14 of the best white T-shirts for every occasion

White T-shirts are a constant classic. Here are 14 of the best.

Angelica Xidias

less than 2 min read

November 5, 2022 - 11:34AM

Vogue Australia

1/15

Image credit: Liz Sunshine

Vogue Australia may receive advertising or affiliate commission if you buy through our links. Read more here.

This article is part of the inaugural Vogue Essentials Week. All week, Vogue will be celebrating the items that make up our wardrobes and sharing with you the best edits of each.

The white T-shirt, which was originally designed to be worn as an undergarment by men in the 1910s, is now a tried and true wardrobe staple. Simultaneously sensible and stylish, it’s an item that’s been on high rotation in our wardrobes since it was first established as a timeless basic by the likes of James Dean in the ’50s, Brigitte Bardot in the ’60s, Jane Birkin in the ’70s, and Brooke Shields in the ’80s.

Now transeasonal, multipurpose and unisex, the humble white T-shirt has evolved into an off-duty staple. Finding the perfect white T-shirt for every occasion has become an intrinsic step in building oneself the perfect wardrobe. As such, Vogue has done the hard work for you and tracked down each of the styles you’re going to want to add to your shopping carts—and your closets.

Shop Vogue’s edit of the autumn essentials worth adding to cart here.

Vogue’s top picks

Best cotton white T-shirt: Assembly Label Everyday organic tee
Best mesh white T-shirt: SIR. Jacques fitted tee
Best sustainable white T-shirt: Boody women’s v-neck T-shirt
Best luxury white T-shirt: The Row Wesler cotton jersey T-shirt
Best lightweight white T-shirt: Agolde Mariam tee
Best baby white T-shirt: Reformation Muse tee

The best white T-shirts for women in Australia

2/15

Boody

Boody’s v-neck white T-shirt is composed of 95 per cent viscose made from organically grown bamboo. Flattering and eco-friendly, the production of this style reportedly saved 339.2 litres of drinking water, 3.5 kilometres of driving emissions and 580.4 hours of LED bulb energy.

Consumer experience: “I absolutely love everything I have gotten so far from Boody, including this V-neck T-shirt. The material is incredibly soft and comfortable and it fits very well,” writes reviewer Bianca, who rated the product five stars. Similarly Alison shares: “Most comfortable T-shirt ever.” Read more here.

SHOP NOW: Boody women’s v-neck T-shirt, $39.95 from Boody

3/15

Joie

Iris & Ink has earned its place in every women’s wardrobe, and the brand’s short-sleeve white T-shirt made of a cotton-jersey material is the perfect example of why. The brand has a knack for perfecting the basics, and is sure to make a tee for keeps. This one is sleek but still casual, and will lend a sophisticated edge to your wardrobe.

SHOP NOW: Sola braid-trimmed cotton-jersey T-shirt, $132 (originally $286) from The Outnet

4/15

Assembly Label

Considering how difficult it is to keep a white T-shirt in pristine condition, the price point of this 100 per cent cotton Assembly Label staple is nothing short of ideal. It also boasts a relaxed fit for added comfort.

SHOP NOW: Assembly Label Everyday organic tee, $40 from The Iconic

<h3><a href="https://sirthelabel.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">SIR.</a></h3><p>If you’re after a white tee with a point of difference, look no further. This particular style from SIR. is offered in an elevated off-white ecru hue, which ties in nicely with it’s sheer mesh finish. The front of the look comes double layered for extra coverage, and the back reveals just the right amount of skin. </p><p><strong>Material</strong>: Nylon, spandex | <strong>Sizes</strong>: 6 - 14 | <strong>Cut</strong>: Cropped | <strong>Rating</strong>: N/A | <strong>Returns:</strong> 14-day policy | <strong>Shipping:</strong> Free over $300</p><p><strong>SHOP NOW:</strong> Jacques mesh fitted tee, $190 from <strong><a href="https://sirthelabel.com/products/jacques-mesh-fitted-tee-ecru" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">SIR.</a></strong></p>

5/15

SIR.

If you’re after a white tee with a point of difference, look no further. This particular style from SIR. is offered in an elevated off-white ecru hue, which ties in nicely with it’s sheer mesh finish. The front of the look comes double layered for extra coverage, and the back reveals just the right amount of skin.

SHOP NOW: Jacques mesh fitted tee, $190 from SIR.

6/15

Agolde

American label Agolde has a knack for making pieces that span day to night, from low-key dive to upscale bistro, without missing a beat. This 100 per cent organic cotton white tee is a cool take on the usual, boasting a featherweight sheerness to its jersey fabric that allows for transeasonal layering. Pair with a lacy black bralette or a printed one for added edge.

Consumer experience: “Gorgeous staple piece that every girl needs in their wardrobe. Beautiful soft material and flattering fit. Slightly sheer if not wearing a neutral coloured bra though,” writes reviewer Sarah, who rated the product five stars. Similarly Alison shares: “Great basic T-shirt, love the fit.” Read more here.

SHOP NOW: Agolde Mariam tee, $130.92 from Revolve

7/15

Everlane

American basics stalwart Everlane knows how to make a good tee. This one is customisable and comes with or without a pocket. It also has a larger size range than most Australian brands. Find it in different colours, too, if you love the fit so much that you must have it in all its iterations.

Consumer experience: “This is my second purchase of this T-shirt. I’m 5’2”, the length is perfect, not see-through, soft, and launders well,” writes an anonymous reviewer, who rated the product five stars. Similarly another shares: “Love the colour, fabric and feel. Great to wear in summer and under sweaters in fall, winter and spring.” Read more here.

SHOP NOW: The organic cotton box-cut tee, $52 from Everlane

8/15

Ninety Percent

This slouchy but polished white T-shirt from Ninety Percent should be the foundation of every capsule wardrobe. Wear with your cargo pants on a casual day out, or with your favourite jeans, hem slightly tucked in.

SHOP NOW: Lena organic cotton-jersey T-shirt, $129 from Ninety Percent

9/15

Bassike

Bassike is offering the ultimate slouchy tee, perfectly paired with anything from tailored trousers to your favourite denim jeans. Made from 100 per cent organic cotton, this jersey style boasts a ribbed crew neck, a contrast back neck chain-stitch, and is both designed and made locally.

SHOP NOW: Slouch boyfriend short sleeve T-shirt, $120 from Bassike

10/15

Nude Lucy

For an affordable white tee that’s both perfectly heavyweight and impeccably cut, look to Australian label Nude Lucy. The local brand’s 100 per cent organic cotton iteration boasts a boxy boyfriend silhouette which features an on-trend crew neckline. Wear tucked into a straight-legged pair of jeans for the ultimate off-duty ensemble.

SHOP NOW: Organic boyfriend tee, $60 from Nude Lucy

11/15

Rag and Bone

New York-based label Rag and Bone is known for its well-made basics—so it's fitting that it makes an impressive iteration of the classic cut white tee. Casual is the name of the game here, so this tee is designed to fit loosely, though not in an oversized sense. Wear tucked into tailored pants for a high-low effect, or throw on over jeans and clogs for an easy weekend outfit that gives nothing away.

SHOP NOW: Rag and Bone The Tee slub Pima cotton-jersey T-shirt, $147 from Matches Fashion

12/15

Loro Piana

Luxurious and elegant, Italian maker Loro Piana knows how to elevate even the most basic of white T-shirts. Its slightly oversized fit and cotton jersey fabrication lends it to be styled under suits and with floaty skirts alike. For the ultimate luxury basic, look no further.

SHOP NOW: Loro Piana My-T cotton T-shirt, $660 from Mytheresa

13/15

Isabel Marant

Casual yet chic, this 100 per cent cotton Isabel Marant white T-shirt boasts a stylish knot at the front, which is elevated by a pair of padded shoulders designed to accentuate your frame. Its relaxed silhouette also works to help you style the item as you see fit.

SHOP NOW: Isabel Marant Belita cotton-jersey crop top, $225.70 (originally $475.19) from Cettire

14/15

The Row

The Row comes to the rescue with an innovative ivory T-shirt made from a blend of both jersey and cotton. Featuring a relaxed silhouette and a dropped-shoulder design, it’s an Olsen-approved staple worth investing in.

SHOP NOW: The Row Wesler cotton jersey T-shirt, $478 from Net-a-Porter

15/15

Reformation

Reformation’s tight-fitting Muse tee is made from a stretchy ribbed fabric comprised of 97 per cent organic cotton which crops at the waist. Featuring a crew neckline and capped sleeves, it serves as the perfect little T-shirt to style with your favourite pair of jeans.

SHOP NOW: Muse tee, $66 from Reformation

How to style a white T-shirt

The very best feature of the classic white T-shirt is its ability to be paired with almost anything. Whether you’re after a weekend-worthy look, an office-appropriate ensemble or an outfit that is both chic yet comfortable for those days you find yourself working from home, the basic white T-shirt will transition seamlessly between each of these moods. Easily dressed up or down with the use of your favourite accessories, the multipurpose style can be paired with jeans and sneakers, skirts and sandals, and layered beneath dresses and blazers.

How to clean a white T-shirt

While the very best way to keep your white T-shirt looking pristine is to choose when you wear the style wisely, there are thankfully a handful of helpful tricks to washing your whites that you should take note of if you’ve decided to wear the staple out to dinner at your favourite Italian restaurant. Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Boyd, the co-founders of The Laundress, shared with US Vogue that they always wash their whites in hot water. The pair also recommend pretreating your whites with with an enzyme-based remover before every wash, and prewashing with vinegar in order to remove odours.

If you have any unfortunate pit stains, Whiting and Boyd share the key to removing them is to work a stain solution into the troublesome area with a brush, before pouring hot water over the item from a height, and soaking it overnight. “Repeat the process until the stain is lifted (and it will be!),” The Laundress co-founders add.

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/best-white-tshirts-australia/image-gallery/6e04094b5d6f9c5f31b8add3a1ffbedd