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The Best White T-Shirts, According to Fashion People

Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Hanna Flanaga

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When you want to know the best kitchen knife, you ask a chef. When you want to know the best white T-shirt, you ask a fashion person. White tees are one of those things that — although incredibly simple — have endless iterations. How can anyone tell them apart?

Cut Shop tested a variety of boxy T-shirts, oversize options, cult classics, ribbed tees, and even a few white tanks to narrow down the best of the best. We also asked a few fashion-industry tastemakers — including designers, stylists, and models — what their favorite T-shirt is. It turns out everyone has opinions. We pulled some of them for this handy list, a shortcut to the best white T-shirts on the market from the people who know best.

So, you’re looking for the best white t-shirt?

➼ Our Top Picks
➼ More Tried-and-True Options
➼ Our Experts

Our Top Picks

The Overall Best White T-Shirt

Material: 100 percent cotton | Sizes: XS–XL

A favorite among celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Taylor Swift, and Kendall Jenner, this best-selling T-shirt is absolutely worth the hype. It’s flattering yet thick enough to hold its shape and look seamless over my nude bras. The 100 percent cotton material and waist-length design strikes the perfect balance between casual and tailored, which makes this tee incredibly versatile — it looks just as good with jeans and sneakers as it does with a silk skirt and heels.

The Best Boxy White T-Shirt

Material: Sizes: XS-XXL

The Still Here New York team spent months designing its version of the perfect white tee, and the result is pretty impressive. It’s breathable, lightweight, and slightly cropped, plus it fits true to size (if you want a more oversize look, size up). The boxy silhouette and slightly sheer material makes it ideal for a night out.

The One With the Perfect Weight

Material: 100 percent organic cotton | Sizes: XXS-XL

White T-shirts that are too heavy tend to lack movement and shape; white T-shirts that are too lightweight tend to cling to the body in all the wrong places and be a bit see-through. But this one — which is made from 100 percent organic cotton — strikes the perfect balance. And honestly, I wear it about once a week.

More Tried-and-True Options

Material: 100 percent certified cotton | Sizes: XS–XL

Senior shopping editor Bianca Nieves loved this tee so much in black that she just had to get it in white, too. She recommends sizing up if you aren’t that comfortable with baby-tee fits.

The Best Ribbed White T-Shirt

Material: 95 percent organic cotton, 5 percent elastane | Sizes: XXS-3XL

If you want the versatility of a plain white T-shirt but prefer a more fitted silhouette, add this style from Djerf Avenue to your rotation of basics. The thick ribbed organic-cotton fabric looks so elevated, plus this tee features a compression effect that provides support and security in all the right places. The best part? I don’t even have to wear a bra with it.

The French Girl Tee

Materials: Jersey and cotton | Sizes: XXS–L

Petit Bateau makes a tight crewneck tee that reads as super feminine. It’s favored by stylist Danielle Nachmani as well as Delvaux’s creative director Christina Zeller.

The Best Tank Top

Fruit of the Loom Men’s A-Shirt
From $15
From $15

Material: 100 percent cotton | Sizes: S–5XL

Vera Wang is a fan of Fruit of the Loom three-packs. She likes the V-necks and ribbed tank tops so much she’ll sleep in them. Who knew?

The One Meant for Boys

Material: 100 percent cotton | Sizing: boy’s S–XL

Designer Sandy Liang has made fleeces into a status piece. She also recommends Hanes boys tees as the best T-shirt. Since they’re meant for kids, definitely consult the size guide before buying.

The Glossy One

Material: 100 SUPIMA cotton | Sizes: XXS–3XL

If you’re a Uniqlo stan, you’re in good company with Billy Porter’s stylist Sam Ratelle and designer Margherita Missoni. Their Supima cotton tee has just a little bit of a sheen and is nice and thick. And yes, Missoni also recommended the men’s.

The Best Classic White T-Shirt

Hanes Women’s Perfect-T
From $7
From $7

Material: 90 percent cotton, 10 percent polyester | Sizes: S–XXXL

Matches Fashion’s Natalie Kingham shouted out this particular classic. If you still like a women’s T-shirt instead of one made for men or boys, this is for you.

The Best Muscle Tee

Material: Prima cotton | Sizes: XS–XL

Model Lindsay Ellingson said she loved Frame Denim’s t-shirts. Her favorite was an off-white one with Los Angeles embroidered in the corner. But if you want just a pure basic, this muscle tee is a great slouchy, Springsteen-y option.

The Not-Actually-Vintage Tee

Photo: 17-11-20 annalund AM2 B3 chelsealahee W

Material: Jersey | Sizing: XS–XXL

Unsurprisingly, a lot of people like vintage tees. You can’t beat that perfectly broken-in feeling, but you can recreate it. The Re/Done tee, liked by decorator Kelly Wearstler, is close to the real thing.

The Straight Shot

Material: 100 percent cotton | Sizing: XS–3XL

Gap is known for classic designs. So this men’s tee, in a not-quite-baggy, not-quite-tight fit and crew neck, is as straightforward as it gets. Margherita Missoni also recommended these.

The Status Brand

Material: 100 percent combed cotton | Sizes: 0–4/XS-XL

Author Hanya Yanagihara and lighting designer Lindsey Adelman swear by James Perse T-shirts. And although it’s pricier than a three-pack, the quality is worth it.

The Not-Too-Slouchy One

Material: 100 percent cotton | Sizes: XS–L

This ATM boyish tee is definitely boxy, but it hits just above the hip for a cute crop moment. Moda Operandi’s Cailtin Burke recommends ATM’s crewnecks.

The Buttery Soft Tee

Material: 100 percent organic cotton |
Sizes: XXS-XL

This vintage-inspired tee has dozens of five-star ratings — reviewers love the drape of it and the thick, 100 percent organic-cotton material. “The material is soft but isn’t slouchy. It holds its shape and drapes nicely. It is oversize but also tapers slightly at the waist,” one reviewer wrote.

The Best Investment

Material: Cotton jersey (100 percent cotton) with cashmere appliqué | Sizes: XS-XL

I’m certainly not going to tell you to spend $280 on a plain white tee … but if I was going to, I’d recommend this one from Khaite. The Mae T-shirt is so good that it’s almost, maybe, kind of worth the investment. It features an oversize fit, slightly dropped shoulders, and an exposed tag (if you want the world to know that you’re a Khaite girl). It’s long enough to tuck into your favorite jeans, skirts, and trousers.

Our Experts

The Best White T-Shirts, According to Fashion People