White T-Shirt Contest!!!
I tried all the white tees in your cart so you don't have to
Shitters! This is a letter I have wanted to write for YEARS, and judging by your reactions when I teased it earlier this week, you’re just as excited as I am!
Here’s the deal—I tried 15+ popular white t-shirts to find the best of the best ones. Did I finish this endeavor slightly cross-eyed with zero desire to ever wear a white tee again? Maybe. But fingers crossed that it’s WORTH IT to help us sift through all of the options out there!
What follows are some of my tried and trues, newer-to-me favorites, and, in the spirit of honesty, the ones that didn’t do it for me personally. As always, what works for me might not be the same as for you—I’m 5’5, have a shorter torso, and may not have the same body type/ fit preferences as you do—but I tried to include as many details as I could about fit/ feel/ sizing/ length to help you make the best decisions for yourself. I also included photos, which will almost certainly cut this email off in your inbox, but you can open it in your browser to see the full thing!
The Standouts:
I think of white tees like jeans—I have (more than) a few in my closet that serve different purposes. These ones stood out to me in this search:
My OG: Re/Done Hanes Classic Tee ($95)
To me, this is *the* quintessential casual tee. It’s made of lightweight, super soft jersey, and though the fabric isn’t completely opaque, it’s not too sheer or thin either. Fit-wise, this is right down the middle—not too cropped, not too long, not too boxy, not too slim. I would say it’s loosely fitted, with a really nice length, especially on my frame (if you struggle to find tees that aren’t way too long, you might like it too, but if you prefer a longer length, you might like this version better). I would say it’s less dressy because of the fabric, but if your style is mostly casual, you’ll get a lot of wear out of this. Size-wise, it runs a bit small—I typically go between an XS and S, and in this I wear a small. If you’re looking for a classic white tee, go with the Optic White version (they also sell a Vintage White, but that’s more creamy/ yellow).
Seeing Double: Re/Done Hanes Classic Tee ($125)
I couldn’t talk about the first Re/Done tee without mentioning this one too. Re/Done makes a version of that same cut in a slightly heavier, more opaque fabric (annoyingly also called “The Classic Tee,” though this version is pricier). I like it, but I find it to be boxier-looking than the original because of the fabric (I’m still in a small). If you’re looking for that OG Re/Done fit with a more office/ dinner-appropriate fabric, I actually prefer the following option.
The MVP: Leset Classic Margo Tee ($78)
There’s a reason everyone recommends this tee—it’s super versatile, and I personally reach for it more often than any other tee I own. It has a similar fit to the Re/Done tee above—not overly boxy or slim or long or cropped—but the opaque fabric works everywhere from the office to weekend outings. You can dress it up with trousers or under a blazer, or down with jeans and shorts. For a slightly more structured tee, it’s still lightweight, soft, and comfortable. I consider it to be very comparable to the pricier Re/Done tee above, but I prefer the fit here and the price is better too. Size-wise, I have both an XS and an S, but I prefer the XS (that’s what I’m wearing here)—because this fabric is less drapey, the small ends up looking boxier on my frame. This is a bright, optic white, and it comes in a two pack with the black version that lets you save if you want both! More colors and sizes available here.
Boxy Meets Baby: Buck Mason Pima Boxy Crew ($45)
After years of hearing good things about Buck Mason’s tees, I finally tried this one. To me, it feels like a cross between a classic tee and baby tee style in a SUPER soft supima cotton. The only downside is that it’s definitely on the thin/ sheer side. It’s not see through, but I would stick to nude bras only. The light weight makes it a great pick for summer, and though it’s not technically cropped, it’s definitely shorter (which I think is a great counterbalance to higher waisted, looser, or more voluminous bottoms). I was looking forward to trying Eterne’s Baby Tee (more on that below), but I actually preferred this one. Size-wise, I’m definitely a small—if you’re in between sizes, I would size up.
Drapey Perfection: Alex Mill Garcon Tee ($88)
A big win for Alex Mill! This is a cotton-linen blend with a more relaxed, drapey fit, and I can tell you right now—it’ll be the first one I grab on those HOT summer days when you can’t stand a heavy fabric too close to your body. The fit is super flattering, and the linen blend makes it feel summery. It’s not completely opaque like the Leset Tee, or the world’s brightest white either, but both of those things give it a more laidback feel. I preferred this to most of the other longer/ more relaxed styles I tried below because of the fabric and fit. It also comes in some great stripey versions that would pair perfectly with denim shorts. I’m wearing the XS here (and definitely going for the striped version next!).
Other Much Discussed Options:
I had heard a lot about these tees/brands and wanted to give them a go! None were my personal favorites, but I liked some more than others—here’s my feedback in case you’re considering.
The It Girl Brand: Eterne Baby Tee ($85)
Eterne is THE cool girl brand for basics, and I really wanted to love this tee, but I had two major drawbacks. First is the fabric—it’s very thin and sheer. I actually had to change my bra twice before I could take a photo, and it still didn’t end up looking great (it really only works with the most basic nude t-shirt bra, which I realized I don’t actually own... trying this one next). Second is the sizing—I ordered this in a small, and it started to grow on me as I spent more time in it, but I’d want to try the next size up too. It’s not a skin-tight baby tee by any means, but it does run snug in the shoulders/ chest, and I personally prefer a little more breathing room. It’s definitely very soft and comfortable (it’s made of a 50/50 modal/cotton blend), but to be honest, I’d be nervous about a fabric this thin getting sweat/ deodorant stains really quickly (SORRY, just being practical!). They’re not exactly the same, but if this style is calling to you, I’d check out the Buck Mason option above.
The Online Fave: COS Clean Cut T-Shirt ($45)
This is a heavyweight organic cotton tee that gets lots of love online, so I wanted to put it to the test. I didn’t love the feel personally—it’s thicker, heavier, and much less soft to the touch than I prefer (definitely not one for a hot day either!)—but I can see the appeal of a clean cut, structured tee like this for certain situations. If you’re looking for something like that, I actually preferred the Reformation one below. I’m pictured here in the small because the store didn’t have the XS in stock, but I think I would’ve preferred it size-wise.
A Cool Girl Casual Tee: perfectwhitetee Harley ($78)
I couldn’t do a white tee try on without including the brand literally named “perfectwhitetee,” now could I?! This was first tee I tried by them, and it’s a great relaxed option. It has an easy fit and mid length, drapes nicely and isn’t boxy, and is made of thin, not-too-sheer cotton. It’s a little longer than I personally gravitate towards, and if I’m being nit-picky, the fabric didn’t feel the highest quality, but it’s still a good, casual cut that I actually don’t mind on myself! I’m in an XS.
The Office-Friendly Oversized Tee: Sold Out NYC The Perfect Tee ($90)
I had to see if The Perfect Tee lived up to its name! It’s light and comfortable with an oversized, easy fit in an opaque, bright white fabric (to me, it feels like one of the dressiest options here). It’s definitely bigger/longer than your classic tee (and mostly a tuck-only option if you’re built like me). The fabric was middle of the road in terms of feel—it wasn’t super soft like some of the other options, but it wasn’t starchy or uncomfortable either. It’s something I’d wear tucked into jeans with a great belt or with trousers. That makes it a little less versatile than some of the other options here IMO, but it definitely fills a need that some may have! Because of the sleeves/ relaxed body, it likely wouldn’t be the best for layering. I’m in the XS, but if you want a truly oversized fit, I would try one up.
The Sleeper Hit: Reformation Rowan Crew ($48)
This was originally in my return pile, but seeing it in the photo made me rethink. It’s a medium weight, opaque cotton, slightly oversized/ boxy tee. It’s definitely more structured than some of the other options above, but it’s actually pretty comfortable, and it’s not too long either. Structured boxy tees like this aren’t my usual go-to style personally, but if that’s what you want, this is a really good option. It’s actually what I was hoping for when I tried the COS tee above. They recommend sizing down for a closer fit or taking your true size for something more oversized. I’m in an XS here.
My Returns:
These weren’t my personal favorites (or didn’t really work on my body type), but none of them were bad. Read on for more details!
Alex Mill Prospect Tee ($68)
This is certainly on the longer side (definitely better for longer torsos than mine), but I loved the vintage-inspired stitching on the sleeves/hem. I didn’t love the fit on me personally—I’m in the XS here and I felt like the top was slightly more snug in the shoulders than I wanted, while the midsection could’ve been cut a bit closer for a slimmer fit that matched the top—but it’s still a solid tee, especially if you have a straighter body type. The fabric is soft and lightweight (I’d say slightly sheer and on the more casual side), and it’d be comfortable to tuck or layer with.
Parke Classic Tee ($50)
This was actually super soft and comfy, but it was the thinnest and one of the sheerest tees in this bunch, and it didn’t feel as high-quality as the other options. I’m in a size XS.
Madewell Premium Standard Tee ($65)
This had a slim-ish fit, standard length, and is softer than Madewell’s basic tee (more on that below), but it had a weirdly thick collar in person, and I just wasn’t blown away. If I tried it on in a dressing room, I would it put it back without a second thought. I’m in a XS.
Madewell Perfect Crewneck Tee ($42)
This was the least expensive tee on the list, and I really wanted to like it, but it just wasn’t for me. The collar is similar to Leset’s Margo, though the tee itself is much longer, and it wasn’t nearly as soft as many of the other options I tried. I didn’t think it was particularly flattering on me, and by fabric feel alone I was out. I’m wearing the XS.
Honorable Mentions:
A Splurge-Worthy Tee: Khaite Emmylou ($320)
If you’re willing to splurge on a great basic, this is quite a nice one. It feels like a Goldilocks situation to me—it’s lightweight, but not too thin (it’s not sheer IMO), the fabric is soft and comfortable and able to be dressed up or down, and the cut is on the slimmer side, but not too fitted. I don’t own it in white—I couldn’t risk staining something this expensive!—but the black version gets a lot of use in my closet, and I think the fabric patch on the back is very chic. I wear the S. (During this process, I discovered that they also introduced a VERY cute shrunken tee. That one looks very up my alley personally… I might have to try it on.)
The Comfy At-Home Option: Donni Jersey Tee ($82)
I can’t find this in my closet at the moment, but I love it as a lowkey, comfy option. It’s super soft and light weight, has a relaxed, oversized-but-not-too-oversized fit, and I end up wearing it often while working from home, relaxing on the couch, or running quick errands. It’s not as formal of a fit/fabric, so I wouldn’t wear it out to dinner, but it’s still a great pick to hang in. I wear the XS.
A Relaxed V-Neck: perfectwhitetee Hendrix V-Neck ($78)
I can’t remember the last time I wore a v-neck tee, but this changed my mind! It’s super comfortable fit and feel-wise, and is another great option to wear while relaxing, during travel, or for long walks/pilates. I wear the S.
We covered a lot of ground here, but there are SO many other white tees out there! If you have a favorite that I missed, or one you think we should try, drop it in the comments. And if you want me to do this kind of try on review with another style in the future (white tanks, anyone??), let me know!
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I’d add the Everlane boxy cut tee! I still have two from my first ever Everlane purchase back in 2013(?)!
So good!!!! I would add the Uniqlo- a sleeper hit as well! But loved this breakdown!