women's apparel

The 10 Very Best White T-shirts for Women

Best white t-shirts for women
Photo-Illustration: Retailers

In this article

An excellent white T-shirt should be the following: comfortable, durable, flattering, and, of course, versatile. As the Strategist’s writer on wardrobe basics, I’ve set out to find the best of the best tees for every occasion. First, I dug through our archives of editor-approved and celebrity-loved picks. Next, I spoke to a dozen stylish women — including founders, artists, and designers — about their personal favorites. And finally, I tested recommendations and other shirts that were already on my radar. Below, you’ll find the very best women’s white T-shirts, from standard crewnecks and V-necks to cropped and oversize tees. And, if you’re looking for more wardrobe staples, make sure to check out our articles on cashmere sweaters and slippers, and our Womenswear 100.

What we’re looking for:

Sizes

We try to highlight size-inclusive brands whenever possible. I’ve called out size ranges here to make shopping easier.

Fabric

Pretty much every pick on this list is made from cotton, except for a select few that are a blend. The breathable, versatile material ages well and comes in all sorts of weights, which we get into below. But not all cotton tees are made equal — some are made of organic cotton or partially hemp, which contributes to a heftier price tag, whereas others claim to be sustainable. All the T-shirts function about the same, so you can’t go wrong with any of the below choices.

Weight

Most of the T-shirts on this list fall under the lightweight category simply because that seems to be what most of the experts consulted prefer. But I actually love a heavyweight T-shirt, as it feels substantial and much less delicate than a wispy tee. To satisfy both camps, I included a plethora of both options, plus a few medium-weight shirts, for you to consider.

Fit and neckline

A typical plain white tee is usually loose-fitting, which is mostly what you’ll find below. I also sought out some oversize, boxy, cropped, fitted, and tight tees. Necklines range from V, crew, scoop, wide, and bateau. Combined with different fits, the styles to choose from grow exponentially. The most universal pick tends to be a crew or scoop neck, but a few other options are sprinkled throughout. As with most of these traits, everything comes down to personal preference and how each fits your body.

Best white T-shirt overall

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

It’s well documented that Strategist staffers love Buck Mason’s T-shirts with more than five of us recommending them. I’ve had mine for about a year now, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite shirts for layering and wearing solo. It has an effortless yet polished look and seems to somehow get softer and more breathable with every wash. As for fit, it hits just below my hips, but because it’s so lightweight, I can easily tuck it in without any extra bulk. Senior writer Liza Corsillo used to wear the men’s tees, as did Deborah Castel, material-design director at Nike, because they were that worthwhile. But now, with the womenswear line, Corsillo says, “It’s just as good as the men’s with one exception: It fits my body correctly.”

Best less expensive white T-shirt overall

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 if you prefer a heavyweight tee. The thicker material means it’s not as easy to tuck in or style, but I do like the fact that my bra won’t show through. And, it isn’t so thick that it feels suffocating. Compared to the Buck Mason tee, I found this to be slightly more fitted without clinging to my body. And, it comes in a pure, crisp white as opposed to a faded off-white color.

Best budget white T-shirt

$8

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 my 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.

Best V-neck white T-shirt

Sizes: XXS to XL | Fabric: Cotton | Weight: Lightweight | Fit and neckline: Loose V-neck

A V-neck can be fairly polarizing because the length and width of the V needs to be spot-on. Elizabeth Rose, a server at Cafe Gitane, says the V is fairly deep on this Everlane tee, but because it has softer, slightly curved lines, the shape looks less severe — which is further enhanced by the lightweight Supima cotton that drapes flatteringly on the body. The hem hits right at the hip, giving it a not-cropped but not-too-long silhouette.

Best cropped white T-shirt

Sizes: S to XL | Fabric: Cotton | Weight: Medium weight | Fit and neckline: Cropped crew neck

A tricky proportion to nail: the cropped T-shirt. I personally prefer a looser, higher crop and fabric that’s not tissue-paper-thin. This unisex tee from Everybody.World (the wholesale supplier for brands like Noah and Online Ceramics) is made from recyclable and biodegradable material and has a good mid-weight feel that hangs effortlessly instead of clinging. The hem hits right above my belly button, and the sleeves are regular length, so they don’t dig into my armpits like many other cropped tees. It comes pre-shrunk, so you don’t have to worry about it in the wash, and mine has just gotten cozier every time I pull it out of the dryer.

Best white baby T-shirt

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

I learned about lingerie brand Cou Cou last summer after my colleague Kitty Guo made a convincing argument for its sleek, minimal slip dresses. Since then, I’ve tested its baby tee, and it’s quickly become my favorite in the category. The pointelle knit is delicate looking and the fabric is lightweight without feeling flimsy. The ultrasoft fabric stretches nicely, and the hem hits right at my waist. This is the most fitted and cropped tee of the bunch, which I think is exactly what a baby tee should be.

Best sustainable white T-shirt

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

I found the Big Favorite in my search for more sustainable, closed-loop-cycle options and have owned its white crewneck for about two years. It’s buttery soft, mid-weight, and loose fitting without being too oversized. The sleeves hit just a bit above my elbow and the hem right below my waist. Once the tee’s worn out, you can send it back using this page or by scanning the QR code on the label. After it’s processed, you get a discount on future purchases.

Best hemp white T-shirt

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

Jungmaven’s wardrobe basics have become a favorite of mine for their vintage look and feel, all thanks to its hemp-and-cotton mixtures. While the brand offers tees with different fabric blends, I recommend sticking with the Lorel’s 55 percent hemp and 45 percent cotton. It’s soft and broken-in while still having a good amount of weight. For a more heavyweight version, go with the Dakota (actress Amanda 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. 

Best linen white T-shirt

Sizes: | Fabric: Cotton | Weight: Lightweight | Fit and neckline: Boxy crewneck

Linen isn’t your typical T-shirt material, but after testing Alex Crane’s Sun Tee — made entirely from the fabric — I see a case for it. This 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. That’s most likely because the linen has a slight texture to it that you don’t typically find with smooth cotton tees. 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.

Best splurge-worthy white T-shirt

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

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 York 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.”

Some more women’s white T-shirts we’ve written about

Our experts

• Emma Allen, founder of Everyday Oil
• Chloe Anello, former Strategist writer
• Deborah Castel, material-design director at Nike
Liza Corsillo, senior writer
Sabrinna Fabi, costume designer
• Aishwarya Iyer, founder and CEO of olive-oil brand Brightland
Simone Kitchens, senior editor
Lucy Litman, artist
Dominique Pariso, writer
• Elizabeth Rose, server at Cafe Gitane
Jo Rosenthal, artist and writer
Katy Schneider, features editor
• Meg Vázquez, creative director at Splice
Amanda Seyfried, actor

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The 10 Very Best White T-shirts for Women