The 15 Best White Tank Tops to Layer With Everything, Tested & Reviewed
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Because you can never have too many basics, especially ones like WSLY Rivington Ribbed Tank
American Eagle / Aritzia
When it comes to completing a wardrobe, a reliable white tank top is a must-have. Whether you’re pairing it with bold bottoms, layering under a button-up, or lounging around it, having a go-to tank is imperative for everyone, especially in the summer months when it’s basically too hot to wear anything else.
Similar to most articles of clothing, there is no perfect tank for everyone, which is why we tested over half of the mentioned tops across various bodies to see which were the most flattering, comfortable, opaque, and stretchy. We tapped the editorial team at InStyle to see which white tank tops each person swears by, and included their recommendations in this article. We also spoke to fashion experts about their favorites. According to celebrity stylist Fatima B, “the fit and the silhouette are the most important things to look for in a good tank.” Depending on personal preference, the neckline, the texture, and the length all come into play when figuring out what tank is good for you. Ranging from cropped versions to ribbed tanks to scoop necks, this search proved that there are so many good options out there when it comes to finding your go-to shirt. And who is to say that there’s only space for one in your closet?
To help you narrow down your choices on the tank for you, here are the best white tanks currently on the market:
Related: The Best Plus-Size Loungewear Brands that Every Curvy Babe Should Know About
Best Overall: WSLY Rivington Ribbed Cropped Tank
What We Love
The ribbed texture and cropped fit make for a super comfortable fit.
What We Don’t Love
The material is a tad sheer.
Based on the longer version of the same tank, this cropped and ribbed version is even more versatile. Boasting a high neckline and racerback, this is the piece to pair with almost anything in your closet. Fashion expert Telsha-Anderson Boone, the Founder of T.A. Boutique, shared that while she is constantly splurging on white tanks to add to her wardrobe, this was her favorite. “The best thing about this white crop is that it goes with every pair of pants I have in my closet,” she said. “Aside from it being pre-cut to perfection, it is a flattering shape. The cut of the t-shirt around the bust and the arms is form-fitting for anyone wearing it, and that's what makes a great anything within the fashion space.” Plus, if you are not a fan of the cropped version, it comes in a practically identical longer version, making it our pick for the best overall tank, due to its versatility. Brb while I add a few of these to my cart.
Price at the time of publish: $58
Size Range: XXS-3XL | Materials: Tencel, spandex | Neckline: High
Best Budget: Hanes Women’s Tank Top Pack
What We Love
You get six shirts in this bundle, and they retail at $3 a piece.
What We Don’t Love
They’re not perfectly opaque.
Maybe you don’t need all those sophisticated designs. Maybe you just want a plain and simple white tank top, or six of them, and not spend as much as you would on a new sweater, knowing very well that you have trouble keeping them clean. In that case, this Hanes six-pack of white tank tops retails at $18 (or $3 a shirt) and is the best budget-friendly option on the market. Senior Commerce Editor Kaitlin Clark has been wearing this exact onesince middle school. “The fabric is thin, which makes them a great layering piece, yet the ribbed texture gives them a more substantial feel than a regular thin tank. They’re simply a wardrobe staple for me, and I always keep them on hand,” she says. It’s not perfectly opaque, however, so we recommend sticking to your nude bras when wearing this top—our whole team liked the Chantelle t-shirt bras if you need one of those too
Price at time of publish: $18
Size Range: S–2XL | Materials: Cotton | Neckline: Mild scoop-neck
Best Splurge: Re/Done Ribbed Tank
What We Love
The 100 percent cotton tank holds its shape after multiple wears.
What We Don’t Love
The size range is very limited.
When it comes to a splurge item, it is important to note that the fabric should stretch, but not give over time. “You want a tank to hold its shape,” Fatima B. explains, which is why this tank from the Los Angeles-based brand Re/Done is one of her favorites. The material is thick enough to remain sturdy, but not constricting in its feel. Plus, this tank is a celeb favorite that has been spotted on the likes of Bella Hadid and has the nostalgic feel that many aim for when wearing a white tank. The raw hem on the bottom of this top adds to the vintage feel, almost like a pre-ripped t-shirt. We only wish it came in a wider range of sizes.
Price at time of publish: $95
Size Range: XS-L | Materials: Cotton | Neckline: Scoop
Best Plus-Size: Torrid Everyday Rib High Neck Crop Tank
What We Love
The high-neck looks less than basic.
What We Don’t Love
It's a bit thin.
Recommended by Wisconsin-based fashion content creator and activist Casey Snow, the high-neck tank from Torrid is a "permanent" closet staple. “A tank can be pretty basic, but with the high neck, it provides enough style to any look you pair it with whether to simply go out to grab groceries or for a coffee date,” she says. The brand Torrid specializes in clothing from size 10 to 30, making this long, spaghetti strap cami, a great plus-size option. For fashion content creator known monomously as April, this tank is her go-to layering option. “I love to do a layered look when wearing shorts and a tank top. I usually layer my outfit with an oversized button-up worn open. It helps keep me cool when the UV rays are high and keeps me warm on breezy coastal summer evenings,” she told InStyle. The tank is a bit thin, too, so layering it up might be a good idea in general. But regardless, it will look great alone, just make sure to wear the right undergarments.
Price at time of publish: $30
Size Range: M-6XL | Materials: Cotton, spandex | Neckline: High
Best Scoop Neck: Buck Mason White Surplus Rib Scoop Neck Tank
What We Love
The fabric is very strong, soft, and opaque.
What We Don’t Love
It stretches with wear, so sizing down is a good option.
You’ll find many things in Senior Commerce Editor Chloe Anello and her writer Bianca Kratky’s slack channel — check-ins on each other’s dogs, how the weather is in their respective places, but mostly: their shared adoration for all things Buck Mason. Most recently, they learned they coincidentally both own and adore this scoop neck white tank top (which was kindly gifted by the brand).
Anello loves the little tiny clip on the strap that allows you to clip in your bra strap to hide it from showing. Kratky finds the scoop on the neckline very tastefully cut, giving her an edgy yet feminine silhouette. Both, however, take pleasure in the superior feel of the fabric. Clearly whoever engineered this shirt takes great pride in quality materials, as the 295 GSM stretch cotton (or in other words: thick, stretchy, and strong cotton) is perfectly opaque and feels substantial on the skin. It’s evident that this shirt can remain on rotation for years, if not decades to come. It does stretch ever so slightly, however, so it wouldn’t hurt to size down.
Price at time of publish: $45
Size Range: XS-XXL | Materials: Cotton | Neckline: Scoop
Best High Neck: Free People Kate Tee
What We Love
The neckline is an inch below the windpipe, sparing you from feeling like you’re getting choked.
What We Don't Love
They run quite large.
Consider the high neck tank top as the more elevated sister to the scoop neck. While low cuts are great for casual wear, high necks can get away with more formal, put-together looks as well. Take this option from Free People, for example. It’s Senior Commerce Editor Shannon Bauer’s favorite white tank top thanks to its good structure and thick, opaque material. “The length and slight curve up at the waist is nice to give a little shape to the body, instead of a boxy fit. This also never rode up throughout the day and was so comfortable — the material is soft and stretchy yet maintains its shape.”
If you’re worried about the neckline being too close to your windpipe, don’t be. There’s nothing Bauer despises more than a shirt attempting to choke her, but “this neckline is about an inch down from the neck, keeping it full coverage but saving me from any discomfort,” she says. She does recommend sizing down, however, as she found herself needing a size smaller than typical.
Price at time of publish: $38
Size Range: XS–XXL | Materials: Cotton, elastane | Neckline: High
Best Cropped: TNA Ribbed Crop Tank
What We Love
Despite the affordable price, it keeps its shape really well.
What We Don’t Love
It’s not really stretchy, so it’s not the shirt for workouts.
Summers make us crinkle our noses at the thought of wearing tons of fabric, so opting for something breezy with a cropped hem and scoop neck allows the body (and your look) to remain cool. Kratky takes great comfort in this ribbed crop tank from TNA — not only in its soft fabric but in its casual elegance, allowing her to reach for it whenever she doesn’t know what to wear. At only $25, she doesn’t mind overwearing it or being a little more careless in maintaining its condition, although so far, it’s held up flawlessly. She goes from pairing it with sweatpants at home to swapping it for jeans for a quick dog run, looking effortlessly put together from point A to B. The 100 percent cotton material makes it less stretchy, so it’s not exactly a workout top. For lounging or casual outings, it is great.
Price at time of publish: $25
Size Range: 2XS–2XL | Materials: Cotton | Neckline: Low
Best Lightweight: Negative Underwear Whipped A-Top
What We Love
The material is unbelievably soft.
What We Don't Love
It’s slightly see-through.
If you really want to treat yourself to a beautiful, quality, soft, and lightweight masterpiece, then you need to get your hands on the Negative Underwear Whipped A-Top. Kratky never knew she could love a simple white tank this much, after receiving one to try. The wispy soft micro-modal — made in Austria (Kratky’s homeland but that’s definitely not making her biased) — feels so good, you need to feel it to believe it. But the best way to describe it is delicately luscious. Despite its delicate nature, the stretchy top feels substantial and tear-resistant. It is however slightly see-through, so it’s not meant for all occasions (like the office or a fancy dinner). Walking around with a bra underneath it in public feels perfectly acceptable.
Price at time of publish: $75
Size Range: XS–XXL | Materials: Micro-modal, lycra | Neckline: Scoop
Best Workout: Alo Yoga Ribbed Aspire Full-Length Tank
What We Love
The built-in sports bra is very supportive and comfortable.
What We Don't Love
It’s a long shirt, so tucking it into high-waisted bottoms is a must.
You’re probably looking for a top to go with that tennis skirt. Well, Kratky can’t recommend this Alo Yoga Ribbed Aspire top enough. It comes with a built-in sports bra — not the flimsy type that simply covers the nipples, but one that actually supports her chest during vigorous movements. Despite the additional fabric, the top doesn’t feel bulky or heavy. The material feels pretty thick, stretchy, and form-hugging, and yet it doesn’t weigh her down or feel too hot at any given moment. The only thing Kratky would like to change is the length of the shirt. It easily goes down to her hips, so she has to tuck it into high-waisted bottom, which feels like a little too much fabric for a sporty outing.
Price at time of publish: $68
Size Range: XS–XL | Materials: Cotton, elastane | Neckline: High
Best Lounge: Offline by Aerie Real Me Sports Bra
What We Love
The fabric has a great stretch and comfort to it.
What We Don't Love
The two circular pads are like nipple pasties and can be seen through the outer fabric of the shirt. Luckily, you can remove them.
Considering how flattering this top is, it’s actually a bit wasteful to call it a lounge top. However, its softness simply invites you to saunter around the house looking and feeling absolutely glorious — at least that’s how Kratky has been feeling ever since the team at Aerie gifted her this piece. The shirt is stretchy and molds around the body beautifully. While it is called a sports bra, Kratky didn’t find much support in the chest area. There are two removable circular pads that cover the nipples, but they don’t do much in terms of keeping the girls in check for physical exercise. You can also kind of see the pads through the outer fabric, so Kratky promptly removed them, thus creating the ideal lounge shirt. Even without the pads, the double-lined chest kept everything concealed properly, so opting to go braless is feasible.
Price at time of publish: $35
Size Range: XXS–XL | Materials: Nylon, elastane | Neckline: Scoop
Best Off-White: SKIMS Cotton Rib Tank
What We Love
The tank is insanely comfortable and the off-white color is a fun change from standard white.
What We Don’t Love
The tank runs small.
With all the hype around SKIMS, Kim Kardashian’s brand, we all saw this one coming, especially content creator Bella Gerard, who had nothing but good things to say about the classic cotton tank, even if it is off-white. “Sometimes, a too-white tank can feel harsh. On these occasions, I reach for my SKIMS Cotton Rib Tank in Bone, the most perfect off-white hue. It has a super-flattering cropped fit that still provides coverage, so I can wear it on its own in the warmer months and beneath blazers year-round,” Gerard tells InStyle. Even our Senior Commerce Editor Christina Butan considers this her favorite white tank top. “The ribbed material is very comfortable and washes well; it actually gets softer after each wash,” she says. While being size-inclusive, the tank does not alter its shape and sits at a reasonable price point. (It does run a tad small, though.) Plus, if you've heard anything about SKIMS it’s likelyabout how comfortable and soft the pieces are, and this cotton tank is no exception.
Price at time of publish: $36
Size Range: XXS–4XL | Materials: Cotton, spandex | Neckline: Scoop
Best Muscle Tank: Everlane The Air Muscle Tank
What We Love
The length and cut are perfect for easy tucking.
What We Don’t Love
The material is on the thinner side.
Described as a sleeveless t-shirt, a muscle tank cuts off closer to the arms in a way that can be more comforting and flattering on some people. This Everlane Muscle tank, which is from the same brand as our favorite V-neck T-shirt, is soft and slouchy, making it the perfect tank to tuck into some jeans or a skirt. While it is made to resemble a T-shirt, the arm-holes sit close to the arm, unlike some other options of muscle tanks, giving it that elevated style. Many options of this style include a pocket on the front, but we think the lack of one here creates a more sleek design that is easier to style. The material is described as "airy", but it does look a bit thin on the body. We think it'll be great for the summer, but keep in mind what you'll wear underneath.
Price at time of publish: $30
Size Range: XXS-XL | Materials: Cotton | Neckline: Crew
Best One-Shoulder: Babaton Sculpt Knit One-Shoulder Cropped Tank
What We Love
The support the tank has for a single shoulder.
What We Don’t Love
The crop is short, depending on bra size.
Asymmetrical looks were everywhere last year, and if you ask us, they’re not going anywhere now, especially in the summer heat. A great addition to the tank collection is this one-shoulder cropped tank from Artizia. Featuring a thick sculpt knit, this top can be worn without a bra to overcome the worst part of single-shoulder looks: strapless bras. But if you prefer not to go braless or have a larger chest, though, we suggest sizing up to make sure it covers your whole chest, since the crop is pretty short. Regardless, this top is perfect to pair with some more casual bottoms to add something interesting to the look.
Price at time of publish: $58
Size Range: XXS-XXL | Materials: Nylon, elastane | Neckline: One-shoulder
Best Camisole: Free People Ribbed V-neck Brami
What We Love
The material is buttery soft, thick, and stretchy.
What We Don’t Love
Some may find the scoop-neck a little too flirty.
Rarely do you find anything that looks better in real life than pictured, but this top offers just that — or so Clark found out when she ordered it with the intention of using it as a pajama top. Upon receiving it, however, she was so blown away by its high-quality fabric that she decided it would be a shame to constrict it to the confines of her bedroom. “The material is thick, soft, and form-fitting, which makes me feel covered and supported. Plus, the crop length is longer than normal, and as a tall person, cropped styles tend to look more like tankinis,” she says. The spaghetti straps of the cami make it a great summer style. The scoop neck “isn’t as low-cut as I feared,” says Clark. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely flirty, but it’s an easy, effortless style for hot and humid weekends.”
Price at time of publish: $20
Size Range: XS–L | Materials: Nylon, spandex | Neckline: Scoop
Best Sustainably-Made: Girlfriend Collective White ReSet Super Crop
Buy at Girlfriendcollective.pxf.io
What We Love
It’s made from Recycled Plastic Bottles.
What We Don’t Love
The bottom hem is not stretchy.
This top from Girlfriend Collective is sleek and versatile, especially for being made up of over 90 percent recycled plastic bottles. Aside from being sustainable and extremely size-inclusive, the quick-drying fabric makes this the perfect summer tank to deal with sweat stains. Described as sturdy, unlike the ribbed tanks, the texture on this tank is smooth, but that means it gives less stretch than some of the ribbed alternatives. However, if you are looking for the most sustainable option on the market, this is the best option out there.
Price at time of publish:
Size Range: XXS-6XL | Materials: Recycled plastic bottles (RPET), Spandex | Neckline: High
Our Testing Process
First, we began by searching the internet for the most popular and best-rated white tank tops. From there, writers Bianca Kratky and Brooke LaMantia tested out over half of the products themselves and rated them based on their comfort, stretch, style, and opacity. Then, they tapped the rich source of style experts at InStyle in order to get their personal favorite white tank tops, and included their selects in this story as well. Thus, nine out of the 15 recommended white tank tops have been personally tested and reviewed. Many of the remaining products are favorites from fashion content creators and style experts.
What to Keep in Mind
Neckline
When it comes to white tanks, the neckline is one of the most important aspects. Whether choosing from a scoop, high neck, square, or even a single shoulder, the different necklines make or break a lot of these options.
Fit
Fit is the most important thing when it comes to finding that perfect top, and with so many different versions of a basic white tank, finding the right fit for you and the occasion is imperative. For a lot of people, a cropped tank is the perfect go-to, while for others, a longer line tank is more comfortable. For a more casual look, a muscle tank might be the best fit.
Your Questions, Answered
How do you style a white tank top?
Take it from the white tank top queen herself, Bella Hadid, and know that you can pair it with almost anything to make a good look. Wear alone, or put a cropped colorful cardigan over any tank to add a pop of color. Go braless and show off like Zoë Kravitz. Or pair a cropped tank with some bright green trousers, or bottoms of your choice, to perfect your street-style look. If you’re feeling crafty, you can put one of these TikTok hacks to good use and create your very own crop top. A tip from non-binary creator Cyrus Veyssi: accessorize on the top. “I over-accessorize necklaces with all the extra space around my neck, specifically with a scoop tank,” they said. “I also love a pair of classic high-waisted jeans with a scoop neck to even out some of the white space.”
How do you remove stains from a white tank top?
When it comes to wearing white, the risk is always with staining. Thankfully, our fashion experts have some tricks up their sleeves. Fatima sticks with a Tide Stick, but mentions club soda could also do the trick. For Stylist Becky Akinyode, washing her whites with bleach is her go-to move for getting stains out, whether they be sweat stains or food stains. She also likes to treat the products before washing with Ecover Stain Remover, which you can find on Amazon.
How do you figure out what neckline you like?
While doing personal shopping for a client, Akinyode bought a white tank that she liked for her client so much that she decided to get it for herself. Her sister soon followed suit, and while the three of them all have different body types, the scoop neck looked good on them all. “I only go for scoop necklines because it shows a lot of skin and I think it’s more flattering on me. The scoop part comes in on a curve to show more of my shoulders, which I think is a little sexier, so that’s what I go for,” Akinyode tells us. While some necklines work for everyone, it’s about finding your own personal preference, which can vary based on torso length, what types of bras you prefer to wear under a shirt, and even mood on the day. However, as Akinyonde said, there are some cuts that are universally flattering.
Why Shop With Us
As a New York City-based freelance writer and NYU graduate, Brooke LaMantia has written for New York Magazine's The Cut, Cosmopolitan, W, and more. Not only did she try out a few white tanks herself, she also consulted experts to determine how to style white tanks and which ones are actually worth buying. She interviewed stylist Becky Akinyode, non-binary creator Cyrus Veyssi, model Fatima B, model Leslie Rodriguez, and content creator Bella Gerard for more information.
Related: The 12 Best White Jeans to Wear All Year Round
For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on InStyle.
