9 Editors on the White T-Shirts They Buy Over and Over Again
The plain white T-shirt might just be the hardest staple to get 100 percent right. True, there isn’t all that much to a crewneck, but that’s why the tiniest details can suddenly become huge pain points, especially if they’re not done right. So, we polled the women of PureWow to find nine of the greatest white T-shirts money can buy (along with five runner-up styles), to help you score your best basic ever.
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Madewell Northside Vintage Tee
Modeled after super-comfy vintage tees (but without the actual wear, tear and, um, sweat, that they usually come with), this is one of Madewell’s best-selling products…ever. Quite a few reviewers admit that they own this tee in a variety of colors and rave about the fact that it hits right at the hip, rather than draping too low or requiring a high-waisted bottom. Our own associate food editor, Katherine Gillen loves the fact that the fabric never gets clingy. Bonus: You can even have it personalized with your name or initials for just $10.
Available in sizes XXS to 3X
Hanes x Karla the Crew Tee
Your dad’s favorite drugstore tee just got a major upgrade. Hanes has always been a trusted standard for the plain white tee, but celebrity stylist Karla Welch’s design gives it a softer, more feminine edge. Angela Cuneo Pares, editorial director of branded content, says, “I especially love the fact that the neckline is high because there’s nothing worse than a baggy neckline.”
Available in sizes XS to XL
Uniqlo U Crew Neck Short-Sleeve T-Shirt
This tee is thicker and sturdier than others on this list, meaning it will likely last longer, too. Think of this staple as having the same classic, neat look as your typical three-pack undershirt, but with a much softer feel. Nina van Maanen, a sales planner for brand strategy, is also a fan of the budget-friendly price tag. “Uniqlo has frequent sales so I can buy multiples without breaking my budget,” she smartly notes.
Available in sizes XXS to XXL
Lululemon All Yours Boyfriend Tee
The slouchy fit of this Lululemon tee is great for casual weekend wear, layers easily with a pair of trousers and cardigan for the office, tucks into a tulle midi for your cousin’s wedding and can be worn to your Saturday morning Pilates class. Talk about the ultimate white T-shirt. “As the sweatiest person I know, I’m particularly impressed that eight months into wearing this shirt there are still no pit or collar stains to be seen,” boasts associate editor Abby Hepworth.
Available in sizes 0 to 14
Everlane The Cotton Box-Cut Pocket Tee
With more than 2,700 reviews and a 4.79-star rating, it’s clear our senior audience development strategist, Pamela Mason isn’t the only one who adores this Everlane staple. Shoppers raved about the slightly cropped length and flattering boxy cut, with multiple people saying they’ve purchased this shirt multiple times and own it in a ton of colors. Plus, the combed cotton fabric is designed to get softer with each wash, so really, it will only get better over time. “Honestly, this shirt’s practically a revelation. And, speaking of honesty, I own three of these in white, so I’m never without one while the others are in the hamper.”
Available in sizes XXS to XXL
& Other Stories Cotton T-Shirt
Most T-shirts tend to blend into the background, but that’s not the case for executive assistant Samantha Glowacki’s top pick. “Every time I wear it someone asks me where I bought it from,” she explains. Designed and made in Paris, this no-fuss basic is about as classic as it gets. The stark white of this one maintains its fresh appearance, even after a few washes. And the fabric is more crisp than cozy, so this professional-looking tee can stand its own under a blazer or when paired with trousers.
Available in sizes 0 to 12
Lacausa Frank Tee
This tee was the inspiration for Lacausa’s entire Uniform collection, a line dedicated to those cornerstone pieces you wear multiple times a week. The brand puts a major emphasis on ethically sourcing its materials and ensuring its employees are treated fairly with livable wages and humane working conditions. As for the fit, software engineer Michelle Varat says, “I love the weight of the fabric. It’s the perfect length for a French tuck into high-waisted jeans.”
Available in sizes XS to XL
LESET The Margo
Made in L.A. from 100 percent cotton, this is a celeb-approved version of a wonderfully classic little white tee (Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner and Kacey Musgraves have all been spotted wearing pieces from the brand). “Sure, this one is pricey,” admits fashion editor Dena Silver, “but LeSet is bound to be the next 'it' label for simple basics.” The brand’s mantra is “Why sacrifice comfort for style when you can have both?” and this is true for even the most basic staples in its collection.
Available in sizes XS to XL
Aerie Crew Neck T-Shirt
This Aerie style is not entirely opaque, which gives it a lived-in look, but the major draw is the super-soft fabric. We cannot stress enough how incredibly soft this T-shirt feels. Seriously. As editor Ariel Scotti says, “It’s like being hugged by a kitten all day long.” Plus, a delicate seam down the back ever so subtly helps to elongate your torso and slim your silhouette.
Available in sizes XXS to XXL
WANT MORE OPTIONS? TRY THESE ADDITIONAL STYLES
Back Beat Co. Natural Distressed Hemp Crop Tee
The light distressing at the neckline and sleeves gives this comfy top an instant lived-in feel. Plus, the hemp fabric is both sustainably made and four times more durable than regular cotton, meaning you won’t have to replace this cutie nearly as often. Note: The cropped cut does run a bit small so if you’re looking for a looser fit, Back Beat Co. suggests going up one or two sizes.
Available in sizes XS to L
Amazon Essentials 2-Pack Classic-Fit Short-Sleeve Crewneck T-Shirt
These easy-fit tees have more than 2,200 reviews and a 4.3-star rating, which is pretty impressive for a top that costs just about 9 bucks. The fabric is buttery soft and that extra touch of stretch flatters and fits curves of all shapes and sizes.
Buy it ($18 for set of two on Amazon)
Available in sizes XS to XXL
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Levi’s Perfect Pocket Tee
This has a similar weight and construction to a men’s undershirt, but with a few important tweaks to ensure the fit works for women’s bodies (i.e., slimmer shoulders, shorter sleeves and room for boobs and hips). The well-placed pocket also helps distinguish this T-shirt from the pack and gives it a little bit of a James Dean vibe (always a good thing).
Available in sizes XS to 2XL, and also up to size 4X
J.Crew Slim Perfect T-shirt
The opaque fabric guarantees your bra won’t be visible and the slight stretch gives your curves a smooth silhouette. But the real reason we love this tee? The sleeves are longer than your average, without veering into elbow-length territory. Many of the reviewers mentioned this as the top reason they keep coming back to pick up additional colors and to restock when their old ones have worn out. Oh, and speaking of colors, it comes in 21 shades, with J.Crew introducing more and more each season.
Available in sizes XS to 3X
Vince Essential Pima Cotton Crew
Sure, $80 is a lot to spend on something as basic as a white T-shirt, but Vince’s crewneck is made from incredibly soft pima cotton (basically high-end cotton with a longer fiber, which translates to, you guessed it, a softer feel and more durability). That plus the body-skimming silhouette makes this one flattering, fancy tee we’d be happy to invest in.
Available in sizes XS to XL
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PureWow may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from PureWow's editorial and sales departments.
