There are three essential, make-or-break factors to consider here. #1. Fabric weight: Jersey has a lot of variations and thicknesses, which then affects how the shirt hugs and feels on your body, and what bras you should wear. #2 Armpit Moveability: There is nothing more heartbreaking than taking the tag off your new white tee, lifting your arm to grab something, and having your full belly exposed. We didn't sign up for a t-shirt that moonlights as a crop top! #3. Collar Design: How the very tip of a t-shirt sits on your neck sets the tone for the rest of the whole fit. An unstructured collar means a loosey goosey shirt that needs constant adjusting, and a thicker collar has potential to be too tight on your neck.
Once you find your white tee, don't ever let it go (no stains, no "lending" it to a friend). See which ones I will and won't be parting with, ahead.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Everlane The Organic Cotton Crew
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You never forget your first. This was my introduction to a world beyond six-pack Hanes tees. It's still heavy in my rotation and has never let me down. I first saw this on my friend and Refinery29 coworker, Mi-Anne Chan, and it immediately caught my eye. The fit is loose but not so baggy that you get lost in it. There aren't too many bells and whistles, which is what makes it so great. The tee's fit and fabric speak entirely for themselves.
Everlane The Organic Cotton Crew, $, available at EverlaneIllustrated by Tristan Offit
Madewell Whisper Cotton V-Neck Pocket Tee
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to the weight of the fabric, this shirt wasn't too see-through, and remained breathable. I knew it would be comfortable before even putting it on based on how soft the jersey was. Unfortunately, v-necks are just not for me. I'm also in the camp of no unnecessary teeny-tiny pockets, so the chest pocket on this lost major points. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone but me.
Madewell Whisper Cotton V-Neck Pocket Tee, $, available at NordstromIllustrated by Tristan Offit
Re/Done x Hanes 1950s Boxy Tee
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ah yes, the aforementioned Hanes tee returns in a more expensive, grown-up version. This is my shining star white tee. The fabric is seriously soft while still maintaining a boxy fit. I don't feel obligated to tuck it in, because the length is just right. It has a worn-in look but won’t fall apart in the next wash. With this price, I could buy three six-packs of everyday Hanes tees –but for me, it's worth it.
RE/DONE x Hanes 1950s Boxy Tee, $, available at RevolveIllustrated by Tristan Offit
Cotton Citizen Classic Tee
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm all for a good shortcut. A nice "natural" rip in my jeans and fade in my hoodies are all yeses, but the subtle wear on this tee was slightly too much for my liking. The tear details on the binding for the collar, sleeves, and hem were overwhelming. But if this is the desired look, then there is no better worn-in tee on the market. Besides the rips, the fit worked tucked and untucked. The jersey is so soft that if I met someone wearing it I might lean my head against them and fall into a deep sleep.
Cotton Citizen Classic Tee, $, available at RevolveIllustrated by Tristan Offit
Gil Rodriguez Crew Neck Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
Review: ⭐️
This tee was disproportionate [in terms of fit]. The collar was really thin and the fabric too thick. The fit needed so much constant adjusting that I questioned myself: was I doing something wrong? The fabric clung in a not-so-sexy way that surprised me based on the website images that made a convincing case for baby tees again.
Gil Rodriguez crew neck short-sleeved T-shirt, $, available at FarfetchIllustrated by Tristan Offit
Frances de Lourdes Hardy Tee
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
$280 for a t-shirt. Yes, I whispered "what the hell" to myself when I saw the price tag. This tee is the gold foil sundae of white tees. It's a wild price for a simple essential, but if you’re the kind of shopper who splurges on one quality piece to last you a lifetime, then consider this. Constructed out of Italian cashmere and silk, this tee is COMFY. Not exponentially comfier than the other tees, but still comfy with longer sleeves and greek statue-esque folds that come with just wearing it. This is the tee I would choose to wear forever on a desert island. The quality shows when you really pay attention.
Frances De Lourdes HARDY TEE / CREME, $, available at Frances De LourdesIllustrated by Tristan Offit
For Days Organic Cotton Daily Tee
Review: ⭐️⭐️
This tee is blindingly white. If it were a paint it would be exclusively used in hospitals. The fabric is so thick that you could essentially go braless, which made me rethink my dislike for thick t-shirts. The concept behind For Days is interesting: pick a starter tee (or a few based on your level of membership), and once you're ready for something new, send it back in and get a new one in a different style, color, or size. The cotton is 100% organic and all returns are recycled.
For Days Organic Cotton Daily Tee, $, available at For DaysIllustrated by Tristan Offit
Back Beat Co. Hemp O.G Crop Tee
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For those that don't trust themselves around a ketchup packet, invest in an off-white tee. Any residual stains will barely show. This one is made of hemp and organic cotton, which provides a lot of benefits. The hemp fibers are grown organically, so +2 for the sustainability factor. They're one of the strongest natural fibers, which means the (almost-perfect!) shape will hold.
Back Beat Co. Hemp O.G Crop Tee, $, available at Back Beat Co.Illustrated by Tristan Offit
Leset Margo Cotton-Jersey Tee
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Leset makes superbly comfortable sets suitable for just about any activity. Although their tee is not at the same standard of softness as their sets, it has a crispy feeling which has its benefits. It holds its shape (which is slightly too boxy) and absolves all risks of showing your bra, but isn't something you would throw on for a lazy day. Perhaps after a few washes with fabric softener this could be the one.
LESET Classic Margo Tee, $, available at Net-A-PorterIllustrated by Tristan Offit
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