ISO The Best White T-Shirt {2020 White T-Shirt Review}

Greetings and salutations! I am super excited to reveal my 2020 White T-Shirt Review!

I went in search of the perfect white tee, and I tried 20 white t-shirts ranging in price from $9 to $90. Yes, you read that right. TWENTY!

Spoiler alert: There really is no perfect white tee.

But I did find some good ones, and a few that I’m keeping.

For comparison purposes, and in the interest of keeping this review somewhat objective, these are all short-sleeved v-neck t-shirts. Many also come in crew neck or scoop neck options, if you prefer.

With all of these white tees, I’m wearing my Veja Esplar sneakers and the Rag & Bone Shredded-Hem Ankle Skinny Jeans in Flint. They run TTS, and they’re currently 25% off at Bloomingdale’s.

2020 White T-Shirt Review

Sizing Note: I’m 5’5″ and a 32G, and I typically wear a small in tops and sweaters.

I’ll do my best to give guidance on sizing, but it’s hard with t-shirts because whether or not to size up depends largely on chest size. If in doubt, I recommend ordering two sizes and returning the one that doesn’t fit.

When it came to structuring this white t-shirt review, I struggled whether to organize by price point or in order of my favorites. I asked my Facebook Group for their preference, and most everyone wanted me to rank these white t-shirts by which I liked best, but that turned out to be easier said than done because there are so many variables.

I ended up doing a Save/Spend/Splurge post, and within each segment, I ordered the t-shirts from my least to most favorite.

Okay, let’s get this party started! Links and descriptions are beneath each set of pictures.

White T-Shirt Reviews: Save (Under $25)

Amazon Essentials Classic-Fit Short-Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt (2 for $19.50) // This tee is very soft and stretchy, and slightly thicker than some of the others I tried. It’s also longer than most. The v-neck is a little higher than I like, but that may be preferable to some. It comes in a set of two, but you can choose from several color combinations. (Here’s the crewneck version, if you’re interested.)

Fabric: 56% Cotton, 38% Modal, 6% Spandex

Pros: The fabric is on the thicker side, and this tee has a lot of stretch to it. It has a more feminine trim around the v-neck, which is a nice touch if you prefer a more refined tee.

Cons: Just like the Gap tee, this tee is very boxy and doesn’t have much drape. It pulls over my chest and bunches through the mid-section. The sleeves are wider and not very flattering either.

Sizing: I’m wearing the small, and I’d say it runs true to size. I need more room in the chest area, but the rest of it fits about right.

Gap Vintage Wash V-Neck T-Shirt $19.95 (on sale for $12) // While this white tee meets some of my criteria — straight hemline, no boob pocket, modest but flattering V-neckline; it doesn’t fit or flatter very well. That said, the quality is decent, and it seems like a good value for the price. It’s a little on the longer side, for those who like that. (Here’s the crewneck version.)

Fabric: 100% cotton

Pros: The v-neck is a nice shape and not too low-cut, the sleeve length and shape are typical for a traditional white tee — not too short or too long, not too tight or too wide. It’s 100% cotton, and it’s a medium weight and not see-through.

Cons: This tee has a very boxy cut, so it’s tight over the chest and bunches through the midsection. There’s nothing special about it, no details to set it apart, and the fabric is very plain.

Sizing: I’m wearing the small, and I’d say it runs true to size. This tee also comes in tall and petite sizes.

Madewell Whisper Cotton V Neck Pocket Tee ($19.50) // I have one of these tees from last year, but I ordered a new one for the purpose of this review. It’s on the thinner side and has a split hem, but it’s cut the same length all the way around. (Here’s a link to the crewneck version.)

Fabric: 100% cotton

Pros: This tee has a little more style than the Gap and Amazon tees reviewed above, with the split hem and flattering V. I also like the 25.5″ length, and it has a nice slub texture and a decent drape. There is a good range of sizes for this tee, including plus sizes.

Cons: My biggest complaint is the boob pocket. I do not need attention drawn to this area, thankyouverymuch. It also fits on the boxier side, and it may be too thin for some.

Sizing: I’m wearing the small, and I’d say it runs true to size. I need more room in the chest area, but the rest of it fits about right.

Universal Thread Relaxed Fit Short Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt ($8) // This tee is thicker than some, but it’s stiff and boxy. The arms are cut a little wide, but the v-neck is a nice shape. (Here’s the crewneck version.)

Fabric: 100% cotton

Pros: This tee is a little thicker than some, and it’s a great price. The v-neck is a nice shape, and the trim makes it a little more refined.

Cons: The material is rather stiff, and the cut is very straight. There’s no drape, and it bunches through the middle.

Sizing: I’m wearing the small, and I’d say it runs true to size.

LOFT Everyday V-Neck Tee ($24.50; currently 29% off + 10% off) // I wanted to like this tee. It’s a decent thickness, has an okay drape, and the v-neckline is flattering. But the boob pocket. Oy!

Fabric: 100% cotton

Pros: This tee is a nice thickness, it has a straight hemline, and it’s a good average length. The v-neck is flattering and not too low-cut. Also, there are some plus sizes available.

Cons: The price is a bit high for what it is, but LOFT runs sales often, so I would try to get it for 40% off. The boob pocket is a deal breaker for me; otherwise, this is a pretty solid choice for a white v-neck tee.

Sizing: I’m wearing the small, and I’d say it runs true to size.

The Best White T-Shirts Under $25:

I picked two in this category — one with more feminine, refined styling and one with a more boyish, casual vibe.

Everlane The Cotton V-Neck ($18) // I’m a huge fan of Everlane for their sustainable clothing and transparent pricing, but this tee reminds me of my dad’s undershirts… which may be what you’re looking for. Some people like this. If you’re going for boyish/casual over feminine/refined in the under-$25 category, this is a good pick. (Here’s the crewneck version.)

Fabric: 100% Supima cotton (made in USA; sustainable pick)

Pros: The styling is straight-forward and classic. It has a straight hemline, no boob pocket, and a modest but flattering v-neck. It’s also a sustainable and ethically manufactured product in the USA, and it’s priced well under $25. While the cut is very straight, it’s very soft with a nice drape.

Cons: It’s thin and has no notable details — very basic.

Sizing: I’m wearing the medium, and I still need more room in the chest area. Definitely size up.

Old Navy Luxe V-Neck Tee ($16.99; currently $15 + 20% off) // This one is a little different than the rest. They call it their luxe tee, and it’s made of 95% rayon and 5% spandex. It’s super soft and has a great drape, but it does have a longer curved hem. This could be tailored to a straight hem if you like the rest of this tee.

Fabric: 95% rayon; 5% spandex

Pros: More refined styling, dressier fabric, and it has a great drape. This tee also comes in tall and petite sizes.

Cons: The dressier fabric can also be a con — it depends on what you’re looking for. I don’t care for the longer curved hem, but again, that’s a matter of preference and could be altered.

Sizing: I’m wearing the small, and I’d say it runs true to size. It lays nicer over the chest than the ones above because of the rayon.

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White T-Shirt Reviews: Spend (Under $50)

This is the section of my white t-shirt review I think you should consider most carefully. I didn’t love any of the Save options, but there are a few good options in this Spend section, and some are priced well under $50 — especially when on sale.

Banana Republic Supima Cotton V-Neck T-Shirt $29.50 (currently 40% off) // This tee is very much like the Gap one above, but it’s slightly thicker. Otherwise, it looks almost identical. I found it rather stiff and boxy, but if you like a thicker tee with traditional styling, this isn’t a bad choice.

Fabric: 100% SUPIMA® cotton

Pros: This tee is thicker than some and not see-through at all. It should wash and wear well due it being a little sturdier than most. With the sale price, it’s a good value and could actually fit into the Save category above. (I still wouldn’t put it in the top two.)

Cons: This tee is thicker, but still 100% cotton so it doesn’t really drape, but it’s also not as bunchy as some of the cheaper tees above.

Sizing: I’m wearing the small, and I’d say it runs true to size.

Splendid Kate V Tee $48 // I had high hopes for this t-shirt because I have a grey Splendid Kate tee that I love and wear often during the spring and summer, but this white one fits and feels very different from my grey one. It’s thin and soft and drapey, but it’s cut kind of weird in the arm area.

Fabric: 50% cotton/50% modal

Pros: Super soft and has a nice drape due to the cotton/modal blend.

Cons: It’s pricey, and it seems to be cut oddly through the arms, but I need to try the small before I can tell for sure. Also, the v-neck is kind of short.

Sizing: I ordered the medium because that’s what I needed in the grey, but I think it’s too big for me. That said, the small may be too thin and see-through and tight in the chest. I wish I had ordered both to try. For now, I’m going to say it’s TTS.

J.Crew Vintage cotton V-neck T-shirt ($29.50; currently 29% off with FEB29) // I actually have this tee and wore it a lot last summer, but I ordered a new one for the purpose of this post. It’s very thin, and the v-neck is wide and deep. It’s a nice length (25″) but definitely runs small. (I’m wearing a medium.)

Fabric: Cotton (sustainable pick)

Pros: Soft with a bit of a slub texture, it’s a good length and has a nice drape. With the sale price, it’s a very good value and could fit into the Save category above. (I still wouldn’t put it in the top two.) Also, there is a good range of sizes and colors for this tee, including plus sizes.

Cons: The v-neckline is a little too low-cut for me, and the sleeves are a little wide. It’s also very thin, which I like, but some would probably feel like it’s too see-through.

Sizing: I’m wearing the medium, and I wouldn’t want to go any smaller, so I recommend sizing up — especially if you have a larger chest.

J.Crew Linen V-neck pocket T-shirt ($39.50; currently $29.50 + 29% off with FEB29) // This tee is very similar to the cotton J.Crew above, but it’s linen and has a boob pocket.

Fabric: Linen

Pros: Flattering v-neck, nice drape. Also, there is a good range of sizes for this tee, including plus sizes.

Cons: It’s verrrry thin, and because it’s linen, not very soft. It also has the dreaded boob pocket.

Sizing: I’m wearing the small, and it fits well, so I’d say it’s true to size.

Talbots Pima Cotton V-Neck Tee $29.50 // This tee is a little more refined than some of the others, and it’s very stretchy with a more body-con fit. This would be good tee for tucking into skirts and pants. I had a hard time with the pro/con list because the features that some like are the same features that others won’t like.

Fabric: 100% Pima Cotton

Pros: The v-neck is a nice shape, but cut higher than some, which is nice if you’re worried about modesty. It’s thick and soft and stretchy.

Cons: The higher v-neck and pima cotton knit can read a little matronly, but that’s really a matter of preference.

Sizing: I’m wearing the small, and I’d say it runs true to size, but you could size up if you want a more relaxed fit. It just might be a bit too big around the arms and shoulders if you do that. It’s meant to fit like this. It also comes in petite, plus, and plus petite.

T.La Classic V-Neck Tee ($48) // I found this tee at Anthropologie, and it would top my list except for one thing…. that boob pocket. WHY? Otherwise, it fits great, drapes beautifully, and it’s a gorgeous fabric. It also comes in petite and plus sizes.

Fabric: 50% cotton, 50% modal (made in the USA)

Pros: Super soft with the perfect slub texture, thicker than most but with a nice drape due to the cotton/modal blend. I love the 24.5″ length and the extra details like the cuffed sleeves and rolled edge at the v-neckline. It’s also the perfect V.

Cons: Boob pocket.

Sizing: I’m wearing the small, and it fits perfectly, so I’ll say it’s true to size.

The Best White T-Shirts Under $50:

I picked three in this category because I like them all, and they’re all a little bit different.

AllSaints Emelyn Tonic Tee ($40) // This tee has some nice details that set it apart from the more basic boyish tees, which make it worth the higher price tag, in my opinion. It’s also not quite as stark white as the rest, so if you have a warmer skintone, this softer white might appeal to you. It’s also nice for layering under cardigans with warmer colors.

Fabric: 100% cotton

Pros: Super soft cotton jersey fabric with a smooth texture and a nice drape. The raw-edge V-neck and hem are nice details. It’s a good mid-length at 25 1/2″ long.

Cons: Limited sizes, and it’s a little thin. It came with a few tiny holes in it near the waist — I don’t know if this means it was worn before, or what, but I’ll be returning and ordering a new one. (I do have this in the grey, and I haven’t had any issue with holes forming yet.)

Sizing: I’m wearing the small, and it fits well, so I’d say it’s true to size. It’s a good mid-length, at 25 1/2″ long.

Banana Republic Slub Cotton-Modal V-Neck T-Shirt ($24.50; currently 40% off) // I almost didn’t include this tee in the top 3 because of the short body length, but then I realized that some might like that. It’s 24″ so just a tad short for me. Otherwise, I like the fabric and the cut quite a lot, and at the sale price, it could actually go in the Save category above.

Fabric: 60% cotton, 40% Lenzing® modal (sustainable pick)

Pros: Nice slub texture, and a good drape due to the cotton/modal blend. The v-neck is a flattering shape and not too low or too high, with a nice trim that makes this a dressier option than some of the rest.

Cons: Runs small/short, but that may appeal to some. Limited sizes (no tall, petite, or plus sizes available.)

Sizing: It is short, and it seems to run a bit small. It looks fine in these pictures, but I had to stretch out the chest area some. I’ve ordered the medium to try and compare.

Boden The Cotton V-Neck Tee ($28) // This tee is a nice one, and it’s a good value for the price. It’s fairly plain, but it has a nice slub texture that’s not too thick or too thin, and it has a decent drape for the boxy cut. It has a nice shape to it, and it’s a good mid-length. This is definitely one of my favorites of the bunch, and at this price, you really can’t beat it.

Fabric: 100% cotton

Pros: Flattering cut to the v-neck, not too low or too high. Straight hem at a good mid-length, soft with a subtle slub texture, nice drape. Good value for the price.

Cons: Not much! Some may feel like it’s too thin, but I think it’s the perfect weight. The only con I can come up with is the limited sizes. There are no plus, petite, or tall options.

Sizing: I’m wearing the small, and it fits pretty well, so I’d say it’s true to size. I don’t like how it pulls across the chest, but I tried the medium, and it was too big everywhere else.

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White T-Shirt Reviews: Splurge (Over $50)

To make this white t-shirt review thorough and complete, I wanted to try a few luxury brands for comparison’s sake. While there are some good ones in this category, none really blew me out of the water, but I enjoyed seeing what’s out there.

Vince Essential V Neck Tee ($75; more sizes at Shopbop) // I’m a huge fan of Vince sweaters and shoes, so I expected to be completely wowed by this tee… but I’m not. It’s verrry thin, and totally looks like one of my dad’s undershirts. I realize that’s what some people are going for, but I think you can find that at one of the lower price points.

Fabric: 100% pima cotton

Pros: Super soft, nice drape.

Cons: Verrry thin, and no special details. A very plain, boyish style and cut.

Sizing: This tee runs very small; definitely size up. (I’m wearing the small and need a medium.) Also of note, it’s a little shorter than some, at 23 1/2″ long.

Cotton Citizen Classic V Neck Tee $65 // I’ve never heard of this brand, but I ordered it to try because it looked good on the model. I thought I’d like the soft, relaxed styling, but it’s too relaxed for me.

Fabric: 50% pima cotton/50% micromodal

Pros: Super soft jersey fabric, very nice drape.

Cons: I don’t care for how relaxed and almost oversized it looks, and the sleeves are kind of long too. Again, this may appeal to some, but I wasn’t a fan.

Sizing: This tee runs big, although it’s supposed to have a relaxed fit. It’s also longer than most.

ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo Schoolboy V-Neck T-Shirt $85 // This tee is *almost* there but the slub texture is a bit much for me. I think it’s helpful sometimes to read the description on the website, because it gives you an idea of what the designer was going for. In this case, it says: “A slightly boxy, shrunken fit perfects the tomboy appeal of a short-sleeve T-shirt in slubbed Peruvian cotton jersey.” Yep, pretty much! It’s a very good quality shirt, but I couldn’t love the fabric.

Fabric: 100% cotton

Pros: It’s a very nice thick and soft slub cotton, and the v-neckline is the perfect shape.

Cons: The slub texture is a little too much for me, and I don’t like how the sleeves bell out, but that could be because I need to size up. Otherwise, it’s a very nice t-shirt.

Sizing: I’m wearing a small, and I think I’d prefer a medium. It’s also on the shorter side, at 23 1/2″ long.

The Best of the Splurge-Worthy T-Shirts:

I have no problem paying $40 for a good quality tee that I’ll wear a ton and will last for hopefully a couple of seasons, but if I’m going to spend $80 or $90, it better be some kind of special unicorn. Does this one qualify? The jury’s still out . . . I’ll let you decide.

Rag & Bone Jean The Vee Tee $90 // Of course, I like the most expensive t-shirt best! 🤦🏻‍♀️ This tee pretty much checks off all the boxes for me, and the quality is fantastic. Because I do really like the Boden one in the Spend category, I probably don’t need this one as well, but it’s a good quality shirt that I wouldn’t mind adding to my closet.

Fabric: 100% cotton

Pros: Soft jersey cotton fabric with a subtle slub texture and a nice drape. Not too thick, not too thin. Nice shape to the v-neck with a little bit of trim that makes it more refined than your basic boyfriend tee, and the sleeves are a nice length and shape. It has a straight hem at a versatile 25 1/2″ length. Plus, it has a seam down the back, which is a nice a detail that sets it apart from the rest. And best of all, no boob pocket!

Cons: Price, limited sizes.

Sizing: I recommend sizing up. I’m wearing a small, but I think I’d prefer a medium — while it’s not pulling across the chest, you can see from the back that it’s pretty snug. It’s a nice mid-length at 25 1/2″ long.

White T-Shirt Reviews: In Conclusion

While my favorite of the bunch is the most expensive, you don’t need to drop $90 to get a great white t-shirt.

The Boden The Cotton V-Neck Tee is a good quality, versatile t-shirt for $28; and if you don’t mind spending a little more, the AllSaints Emelyn Tonic Tee has a good fit and some nice details.

In the budget-friendly category, Everlane’s The Cotton V-Neck is a good basic tee; and the Old Navy Luxe V-Neck Tee has some nice details, if you don’t mind the curved hem.

I’m also a big fan of the Banana Republic Slub Cotton-Modal V-Neck T-Shirt for a more elevated tee, and right now it comes down to just $14.70 when you add it to your cart!

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photos: Alison Cornell