I tested 12 white t-shirts so you don’t have to. These are my favorites across style and price point, from a $19.90 Uniqlo to a $150 Victoria Beckham.
I’m a white t-shirt and jeans kinda gal. Boring? Perhaps. But there’s a lot to be said for a combination that’s classic, effortless, and endlessly versatile. A white tee and a good pair of jeans are the ultimate wardrobe basics, the pieces that make getting dressed feel easy, day after day. If you’ve ever stood in your closet staring blankly into the void wondering how you can have so many clothes but nothing to wear, you know exactly what I mean.
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3 White Tees Every Closet Needs IMHO
I wear three kinds of white tees ~
- Fitted – fitted, but not tight, to wear on its own or as a base layer. I look for a sturdy crew neck that holds it shape and peeks out nicely under a crewneck sweater and feels solid under a cardigan or blazer.
- Shrunken – fitted, a little shorter in length and easy to tuck-in without bulk. Same crewneck requirements apply.
- Boxy/Cropped – loose a little shorter than full-length, worn untucked or half-tucked. Not bare-my-belly button cropped – that ship has sailed – but enough to work as an everyday casual staple or base layer under a loose sweater.
Shrunken Under Sweater ~
Fitted Under jacket ~
Boxy Cropped ~
A couple of details that give a tee a little extra something … a well-stitched neckline and a back center seam. Also a good quality cotton that holds its shape wash after wash. A little stretch 2-5% blended with cotton can give a fitted tee the structure it needs to be solid.
My Dealbreakers (And An Expensive Mistake)
My dealbreakers — a loose neckline, thin shapeless cotton, or anything sheer. Years ago I was influenced to buy a $95 Jenni Kayne tee – the XS tee fit like a large – big and baggy. And it was thin and sheer and the neckline looked floppy, sloppy and unpolished. I kept it because it was Jenni Kayne and so many raved about it but each time I put it on, it came right back off because it was awful. On me.
Writing this dispatch finally shamed me to move it to the donate bag. Lesson learned — neither big name brand, nor high end price tag guarantees a good fit … for me. For you it may be different and Jenni Kayne still sells the t-shirt so it must work for others.
Not a deal breaker, but I don’t love an attached tag on the back collar. It’s bothersome and itchy. Several of these tees (the higher end ones) do have tags. I remove them, but depending on how aggressively they’re attached it can be tricky. Just saying.
What’s Already in My Closet
After taking stock of my current white tees, a few remain favorites ~
- Madewell Shrunken Ribbed Tee (95% supima cotton & 5% elastan) – my go-to worn alone and as a really good base layer. Sadly discontinued; this one is similar.
- Madewell Cropped Tee (pima cotton) – my bumming-around-the-house staple. It’s a little too cropped to wear with anything but a high waisted jean. But it’s good underneath a loose sweater.
- Nic + Zoe Perfect Crewneck (with 5% spandex) – holds its shape beautifully, tucks in nicely, and is my to-go under blazers.
12 White Tees I Road Tested So You Don’t Have To
For research purposes, and to shore up my supply, I ordered 12 new white tees ranging from $19.90 to $150. All were good, some were very good, none were awful, (I ordered small in all tees) here’s how it went ~
- Alex Mill Prospect Tee – classic fit tee in lovely cotton jersey, capped sleeve. Size up. $68
- Everlane Box-Cut Tee – perfect crop, hem hits at hip bones, organic cotton. $38
- LeSet The Margo – cult fav, 100% cotton, nearly identical to Everlane Box-Cut at higher price point. $78
- Madewell 90’s Crewneck – shrunken style with a nice back center seam. Very similar to my beloved ribbed tee. Consider sizing up. $45
- Madewell Perfect Crewneck – classic fit tee, 100% cotton. Also consider sizing up. $45
- Madewell Boxy Cropped Tee – love this (one and just ordered two more), 100% cotton, longer sleeve hits elbow. $48
- Uniqlo Crewneck Tee – a bestseller for good reason. Great quality and fit, 100% cotton, unbeatable price. $19.90
- J.Crew Boyfriend Jersey Classic – a reader, and personal, favorite. Classic fit, hits just below hip on me. Good neckline detail & flattering capped sleeve. Hits just below hip on me. $39.50
- Quince Stretch Cotton Jersey Fitted Tee – nice shape thanks to 9% elastane. Runs small, size up. $19.90
- Quince Cotton Modal Crewneck Swing Tee – oversized, long, meant to be worn untucked. $16
- Sold Out NYC Iconically Soft Perfect Tee – relaxed fit, back center seam, organic Peruvian cotton. $90
- Victoria Beckham Shrunken Fit T-Shirt – the softest, most luxurious organic cotton with a hint of elastane. I didn’t want to love it but I do. 💜 $150
My Top 6
J.Crew Boyfriend Jersey Classic Fit
Victoria Beckham Shrunken Fit T-Shirt
Reader Recommendations Worth Mentioning
Back in January I asked for your white tee picks — J.Crew and Vuiori were repeatedly mentioned (J.Crew’s Boyfriend Jersey Classic, #8 in my review, is a favorite). Lorri mentioned Saint & Sophia’s Chelsea Crewneck, which was sold out but appears to be back — the ribbed neckline trim looks great. Sarah recommends Quince Organic Cotton Slub Crewneck, but it’s no longer available in white. And Dani loves Marine Layer’s Swing Crew Tee for the fabric quality; I meant to order it and must have messed up.
The Perfect Pairing
Favorite jeans that pair well with a classic tee ~
Miscellany ~
- Styles come and go at lightening speed so when you find a wardrobe basic that you love, buy two.
- Laundry Patric on keeping whites white.
A Closing Thought
A white tee is proof positive that it’s the simple things that are often the hardest to get right, but well worth the effort when you do. If your white tees are looking a little worse for wear (mine were) I hope this gives you some ideas for a refresh.
Shop The White T-Shirt Edit ~
And there you have it, my white t-shirt edit. Did I miss one of your favorites? Let me know in the comments.
I’ll be back Saturday with another edition of weekend meanderings, my weekly round up of inspirations and goings on.
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Thank you. Well researched. I am currently looking for a white tee
Your article helped so much
PS. I am so glad you do not weave politics into your narratives. I really look forward to reading them each week
Betty! Glad if it helps … there are so many great tees out there and narrowing them down is hard work! xo
Uniqlo fan here…i have 2 in white and one black. They wash well (hang to dry) keep their shape and IMO are workhorses in my minimalist wardrobe!
Cost doesn’t always mean quality.
Thank you for the post.
Leslie
Hostess of The Humble Bungalow
Leslie! I agree and have always been a fan of the Uniqlo tee … for all the reasons you state. Thanks for reading! xo
Juliet! The WHITE TEE WHISPERER!
This is so good! Nothing more iconic than a good white tee and jeans….so much you can do with that. I got on the waitlist for VB’s…it’s sold out but it looks like one I will love.
Thank you!!!
XO K
Kymmie! Oh no, VB is sold out?! It’s THAT good. I should also have mentioned that her packaging makes it feel extra special. Love her … and you! xo
Thanks for your t-shirt edit. These days I’m looking for a longer sleeve to hide crepey skin! Nothing like a great white T and one can never have too many. They are so versatile……layering, dressing up and dressing down……yoga or just slouching!!
To keep the crisp freshness, they have to be replaced so I’m always adding to my stash. Thanks for sharing and researching.
Your coastal mirror in the background is lovely. Can you share your source?
Cathy! I’m have the same issue with my arms, and the Madewell Boxy is the answer. Appreciate your comment on the mirror. It’s an inlaid mirror from Anthropologie (several years ago). Sadly, it was discontinued soon after and I haven’t found anything similar. Serena & Lily does have bone inlaid mirrors, but not arched. Sigh. xo
Love the suggestions for keeping whites white!!! Very helpful!
Nancy! Keeping whites white is a huge challenge! xo
That was a great post … and right up my alley! I wear a crew neck white tee regularly. They just work for me … under an open button up shirt, with a blazer or under a sweater. My current favorite has been the Everlane boxy. Also like the Madewell Perfect Crewneck (which sadly seemed MUCH smaller the last time I ordered.).
I loved your assessments and will try some of your other suggestions. Thanks again!
Judie! You’re right about the sizing. My Madewell 90’s small was a little snug and I could size up to M. But small is perfect with the boxy. xo
I was needing a new white T-shirt. I ordered the Uniqlo and it was even on sale!! Thanks for the review
Nanci! Yay, for a sale! xo
What a great post! I am seriously addicted to white tees as well and I so appreciate all the info. This sure helps me narrow down the pursuit of the perfect tee.
Holly! I’m glad if it helps. There are so many white tees out there and winnowing it down is a challenge. The good news is there’s a ton of great white tees out there so our addiction will be well fed! xo
I’m tempted by the VB tee.. however I have to say that LNA Kaden tee is my absolute favorite..
Clare! I do love the VB. Thanks for introducing me to LNA, I don’t wear v-necks (skin cancer issues) but I love some of their other styles. Definitely including them in next white tee update. xoxo
Oh I just LOVE a white tee too. Especially Madewell. I like Banana Republic’s cropped tee sized up…but you have to be really careful washing it.
I always like to have a fresh new tee to pack on vacation so thanks for these options!!!
MA! These’s nothing like a fresh new tee … and definitely a vacation staple. xo
Thank you for a great line up of white tee’s! An item I am currently looking for and this was very helpful. Jeans and a t-shirt are my new daily wear having just retired and I love it! However, I didn’t have many of either so I am in the process of building up a supply; ditto with the jeans suggestions. Love your blog and look forward to reading it each time it comes out.
Karyln! I hear you, it’s my retirement uniform too and I stalk good t-shirt and denim basics like they’re just off the runway from Chanel. I’m working on a basics – denim edition so stay tuned. And if you have any recommendations, let me know! xo
Great post Juliet. I am of the thought that money spent on good basics, is worth it, especially a good t you’ll wear a ton. There was an exhibit I saw a few years back at the V&A called how much is that $10 t-shirt worth? It was eye opening the things you may have done to the world in buying cheap stuff…in terms of pollution, slave labor etc. Was eye opening to me. Anyhow, I have always loved a linen t-shirt, maybe because they feel more forgiving. I am going to order a few of yours here. Thanks for doing all the analysis and hard work for us! I do love the Madewell boxy very much. You look great in all of them! xo
Kim! I agree, spending money on a really good piece, especially one I wear often is never something I regret. The regrets are the cheap pieces that fall apart. Interesting about the V&A exhibit, I need to look that up. I do love a boxy tee these days … especially one with longer sleeves!!! xo
I love the Madewell boxy cut because of the longer sleeves but wish it was a smidge longer at the waistline.
I just received in mail 2 t-shirts from “The Classic T-Shirt Co. because they have longer sleeve length but too tight in the body. Have a friend that says it doesn’t wash well. Returning them.
Jeri! The Classic T-Shirt Co. longer sleeve is on my list too. Not good news about the fit … or laundering. Will you size up or throw in the towel? Let me know. The Madewell tee length works for me, but I’ll be extra careful when washing. xo
Hi Juliet,
Thank you for the post much appreciated. That is a lot of work!
I don’t wear tees any more…since breast surgery my breasts are two different shapes and sizes (great)and so I steer away from anything fitted now. Also I wish t’shirts came in elbow length sleeves, for us women in our sixties, I know you can buy them from a certain brand, but for me not at $90 dollars!! But thank you for the work friend xo