I Tried Every Popular White T-Shirt – Here’s the Best One (and the Ones I’d Skip)

I love a white T-shirt. I wear one almost every single day, whether on its own, under cardigans, with denim, or layered under sweaters. Safe to say, it’s a wardrobe staple.

But here’s the thing: every brand claims to have the perfect white tee.

So I did what I always do and ordered a bunch, tried them on back-to-back, worn on their own and layered under a sweater so I could easily compare the key features I care about most.

• Fit
• Fabric & texture
• Sleeve length
• Drape
• Sheerness
• How they layer

For reference, I’m 5’1”, around 120 lbs, and I care just as much about how a tee peeks out under a sweater as I do how it looks on its own.

Here’s my honest breakdown of the best white t-shirts. (And if you want to see all the ones I didn’t like, keep an eye out for my YouTube video where I try on all of these, plus a couple losers.)

The Best White Tees

Sold Out NYC Ironically Soft Perfect Tee

Rating: 9/10

My #1 pick. I already own the Navy Perfect White T-Shirt, and the white tee is just as good. It’s one of the softest tees I’ve owned. The fabric drapes beautifully, feels elevated, and layers perfectly without bunching. I got a small, and on its own, it’s a little looser than I’d like, but I’m typically in between a small and XS, so I probably should’ve gone with the XS. If you’re a fan of layering, this is the one to get.

Pros: gorgeous drape, flattering sleeves, perfect length, best for layering
Cons: expensive, runs slightly large
Price: $92
Size: Small, should’ve gotten XS

If I could only keep one, it’s this.

Amazon Essentials Classic Crew (2-Pack)

Rating: 8/10

I’ve been buying this Amazon tee for six years, and that says a lot. It’s my go-to affordable option and the one I don’t stress about ruining because they’re so easy to replace.

It’s fitted, but not skin-tight, and surprisingly not too see-through for the price. The downside is length because it gets long if you size up. For that reason, I don’t typically layer this tee. I prefer it tucked into jeans or trousers, or worn on its own, since it tends to hit at the hip. This is one of my go to pairing included in my guide on how to style wide-leg jeans.

Pros: affordable, reliable, easy to replace
Cons: runs long, not ideal for layering
Price: ~$14 for two
Size: Small, runs TTS

This is hands down the best budget-friendly basic tee.

Abercrombie Essentials Body-Skimming Tee

Rating: 7/10

The first time I tried on this tee from Abercrombie, it pleasantly surprised me. I found the fit to be very similar to Sold Out NYC, just slightly boxier. For the price difference, I’m totally okay with that. It also layers well since the neckline and length are perfect.

Pros: great value, layers well
Cons: a little too boxy
Price: $19 (often on sale)
Size: Small, runs TTS

A great mid-priced option for a high-quality tee.

7 Diamonds Core Crew Neck Tee

Rating: 5/10

I bought the 7 Diamonds Core Tee because I saw so many influencers rave about it, but it honestly didn’t impress me. The fabric feels more like athletic wear (almost a spandex material), which isn’t what I’m looking for in a white tee.

The neckline is nice and structured, but the overall drape isn’t as nice as the others I tried.

Pros: polished collar, clean neckline
Cons: athletic feel, overhyped, doesn’t layer well
Price: $39
Size: Small, runs TTS

Not worth it IMO.

Target A New Day Tee

Rating: 8/10

For $8, this Target white t-shirt is a really strong option. The fabric is soft, has a little stretch, and falls nicely. It does run long and flares slightly at the bottom, which I don’t love, but if you usually tuck your tees in, that’s less of an issue. Earns extra points because I found it layers very well with a sweater, and would pair nicely under a blazer, too.

Here are some other ideas for what to wear under a blazer.

Pros: excellent value, comfortable & soft, good layering tee
Cons: long, slight flare
Price: $8
Size: Small, runs TTS

If you are looking for an affordable option that’s less fitted than the Amazon one, this is your best option.

Joe’s Jeans Boxy Cropped Tee

Rating: 6/10

This white tee had the thickest fabric of the bunch, which I thought I would really like, but it unfortunately felt pretty restrictive, especially through the arms, and it’s more cropped than I prefer.

Under a sweater, it looks pretty bulky and awkward because of the boxy silhouette. My goal in a white tee is for it to be a workhorse, and this one just isn’t. However, I could see this tee pairing well with a high-waisted maxi skirt for spring, which I included in my style guide for maxi skirts.

Pros: substantial fabric, nice collar
Cons: cropped, restricting, not great for layering
Price: $98
Size: Small, runs TTS

Pretty, but doesn’t excel.

Best Overall White Tee Picks

Best Overall White T-Shirt: Sold Out NYC

(Size down if you want a closer fit)

Best Budget Pick: Amazon Essentials

(Reliable, affordable, and easy to replace)

Best Affordable Alternative: Target A New Day

(Great value, but availability may change season to season)

White Tees I Tried and Didn’t Like

Target Wild Fable Classic Tee

Too fitted for my liking. I should’ve sized up to a medium, but even then, I prefer the fit of the Amazon tee. It’s not terrible, but it’s not great either. I give it points for the price.

Pros: extremely affordable
Cons: uncomfortable, collar isn’t great
Price: $6
Size: Small, should’ve sized up to a M

Perfect White Tee Harley Tee

I was so bummed when I tried on this white t-shirt and felt underwhelmed. I really wanted to love it, but I wasn’t impressed. The slub fabric is thin and slightly see-through, and it just doesn’t drape well. It works as a lightweight layering piece, but for the price, it needs to do more.

Pros: nice for layering
Cons: too thin and sheer, doesn’t drape well
Price: $78
Size: Small, runs TTS

Final Thoughts

If you’re as picky about white T-shirts as I am (clearly), I hope this saves you some time and trial-and-error as you figure out which white tees to add to your closet. And if there’s a white tee you swear is the best and think I need to try, let me know. I apparently can’t stop buying them!

Other Posts You Might Like:

• What to Wear Under a Cardigan
• Best Jeans for a Capsule Wardrobe
• My Winter Capsule Wardrobe
• How to Find Your Style

Shop The Post