The 8 Best Undershirts for Men

Credit: Florence SullivanA Hanes white crewneck is a classic for a reason. When we tried this out, we loved that this style has a just-right fit and a longer hem that keeps it tucked in. Plus, it comes in a pack of six, so you get a pretty big bang for your buck—it's, like, $3 per shirt. How can you go wrong with that? It's not a techy moisture-wicking fabric, but the cotton is thin enough to let you catch a breeze now and then. And it's thick enough that you can wear it as a regular old shirt during the summer.Esquire's resident style expert and market editor, Alfonso Fernández Navas, advises to reach for this one for its fit and affordability: "This classic Hanes crewneck has a perfect classic fit—slightly retro with tighter fit and shorter sleeve. I'm able to channel my inner James Dean when paired with a leather jacket while not fearing any midday coffee stains, as the price of one T-shirt is cheaper than said coffee."Credit: Florence SullivanMack Weldon goes more in the tech direction. Its 18-Hour tank is made in a soft, stretchy cotton-modal-spandex material. It sits flush against your skin for a barely there feel. It moves and wicks sweat well, and that makes it as good a tank top as any.But funny enough, I found it to run a bit big for an undershirt. If I were to buy a pack, I'd size down for that sausage-casing tank-top fit I'm used to.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowCredit: Florence SullivanSunspel is a personal favorite. My favorite boxers are Sunspel, and the superfine cotton undershirts are just as good. It's one of the most expensive options on this list, but the long-staple cotton jersey is the best fabric you'll find on this list. I actually prefer it as a jersey tank (vest, apologies to my friends across the pond who sling these tees) but the tee I'm wearing in this image is great if you're not a tank-top guy.It’s also one of the rare options on this list that will 100-percent be mistaken for a real T-shirt.Credit: Florence SullivanAs its name implies, this tee was made to be worn for a long time—like an overnight backpacking trip. That's because nothing deals with sweat, moisture, heat, and cold like merino wool. Proof threads it with a bit of nylon for durability, but you're getting a mostly merino fabric here. I love it for workouts, hikes, and any other time you need a more technical tee.Of course, good materials mean higher price points. This isn't one you'll buy a pack of and wear every day of the week. There’s also not a white version, so it’s not something you’ll wear underneath a dress shirt.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowCredit: Florence SullivanTommy John, on the other hand, makes one of those skin-tight sweat-wicking tees in white. If you want something performance minded underneath your suit, I encourage you to get this.Two things I especially love about this tee are as follows. One, it’s primarily a modal fabric; so even though it has that performance sweat-wicking, it doesn’t have that cheap polyester jersey feel. Two, the 10-percent elastic that’s woven in makes this thing reeeeaaally suck up on your torso. You can never see it underneath a dress shirt; it’s comfortable; and it makes you look more ripped than any of the other shirts on this list.Credit: Florence SullivanFor those guys who are never, ever not rocking a Polo pony somewhere, here's a five-pack of V-necks featuring your favorite logo. There's one for every day of the workweek, so you won't be without a shirt when you keep putting off your laundry. If you prefer a V-neck for the off days that you're wearing a shirt unbuttoned, Polo makes one that's deep enough to allow for that. Plus, it's soft, snug, and durable, with a not-too-thick-or-thin fabric.ColorsWhiteSizesXS-2XLMaterials100% CottonQuantity5Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowCredit: Florence SullivanUniqlo makes a $10 tank top that's superior to pretty much every other tank top on the market—besides that Mack Weldon one. Though, if you’re talking value, this is the better tank.The style is supersoft, with a thicker, ribbed fabric that feels nicer than what you get from a typical tank at this price point. Plus, the fabric has a good bit of polyester for moisture control and quick drying. The white color isn't sheer, which can't be said for most tank tops out there. It has a deep-scoop neckline, so you’re going to show quite a bit of chest if you wear it underneath an unbuttoned button-up.One note: size down. I find Uniqlo’s tank tops are sized closer to the brand’s T-shirts. I assume you want a tank to be skin tight—if you don’t ... weird, see a shrink—and sizing down will get you there.Credit: Florence SullivanLet's talk about a certifiable classic. For more than four decades, Comfort Colors has been making soft, comfortable tees that live up to the brand's name. It's no wonder that the label has a large and devoted following—our editors included. It's a bit more expensive than a pack of Hanes, but it's also better to wear on its own.Colors50+SizesS-4XLMaterials100% cottonQuantity1Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowThree More Undershirts We LoveHere I'll spare you the long explanations and specs and whatever. Just a few more options I've used over the years.Tips for Choosing an UndershirtChoosing an undershirt is kind of like choosing underwear—it sits on the skin, so make sure you're picking something you'll be comfortable in all day long. Although you will want to consider fit and fabric (more on each in a minute), neckline and color are also not to be forgotten. A crewneck will work only if you want your undershirt to be visible or if you plan to wear your shirt fully buttoned up. If you're after the whole business-casual look, opt for a V-neck that won't show with the top button undone. Also, consider whether you would want to wear your undershirt alone. You certainly can, but not just any kind will do—you're better off with something on the thicker and looser side. A couple of other key things to consider are:Length: Undershirts should ideally be long enough to stay tucked in throughout the day, even when you move around. Typically, this means they should reach at least to your mid-hip or slightly lower. This ensures it stays tucked in and doesn't ride up, providing a smooth, comfortable fit under your outerwear.Material: Look for fabrics that are soft, breathable, and moisture wicking and have some stretch for better movement. The best materials are typically cotton, spandex, or a jersey blend.Color: As for color, white is the classic move. But grays go swimmingly under lighter colors, and black can work under darker ones. Be mindful that your undershirt may be visible depending on the color of your top layer, so choose carefully.Fit: Undershirts should come in a slim fit that is snug (but not too tight) so they can seamlessly go under your top layer. Look for options that hug your body close but still allow you a wide range of movement. Of course, if you plan on wearing your undershirt alone, you can opt for a looser fit.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowFrequently Asked QuestionsWhat Fit Should You Look For in an Undershirt?Ideally you want to skew slim if you plan to wear your undershirt under anything tailored or slim fit so that it doesn't bunch. The only time a regular-fit undershirt really makes sense is when you are treating it as part of the outfit, e.g., when you're going to wear it with an unbuttoned camp shirt on top. That being said, at the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference and what you're most comfortable in.Which Fabric Should You Choose in an Undershirt?Consider where you plan to wear your undershirt. If you're looking for something to layer underneath a button-down, go for a pure-cotton option. On the other hand, if you intend to hit the gym, you'll want a moisture-wicking fabric designed for performance. And if you prefer an undershirt that can be worn on its own, you can't go wrong with linen or good ol' cotton.How Many Undershirts Should a Man Own?The general rule of thumb is that every man should own at least five to seven undershirts so you have a fresh rotation throughout your week. While this all depends on lifestyle and habits (do you go into the office, do you work out—you get the point), having several in your arsenal will help prolong the life span of each.