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The Best White T-Shirts Of All Time

It might be a wardrobe staple, but finding the perfect white tee requires a little thought. Here, see the styles those in the know keep in their regular rotation

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Ask any fashion editor what their ride-or-die wardrobe staple is, and they’ll almost definitely say a great white T-shirt. As essential as a good pair of jeans – and every bit as versatile – it’s the quiet hero every hard-working capsule needs, no matter your personal style or budget.

And yet, the quest for a white T-shirt that feels just right is never ending (well, until now: you’re in the right place). While every brand under the sun offers a seasonless staple tee – even Prada will provide, if you so wish – it can be tricky to find one that looks just as you want it to. (There’s a reason The Row was born from the Olsens’ desire to craft the perfect tee.)

Many are either too tight on the arms, too short to French-tuck into trousers or, frankly, made of substandard fabric that won’t withstand more than a couple of washes. At the risk of sounding like our mothers: ‘buy cheap, buy twice.’

So, where are all those great fashion-editor essentials hiding? Contrary to appearances, a lot of thought goes into selecting the perfect white T-shirt. Soft and slouchy, or rigidly boxy? V-neck or a classic crew? Slinky and sheer or thick, opaque cotton? Oversized or cropped? No two white T-shirts are the same, and the details are what make all the difference.

Here, we’ve consulted friends, fashion editors and those in the know to bring you only the very best white T-shirts on the market. The search ends here.

The White T-Shirts Fashion Editors Really Wear

The heavyweight one

Arket Heavyweight T-Shirt

Heavyweight T-Shirt
The heavyweight one

Arket Heavyweight T-Shirt

£35 at Arket

Finding a properly weighty white T-shirt in the women’s department is often tricky, but Arket has truly delivered. These boxy-cut tees are cut from cotton jersey with the slightest stretch and a seriously substantial handle. They’re completely opaque, hold their boxy structure (even after endless washes) and will last you forever. The brand offers lighter weights at a lighter price, but trust us: invest here.

The all-day everyday one

Uniqlo U Crew-Neck T-shirt

U Crew-Neck T-shirt
The all-day everyday one

Uniqlo U Crew-Neck T-shirt

Uniqlo’s beloved U T-shirts are similar to Arket's above, but come with a slightly lighter handle and defined trim at the round collar. They’re made from pure cotton, so don’t stretch, and come in a host of mood-boosting summery colours, too.

The different one

& Other Stories Ruched Front Crew Neck T-Shirt

Ruched Front Crew Neck T-Shirt
The different one

& Other Stories Ruched Front Crew Neck T-Shirt

The ruched panel on Stories’ elevated basic is more than a cute detail – it'll gently define your waist, so there's no need to tuck it into a waistband to achieve a flattering silhouette.

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The designer one

Loewe Logo-Embroidered Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt

Logo-Embroidered Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
The designer one

Loewe Logo-Embroidered Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt

Sometimes, the men’s department really is better. Case in point? Loewe’s Anagram tee. Less expected than The Vest, and therefore twice as cool.

The crisp one

COS The Clean Cut T-Shirt

The Clean Cut T-Shirt
The crisp one

COS The Clean Cut T-Shirt

For a slightly slimmer boxy fit, consider Cos’ signature tee. It’s made from pure organic cotton, and just light enough to be French-tucked into those wide-leg chinos you’re living in right now.

The statement one

Prada White Embroidered Jersey T-Shirt

White Embroidered Jersey T-Shirt
The statement one

Prada White Embroidered Jersey T-Shirt

Basic? Absolutely not. But an investment piece you’ll wear forever? Absolutely.

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The ribbed one

Weekday Close Fitted Rib T-Shirt

Close Fitted Rib T-Shirt
The ribbed one

Weekday Close Fitted Rib T-Shirt

There's something pleasingly nostalgic about a ribbed T-shirt. Perfect for lazy weekends, Weekday's offering is slim-fit and features short cap sleeves, so sits perfectly under a breezy shirt or jacket.

The seamless one

Skims Soft Smoothing T-Shirt

Soft Smoothing T-Shirt
The seamless one

Skims Soft Smoothing T-Shirt

Skims' Soft Smoothing line has the lightest support, so while this one won’t suck you in, it will create the smoothest, most seamless base layer that fits just like a second skin. Wear it for a clean line beneath high-waisted jeans, or use it as a base layer for sheer shirts and lightweight jackets.

The cropped one

Arket Rib Short-Sleeve Cropped T-Shirt

Rib Short-Sleeve Cropped T-Shirt
The cropped one

Arket Rib Short-Sleeve Cropped T-Shirt

Wondering what to wear with those low-slung jeans you've just taken the plunge on? Here is it: the perfect '90s crop T-shirt. Hailey Bieber would approve.

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The slinky one

Adanola Short Sleeve Top

Short Sleeve Top
The slinky one

Adanola Short Sleeve Top

With 5 per cent Spandex, this is the sleekest T-shirt on the shelves. With a high round neck and longer hem, it’ll look just as good under an outsized suit as it will with a pair of the brand’s yoga leggings.

The second-skin one

Tala 365 Short Sleeve T-Shirt

365 Short Sleeve T-Shirt
The second-skin one

Tala 365 Short Sleeve T-Shirt

When it comes to slim, silhouette-defining white T-shirts, the best are often found in the new school of design-led activewear brands.

Sustainably minded Tala was founded by fitness influencer Grace Beverley, so you can trust each piece is made to look as good as it feels. The brand’s second-skin T-shirt is cut from silky, stretch modal with enough stretch to fit every contour perfectly. The sleeves are tight, and the hem just short enough to look perfect with that 90’s slip skirt.

The investment one

The Row Wesler Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt

Wesler Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
The investment one

The Row Wesler Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt

The Row began as Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s personal project to create the ultimate white T-shirt. Today, the Wesler is still the ultimate designer basic: made in the States from organic cotton-jersey, it’s soft yet opaque, and cut with precision to look just right, no matter how you style it. Consider this the final word in quiet luxury.

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The cashmere-blend one

Toteme Modal-Blend Jersey T-Shirt

Modal-Blend Jersey T-Shirt
The cashmere-blend one

Toteme Modal-Blend Jersey T-Shirt

Not exactly a basic, Toteme’s long-line T-shirt is made from a blend of modal and cashmere, and feels exactly as luxurious as you’re imagining.

The weekend one

Pangaia Relaxed Fit T-shirt

Relaxed Fit T-shirt
The weekend one

Pangaia Relaxed Fit T-shirt

Oversized and extra-thick, Pangaia’s boxy tee is the perfect off-duty choice. The brand’s organic cotton is treated with peppermint oil to neutralise bacteria, while the elbow-skimming sleeves cut a casual silhouette. Wear it over cycling shorts come festival season, or make it work for the pub garden with a denim maxi skirt.

The fitted one

Everlane The Pima Micro Rib Scoop-Neck

The Pima Micro Rib Scoop-Neck
The fitted one

Everlane The Pima Micro Rib Scoop-Neck

Sustainability-focused brand Everlane is a go-to for quality essentials. This slim-fitting tee is cut with a flattering low neckline and slim, elongated sleeves. Tuck it into pale-wash denim and finish with gold hoop earrings.

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The influencer one

Frankie Shop Eva padded-shoulder cotton-jersey T-shirt

Eva padded-shoulder cotton-jersey T-shirt
The influencer one

Frankie Shop Eva padded-shoulder cotton-jersey T-shirt

The Frankie Shops' now-signature padded shoulders are influencer catnip, and for good reason. The subverted silhouette of this white tee will make everything in your wardrobe look instantly cooler: think oversized suiting, cropped denim, and languid satin skirts.

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