The classic white tee is the fashion editor's bread and butter, a fundamental piece that will come in handy time and time again. Need something minimal to layer under your blazer? Want to brighten the skin? Woken up late? A well-fitting white T-shirt can soothe a plethora of sartorial woes.
As for the very best styles? What we can tell you is this: white tees were not all created equal. Such a seemingly simple wardrobe staple, and yet, there is so much room for error. Minimal pieces are often less forgiving on the design front because with nothing else to hide behind, any flaw becomes blindingly apparent.
How we chose the pieces
- Style: Naturally, style is imperative. While each of us have chosen different silhouettes, the unifying factor is that all of our picks are super flattering (on our respective body types, obviously personal preference is going to play a part here). These will also slip into your wardrobe seamlessly, meaning they are all versatile and will work well alongside separates that you already own.
- Fit: The genius of a successful white tee boils down to the fit. If we're going slouchy, we want cool-girl effortlessness rather than couch potato, boxy rather than an actual box. You get the picture.
- Quality: A white tee is no good to us if it won't last. These are styles we have worn (and washed) time and time again. Many of our selections are created from durable, soft cotton.
Hello! Fashion shares the best white T-shirts to add to your wardrobe arsenal:
Natalie Salmon, Editor
© Natalie Salmon"Reiss' T-shirts are the ultimate affordable luxury staple IMO, I'm obsessed with the quality and soft fabrics which still toughen up any look. Perfect for wearing under a blazer."
Orin Carlin, SEO & Beauty Writer
© Orin Carlin"Trenches, Bretons, bum-sculpting jeans – all of these wardrobe staples I can get onboard with. But I'm allergic to T-shirts, white or otherwise. Far more at home in a pinstripe shirt or voluminous blouse, I go to great lengths to avoid them. Flouting my own fashion rules, I unexpectedly fell hard for this square neck tee by Free People. Created from a stretchy nylon-spandex blend, it fits like a bodysuit without the torture of poppers. The inbuilt crop top is comfortable, opaque and the square neckline is super flattering. Forgive me for bending the rules, the hue is creamy rather than crisp, but freeing me from my T-shirt fear deserves a little recognition, no?"
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Lauren Ramsay, Digital Writer
© Lauren Ramsay"I'd been on the hunt for a white tee with a sturdy collar for a while, but it didn't cross my mind to look in the men's section. This piece by Uniqlo feels soft to the touch and has the kind of collar band I was looking for. I sized down and bought a small (I'm usually a size 8 to 10 so would go for a medium) on a whim and haven't looked back since. I'd recommend sizing up if you want a relaxed fit, but if you're unsure, Uniqlo's 'size check' online is really helpful – asking questions all the way down to your bust size. For under £15 it's an absolute steal, and it comes in over 10 more colours. Winner."
Rachel Story, Fashion Editor
© Rachel Story"Cos makes consistently great basics, and this long-sleeved white tee is no exception. The thick cotton fabrication, fluted sleeves and split-side hem are just some of the small details that I love, while the slouchy, oversized fit makes it so much more than just a basic base layer. It’s such an easy throw-on that I’ve convinced myself the black version is also well-worthy of a spot in my wardrobe…"
Chloe Gallacher, Style Writer
© Chloe Gallacher"A white tee is an absolute staple in my wardrobe that I constantly reach for, so I have tried many over the years. At the moment I'm loving this Weekday one. With its boxy style and slight oversized fit, it looks great worn alone, tucked in or out or layered under things. For the price, you can't go wrong and when it (inevitably) gets stained, you don't have to break the bank rebuying one."
Clare Pennington, Picture Director and Style Writer
© Clare Pennington"I am the sort of person that leaves the house clean and tidy and within 0.5 seconds of closing my front door I am a Jackson Pollock of stains. As a result, white T-shirts have always been something of a conundrum. I used to shop cheap and in bulk, for reasons the above makes clear. But on a whim I purchased a couple of Arket Midweight T-shirts, which are still reasonable at £17 and was pleased to find they are nice and soft, not see-through and wash well. Pair with an industrial supply of Vanish. Or if you're far from your cleaning supplies, follow this sage advice from an ex- co worker who watched me absent-mindedly doodle all over a white T-shirt with a black biro: 'Get it wet. Cold water. Now.'"
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.
