The 37 Best White T
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The 37 Best White T

Oct 21, 2023

By Julie Tong

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How do you find the best white T-shirt? It might seem like a simple question, but tracking one down that checks all the boxes—from fit to comfort—is quite a feat. After all, the more minimal a clothing item is, the more its flaws become glaringly clear. No one likes the feeling of slipping on a boxy, ill-fitted white tee that is as stiff as cardboard against their skin. Finally, however, the search is over.

Throughout the history of pop culture, from Marlon Brando to Kendall Jenner, the white T-shirt has been ingrained in both our lives and our wardrobes. "Everybody needs it. Every culture and subculture has used the white T-shirt. That's where the genius is," says Karla Welch, a stylist who committed herself to developing the perfect white tee. For us at Vogue, the shirt has become a unifying closet staple. As we return to the office, travel, and make social plans, there's something comforting about wearing a crisp, classic white T-shirt in the morning—fresh and dewy-faced. Perhaps we’ll add a touch of jewelry, whether that's a pair of gold hoops or a minimalist chain necklace. But the best white tees can be paired with just about everything, from comfortable at-home yoga pants to dressy skirts for the office and beyond. And what's more iconic and representative of our daily lives than a white T-shirt and a classic pair of blue jeans? Two editors weighed in on this divisive topic, and the verdict is in: Yes, jeans can be comfortable at home too.

Below, 37 Vogue editors share the best white T-shirts for women and men to wear now and forever.

Taking notes from the runways, a plain white tee paired with an elevated bottom has increasingly become my go-to uniform. Whether with tailored trousers, a flowy skirt, or classic straight-leg jeans, a cotton tee never fails to add that crisp finishing touch to a classic look.

The Petit Bateau Iconic T-shirt is just that. It is simple and elegant, and looks just as good with a long evening skirt as it does a loose pair of worn-in denim. Bonus points: The brand makes them for kids too.

A classic Hanes white tee is hard to go wrong. It's easy to throw on and wear straight out the door. Even more, you can stay guilt-free for an inevitable spillage (ahem, red wine) because the price point makes it an easy no-fuss purchase to restock when needed.

I also can't resist Éterne's soft, plush, vintage-like feel tees. The perfect white T-shirt did not exist...until now. Don't walk, run to get this Éterne tee.

When it comes to feel-good essentials, look no further than Kotn. An ethically sustainability-focused brand at its core, Kotn products are made with biodegradable fibers that are buttery soft. I fell in love with their classic white tee, which perfectly shapes my torso and is, best of all, 100% Egyptian cotton.

The Skims Cotton Jersey T-Shirt has quickly become the hero item of my closet. It is the perfect everyday tee, and the stretch-cotton material makes it a comfortable, lightweight shirt.

Did you know The Row launched with the mission of creating the perfect white tee? Well they’ve accomplished that (among other things!) and I have to say the Wesler is pretty superb.

I’d love to have this Raey T-shirt in all colors hanging in my closet, but if I had to choose one, it would be a classic white. The proportions are hard to get right on a short-sleeve tee, but this one is perfect.

For any of your non-formal white tee needs, it doesn't really get better than the classic Hanes white tee; if you can buy them in a three—or five!—pack, all the better. Here's the twist: I only buy the boy's tees, which have a great boxy fit and just fit better, both in the neckline and the sleeve, than the Men's or Women's versions. I am quite petite and can just make the M (10-12) work, but the L (12-14) is surprisingly roomy.

This white tee from Loewe may be a bit of a splurge but it is worth every cent! Made from a soft cotton-jersey with the house's ‘Anagram’ logo embroidered discreetly on the chest. In my opinion, this is the perfect white tee to throw on with a pair of jeans and sneakers to feel laid back yet chic.

I have searched high and low for a white T-shirt that is both flattering and practical. Enter this Everlane tee—thick enough to wear on its own, a little boxy for easy movement, and cropped just right so it hits the top of whatever high-waist item I pulled on that day. I love the pocket detail for added interest, but it's also available without a pocket if that's more your style.

I hate to admit it, but Skims has become my wardrobe essentials secret weapon. The white T-shirts are super soft (almost feels like I'm not wearing anything at all), and I love that these have a slightly sheer finish that makes the closet basic feel seductively cool.

I’ve been really into t-shirts that have a more structured or oversized fit to them when it comes to dressing for the office or a night out. I love the proportions this Aritzia silhouette creates when tucking into my skirts, jeans, and trousers; I have it in a handful of colors! When it comes to weekends and off-duty wear, there's nothing better than the feel of a super worn-in T-shirt, and Mother's Rowdy tee masters that vintage feel, without ever having been worn before.

Not only is this my favorite white T-shirt, but it's also possibly my favorite T-shirt altogether (there are so many colors)! Fit and price are key, which is why I love this crewneck from Uniqlo.

Besides the neckline, my favorite thing about this crewneck tee is the 50% cotton, 50% modal material. Never have I ever worn a shirt so soft and comfortable, which makes it perfect for working from home.

I’m a sucker for anything ’90s fashion related, so naturally, I’m drawn to this boxy cropped T-shirt by Re/Done. I imagine pairing it with a baggy jean or a long maxi skirt á la Gwyneth Paltrow in Great Expectations.

There are two things I consistently look for in a white tee (or any tee for that matter): 100% cotton and an oversized fit. I have a long torso and require length. I also love a boxy cut and a drop-shoulder seam. This tee from Totême fits the bill nicely.

I have broad shoulders and love how they look in a muscle tank. This one is absolutely perfect. The sleeves hit right at the edge of my shoulders in a way that's surprisingly delicate, and the cotton is fine and soft. Paired with wide-leg trousers, it gives me the Phoebe Philo–esque look I’ve been trying to achieve my whole life!

After years of searching for the perfect white tee, I realized that my preferred everyday staple top isn't a T-shirt at all but rather something with day-to-night sophistication and perhaps a bit of draping. These options by Enza Costa and Zara are quite flattering and deliver a modern, feminine twist on the plain white tee.

This is the perfect T-shirt to wear with little silk skirts in the summer, the same way I used to do as a teen in the ’90s except a little bit more sophisticated. Everything about the fit is perfect, the sleeves, the width, the right-at-the-top-of-the-hip crop. Bought a couple just in case they don't make them again for a while.

Some would say Re/done's T-shirt has a shrunken fit, but I would say it's the perfect fit if you are a shorter woman! It feels perfectly worn in, and I don't have to tuck multiple inches of it into my jeans.

I recently asked myself, what's the hype surrounding the Skims T-shirt craze? Do I actually want to buy a $40 T-shirt? One Black Friday purchase later, and much to my surprise, I am now a firm believer in the pricey but worth-it tee. If you’re like me and have a bit more of a pear-shaped physique, you’ll love the superior fit and comfort of this figure-flattering top.

If there is one item I absolutely can't go without, it is a Uniqlo Supima cotton tee. I’m all for "buy nice, not twice," but at this price point, I can't help but double up each season.

I’ve been wearing Cos's oversized white tees lately. I love the slouchy fit and that the cotton is slightly thicker than your standard tee. I can wear one with black trousers and it still looks dressy.

I’m a bit picky with my white tees because it's important to me that they strike the perfect balance between structured and off-duty ease. Made from Supima cotton and featuring a slim-fit, vintage-looking silhouette, this Mother T-shirt checks off all the boxes.

In an attempt to build a capsule wardrobe, I’ve been on the hunt for essential tees that can be dressed up, down, layered, and more. This cotton crewneck T-shirt from Vince is a great addition to my closet. Paired with some loose-fitting jeans, sneakers, and a blazer, it's an easy yet chic outfit for any occasion.

My favorite white tee is the Hanes x Re/Done crew because I like my tees to have weight, especially if they are white. White tees can veer unflattering, but this one retains a good structure.

I absolutely love everything from Eterne, especially their white baby t-shirt. The fit is slightly cropped, which allows it to look effortless with a pair of trousers or higher-waist jeans. The quality is also incredible - I've worn mine countless times and it looks just as good as the day I got it.

J.Crew has the best basics, from tank tops, tees, and jeans. This is the one white tee that I find doesn't stretch out after a few washes in the laundry and has a long enough length so that I'm not showing too much skin when wearing my mid-rise boyfriend jeans from J.Crew as well.

I love all the Buck Mason basics. These tees are so soft and fit perfectly for any occasion you need a perfect white top.

You can never go wrong with a white, cotton-jersey T-shirt by Ralph Lauren Polo. Soft and well made, this basic stands the test of time. It is thick enough to wear solo and thin enough to layer.

The Skims cotton jersey t-shirt has all I’ve ever wanted in a white tee: fitted, but not cropped, lightweight but not sheer, and can be layered with just about anything or be worn on its own.

If you have a bit of time and patience and are looking to shop sustainably, head to @shopcountryof or follow them on IG to keep tabs on their frequently refreshed stock of vintage white tees (think: paper-thin Hanes). If you need to fill the perfect-white-T-shirt-hole ASAP but still want to stick to slow fashion, Pretties makes the baby tee to end all baby tees locally in Downtown LA.

I wrote about this no-fuss Hanes white tee in my WFH outfits post, and I’ll take another opportunity to sing its praises. I love the fit because it layers really well under sweaters and tucks easily into pants and skirts. And if you’re the kind of person who, like me, can't keep your whites white forever, the price point here is quite forgiving when you need to restock.

Aritzia's silky soft Everyday T-shirt is my go-to crew neck. I love the relaxed silhouette and how it drapes on the body—both flattering and comfortable.

I love The Big Favorite because of what it stands for and its approach to sustainable and circular fashion, but more than anything, because their pieces are so soft and the fit is just right. I wear their relaxed crew white tee all the time, it's one of my preferred basics. It just feels good against my skin, and wears well throughout the day. I have one true to my size that I wear as a basic, and another one size up to wear as a chill outer layer.

I pack a silky soft Calvin Klein men's crewneck for every trip to layer under a $20 black FP brami tank—iconic costume designer Mona May (responsible for the character wardrobes of Clueless, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, The Wedding Singer, and Never Been Kissed, off the top of my head…) taught me the eternal combo. It works under and over everything from vintage eBay Chanel suits to Spanx Power shorts.

I love the mock-neck and structure of this Cos white T-shirt—looks loose in the front but slim in the back. It's perfect for the booked and busy women out there. I can wear it to work, then seamlessly transition to a nice dinner out with friends.

The Elevated, Simple T-Shirt: The Affordable T-Shirt: The Boyfriend T-Shirt: The Capsule Wardrobe Essential: The Classic Crew T-Shirt: The Boxy T-Shirt: The Breathable T-Shirt: The Versatile T-Shirt: The Comfortable T-Shirt: The Oversized T-Shirt: