We Tried 20 White T-Shirts to Find the Perfect One
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When I just can't find anything to wear, a white T-shirt is my go-to. And with so many white tees out there, you'd think it would be easy to score the perfect one, but it took me years and a test in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab to find my favorite.
Our top picks:
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Best overall: Uniqlo Crew Neck T-Shirt
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Best value: Hanes Perfect-T Crewneck
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Most polished: Cos Clean Cut T-Shirt
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Best lightweight: Buck Mason Pima Boxy Crew
After scouring the internet for options and soliciting picks from GH editors and analysts, I settled on 20 white tees to test in the Lab. I reviewed their construction (no funky collars or rolling hemlines), measured shrinkage after laundering, assessed opacity to make sure they're not too transparent, and rated softness and appearance before and after washing. Plus, I shared them with consumer testers who styled them and shared their thoughts on the fit and feel. I used my Lab data, online research, and tester feedback when choosing the best white T-shirts for women. The biggest surprise: A $20 crewneck from Uniqlo beat out designer picks that are more than double its price.
1) Uniqlo Crew Neck T-Shirt
For just $20, Uniqlo's Crew Neck T-Shirt is an affordable option that outperformed styles more than twice the price in our tests. It has a standard fit and hits right around the hips so it can work tucked or untucked.
✔️ TEST RESULTS:This structured tee is made with a thicker, heavy-duty cotton material and had one of the highest opacity scores in our tests, so you could barely see a black bra underneath. It's a favorite of GH staffers, and it's always making an appearance in the office. One GH analyst who swears by this tee said, "Whenever I want to wear a white tee, I always reach for this one."She shared that it's the perfect T-shirt to dress up or down, emphasizing that she can wear it with jeans or sweats and that it looks great layered beneath a sweater.
Some testers with large breasts and broader shoulders said it feels tight across the chest, so I recommend using Uniqlo's size assist tool to help you find the perfect fit, especially if you're busty or between sizes. You may need to size up from your usual pick. The brand recommends hanging the tee to dry, so it requires more thoughtful care than some of the other styles I tested, but skipping the dryer will keep the tee in tip-top shape longer, and it looked nearly new after laundering.
- Not sheer—it had one of the highest opacity scores
- Length looks great tucked and untucked
- Affordable price
- May fit snug across the chest
2) Hanes Perfect-T Crewneck
You can't go wrong with a classic T-shirt from Hanes, and I recommend the brand's Perfect-T. It retails for just $14 and is frequently on sale for less, so you can stock up on a few without breaking the bank.
✔️ TEST RESULTS:Because the tee is so affordable, it's not the highest quality option I tested. The material wasn't the softest or most opaque, but it also wasn't overly sheer, and the 100% cotton material didn't feel stiff after a cycle in the washer and dryer.
The T-shirt has a slightly oversized fit, and the brand claims it's "pre-shrunk," but it shrunk more than any other style in our tests, so you can expect it to be a little more fitted after laundering. Consumer testers appreciated the roomier cut, with one sharing, "I like that it's not quite as boxy as a basic men's tee, but it doesn't cling to my chest or stomach, and there's plenty of room in the sleeves."
The white color is available in sizes S–XXL on Amazon, but Hanes offers the tee in S–3XL on its site . If you love a DIY project, this style is a also favorite of GH analysts and online reviewers who said the basic tee is perfect for tie-dying or adding vinyl decals.
- Classic style
- Testers liked the fit, saying it didn't cling
- Great for DIY projects
- Notable shrinkage in our tests
3) Buck Mason White Pima Boxy Crew
Not too thick, not too thin, not too structured, not too clingy: According to one tester, this lived-in tee from Buck Mason is "everything I want in a white T-shirt."
✔️ TEST RESULTS:The T-shirt is made of 100% Pima cotton, which is a long-staple cotton that has a softer, more luxurious feel than shorter cotton fibers. It has a soft and drapey feel like you've already been wearing it for years.This is the shortest of the T-shirts I tested with a 19.5-inch length from the shoulder seam to the hemline, so it hits right at the natural waistline on most wearers without being too cropped, but one tester wished it were a little longer and recommended sizing up for a roomier fit.
You shouldn't have to worry about it shortening in the laundry, though, because the T-shirt held up beautifully in our wash tests without shrinkage. One tester said that the top is the "perfect length to pair with high-waisted jeans" and added that she liked the "more casual" style.
- High-quality Pima cotton
- No shrinkage in the wash
- Soft and drapey feel
- Shorter length can look cropped
4) COS Clean Cut T-Shirt
If you're looking for a white tee that you can easily get away with wearing to the office, this one from Cos has a more tailored design that testers loved. The substantial T-shirt earned the highest opacity scores in our tests—the material completely concealed a black bra.
✔️ TEST RESULTS:Consumer testers loved not having to worry about what they wore underneath the top. They described the fabric and cut as "forgiving," sharing that it didn't cling to their stomachs or chests. The tee may be heavyweight, but it's not stiff. One tester shared, "It's the softest T-shirt I've owned. I didn't realize something so structured could feel so soft." The collar is thick and sits higher on the neck than other styles I tried, which one tester found a little restrictive, but others said it helped to elevate the look of the T-shirt.
Testers paired the tee with everything from jeans to maxi skirts and said it looked good on its own and under sweaters and blazers. When I washed the T-shirt according to its care instructions, the tee looked good as new with no major changes in appearance and only minimal shrinkage.
- Heavyweight design
- Rated highly for softness
- No major changes after washing
- Collar is thick, which can feel restrictive
5) Faherty Sunwashed Regenerative Tee
For an everyday style that's substantial enough to wear to work but comfy enough to sport at home, try this tee from Faherty. The Sunwashed Crew is a medium-weight T-shirt that's made of organic cotton.
✔️ TEST RESULTS:It has a more relaxed fit than other styles I've tested with longer sleeves and a wider collar opening. It's also sheerer with an inherently worn-in look and feel.
One GH analyst said, "This white T-shirt is seriously the best. I've tried so many styles, and I can't stop myself from gravitating back to this one." While I haven't washed this style in the Lab, one tester shared that it shrunk in the wash over time and recommended sizing up if you're in between two sizes.
- Made with organic cotton
- Relaxed, lived-in fit
- Wider collar feels elevated
- Tester reported shrinkage in the wash
6) GAP Organic Vintage T-Shirt
This white T-shirt from GAP is as classic as they come.The tee has a straight cut but a relaxed feel that you can easily wear tucked or untucked and on its own or layered under a sweater or top. If you're not a fan of a loose silhouette, I recommend sizing down for a snug fit. To achieve the perfect fit for you, GAP also offers tall and petite sizing for long and shorter torsos.
✔️ TEST RESULTS:Ilove that the tee has a more pronounced collar but isn't structured; it's drapey and breathable. Testers gave it high ratings for overall comfort and described the fabric as "smooth," and they appreciated that you couldn't see the outline of their bra through the material.
Sometimes, organic cotton can feel stiff after a wash cycle, but this tee felt just as comfy when I pulled it from the dryer. A GH analyst who has worn this shirt for years shared, "I swear it feels softer with every wash." I did note some rippling around the collar, but the tee was in great shape overall without deep wrinkles or fraying.
- Minimal shrinkage in wash tests
- Classic style
- Extended size options available
- Some rippling at the collar after washing
7) Abercrombie & Fitch Essential Tuckable Baby Tee
Abercrombie & Fitch's best-selling tee is a formfitting style that takes inspiration from the '90s, and according to our testers, you'll forget you're wearing it.
✔️ TEST RESULTS:The cotton and elastane-blend material is seriously cozy and one of the softest in our tests, thanks to its brushed design. It hugs your figure but isn't too tight or restrictive, and the shorter cap sleeves leave lots of room for movement.
The brand calls the style "Tuckable," and I love that it doesn't bunch up under the waistline of your pants. Our testers agreed, with one sharing, "It was the perfect length to tuck into my jeans without riding up or having too much extra fabric." When it comes to styling this T-shirt, our testers wore it with everything from slacks and a blazer to a leather skirt. If you prefer a cropped style instead of a tucked tee, opt for one of the brand's traditional baby tees with a shorter hemline. Know that when I washed the T-shirt in the Textiles Lab, it produced more static than any other style and attracted some lint.
- Figure-hugging look
- No shrinkage in wash tests
- Soft and stretchy feel
- Lots of static in the wash
8) Vuori Pose Fitted T-Shirt
Vuori is our favorite loungewear brand , and we love its everyday essentials like its top-tested Performance Joggers and this fitted tee. It's pricier than other styles I evaluated, but it's built to last.
✔️ TEST RESULTS:One GH analyst who owns this cropped tee said it's her favorite ribbed style, and she's been wearing and washing it regularly for years and shares that it's still in great condition.When I laundered it in the Textiles Lab, there was just minimal shrinkage, and the tee held its shape without wrinkling or puckering.
The dense modal rayon and elastane material has four-way stretch and is moisture-wicking, so it's great for lounging around at home, wearing as part of your airport outfit, or sporting to yoga class. One tester said that she was impressed that you couldn't see sweat stains through the T-shirt and said it still felt and smelled fresh after a long day of travel. Despite the denser material, you can see the outline of a bra underneath and can see a dark bra through the T-shirt.
- Moisture-wicking fabric is nice for exercise
- Ribbed fabric with four-way stretch
- Performed well in wash tests without shrinking
- Can see the outline of a bra underneath
9) How we test white T-shirts
In the Good Housekeeping Institute , we test apparel of all kinds and have been on the hunt for the best of the best in practical fashion, including denim, white button-up shirts, and white T-shirts. To determine which white T-shirts are the best, I first reviewed dozens of popular options online, considering factors like style and fiber content and reading real-user reviews. I then chose 20 styles to put to the test in the Textiles Lab and shared with consumer testers.Here's a look into how I evaluated each T-shirt:
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I inspected each T-shirt closely, looking at the differences in fabrication and reviewing overall construction.
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I placed each T-shirt on a dress form to determine how the shirts fit, assessing if the shirts were boxy, oversized, cropped, formfitting, etc., along with how the neckline looked and how the material draped. I also used the dress form to consider the opacity of the material of each T-shirt. I fitted the dress form in a black bra and then rated how distinctly you could see the black bra through the T-shirt, with more opaque materials receiving higher scores.
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To determine shrinkage and wear, I first measured the length of each T-shirt from the shoulder seam to hemline and then laundered the shirts according to their care instructions. After washing and drying the shirts, I made notes on any visual changes in appearance like fraying at the seams or wrinkles and dimpling in the material. Then I remeasured the T-shirts from the shoulder seam to hemline, using my pre- and post-wash measurements to calculate shrinkage.
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Along with testing the T-shirts in the Textiles Lab, I shared samples with consumer testers of different body types, ranging in size from XS to XXL and torso lengths petite through tall. Testers wore the T-shirts and provided real-user feedback about the overall fit, appearance, comfort, softness, and opacity. They also highlighted what they specifically liked and disliked about each T-shirt and had the opportunity to share how the T-shirt they tested compared to others they've worn and how it held up in the wash.
14) What to look for when shopping for the best white T-shirts for women
White T-shirts may be basic at their core, but they're not all created equally. Here are a few things to consider when you're shopping for a new white T-shirt:
✔️ Material:The majority of white T-shirts are made of a knit fabric called jersey, which has a soft feel and offers stretch for comfort. Most are made of 100% cotton, a breathable natural fiber, but others combine cotton with fibers like polyester or rayon to enhance the performance or softness of the material. If your white tee is formfitting, you may also find spandex or elastane blended in for even more stretch.
✔️ Weight:Lighter weight, drapey T-shirts are typically thinner than heavyweight styles and are sheerer as a result, so you're likely to see the outline or color of your bra peeking through. A heavyweight T-shirt is a bit stiffer and more structured, so it may not feel quite as soft, but the material is better at concealing your undergarments.
✔️ Neckline:Crewneck tees are by far the most classic with a banded collar fitting closely to your neck. V-neck T-shirts have a neckline cut in a "V" shape, which extends downwards, revealing more of your chest. Scoop-neck T-shirts have more of a "U" shaped neckline and feel less restricting around your neck and shoulders.
✔️ Length:Classic T-shirts are typically 24- to 25-inches long from shoulder to hem and will hit just below your waist and above your hips, which makes them easy to tuck into a pair of pants or leave undone for a more casual look. Many brands are now offering cropped styles with shortened hemlines at or above the waistline, measuring 19.5 inches or less from shoulder to hem. I recommend reviewing the length of the T-shirt before buying, especially if you're tall or petite.
✔️ Fit:Compared to men's tees, women's T-shirts tend to have a slimmer cut to emphasize your shape without being overly bulky or too restrictive. A formfitting tee is designed to hug your curves, while boxy cut tees have a squared shape for a more modern look. And relaxed or boyfriend style T-shirts typically have an oversized fit with looser necklines.
15) Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Amanda Constantine joined Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a home & apparel reviews analyst. She has a background in fashion and is GH's resident style expert. For this article, she conducted white T-shirt testing in the Textiles Lab and shared T-shirts with testers to try. Constantine used her relative expertise and testing data when making selections for the best white T-shirts for women.
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