The 12 Very Best White T-shirts for Women

Whatwe’relookingfor:

Sizes:XS to XXL| Fabric:Slubcotton| Weight:Lightweight| Fit and neckline:Loose crewneck

It’s well documented that Strategist stafferslove Buck Mason’s T-shirtswith more than five of us recommending them. I’ve had mine for about a month now, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite shirts forlayeringand wearing solo. The cotton material, which isn’t stark white but rather textured in appearance, has an effortless yet polished look. I’m five-foot-five and tested a size small, which hit just below my hips. Usually, this would mean added bulk after tucking in a tee, but not so with the Buck Mason — its lightweight and airy material made it easy to tuck in smoothly.

“It seems to get softer and more breathable with every wash,” says Avila, who has owned the Slub Easy Crew for over a year. Other Strategist staffers are fans too. Senior writer Liza Corsillo used to wear Buck Mason’s men’s tees because they were soft and comfortable — but since the launch of the womenswear line, Corsillo has found a new favorite in the Slub Easy Crew. “It’s just as good as the men’s with one exception: It fits my body correctly,” she says.

Sizes:XXS to XXL| Fabric:Cotton| Weight:Heavyweight| Fit and neckline:Fitted crewneck

Uniqlo’s U Crew is less than half the price of Buck Mason’s, making it an excellent choice, especially if you prefer a heavyweight tee. The thicker material isn’t as easy to tuck in or style, but a denser cotton means the fabric is more opaque (and less likely for your bra to show through). With that said, it isn’t so thick that it feels suffocating. Compared to the Buck Mason tee, Avila found this one to be slightly more fitted without clinging to her body. And, it comes in a pure, crisp white as opposed to a faded off-white color.

Sizes:S to 3XL| Fabric:Cotton| Weight:Medium weight| Fit and neckline:Loose crewneck

While not the most sophisticated shirt out there, a simple Hanes T-shirt does the job. Despite its low price, it doesn’t feel or look cheap. Its weight is right in the middle between Buck Mason’s and Uniqlo’s and is slightly rougher without being scratchy. It’s loose without being baggy, and hits right below the waistline. Because it’s so inexpensive, you can stock up in case one endures one too many spaghetti dinners. Experts also pointed me to Gildan and Fruit of the Loom boys’ T-shirts for bargain bulk-buys in case you’d like to shop around.

Sizes:XS to 2XL| Fabric:Reclaimed Waste Cotton| Weight:Medium weight| Fit and neckline:Cropped crewneck

A tricky proportion to nail: the cropped T-shirt. Avila recommends this unisex tee from Everybody.World — which happens to be the wholesale supplier for brands like Noah and Online Ceramics — for its looser, higher crop and mid-weight fabric that isn’t tissue-paper thin. The fabric is actually made from recyclable and biodegradable material (so a good pick for the sustainably minded), and the cut is just about ideal for a cropped tee. Avila says it hits right above her belly button, but the sleeves are regular length, so they don’t dig into her armpits like the cap sleeves on many other cropped tees. It also comes preshrunk, so you don’t have to worry about it in the wash. “It’s just gotten cozier every time I pull it out of the dryer,” says Avila.

Sizes:One size| Fabric:Organic cotton| Weight:Lightweight| Fit and neckline:Cropped and boxy crewneck

When I discovered that our previous best boxy cropped white T-shirt from Organic Basics was no longer available, Iwent on the huntfor a worthy replacement. It needed to have a relaxed chest, dropped shoulders with longer sleeves, and a shorter hem that didn’t appear too cropped. The Oversized Crop Tee from Los Angeles Apparel fit the bill. The neckline is tighter than the Organic Basics’, but it checked all my other boxes. I also loved that the cotton is soft and lightweight but still feels durable. Because the Los Angeles Apparel is one size only, I’ve included another winner from my hunt below from Madewell.

Sizes:XXS to XXL| Fabric:Organic cotton| Weight:Medium weight| Fit and neckline:Cropped and boxy crewneck

If you’re looking for a range of sizes to choose from, the Boxy Crop Tee is your best best. It has a perfectly oversize fit and is made with smooth 100 percent cotton. It has more structure than the Los Angeles Apparel tee above since the fabric is a thicker medium-weight cotton. Just note that I sized down to an XS from my regular size small, since the chest is very relaxed.

Sizes:XXS to XL| Fabric:Organic cotton| Weight:Medium weight| Fit and neckline:Cropped and boxy crewneck

I’m generally a fan of most cropped T-shirts, but this Organic Basics tee is my current go-to because it’s genuinely boxy (as the name suggests). Designed in Copenhagen and made with organic cotton, it’s thicker and more opaque than our best overall Buck Mason above. The collar is slightly ribbed with dropped shoulders and sleeves that hit near my elbows. I do have broader shoulders, but a size small perfectly fits my five-foot-five frame. I love that the wide silhouette provides extra coverage and issignificantlymore comfortable compared to the tighter-fitting cropped tees I’ve owned over the years. It’s also a crisp white that looks nice, whether paired with jeans or my WFH sweatpants.

Sizes:XXS to XXL| Fabric:Organic Cotton| Weight:Lightweight| Fit and neckline:Cropped crewneck

I first heard about the lingerie brand Cou Cou from my colleague Kitty Guo, who made a convincing argument for the brand’s sleek, minimalslip dresses. About a year later, contributor Nicolaia Rips reviewed the French-inspired retailer’spointelle cardigan, which she said she’d been wearing all the time (and has bought two more of). Since then, I’ve tested Cou Cou’s croppedbaby tee, and it’s quickly become one of my favorites in the category. The pointelle knit is delicate-looking, and the fabric is lightweight without feeling flimsy. It’s also super-breathable: I layered mine over a bikini while walking the beach on a recent tropical vacation and never felt like I was overheating. The ultrasoft fabric stretches nicely, and the hem hits right above my waist. This is the most fitted and cropped tee of the bunch, which I think is exactly what a baby tee should be.

Sizes:XS to XXL| Fabric:Pima cotton| Weight:Medium weight| Fit and neckline:Loose crewneck

If you’re in search of more sustainable, closed-loop-cycle options, consider this mid-weight crewneck T-shirt from the Big Favorite. Avila has owned hers for about two years and says it’s still buttery soft and loose fitting without being too oversize. The sleeves hit just a bit above the elbow, and the hem stops right below the waist. Once the tee’s worn out, you can send it back usingthis pageor by scanning the QR code on the label. After it’s processed, you get a discount on future purchases.

Sizes:XS to 2X| Fabric:55 percent hemp, 45 percent organic cotton| Weight:Medium weight| Fit and neckline:Loose crewneck

Jungmaven’s wardrobe basics are beloved for their vintage look and feel — which is largely thanks to the hemp-and-cotton blend the company uses. While the brand offers tees with different fabric blends, I recommend sticking with the Lorel’s 55 percent hemp and 45 percent cotton jersey. It’s supersoft and broken-in-feeling while still having a good amount of weight. The material also has a slight slub texture to it, but not so much that it’s see-through, though I do usually wear mine with a nude-colored bra. As for the fit, the size small hits below my waistline (I’m five-five), which makes it great for tucking into a pair of jeans. The looser neckline also shows a smidge of collarbone, which gives the Lorel tee a nice feminine vibe.

For a heavier-weight version, go with the Dakota (actressAmanda Seyfried’s tee of choice), which is made entirely out of hemp. And for a silkier feel, the Ojai tee contains 30 percent hemp and 70 percent cotton.

Sizes:XS to XL |Fabric:Pima Cotton |Weight:Lightweight |Fit and neckline:Loose crewneck

Strategist senior editor Hilary Reid neverlovedslub tees — until trying this one from Goldie. She received the tee a little over a month ago, and after testing it with various outfits — on its own, under an Agnès b. snap cardigan, under a crewnecksweater— she says she’s “officially a slub convert.” The material is supersoft and lightweight, and it’s the slightest bit sheer, making it an appealing option as temperatures start to rise. The cut is loose without being too boxy, and the weight is as ideal for layering as it is wearing on its own. And yes, the price tag is on the higher end of this list, but the tee looks and feels substantial. So substantial, in fact, that Reid told me she’s even received compliments over Zoom about the shirt and questions about where it was from.

Though I’ve only been testing the Goldie slub tee for a few weeks, I can definitely see why my editor now counts herself a fan. While it’s on the pricier end, it’s made with 100 percent Peruvian pima cotton, and I noticed almost right away that it’s softer than our best overall Buck Mason above. It’s also lighter weight and has a bit more texture. (The added texture makes it a little sheerer than the Buck Mason, so you may need a skin-colored bra, but that didn’t bother me at all.) The cap sleeves show off more of my arms, and the longer torso makes it a nice option for tucking into high-waisted jeans. The Goldie also has a seam down the back, which is a nice detail that adds an extra touch to this airy slub style.

Sizes:XS to XXXL| Fabric:French Linen| Weight:Lightweight| Fit and neckline:Boxy crewneck

Linen isn’t your typical T-shirt material, but after Avila tested Alex Crane’s Sun Tee — made entirely from the fabric — she quickly understood why it deserves a spot on this list. She says this top is even breezier than the Buck Mason tee, because the sustainably grown French linen is lightweight and the loose fit offers plenty of ventilation. “While it’s quite thin, especially compared to the cotton options, I wouldn’t say it’s tissue thin,” Avila says. That’s most likely because the linen has a slight texture to it that you don’t typically find with smooth cotton tees and which gives the tee a slightly more put-together feeling. All of those factors make it a more elevated shirt option, especially in the summer. What’s best is that it’s preshrunk, so you don’t have to worry about it on laundry days.

Sizes:XS-XXL /Material:Cotton |Weight:Lightweight |Fit:Boxy |Neckline:Crew neck

Multiple stylish women (including artists Jo Rosenthal and Lucy Litman) have recommended Re/Done’s classic tee saying it’s well worth its hefty price. The boxier shape looks good untucked, and it tucks in easily with high-waisted pants.New YorkMagazine features editor Katy Schneider prefers the cropped version and knows it seems like a lot to spend on a T-shirt but requests that you hear her out: “These T-shirts are the retail equivalent of no-makeup makeup. These T-shirts pull together an entire outfit handily, no matter what you are wearing — they’ll elevate jeans and even fancy pants.” And, most important, Schneider adds, “These are T-shirts you can wear almost every day — for days in a row without anyone so much as noticing.”