The 13 Best White T-Shirts For Every Occasion, According To Fashion Editors (2024)

When it comes to a white tee, our top concern is the sheerness (there's nothing quite as bad as wearing a white tee and feeling self-conscious about our bra being exposed). Luckily, both myself and WH assistant fashion editor Rose Lauture think this cropped option from Cuts does not disappoint. In fact, we voted it as out favorite on this list after trying countless options.

"It’s not only thick enough so it's not see-through; it's also incredibly soft and fits my body well," says Lauture, adding that she loves wearing this tee with a pair of denim or underneath her fave jacket. "It is honestly a staple in my closet!" And, its stretchiness and softness makes our love for this tee grow fonder.

It also has that perfect rounded collar, so you can see all of it under round-neck sweaters. We think it's a perfect option if you like layering, but don't want the heaviness of a thicker, longer tee.

No matter how many times I've washed and dried this shirt, it always looks like new. The collar never wrinkles, the fabric never sheers or becomes thinner, and it never looses its tight-yet-stretchy fit. Plus, it comes pre-shrunk so you never have to worry about it getting smaller in the drier. When the white color starts to get a little dull, which is standard with white tees, I add a brightening powder to my wash cycle and it's good as new.

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When Aritzia came out with its new Golden activewear line, I immediately stockpiled a few of the pieces, including this top. Let me tell you—it's so good, I have worn it almost every day since I received it. This shirt hugs the body nice and snug, giving your chest and curves a defined shape. It looks great with the matching Butter Leggings, which I pair it with often. I've also worn it with jeans, skirts, and trousers and under cotton button ups and blazers. It's really that versatile.

I did notice that, when I wear a bra with this tee, some bumps and lumps on my back are more visible. This is totes normal when you wear a white, tight tee with a bra, but I do with it was a bit more smoothing.

Back to the positives, it's made with a moisture-wicking material (hi, nylon and elastane) so you can totally wear it to the gym. This fabric also comes in handy on warm summer days where sweat stains like to come out to play. Unlike a thicker tee, it'll wick that moisture away before it has a second to accumulate (big ups!). Although it looks thin, it's not see-through at all, which I found to be a major plus with a white, skin-like tee.

Daisy Barnett, founder and personal stylist at The Daisy Edit, says that when hunting for the perfect white tee, to prioritize a sturdy collar. This detail is crucial, as shirts often begin to show wear and tear around the collar after washing. "I find that some T-shirts, like some of the ones I own from Gap, get that sloppy, stretched out look after washing," she notes. "You want the collar to withstand washes and lay flat." According to her, this Uniqlo tee, which is made out of a cotton compact fabric, does super well after washing and drying.

Another one of our testers agrees, but adds that this shirt may not be the best option for taller people, as it felt too short on her. It's supposed to hit right at the hip, but this tee was just below her belly button. For reference, she's 5'10".

"Even though this T-shirt is on the pricier side, I've yet to find anything similar for less," says WH assistant social media editor Isabelle McMahon. She tells us that it's not only soft and flattering, but the fit is just right too—it's not too tight, but also not blousy-looking. She loves to wear it to work because it doesn't show off too much, but it's still flattering in all the right ways.

McMahon tells us that she's 5'6" with a broader shoulder seam, and a size large was the perfect fit. "It is a bit on the tighter side, so I would definitely size up, especially if you plan on wearing this shirt to professional settings," she says, adding that it can also look a little cropped if you opt for a size too small.

When hunting for the best white t-shirts, of course I had to ask around and see what shirts my colleagues and friends were loving. And, most people I asked sent me the link to this shirt from Buck Mason. Upon trying it, I immediately understood the hype, but I also had one qualm worth noting.

Let's get the con out of the way first—this shirt is pretty see-through. As someone who can't go without wearing a bra, I find that no matter what color bra I wear, you can always see the full outline through this tee. But, that's nothing the best bandeau or a lightweight tank top underneath can't fix.

What I love about this tee is that the fabric feels like butter—thanks, Supima cotton—and it's quite literally the perfect length. It hits just above the waist, so it works with low-, mid-, or high-rise jeans. And the fit gets five stars, too. It runs a bit big, which I like, so it offers that boxy, casual fit. However, the straight hem makes it a little less bulky and more flattering. If you're looking for the softest tee on this list, this one is all yours.

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There are a few other tight white tees on this list, but WH commerce and lifestyle editor Jasmine Gomez says this is shirt is an awesome dupe if you don't want to spend major coin. First of all, it's far under $20, but it doesn't slack in the comfort category. "It’s buttery soft with that nice stretchy, sculpting fit that pairs amazingly with jeans or a skirt," says Gomez. She owns it in white, of course, but she also owns it in a few other colors, too. I mean, with 29 colors to choose from, how could you not own it in a few different shades?

Gomez did find that this tee runs a bit small, so definitely size up if you don't want it to feel too compressive.

Everyone needs a do-it-all tee, and this option from Lululemon is an everyday favorite for WH associate health and wellness editor Tiana Soto. She loves this cropped shirt for layering under a cardigan and lounging, adding it's also perfect for long travel days where she just wants to be in comfy clothes. "I've also worn it during yoga, pilates, barre, SoulCycle, and running," she says.

The fit of the shirt is loose and flowy, but the cropped fit makes it versatile enough to pair with high-waisted leggings or jeans. Soto says it's super breathable and soft, thanks to the brand's Vitasea fabric, which is a yarn derived from seaweed and blended with cotton and spandex. If she could, she would wear it every single day.

One thing to note: It might be a bit short on women with large breasts. If you're concerned about the extra cropped fit not fully covering your bra, we recommend sizing up.

Just the other day, my friend was wearing the most adorable boxy white tee tucked into her trousers, and, of course, it was from Cos. So, when I spoke to style coach Liz Wendler and she told me this was also her all-time favorite tee, I knew it deserved a spot on this list. She tells us that this is her go-to white shirt, and she wears it all the time in tons of different ways.

"I am very particular about how a white T-shirt wears, especially after a few washes—this one is by far the best I have ever experienced," says Wendler. She adds that its claim to fame is the organic cotton jersey fabric. "If you can find a shirt made out of this material, it will usually hold up incredibly well even after getting laundered," she says.

While this shirt may not be the softest, Wendler says that its thicker texture has a nice structure that will pair beautifully under a blazer and jeans. It also has a nice weight, so you won’t have to worry about it being see through.

Shana Draugelis, founder and CEO of The Mom Edit, says this is one of the best white tees around. She initially fell in love with its shape, but it's the fit that made her a loyal fan. "It’s classic and slim enough to layer under everything from sweaters to slip dresses, yet it isn’t too tight," she explains.

Draugelis also loves how the tee looks on its own, tucked into a pair of jeans. She points out that it's not sheer, even though it's lightweight enough to suggest it might be. "I often wear a black bra underneath, and it doesn’t show," she says. "After years of use and dozens of washes, it still looks great." She loves this tee so much that she now owns several, all in white.

Unlike the Cos option, this shirt can feel a bit thin, so we found that it doesn't lay as nicely on the body or when tucked into pants or skirts.

If you're on the hunt for a shirt that is cropped enough that you don't have to tuck it in, but long enough that it fully covers your chest, this one is a fave.

"This tee is cropped enough to feel fresh and young, yet is long enough to keep your midriff covered," Draugelis says. Word of warning, though—this tee does shrink in the dryer. Draugelis's tip? Either buy a size up, lay it flat to dry, or dry it on ‘air dry only’.

We love that this shirt is available in both regular and plus sizes, with sizes ranging from XXS to 4X. And, we find that it looks great on most body types, given its flattering length and fit.

If you're a bit conscious about your arms, this is the shirt for you, says Maita. It has slightly longer sleeves, so it covers the upper half of your arms, creating a slimmer look.

"It’s also soft, comfortable, and it has a slightly more sophisticated style that can be worn for more elevated events," says Maita. Her one note? It runs pretty tight, so she suggests sizing up one to two sizes depending on the overall look you're trying to achieve. "If you’re not looking to do a French tuck or tuck of any kind, I recommend sizing up twice," she says.

Draugelis tells us that a team favorite at The Mom Edit is Frame’s Le Mid Rise V-Neck Tee. I know what you're thinking: Why another 100 percent Pima cotton tee? Per Draugelis, this one stands out because it has a fresh twist on a classic cut. "Think: almost a muscle tee, but more feminine," she says. And, Pima cotton is suuuper soft.

The shorter length and deep V-neck style elevates it a little bit. Because the tee is *slightly* cropped, it can be tucked into high-rise bottoms or worn untucked, says Draugelis. "It's just effortlessly cool."

Our one note about this shirt? The white color is slightly sheer, so we recommend wearing an extra layer, like a tank, underneath.

Amanda Lucci, director of special projects at WH, owns this affordable tee in four different colors, and she says she's going to buy even more. "I appreciate that it's thick, making it not see-through at all, and long enough to tuck into jeans without having to fiddle with it all day." Another pro, according to Lucci? It gets softer and even more relaxed with every wash. And how good is the under-$10 price?

The one con we have with this tee was that it feels a bit too boxy when you size up. If you want to fit a big more snugly, opt for a size down.

Meet the experts

• Daisy Barnett, founder and personal stylist at The Daisy Edit
• Liz Wendler, style coach
• Shana Draugelis, founder and CEO of The Mom Edit
• Afi Maita, style advisor

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