I Tried On 15 Viral White T-Shirts, and These 5 Lived Up to the Hype

Everyone has that one item they can't stop buying, no matter how many versions they already have. For some, it's shoes, for others, it's bags or accessories. For me, it's white T-shirts. I recently went to clear out my closet and realized that my dresser drawers were bursting with repeats of the same classic basic. Somewhere along the way, I became a low-key hoarder of them, and when I finally sat down to gut my closet, I got the chance to reevaluate the many iterations I've collected over the years. A number of them went straight to the donation pile, but the few that went back into their places are what I'm considering the best white T-shirts in the game.

I've decided that each of the versions below is worthy of its spot in my closet because they fulfill a specific category of T-shirt. Whether it's the heavyweight tee that looks so polished no matter what or the boatneck style that feels especially current, my collection of white tees has been well vetted. Ahead, I'm taking you through each of them and explaining why I think they're the best of their kind (with the mirror selfies to show for it).

The best white T-shirts for women, according to WWW editors:

• Best Standard Fit T-Shirt: J.Crew Vintage Jersey Classic-Fit Crewneck T-Shirt ($25)
• Best Boxy Fit T-Shirt: COS Clean Cut Regular T-Shirt ($45)
• Best Slim T-Shirt: Reformation Max Slim Tee ($48)
• Best Boatneck T-Shirt: Donni Baby Rib Boat Neck Tee ($118)
• Best Oversize T-Shirt: Levi's Iconic T-Shirt ($30)

Best Standard Fit T-Shirt

J.Crew Vintage Jersey Classic-Fit Crewneck T-Shirt

Why I liked it: With nearly 1000 loyal fans, I already had high hopes for this J.Crew tee, and it turns out my hunch was correct. It's that good. I don't know why, but it's always hard to find a classic white T-shirt that's not too oversize but not too tight either, and the Vintage Jersey Classic-Fit Crewneck T-Shirt is exactly what I'm always looking for. To me, it's the ideal T-shirt to have on hand for everyday wear—thin enough to layer underneath sweaters but not at all see-through and long enough to tuck into trousers or jeans like I did here. While I hope you'll continue reading about some of the other standout styles I tried, I wouldn't blame you for ending the search right here because this J.Crew tee might very well be the last one you'll ever need. I've already gone back to place a second order for more colors.

Product specs: 100% cotton, XXS–3X, standard fit, true to size, 4.5/5 stars, 905 reviews

Best Boxy T-Shirt

COS Clean Cut Regular T-Shirt

Why I liked it: The basics I have from COS have been in my closet for years, some of them for over a decade. Despite its more affordable price point, I've always found the quality to be on par with designer labels, and the cult-favorite Clean Cut Regular T-Shirt is no exception. This is the kind of T-shirt that's so polished it makes the most minimal outfit look pulled-together, even if it's simply paired with black trousers as I styled it \here. I credit that to the weighty fabric that holds its shape no matter how much you wear it, and details like the wide rim on the neckline and sleeves that give it a very finished feel.

Product specs: 100% organic cotton, XXS–XL, fits true to size, 4.2/5 stars, 220 reviews

Best Slim T-Shirt

Reformation Max Slim Tee

Why I liked it: Airy and soft is how I'd describe Reformation's Max Slim Tee, a cotton and knit fabric that feels cloud-like and light as air. The fit delivers exactly what it says it will: a slim but not entirely fitted shape that's like a grown-up baby tee—snug in all the places you want it but none that you don't. This isn't the kind of tee you tuck in, instead, it hits right at the hips, making it a perfect match to mid and low rises for that effortless model-off-duty vibe that the brand always manages to capture so well.

Product specs: 60% organically grown cotton and 40% Refibra lyocell, XS–XL, slim fit

Best Boatneck T-Shirt

Donni The Baby Rib Boat Neck

Why I liked it: Boatneck tops are having such a moment right now, and the style just effuses an air of elegance like few other basics do. I'd been looking for a boatneck tee to make my outfits look that much more current, so when I opened up the package that held this Donni tee, I immediately knew the search was over. Not only does it have the neckline I was looking for, but the 3/4-length sleeves give it a cool retro silhouette. And the fabric? Buttery soft, plush, and downright heavenly to wear. It's stretchy and thick and definitely on the opaque side, so nothing will show through, not even a colored bra. Obsessed is an understatement—I've already lost count of how many times I've worn it since it arrived last month.

Product specs: 47% modal, 47% cotton, 6% spandex, XXS–XXL, 4.9/5 stars, 19 reviews

Best Oversize T-Shirt

Levi's Iconic T-Shirt

Why I liked it: Sometimes you need a really big T-shirt. Enter Levi's. I originally got this tee in a size up so I could layer it over skirts, but I also started reaching for it when I wanted that upsized boxy fit with jeans or trousers. Of course, because it's Levi's, you know you're getting something that's classic, timeless, and more than likely modeled off of a vintage style. The details are what set this apart from any other crewneck tee—the sleeve length, neckline, and hem all land at the perfect place.

Product specs: Standard fit, 100% cotton, XS–XL, fits true to size, 4.8/5 stars, 16 reviews

Honorable Mentions