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A white T-shirt is the ultimate wardrobe binder. Nine times out of 10, a pressed white T-shirt can solve the conundrum of having “nothing to wear”. Lucky, then, that team Vogue has you covered, with their picks of the best white T-shirts available now.
Whether worn loose and airy, or cut closer to the body in a ribbed, retro fabric, there’s something wonderfully straight-talking about putting a freshly-laundered tee into service once again.
Read more: The Best White Shirts For Women
When it comes to fabrics, seek out natural options, such as organic cotton and Tencel, which is crafted from wood cellulose. Be mindful of fit: classic, boxy shapes will add nonchalance to smart black evening wear, but can sometimes look a little too laid-back with jeans (although, at this point, who’s worrying about that?). And once you find a style that suits? Stock up. This is a staple that will never date.
“I’m forever looking for the perfect white T-shirt because I pretty much wear one every day,” says Vogue’s global network lead and European deputy editor Sarah Harris, who regularly scours the men’s department for T-shirts (she shouts out Cos’s offering). “I love a cut that’s roomy and gently oversized, with squared-shape short sleeves and a relatively high neckline. I can’t bear a scoop neck and a V-neck never makes me feel good. The silhouette has to fall away from the body, I hate any element of cling when it comes to the perfect white tee.”
“For me, a white T-shirt is a classic and has to be round neck and short sleeved,” says British Vogue’s contributing fashion director, Kate Phelan. “It is still the most useful thing I own. I wear it with jeans for the day under a tailored jacket, and it looks great with a black wide-leg velvet pant and some crystal earrings for night.” The best thing about white T-shirts – and great basics, as a whole – is that they go well with practically anything and everything. From tailored trousers to shorts, maxi, midi and even miniskirts, they’re one of the most hardworking staples to own.
“Wash on a hand wash cycle and don’t tumble dry if you’re looking for longevity,” advises Sarah. Her trick to ensuring basics stay fresh? “I use Whites Detergent by The Laundress to keep them brighter for longer.” Steaming can also make a white tee look brand new.
Inevitably, a white T-shirt will stain during its lifetime. Act fast! The quicker you treat the mark, the more likely it’ll come out.
Steamery Cirrus No.3 Garment Steamer
Tencel Fiber Fabric Scroll on for an extensive edit of failsafe white T-shirts that the Vogue editors love.