A total closet work-horse: the classic, easy, beloved white tee. Finding the absolute perfect white t-shirt has been a little project I’ve been working on for years…seriously…years. In dressing rooms, at friends’ houses, in front of my selfie mirror…I’ve tried over 40! And we get a ton of questions at TME about white tees! Apparently, I’m not the only one searching for the perfect white t-shirt, so during my ridiculous number of t-shirt try-on seshes, I tried to keep all your requests and questions in mind.
For any of you new to TME, bear with us…my posts often tend to be dissertations. Below you’ll see three sections: Direct links to the tees that answer our most-asked-about white t-shirt questions; My 3 most-worn white t-shirts; and TONS of selfies with pros/cons/sizing info of my top 10 white t-shirts for various situations and personal tastes shown with my summer staples (my fav denim | fav linen pants | fav skirt | similar skirt with more sizing.)
The Best White Tees By Brand
- The Best White Tee For Everyday: Velvet By Graham & Spencer | More Sizes
- The Best Low V-Neck White Tee: FRAME
- The Best White Tee On A Budget: Madewell or Caslon
- The Best White Tee To Step Up Your Style Game: Tiny Closet
- The Best Relaxed Fit Boyfriend White Tee: Marine Layer
- The Best Black-Owned Business & Shop Small White Tee: Tiny Closet
- The Best White Tee For Layering Under Camis and Tank Dresses: James Perse | More Sizes
- The Best White Tee For Extra Upper Arm Coverage: Vince
- The Best White Tee That’s Not See-Through: Madewell Northside Vintage
- The Best Cloud-Like Gauze White Tee: Michael Stars | More Sizes
- The Best Sustainable White Tee: Tiny Closet
- The Best Tee For Wearing Untucked: Madewell Northside Vintage
- The Best White Tee With Unexpected Detail: AllSaints | More Sizes
- The Best White Tee For Tall Women: Aerie
My 3 Most-Worn White T-Shirts
Quick Summary (if you’re short on time): My three most-worn white t-shirts of all the tees I tried are Velvet | FRAME | Madewell worn with my MOTHER denim | cabo pants | skirt | similar skirt with more sizing.
Velvet | More Sizes | FRAME | Madewell
Denim | Clogs | Pants | Birks | Bag | Skirt | Similar Skirt | Similar Sandals | Bag
The Top 10 White Tees By Brand & For Every Occasion
And now for the detailed results (pros/cons/sizing info) and selfies (worn 3 ways) of my white t-shirt research:
1. The Best White Tee For Everyday: Velvet By Graham & Spencer
Scoop-Neck Tee | More Sizes | V-Neck Tee (Shown Below) | Denim | Clogs
Pros: I love and have worn these two t-shirts by Velvet for years (the v-neck and scoop-neck). They are my absolute go-to for everyday wear. They’re not as thin as the Madewell whisper cotton tee, but thin enough to be comfy and cool in the summer. The pretty necklines that go JUST low enough, but not too low. Velvet by Graham & Spencer tees have perfect sleeve lengths (I like my short sleeves on the shorter side) and can easily be tucked in, half-tucked or knotted. Cotton.
Cons: None. These are my favorite white tees. Mine are from a couple years back, so it’s possible they’ve changed a bit, but the one linked looks identical in terms of measurements, fabric content and style. They often sell out, so here’s another retailer that carries them or here.
Sizing Notes: Wearing XS in both styles. They run a little big, so size down if you’re between sizes. XS-XL sizing available.
Scoop-Neck Tee | More Sizes | V-Neck Tee | More Sizes
Pants | Birks | Bag | Skirt | Similar Skirt | Similar Sandals | Bag
2. The Best Low V-Neck White Tee: FRAME
Tee | More Sizes/Colors | Denim | Clogs
Pros: The FRAME Le Mid Rise V-Neck tee is the most dramatic and pretty deep cut v-neck I tried. Nice clean lines in the neckline, soft, and really nice drape. I grab this one to wear when I want a clean crisp looking white tee. It’s not completely opaque, but also not as see-through as many of the tees I tried. 100% Peruvian Pima cotton.
Cons: It is pricey for a white tee. It has a pretty dramatic low v for me, so if you’re on the conservative side with low v’s, this might not be for you…once I switched to the XS (not shown), the v wasn’t as low.
Sizing Notes: Wearing size S in photos, but exchanged for an XS, and it’s a much better fit. XS-XL sizing available.
Tee | Pants | Birks | Bag | Skirt | Similar Skirt | Similar Sandals | Bag
3. The Best White Tees On A Budget: Madewell or Caslon
Tee | More Sizes | Denim | Clogs | Bag
Pros: The Madewell whisper cotton tee is one I have reached for year after year (basically…when my Velvet ones are in the dirty laundry). It’s very thin and lightweight, affordable, and has really good drape for such a budget-friendly tee. It’s short enough to be worn untucked too. A newer tee I just tried this week (not pictured), that others have raved about for-EVER, is Caslon’s rounded v-neck. I now understand the hype–for the price, it’s a fabulous everyday tee.
Cons: Madewell’s whisper cotton tee is a very thin tee (if that’s not your thing) and a few of mine have gotten little holes in the bottom where the material rubs against my denim button when untucked.
Sizing Notes: Wearing XS. Both Madewell and Caslon available in sizing XXS-XXL.
Tee | More Sizes | Pants | Birks | Bag | Similar Skirt | Similar Sandals | Bag
4. The Best White Tee For Extra Upper Arm Coverage: Vince Elbow Sleeve Crew Tee
Pros: This Vince gem is a beautiful tee, and I adore the sleeve-length for when you want a more polished look or want more upper arm coverage. It tucks in beautifully and feels Ah-Mazing on…. It’s silky and stretchy, but also feels substantial and sturdy enough that it would be a tee that lives in your closet for years. Cotton & modal.
Cons: It’s pricey. It’s definitely more fitted than many tees I tried, so it shows your curves, bumps and lumps (obviously this can be seen as positive or negative). Vince is always pricey. I haven’t tried it yet, but Caslon makes a similar-looking tee for $25.
Sizing Notes: The Vince tee runs a bit small. Wearing a S here, and it’s still pretty fitted. XXS-XXXL sizing available.
Tee | Pants | Birks | Bag | Similar Skirt | Similar Sandals | Bag
5. The Best White Tee To Step Up Your Style Game: The Tiny Closet Lazy Tee (Black-Owned Sustainable Business)
Pros: There’s nothing like a fun piece from a small “fashiony” sustainable clothing designer to step up your style. Shana has raved about Black-owned business Tiny Closet, and I can see why. This tee is super soft and drapey, and just unique enough (without being over-the-top) to make your outfit feel special. Handmade to order and you can read more about Tiny Closet’s sustainability practices here.
Cons: It’s more oversized than I expected, and as you can see, there is some MAJOR off-the-shoulder action…could be seen as a positive or negative depending on what you’re looking for. Mine is a slightly off-white (not a true white)…again, could be positive or negative.
Sizing Notes: Wearing XS. Oversized. Sizes 2-18 available.
Tee | Pants | Birks | Bag | Similar Skirt | Similar Sandals | Bag
6. The Best Relaxed Fit White Tee: Marine Layer Boyfriend V-Neck
Pros: This Marine Layer boyfriend tee is a fabulous, very relaxed-fit, classic white tee. It’s a super soft mix of Supima cotton and micromodal. Good price for a high-quality tee.
Cons: It runs big.
Sizing Notes: I’m wearing an xs (and it does feel too big on me), so if you’re on the smaller side, this might not be the tee for you.
Tee | Pants | Birks | Bag | Similar Skirt | Similar Sandals | Bag
7. The Best White Tee For Layering Under Camis & Tank Dresses: James Perse Sheer Slub
Tee | More Sizes | Denim | Clogs | Bag
Pros: The TME community LOVES James Perse tees…I’m pretty much the only person I know who doesn’t absolutely love them, but I do appreciate that this tee is the best option for layering under camis and tank dresses. VERY soft and ultra-thin, which makes them fabulous for layering or tucking in. 100% cotton.
Cons: Too thin and sheer for me to wear on its own and pricey, but like I said….most people LOVE them!
Sizing Notes: Wearing a size 0. Sizing ranges from 0-4, and sizing availability is limited and varies. You can also check the James Perse site or some other styles available at The Rack for less $.
Tee | Pants | Birks | Bag | Similar Skirt | Similar Sandals | Bag
8. The Best Cloud-Like Gauze White Tee: Michael Stars Draya V-Neck T-Shirt
Tee | More Sizes | Denim | Clogs | Bag
Pros: Ahhhhh…cloud-like ultra-soft gauze. I’ve been looking for a designer who works in gauze (after Voloshin stopped creating their dreamy tops), and I find Michael Stars’ gauze pretty dreamy as well. I also like the cut of this particular tee for wearing untucked as well. It’s 100% cotton, and I’m going to try the other colors as well since they look less sheer.
Cons: Very thin. I will likely wear a cami underneath most of the time. Limited sizing range.
Sizing Notes: Wearing an XS. XS-L sizing available.
Tee | More Sizes | Pants | Birks | Bag | Similar Skirt | Similar Sandals | Bag
9. The Best Tee For Wearing Untucked: Madewell Northside
Tee | More Sizes | Denim | Clogs | Bag
Pros: Madewell’s Northside Vintage Tee is Budget-friendly and short enough to easily wear untucked. It comes in TONS of colors and is not see-through. 100% cotton.
Cons: The drape and feel of the fabric is nothing special, but for this price…hard to beat.
Sizing Notes: Wearing an XS. Available in XXS-XXL.
Tee | More Sizes | Pants | Birks | Bag | Similar Skirt | Similar Sandals | Bag
10. The Best White Tee With Unexpected Detail: AllSaints Emelyn Tonic Tee
Tee | More Sizes | Denim | Clogs | Bag
Pros: This AllSaints tee didn’t photograph well, but it’s a good one! It feels similar to my fav Velvet tee in drape and fabric, but comes in a nice “chalk white” color, so it’s perfect for those of you who don’t do bright white. The trim has a slight raw edge and is really pretty in person. It’s thin and lightweight, but not ultra sheer.
Cons: The neckline (like the overall feel of the tee) is very relaxed, so not great if you like a more structured crisp white tee. Limited sizing range.
Sizing Notes: Wearing XS. XS-L sizing
Tee | More Sizes | Pants | Birks | Bag | Similar Skirt | Similar Sandals | Bag
I’m hoping with this monster post, I covered your own personal taste/style/needs/preferences/search requirements for YOUR perfect white t-shirt. If I missed something, give a shout in the comments, and I’m guessing we have a contributor here at TME or one of our amazing readers with the answer. And if you have a perfect white tee you love that I didn’t cover, shout it out too! As always, I love hearing your suggestions.
-Linzi
