Found: V-Neck T-Shirts That Look and Feel Amazing

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When it comes to upgrading your wardrobe, the best v-neck t-shirts can emphasize your look with the right proportioning. In contrast to traditional crew-neck t-shirts, v-neck cuts elongate the appearance of your neck, which is perfect for anyone who has a shorter neck or broad shoulders. Plus, they look great when worn underneath a blazer or button-down shirt.

In general, the best v-neck t-shirts for men need to be made from premium materials that ensure durability and shape retention wash after wash, as well as long-lasting comfort wear after wear. Known to also draw attention to the chest area, some of the best v-necks let you show off your gains from the gym as well as offer a bit more breathability to stay cool on a hot summer's day. More than anything, the best v-neck t-shirts for men should also look well-fitted on your body to flatter your physique and boost your confidence.

Best V-Neck T-Shirts

What to Consider

Fit:

In a plain tee, the only thing that makes you “look good” is the fit. While it’s easier for athletic guys to look great in all kinds of V-Neck T-shirts, men of any shape and body type can also look just as good, if they’ve found the right fit—such as slim, classic, relaxed, etc. For slender bodies, a slim fit will make you look more tailored. If you’re a big dude, a roomy fit will flatter you. If a tee fits tight around your chest, your chest will look big. Lastly, the best V-Neck T-shirts shouldn’t cover your butt, so choose one that reaches just a tad below your waist.

Material:

100% cotton tees are often the gold standard for everyday tees, but cotton often doesn’t perform the best, which is why tech, blended fabrics can give useful feats like moisture-wicking, four-way stretch, breathability, or even temperature regulation. Hence, if you're an athletic or active guy, or maybe you sweat a lot naturally, or are looking for tees for going out, ditch the full cotton and opt for blended fabrics.

Length and hem:

These are two indicators of whether your V-neck t-shirt can—or should—be tucked in or left untucked. With a curved hem, then the tee is best left untucked; it'll probably look better that way. A straight hem can do both, depending on the length. That is to say, a longer length is thus best left tucked in unless you've got the height or the style magic to offset any disproportion.

How We Selected

To find the best v-neck t-shirts for men, our Men's Health editors have personally tried on over 60 different options from some of our favorite athleisure brands and menswear brands. To get a feel for how these v-neck t-shirts really felt and looked, we tested each of them for at least two weeks by wearing them on separate occasions. For instance, we've sported Mack Weldon’s and Lululemon’s tees to travel and commute in, while going to the gym in Rhone’s and Vuori’s moisture-wicking shirts.
We examined whether they fitted well and true to size, whether their fabric could withstand hours of movement in different temperatures, and whether they could be worn for more than one occasion. We also tested these v-neck t-shirts on different body types, from slim to athletic to buff, to ensure the most unbiased results.

Tagless Cotton V-Neck

The granddaddy of v-neck undershirts. This is the blueprint for all other v-neck tees out there. And if you're looking for a more athletic feel and sweat protection is your priority, then the Hanes pack of moisture-wicking and anti-odor V-neck tees is your best bet. The full cotton fabric is designed to wick sweat off your body and dry off quickly, and we found it to be extra soft, smooth, and cool to the touch even after being on our skin all day long. (We also love that the fabric blend is much lighter in weight than a traditional cotton undershirt.)

Besides, after wearing these white V-neck tees since 2021, we found that the fabric is resistant to any discoloration that comes with age on cotton shirts. After putting it through at least 10 wash cycles, we also noticed that the fabric didn’t pick up any other color and still fits well. We also love the tad of stretch this tee has, and how they can be easily tucked in to stay hidden and in place. The breathability is also a nice touch, even after—or during—a sweaty workout as we’ve found. With FreshIQ advanced odor protection tech and moisture-wicking fabric, this really performs too.

Read More: Best Moisture-Wicking Shirts

Men's V-Neck T-Shirts Multipack

An affordable, reliable set of tees to wear under your dress shirts and sweaters? Hell yeah. Gildan is famous among creatives as the go-to brand for printing designs. They make a high-quality cotton t-shirt that is very affordable and can be bought in pretty much any quantity you want. So if you need six v-necks or sixty, Gildan's pack of moisture-wicking, easily tucked-in tees is a good choice.

This bestselling multipack has received plenty of five-star reviews on Amazon for its moisture-wicking, soft, breathable fabric, as well as an easy-to-move-in fit. In my personal testing, not only do these tees work wonders as undershirts layered beneath zip-up hoodies or sweaters but when I wear them as standalone tees, their versatility as either a workout shirt or my everyday basic tee has fitted me like a glove. I also like how soft and thin they are.

Smooth Cotton Solid V-Neck T-Shirt

Everyone loves "My Calvins" underwear, but their undershirts deserve some love too. Fact: there has never been another brand with more hype around it than the early 1990s "My Calvins" undergarment campaign. But Calvin Klein's classic smooth cotton V-neck tee is not just hype, it is actually a really good and versatile tee. As an undershirt, it is practically perfect in terms of fabric, fit, and durability. But with a comfortable, relaxed fit, it can be worn on its own or as a layering piece.

The full cotton fabric is stretchy as we found, despite having no built-in elastane or spandex. More importantly, we love its soft-to-touch quality as well as natural breathability, the latter helps with wicking away sweat. The classic fit we found is slim without being constricting and they're just long enough to be tucked in if you need to but they can hang out with showing.

Pima V-Neck T-Shirt

Slim in a tailored fit and incredibly soft for all-day comfort with durable stitching, Mack Weldon’s v-neck tee looks just as swell as an undershirt beneath a jacket as it does going solo, with jeans, chinos, and sweatpants—the sky’s the limit for styling with it. It's also washed to be extra soft.

As a versatile V-neck t-shirt that can do it all, if you are a one-and-done type of shopper, this tee from Mack Weldon is for you. The softness also feels like a second skin without being too warm, and the slim fit is flattering, hugging our biceps and pecs with just the right amount of tightness while still giving our skin enough breathing room.

In my experience of wearing this tee to run everyday errands or layering it under another garment, I found that it's managed to retain its softness and shape wear after wear—courtesy of its recovery collar and strong stitching.

The Fundamental V-Neck T-Shirt

This essential tee is as flattering in fit and look as it is comfortable. Lululemon takes the cake for making the best-fitting and flattering T-shirts. This basic tee especially has just the right weight to make it feel like a real shirt and not something sloppy. More importantly, we found out that the fabric is in fact not only soft like butter but also extra resistant to abrasion, and it has stood the test of time for one tester who has been wearing this tee since the spring of 2020.

Lululemon does amazing things with fabrics. The 40% Pima cotton, 37% Nylon, 13% Lyocell, and 10% Lycra® elastane blend on this tee is buttery soft, resistant to abrasion, and also made for moving. In a relaxed classic fit, it's also made to fly solo. We also love how it's quick-drying and anti-stink, and found that it has a Long-lasting shape and feel.

Cloud Tee

No, you don’t need to be buff to look great in this tee. In fact, with a soft, textured fabric and a minimalist silhouette, this easy-to-style tee can make any guy look and feel good, every day, for anything.

Like the rest of Travis Mathew's golf clothes, this basic is made for performance, comfort, and style. The Cloud Tees are buttery soft. The fabric is excellent at wicking away sweat, and the tapered cut provides a nice flattering fit. We like the subtle v-neck stitch on this tee, as opposed to other v-necks where the hem is at a sharper point.

In my experience, this is a tee that looks great on its own or layered under another piece. The neckline truly looks sharp no matter how I style it, and its softness and breathability always make me want to wear it 24/7 if I don't have to wash it after each wear.

Supima Cotton V-Neck Short-Sleeve T-Shirt

Uniqlo churns out affordable underwear that won’t fall apart after a few washes. Enter the brand’s v-neck t-shirt. It’s made from Supima cotton, which means the fabric is extra soft and retains color better than regular cottons. We found this option looks great when worn solo and underneath a cardigan sweater. The fit is so comfortable and sleek that we’ve paired it with a bunch of looks for the office and casual outings.

Slub Curved Hem V-Neck Tee

Buck Mason built this t-shirt out of "high-west" cotton which has a looser mesh feel to it. The slub cotton is thinner and more breathable than regular cotton without losing any durability. This V-neck is perfect for hot days or putting multiple layers on top of it.

As a ruggedly handsome basic that you can wear on its own, this tee is made with a self-neck binding and a flat stitch finish for seamless comfort. Buck Mason's T-shirts are the kind of shirts that will make even the biggest T-shirt skeptic say, "I didn't know T-shirts could be like this." And this V-neck is expertly constructed and it actually lasts—a quality not easily attributed to tees.

My favorite part about wearing this tee is that no matter tucked or untucked, it'll look great on me thanks to the lived-in look. And Buck Mason has got softness in spades, alright—I've once worn the black one for two days straight at home with no complaint.

Strato Tech V-Neck

Vuori is a purveyor of athleisure wear that combines comfort and style. The Strato Tech V-Neck embodies both qualities, which is why our style editors rave about it so much. Whether you’re going to the gym or happy hour, it looks equally good with a pair of athletic shorts or denim jeans. We also love that it’s made with moisture-wicking fabric, which will keep you looking and feeling fresh year round. Another bonus: this option comes with a four-way stretch, so you can move freely without any problems.

Element V-Neck Tee

Like much of Rhone’s athleisure apparel, the brand’s bestseller v-neck tee can be worn to the office, gym and everywhere in between. Thanks to the t-shirt’s anti-odor technology, you can keep all kinds of funk at bay and wear it more in between washes. We love that it’s breathable with a hint of stretch, so the fit felt comfortable and didn’t cause any kind of restriction in the arms while lifting weights. Plus, it’s made with a polyester-cotton blend, meaning the fabric feels ultra-soft on your skin.

The Essential Organic V-Neck Tee

Everlane has been a reliable source for sleek, minimalist pieces that are easy to pair with your entire wardrobe—no matter the season. The brand’s v-neck t-shirt comes in seven muted color tones, which are easy to build several outfits around. Our editors love that it not only works for errand runs and casual outings, but the roomy fit gives you that “just right” feeling. Plus, you can really get a bang for your buck if you score three t-shirts at once.

Mason V-Neck Tee

Guess is a hidden gem for basics at super affordables prices. Speaking of which, the brand’s Mason V-neck Tee from the brand has everything you could want in a shirt: breathability, roomy fit, softness. It feels worn-in and cozy from the first wear, like a long-time friend. We also love that the fabric has a subtle sheen look to it, which makes it nice enough to be worn by itself or layered under a blazer. The shirt comes in a few different colors that are easy to pair with casual fits for your errands, the office or casual outings.

Super Soft V-Neck T-Shirt 3-Pack

Pair of Thieves is a newcomer in the menswear basics game but they have already established themselves as a reliable brand. Their basic tees are a big reason for that. The quality that comes with it is also apparent. The construction is clean and the fabric is thick enough that this undershirt can double as a plain white tee. So if you ever need to shed a layer or two, you can fall back on this as a base layer t-shirt. You can even style it on a hot day with just a pair of shorts. With a breathable performance cotton blend, this shirt also has 4-way stretch and is moisture-wicking. Though the sleeves are quite short, we love wearing them to show off some muscles since it's also a slim fit.

Lightweight Active Cotton Blend Undershirts (Pack of 8)

Fruit of the Loom is the other OG V-neck undershirt brand. Breathable, sweat-wicking, and quick-drying, this 50% cotton/50% spandex blend is their modern update on the style. In our testing, we found that it's able to stay tucked no matter what, though it's not the best to wear them as standalone tees.

Classic Fit V-Neck T-Shirt

The V-neck t-shirt with the little Polo pony embroidered on the chest is almost as classic as the V-neck t-shirt itself. With a Roomy, relaxed fit, it is easy and versatile to style. Polo also makes their basic tee in a wide range of colors, so you can stick with basic white or get one for every outfit possibility.

Riviera V Neck T‑shirt

This 100% cotton V-neck was designed specifically for the Bond film Casino Royal. As a general style rule we like to follow is: If it's good enough for James Bond then it's good enough for us. Midweight and soft, we also love how versatile it is for styling.

The Triumph V-Neck Tee

When you’re out and about, you’ll need comfort and durability that last in a tee. Alo Yoga’s top-seller is made in suede performance fabric to make layering as well as flying solo a bliss. You can easily wear it from the gym to the street.

What Is the Point of V-Neck T-Shirts?

Did you know that V-neck t-shirts were invented to be invisible? We don’t mean undetectable to the human eye. V-neck t-shirts were invented so that men could open up the collar of their dress shirts on hot days and not have the visible neckline of a shirt underneath. They were meant for a time when men regularly wore collared button-ups, usually with ties. V-necks were practical to wear when guys just wanted to button.

How to Style V-Neck T-Shirts

When they first became popular during the mid-twentieth century, V-neck t-shirts were worn as undergarments only. They still serve this purpose as a go-to undershirt. Starting in the 2000s, however, V-necks became the alternative to crew neck t-shirts for everyday wear. What began as wearing the plain white, gray, or black V-necks formerly used as undershirts, was soon worn on its own. Guys sported these V-neck tees in bright stripes, neon, and camo. Yeah, we all got a little too carried away.

Good news: we've moved past that Wild West stage of V-neck style. These days, the best way to wear v-necks is by sticking to solid, neutral colors. A plain white v-neck t-shirt can be worn underneath just about any sweater or shirt. Black, gray, and navy blue all work almost as well. If you still have to wear a button-down shirt to work every day, then invest in a deep supply of V-necks. If your office dress code is more relaxed, cop some solid, neutral-colored tees for a casual Friday look.

Which Brands Are Best for Men's V-Neck T-shirts?

Ever since the great V-neck boom ended a few years ago, far fewer brands are making them, and the ones that do tend to reserve them for warm weather seasons. So we hunted down the best V-neck t-shirts for men available right now. There are reliable old classics like Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, and Calvin Klein that are technically undershirts but work just as fine as regular tees. Meanwhile, upstarts like Mack Weldon, Buck Mason, and Forty Five make V-necks for everyday wear. Ahead are the best men's V-Neck t-shirts to buy now.

Why Trust Us

A product review story that doesn’t actually test anything hands-on or in person isn’t worth your precious time. Thankfully, we at Men’s Health don’t produce any of that nonsense. In fact, you can rest assured that our product recommendations derive from first-hand experience. You can read more about our testing process here.

For instance, at Men’s Health, we have a fashion closet dedicated to calling in, trying out, and selecting the best as well as the newest products in menswear. We put them on stylish, fit guys to hear what their opinions are and see how the items look on them before making our final decision. And as style editors, we constantly go into the fashion closet to feel a product’s fabric or materials—even put it on ourselves for a spin—to test it.

Lastly, you can trust our opinions on shopping recommendations, whether it’s the products, styling tips, or trends. Not only do we have Fashion Director Ted Stafford and Deputy Editor, Commerce Christian Gollayan who actually know that polyester isn't actually breathable, but we also have a panel of style experts—including stylists, fashion influencers, and designers—that we regularly seek shopping guides from. Therefore, our product recommendations and buying tips are all driven by professional, expert opinions.

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