Sometimes, sleeves are just too much undershirt. That’s where tanks come in. Also known as A-shirts, the humble, sleeveless tank has been rocked by every heartthrob and neighborhood grandpa as far back as anyone can remember. And while the low neck and lack of sleeves means you’ll practically never see them underneath a button-up, the irony is that they look great shown off with an unbuttoned camp shirt or on their own.
For the money, we think Hanes takes the cake with their multipack of undershirts. The stretchy ribbed jersey is made of 100% cotton and fits snug with a low neck that’s slightly squared off compared to most tanks. “They cost just under twenty bucks for a pack of six,” GQ commerce writer Gerald Ortiz notes, but “look like a million bucks.”
Best Upgrade Undershirt: CDLP Lightweight T-Shirt
Materials: 67% Tencel lyocell, 33% cotton | Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: White, black
If every part of your wardrobe has to be fit for a king, down to the most basics of basics, then CDLP is what we’d recommend, my liege. The reality is that most luxury tees don’t offer much more than the regular stuff. It’s diminishing returns after a certain price point but CDLP is the notable exception.
“It’s a pricey undershirt, for sure,” Ortiz says, “but the high-quality fabric has a silky hand and lightweight feel that’s unparalleled. It really feels like you’re almost wearing nothing.” Thanks to a wider neckline, you’re a lot less likely to see the tee poking out, too. And if you feel like such a nice T-shirt is wasted as underwear, don’t worry. The cut and shorter length means looks great untucked and can double as your regular T-shirt, too.
Best Anti-Odor Undershirt: Mack Weldon Silver Crew Neck T-Shirt
Materials: 85% Supima cotton, 10% Ionic+ polyester, 5% Lycra | Sizes: S-XXL | Colors: 9 colors available
Mack Weldon’s silver series of garments is what happens when you get nerdy about chemistry and fashion (in the best possible way). The Ionic+ technology embeds silver charged silver ions which are naturally antimicrobial into the fabric itself. Essentially, that means bacteria and hence odor is neutralized which means you can take it easy on the deodorant. Beyond that, the tees are made of super long staple Supima cotton and a smidge of lycra for an extra silky fee, comfortable stretch, and long-lasting wear.
“It’s one of those undershirts that makes you realize you’ve been settling for squalor,” Ortiz says. “The tee feels super soft and fits perfectly trim, as any good undershirt should.” The main bummer is that they’ll cost you more than most tees, so stocking up for the week can get pricey. That said, the level of quality and luxurious feel make the blow to your wallet worth it. Plus, you can bundle up and get up to 15% off to help offset the sticker shock.
Best Undershirt for Summer: Uniqlo Airism Short-Sleeve T-Shirt
Materials: 71% cotton, 25% polyester, 4% spandex | Sizes: XS-3XL | Colors: white, grey, navy
Not everything at Uniqlo is a great value. But when it comes to upgraded basics at an affordable price, you’d be hard-pressed to find brand that does it better. When you need an airy, breathable undershirt to keep you cool through the warm months, the Japanese meg- retailer’s AIRism tees are legendary. They’re crafted from a smooth and breathable cotton-polyester-spandex blend that dries quickly, feels cool to the touch, and fights odors—a triple threat that’ll have the dog days of summer in a headlock. “It’s an easy way to save your expensive dress shirts from dreaded pit stains,” Ortiz says. “But they’re also perfect for wearing as a gym shirt.” At just $15 per tee, there’s no other undershirt that can do as much for the price.
Best Undershirt for Athletic Guys: Skims Stretch T-Shirt
Materials: 84% modal, 16% elastane | Sizes: XS-5XL | Colors: White, black
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