The Best White T-Shirts For Women, According To Stylists Who Obsess Over Fit, Fabric And Quality
The plain white t-shirt is a wardrobe workhorse for a reason. “There are few pieces that truly stand the test of time, and the white t-shirt is one of them—it’s a blank slate for any outfit or character,” says Sara Klausing, Manhattan-based founder of Seek, the site dedicated to discovering products straight from the screen (consider the buzz around the Merz white tees that Jeremy Allen White wears in the breakout series The Bear, for example). As Klausing notes, the best white t-shirts for women are actually genderless staples that started as menswear and evolved into today’s unisex essential.
Many of the best white t-shirts for women are sustainably made, like this organic cotton-jersey pick … [+] from Ninety Percent.
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“White t-shirts are our fashion saviors,” says Donté McGuine, a bicoastal stylist who keeps the staple at the ready for clients like Evan Mock, who he recently styled for a shoot with multiple white tees from Uniqlo. “I can’t tell you how many times a white t-shirt has saved a red carpet or photo shoot,” he says, citing a moment in Paris last month where he chopped a basic white tee into a custom crop top for his client Lil Dre. Here, 10 of the best white t-shirts for women that fashion industry insiders swear by.
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Best Overall White T-Shirt For Women
Uniqlo: Stylist favorite, designed in Paris, ultra-smooth fabric
Uniqlo
Uniqlo U Crew Neck Short-Sleeve T-Shirt
“Uniqlo makes the white tees I swear by and will wear forever,” says Klausing, who wears the men’s version in Supima cotton for a classic unisex piece. “They have the perfect high neck collar and are roomier around the sleeves.” McGuine seconds the choice. “Before every shoot I normally do a stop at Uniqlo for simple white cotton tees,” he says, noting that the brand carries multiple weights for all temperatures. For the line’s U collection, designers from all over the world led by artistic director Christophe Lemaire convene at their Paris Research and Development Center to create designs like this, which is made from 100% cotton with low nap for ultra-smooth hand (a.k.a. how it feels to the touch).
Best Expensive White T-Shirt For Women
James Perse: Recycled cotton fibers, lasting softness
James Perse
James Perse Recycled Lotus Jersey Knit Tee
“James Perse shirts are so soft, and maintain that softness after multiple washes,” says McGuine of the label he considers “by far one of the best t-shirt brands.” For their recycled lotus jersey knit tee, the lightweight cotton comes from recycled fibers (a win for the environment not only for waste, but also production, as cotton is one of the agricultural industry’s thirstiest crops) and features a relaxed fit. For a non-recycled option, the beststelling Vintage Little Boy Tee is specially treated with extra softener for a lived-in feel.
Best Affordable White T-Shirt For Women
Hanes: Timeless, tagless, moisture-wicking
Hanes
Hanes Men’s Tagless Cotton Crew Undershirt
“Style is all about what makes you feel good,” says Klausing, who believes that the classic white tee is a genderless staple. “Personally, I like a menswear-inspired high crewneck and heavier cotton or knit.” The familiar 3-pack of Hanes undershirts need not be underestimated when they incorporate smart features like tagless design, moisture-wicking fabric and extended sizing for a range of body types.
Best Fitted White T-Shirt For Women
Reformation: Stretch rib, cap sleeve, slim fit
Reformation
Reformation Muse Tee
Reformation’s stretchy, fitted, cap-sleeve rib Muse Tee is reminiscent of some of the most popular fits throughout history. “The cropped and ribbed knit white tee is giving Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element,” says Klausing. For a notably forward-thinking take on the basic, Reformation designs the Muse tee locally, with a sustainability impact of saving 11 pounds of carbon dioxide and over 3,000 gallons of water.
Best Cropped White T-Shirt For Women
Lululemon: Four-way stretch, range of sizes, ultra lightweight
Lululemon
Lululemon All Yours Cropped T-Shirt
This roomy, featherlight piece from Lululemon is made of supersoft four-way stretch fabric and comes in sizes 0-20. For styling, it’s an essential. “I love a low-waisted trouser moment with a white slightly-cropped tee,” says McGuine of the value of this pick that he considers “so classic and edgy at the same time.”
Best Boxy White T-Shirt For Women
Re/Done x Hanes: Reclaimed fabric, one of a kind, made in the USA
Re/Done x Hanes
Re/Done x Hanes 1950s Boxy Tee
“This Re/Done x Hanes boxy tee is an amazing add to your wardrobe,” says McGuine. “For one thing, it’s a brand that practices sustainability,” he notes of Re/Done, which takes reclaimed vintage fabrics, in this case Hanes t-shirts, and reconstructs them to create a modern fit, resulting in a t-shirt that’s completely unique. “It’s the perfect shape for all body types, so it’s a win-win situation,” says McGuine.
Best Crewneck White T-Shirt For Women
Three Dots: Snug fit, classic design, made in the USA
Three Dots
Three Dots Women’s Essential Heritage Short Sleeve Crew Neck
Klausing compares Three Dots short sleeve crewnecks to some of the most coveted in the industry. “Thanks to costume designer Mona May, Alicia Silverstone famously wears a fitted white crewneck throughout Clueless,” she notes. This American-made cotton basic is a modern take on theat heritage staple. “Three Dots tees have a thick-woven cotton that’s snug enough to be flattering as a layering piece or worn on their own,” finds Klausing.
Best V-Neck White T-Shirt
Calvin Klein: Unisex, ultra-soft for layering
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Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein 3-Pack V-Neck Cotton Tee
The classic v-neck from Calvin Klein has become an industry-favorite layering piece, thanks to its ultra-soft fabric that feels silky to the touch. “When shopping for a white tee for a client I look for quality in the fabric,” says McGuine. “I need the t shirt to last a couple of seasons.” This breathable cotton comes in a convenient three-pack and is comfortable enough to be worn under other pieces without overheating, plus it washes well for a long-lasting investment.
Best Scoop Neck White T-Shirt For Women
Pilcro: Range of sizes from petite to plus, 100% organic cotton
Pilcro
Pilcro Sustainable Scoop Neck Tee
Pilcro’s scoop neck tee is an Athropologie exclusive that comes in a range of sizes, from petite to plus, and touts a sustainable 100% organic cotton label. “In 2022, it’s all about sustainability,” says McGuine. The rolled sleeve and portrait neckline elevate the silhouette for a range of styling possibilities.
Best Organic White Cotton T-Shirt For Women
Ninety Percent: Soft drape, naturally stretchy, Net-Sustain-approved
Ninety Percent
Ninety Percent + Net Sustain Drew Organic Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
“Bad quality shirts get eaten up in the washer and dryer, and then become unwearable, which is not sustainable,” says McGuine. There’s value in investing in a piece that will stand the test of time and is made sustainably from the start, such as Ninety Percent’s organic cotton-jersey Drew, which initially sold out Net-A-Porter and has just been restocked due to high demand. Mid-weight and designed for a relaxed fit, this t-shirt will give you room to roam while maintaining a polished silhouette.
What to Consider When Buying White T-Shirts
There’s a reason that certain pieces have become bestsellers, or remained essential wardrobe workhorses through time. Here, the qualities to consider when purchasing a white t-shirt built to last.
- Sustainable Materials: When looking at different options, consider that cotton is a crop that requires some of the most energy and water in the agricultural industry. Whenever possible, investing in t-shirts that contain recycled cotton and sustainably-grown materials can have a significant positive environmental impact. It’s especially relevant for pieces like white cotton t-shirts that form the foundation of your wardrobe and can be reused and recycled back into the fashion system if you donate t-shirts that hold up well.
- Fabrication: Old-school white t-shirts were often made with a loopwheel design, a way of producing fabric through a process that knits cotton yarns around a cylinder and eliminates seams on garments. This technique often creates a more durable t-shirt with a handwoven feel. Some modern iterations of t-shirts, often of Japanese production, still maintain the process. What’s easier to find is coated fibers, organic cotton and breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics that take less time to produce while also being very wearable.
- Purpose: If the white t-shirt is for layering, often a three-pack of unisex basics can suffice. For something that’s work-friendly, a ribbed knit or fitted silhouette can stand on its own, while lightweight sportswear fabrics are a helpful addition when styling in the summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions When Buying White T-Shirts
The beauty of the plain white tee is that it’s a blank styling canvas for the wearer. You can tie it back, cut it up, layer it under a blazer—the possibilities are endless. To find the very best options that will serve all your fashion needs, we turned to wardrobe stylist Donté McGuine to help determine which criteria set certain white t-shirts apart.
How do I find the perfect white t-shirt?
The first requirement is long-lasting fabric that will hold up well after numerous wears and washes. “When shopping for a white tee, I look for quality in the fabric,” says McGuine. “I need the t shirt to last a couple of seasons.” A heavyweight cotton with a good amount of slip is ideal for softness and strength through multiple trips through the washing machine (Uniqlo is a favorite for this reason).
What’s the best way to wear a white tee?
“The white t-shirt is an evergreen item of fashion,” says McGuine, noting that it never goes out style or season. “You can add a white femme t-shirt under a blazer or jacket,” he says. Or, for more room to roam, consider doubling up on the proportions. “Pair an oversized tee with baggy jeans or trousers to give that ’90s look,” McGuine suggests.
What’s your trick to custom-fitting a basic white tee?
On set for a photo shoot recently, McGuine needed to change up the shape of a basic white t-shirt. “I found a pair of scissors and hacked off half of the shirt to make cool crop top,” he says. “It was such a simple alteration, but such a game changer.” For a cleaner finish, he recommends tying the shirt in the back. “When styling my female clients, I love to show a little midriff no matter the age or size.”
