Rachael Zarda

If there’s one thing everyone should have in their closet, it’s the perfect white tee. A white t-shirt is a staple layering piece. Tuck it into a pair of high-waisted denim, add a pair of strappy heels and bright lip—you’re immediately and effortlessly ready for a night out. Layer it under a leather jacket and throw on pair of booties for a daytime look. I’ve done my fair share of hunting for the perfect t-shirt over the years. I’ve been really eager to share my favorites with you and get your feedback on your tried and true, too.

My qualifications for a good white tee: must by soft, not too thin, a little loose-fitting (but not too baggy), and wears well over time. I’m willing to pay a bit more for a well-designed item that will hold it’s shape and value. A few of the options I’m highlighting are over $50, but trust me when I say they’re so worth it.

Everlane Cotton Crew Tee: I’ve been buying this one for years. It’s classic crew cut and has a slim fit (including the sleeves), which makes it feel a little more feminine and shape-hugging. I wear a small and would say that it is true to size. It is the most fitting out of all of my suggestions here, so if you like your tees on the looser side, I’d size up. You can’t beat the price of this one. I also really love Everlane’s box-cut pocket tee for a more casual, everyday look.

Baldwin Short Sleeve Crew Neck Tee: This one is thicker than your average tee, no need to worry about sheerness. I have it in both gray and white. I size up to a medium so that it’s more relaxed, but still shows some shape. Although they’re on the more expensive side, these are probably my favorite tees I own.

Monrow Oversized Crew Neck Tee: This is such good everyday tee. It’s heathered and lightweight, so it’s probably the most sheer of all, but not see-through by any means. This tee is SO soft. It fits relaxed and true to size. I wear a small in this one. It has a flattering scoop neck and a seam running up the back, which I think are cute details. I wear this one more casually and more often, so I stocked up on them during the Shopbop sale.

J.Crew Garment Dyed Slub Cotton Crewneck: I’ve tried lot of J.Crew tees over the years and usually like them just fine. But I recently found this one in the men’s collection that I’m obsessed with. I wear it in a size small. It’s oversized, boxy, has a pocket, and is so very soft. Anyone else love finding gems in the men’s section? I consider this one a boyfriend tee, and no one has to know it wasn’t made for me.

Joseph Cotton-Jersey T-shirt: This one doesn’t have much stretch, but it’s feels really nice and fits like glove. This tee would be awesome with a more tailored look. I’m wearing it in these photos (in a size small) with a pair of distressed denim, but it would look so chic with cropped trousers and a blazer.

I will say, I only air dry most of laundry, including my t-shirts. So I cannot speak to how these do in the dryer. I’d also like to note, that while I love Madewell for many things, their t-shirts have never been one of them. Their tees (long and short sleeve) always seem to shrink, not hold their shape, or unravel after only a few wears. I’d love to know what tees you swear by in the comments or over on Instagram!