We Asked 5 Esquire Editors What’s the Best White T-Shirt Ever

“There are two ways to look good in a white T-shirt. The first is to dedicate your life to fitness and strength training. Awake before dawn to journal, workout, and eat protein like a wellness influencer. Three years later, you’ll look great in any tee; buy ’em in bulk at Costco. The other way requires far less time and dedication—and won’t alienate your friends—but does call for knowledge: buy a T-shirt that fits well. And the one that looks good on every man is Buck Mason’s Slub Curved Hem Tee. It’s got some heft and a little texture; the bottom curves at the sides and the sleeves fall in just the right place. It adds up to one flattering T-shirt. Do a couple pushups here and there, and you’re all set.” — Michael Sebastian, Editor-in-Chief

“Here are everyday ways I’ve stained white tees in the past year: pop of grease in the kitchen, laying in the grass to look at clouds with the woman I love, eating a hotdog, eating pasta, drinking coffee, and playing soccer. That’s six tees, one every 60 days. I’m just not the type of man who should pay for a specialty white tee. I buy Hanes Beefy-Ts because they cost around $10 a piece and fit great—true to size, flattering but not too tight, and well structured around the seams. And the cotton is thick enough to deal with all the bleaching that takes place over the course of a year. If you wear your white tees to do activities, I think you’d be a fool to go past a Hanes Beefy-T.” — Luke Guillory, Commerce Editor

“Appearances can be deceiving, as is the case with this T-shirt. At first glance, it appears as another basic white T-shirt, but alas, this T-shirt is far more than that. The boxy silhouette and the heavyweight cotton drape sinuously off the body and creates dynamic shapes. It takes a life of its own as it envelops and folds into new silhouettes. This T-shirt is sculptural in how it wears and plays off the body. If High Renaissance Mannerism were a t-shirt, this would capture that unnatural elegance. A masterclass on how The Row masters elevates closet staples, it is both drama and art – but also a T-shirt.” — Alfonso Fernandez Navas, Senior Market & Style Editor

“A plain white tee should hit certain markers on the head: versatility, comfort, and durability. Too many times are the softest white tees the ones that get wrinkles, pills, and thinness after washes, but not this one. Gap’s white tee is perfectly relaxed—not too boxy, but just loose enough to allow for some breathing room—with a straight hemline that looks great tucked into work pants or untucked over jeans. It’s thick, but not overly so; it’s breathable, and the dropped shoulders mean you have full freedom of movement. No matter how many times you wash this tee, it holds up; if anything, it just gets better over time.” — Martin Hoops, Temporary Design Director