The 30 Best V-Neck T-shirts to Wear on Their Own (or Under a Button-up)

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We’re here to address the sartorial elephant in the room: the question of the V-neck’s place within the milieu of modern menswear. While there was a time in the early to mid-2000s when you couldn’t walk down the street without seeing a guy rocking a V-neck, the question that remains on everyone’s minds is: Are they even cool anymore?

Well, as it turns out, in the comeback of all comebacks, the V-neck is here to stay. It’s proved itself to be a timeless rendition of the classic T-shirt, one that adds a little more flair, intention, and dimension to your outfit. When you replace your crewneck with a V-neck, it can work. Really!

Fashion is indeed a fickle temptress, but she isn’t that fickle. For the most part, a classic crewneck will always be the go-to choice for layering and wearing solo. But if you’re ready to level up, choosing a V-neck as an undershirt is a solid way to get your fix. In that spirit, our style experts rounded up a few of the best V-neck undershirts available now so you can effortlessly enhance your look in 2024. We also tossed in a few options to wear solo, in case you feel like going your own way. And hey, if that’s the case, more power to you.

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Premium Wash T-Shirt

The wash on this tee is money, and it can go with just about anything. Plus, it's made with cotton and REPREVE recycled fibers (in other words, four plastic bottles!), so you can do good for the planet while looking good.

Short Sleeve V-Neck (6-Pack)

A hefty grip of tees from Fruit of the Loom is always a great idea. These V-neck undershirts were designed to eliminate ride-up and stay tucked, so you never have to worry about unwanted peeking from underneath your outer shirt.

Classic Jersey V-Neck T-Shirt

When it comes to basics, Champion is an all-time pro. This style is the ultimate staple because it won't break the bank, and the relaxed and comfortable fit will allow you to wear it all day long. Talk about getting your money's worth.

Tagless Cotton V-Neck Undershirt (3-Pack)

This is as classic as a white tee is ever going to get. The Hanes pack of three V-necks is designed to ward off sweat and dry quickly, so it will stay cool to the touch, even when you're not!

Soft Everyday Tee

Bonobos's celebrated collection of tees comes in a myriad of colors and neck types. There's an option for everyone so all you have to do is choose your fighter—but luckily, unlike most competitions, every single one is a champion.

Slub Curved Hem V-Neck Tee

This V-neck looks like it was crafted by an expert tailor but is still soft enough to get that lived-in feel. AKA, it has the best of both worlds. It also has a self-kneck binding and a flat stitch for seamless comfort, so whether you wear it tucked or untucked, you'll look perfectly put-together.

Goodlife Triblend Scallop V-Neck T-Shirt

Created for work, play, and everything in between, Goodlife's silky-soft V-neck is the perfect layering piece. The best part? It holds its shape after every wash, so you can wear it time and time again.

Pima Cotton V-Neck T-Shirt (3-Pack)

Bombas is a comfort-focused brand, and their super-soft V-necks do not disappoint. This set of three stylish tees is perfect for layering under things or wearing alone—and the range in colors ensures you can get away with using all of them in rotation (just remember to wash them in between!).

Cotton Classics V-Neck T-Shirt (5-Pack)

Everyone "loves their Calvins," but their V-neck tees deserve some love too. The brand that made luxury undergarments a bona fide thing does undershirts very right—you'll thank us later.

Trim Fit V-Neck Cotton Blend T-Shirt

This V-neck is affordable, reliable, and the ultimate grab-and-go option. It's stylish enough for a first date but can also be paired with joggers for a more relaxed fit. Just promise us you won't wear joggers on a first date...

Super-T Short Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt

Lands' End tees are made with trademarked Super-T technology to help prevent fading after washing. This classic style is built with features you won't find on cheaply made tees, so expect this guy to keep its rich color after multiple wears.

The Fundamental V-Neck T-Shirt

Lululemon's Fundamental shirt is a favorite in these parts, and for good reason: the cut will fit all body types, and the material is incredibly quick-drying and soft to the touch. It's an investment you'll be glad you made.

Essential V-Neck T-Shirt

Ever since their rebrand, Abercrombie is more than just shirtless dudes standing outside of their stores in the mall. They now sell high-quality tees, like their Essential V-neck, that is affordable, soft, and competitively priced.

Pima V-Neck T-Shirt

Mack Weldon uses ultra-soft pima cotton to create the perfect V-neck in a variety of colors. Translation: Its tees are super soft, and the fit is super consistent.

Venice Burnout V-Neck Tee Shirt

With a burnout effect, this grungier tee is a callback to the laidback vibes of the 2000s. While you may no longer be making mixtapes or playing guitar in your parent's garage (if you are, we don't judge), we promise this is still a very stylish option.

Tactical HeatGear Compression V-Neck T-Shirt

No one—and we mean no one—makes compression shirts better than Under Armour. Their Tactical HeatGear V-neck is extremely comfortable and wicks sweat as you move. Any athlete would be silly to go without it, and if you aren't an athlete, we still suggest grabbing this style.

Classic Cotton V-Neck T-Shirt

American Giant's tees are made with soft but durable cotton and finished with a ribbed V-neck, ensuring that they'll retain their shape after repeated washing. They have a "Goldilocks fit," so you'll always wear the right size.

Riviera V-Neck T-Shirt

If this tee is good enough for James Bond in Casino Royale, it should be good enough for everyone. The fabric is midweight, great for transitioning across seasons, and made from two-fold long-staple cotton for extra softness. You'll feel just like 007.

Sueded Cotton V-neck T-shirt

This suede cotton V-neck will bring a certain sense of sophistication to your everyday style. Pair it with a blazer, chinos, or jeans for an understated, polished look that can go from the office to after-hours.

The Triumph V-Neck Tee

Modern and fashion-forward, this tee is called the triumph V-neck for a reason. Crafted from suede performance fabric, it's great for working out and wearing out—p.s. we're not saying one is better than the other, but at least this option allows you to do both!

Classic Fit V-Neck T-Shirt

In a world of fast fashion, Ralph Lauren is a love letter to longevity. The iconic brand created this classic V-neck tee that you'll reach for again and again, and we guarantee it will stay your grab-and-go essential for years to come.

The Essential Organic V-Neck Tee

Everlane is a sustainable brand that prides itself on creating garments that last for years—even decades. Their "modern basics" are straightforward and reasonably priced, so you always know that you'll get the most bang for your buck with these tees.

OB-V Slim-Fit Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt

This precision-cut V-neck T-shirt is a refined staple piece. Crafted from an unbelievably lightweight cotton jersey, it gives a masterclass in unpretentious luxury. Whether you’re layering it under a blazer or coupling it with your favorite shorts, it remains the epitome of cool.

Pima Cotton V-Neck T-Shirt

Impeccably crafted from pure Pima cotton, this ultra-soft tee is the very definition of everyday luxury. Its timeless silhouette has been meticulously refined, presenting a trim, contemporary fit that skims the body and sleeves with precision.

Men's Merino V-Neck T-Shirt

This could possibly become the best-feeling tee in your wardrobe. Made from 100% ultra-find Merino wool, the silhouette of this V-neck is engineered with the contemporary man in mind—slightly tailored through the body and sleeve for a look that's more Don Draper than downtime drab. Trust us, you need it.

Vuori Strato Tech V-Neck

This stylish V-neck tee is supremely soft and has sweat-wicking material that will battle odor-causing microbes and keep you cool while you work. Plus, it has 4-way stretch fabric that moves with you throughout the day, so whether you have a Dad bod or 0 body fat, it's guaranteed to look good.

Brooks Brothers Men's Supima Cotton V-Neck

They say the best things come in threes, and these ultra-soft tees are no exception. They look as good under your favorite shirt as they do on their own and will last you for years.

CLOUD TEE

Warning: this could possibly be the softest tee you will ever own. The Travis Matthew V-neck glides over your skin and is an expert at managing moisture so you can remain as cool as you appear. No matter your body type, this easy-to-style shape will make anyone feel their best.

Second Skin High V-Neck Modern Fit Undershirt

Did you know that Tommy John created the world's first patented undershirt with a stay-tucked guarantee? While this specific V-neck can be worn tucked (or untucked), it's created with the same no-pilling material that made the brand so popular. With a soft and silky, luxurious feel, it will become one of your best tees.

Slub Jersey V-Neck Tee

The Slub Jersey V-neck has just the right amount of transparent that modestly molds to the body while offering the perfect drape. It has a softer, more rounded V-neck than other similar styles and is the perfect length to wear, either tucked or untucked.

How To Style

Basic Rules: When looking for your perfect V-neck tee, it's important to remember some essential rules. First, make sure the neckline is not too low and that the collar is sturdy and well-finished. While you may be super proud of your pectoral muscles (and we're proud of you, too!), there's a time and a place for that, and it doesn't include the office or dinner. Second, gravitate towards natural, breathable materials that will give you room to move. No one wants to go through the day in a garment that they're uncomfortable in, and a relaxed fit will help you look and stay cool. Lastly, we recommend timeless, solid colors to keep your V-neck looking elevated—printed V-necks can oftentimes look tacky.

Different Vibes: Just like there are many different types of V-neck T-shirts, there are also many different ways to style them. For looser-fitting V-necks, pair them with a casual, half-opened cardigan or buttoned-down shirt and tweed trousers. If you love an all-monochrome look, grab your favorite black V-neck and black chinos, and you're good to go. If you want a more elegant fit, a black or navy blazer with a white V-neck and dark-wash chinos will set you up for any semi-formal occasion.

Conclusion: We'll leave you with this: V-necks are a versatile tee that should be found in any—and every—man's closet. And once you add one to your rotation, you'll never go back.

Why You Can Trust Esquire

We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to V-neck T-shirts—, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these V-necks are the ones that are simply the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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