neck T-shirt is one of the best white T-shirts you can get. Designed by Christophe Lemaire and his team at the Uniqlo Paris R&D Centre, it punches well above its price tag – one of the few genuinely affordable tees that still feels considered.
It’s cut from thick cotton with a dry hand feel, giving it a weight and structure you don’t often get at this price point. The fit is relaxed, with slightly dropped shoulders and a boxy silhouette. Good if you like a looser shape, less so if you’re after something slim.
At around £15, it’s a no-brainer. Stock up and wear them hard. The thick collar helps it hold its shape better than most budget tees. Just don’t expect the fabric to stay pristine forever.
The details
Weight: Heavyweight (exact weight not specified)
Sizes: XS-XXL
Made in: Various (typically Vietnam or China)
Fit: Relaxed, boxy
Wash report: Holds shape well but expect a slight fade and softening over time. Still, not surprising at this price.
CDLP Midweight T-shirt: Best for softness
Swedish brand CDLP made its name rethinking basics – underwear, socks, loungewear – using more sustainable fabrics and pared-back Scandinavian styling. Its T-shirts are no different, and this mid-weight version is a great example of what the label does well.
It’s made from a lyocell and organic cotton blend, which gives it a ridiculously soft, almost silky hand feel. Honestly, it’s one of the nicest fabrics of any T-shirt I tested – light, breathable, and with a subtle sheen.
The fit is on the slim side but not restrictive. Good for layering or wearing solo if you want something clean and minimal. The price reflects the fabric. At £80 it’s far from cheap, but if comfort is the priority, it’s hard to fault.
The details
Weight: Midweight (exact weight not specified)
Sizes: XS-XXL
Made in: Portugal
Fit: Slim
Wash report: No shrinkage or shape loss so far. Feels like it’ll age well if washed carefully
Eton Solid Filo di Scozia T-shirt: Best money-no-object option
Eton is another Swedish label, better known for its high-end dress shirts than simple T-shirts. But it also produces a range of upscale casualwear, including tees. Just be warned: they’re far from affordable.
Eton’s premium T-shirts apply the same craftsmanship and fabric quality the brand’s formal shirts are known for. I tested the Solid Filo di Scozia T-shirt, which is eye-wateringly expensive at £190. Still, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t one of the nicest tees I’ve ever worn – silky soft, cut to perfection, and made from premium Italian fabric.
The fit is slim and relatively long in the body. Yes, the price is insane, but if you’re a tech billionaire with money to burn, this is the one.
The details
Weight: Not specified. I’d call it mid-weight
Sizes: XS-3XL
Made in: Italy
Fit: Slim
Wash report: No notable shrinkage or fabric degradation... which is the very least I’d expect for £190
Luca Faloni Silk-Cotton T-Shirt: Best for luxury comfort in warm weather
There are T-shirts you wear without thinking, and then there are T-shirts that make you reconsider what a T-shirt can be. Luca Faloni’s silk-cotton version falls squarely into the latter camp. It’s made in Northern Italy using a fine gauge 28 knit – a blend of 60% silk and 40% cotton – and it feels more like a lightweight summer knit than a regular tee.
There’s a fluidity to the fabric that’s hard to describe until you try it on – soft, breathable, and just the right amount of cling. The curved hem and classic crew neckline keep it grounded, but it’s definitely pitched more towards holiday dinners and warm-weather date nights than gym errands or dog walks.
The price reflects the fabric, and it’s not the sort of tee you’d buy in bulk. But if you’re after something low-key luxurious and want to feel like you’re wearing a cloud, this is it.
The details
Weight: Not specified – fine gauge silk-cotton blend
Sizes: XS–XXL
Made in: Italy
Fit: Tailored (but naturally stretchy)
Wash report: Wash gently and air dry – looks and feels as good as new after a few wears
Velasca Sperlonga T-Shirt: Best garment-dyed option
Velasca’s not a name that immediately springs to mind when you think of T-shirts – better known for handmade shoes – but this one caught me off guard. The Sperlonga tee is a simple cotton jersey number, made in Italy and dyed after construction using a technique known as garment dyeing. The result is a worn-in, slightly faded finish with tonal variation around the seams and collar that gives it a lived-in feel straight out the box.
It’s cut from soft jersey cotton made by Eusebio – a heritage Italian mill that not only knows its way around a loom, but works with farmers in the Ivory Coast to support sustainable cotton cultivation. The fit is regular, with just enough room in the body and sleeves to keep it comfortable without looking sloppy.
The details
Weight: Not specified – soft jersey cotton
Sizes: S–XXL
Made in: Italy
Fit: Regular
Wash report: Holds well after several washes – fabric softens slightly, but no major shape loss
The verdict: The best white T-shirts for men
If you're looking for a slim fit in a range of length options, ASKET's tee is hard to beat. For something a bit boxier, I swear by Armor Lux's classic organic-cotton tees.
Next up: How to pick the perfect T-shirt for you.
