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The 6 Best Affordable White T-Shirts for Women

Today, we’re talking about the best white T-shirts for women.

A white T-shirt is one of the most basic and versatile pieces of clothing in your wardrobe. 

So, having a few fresh white tees to throw on can make getting dressed much easier.

When your personal style leans classic, you must strike an important balance. 

The basic items that compose the foundation of your outfits need to do a lot of work. 

Getting those foundational pieces right makes getting dressed a whole lot easier. 

They should be better quality, fit well, and maintain their integrity wash after washing.

In many cases, spend a little more on these items. Buy the best you can afford.

But here’s the thing: prices right now are off the deep end.

I’m at the point in my life, and maybe you are too, where money is growing wings and flying out my front door.

So a simple white T-shirt costing $100 or $200 is offensive. 

It’s also wild because almost all of the expensive T-shirt brands I have tried over the years are paper thin and terrible quality. 

The bottom line? When it comes to white T-shirts, there is little correlation between price and quality. 

A higher price point does not mean better quality. 

In fact, it’s quite the opposite. 

So put white T-shirts in the “save” category and free up space in your budget to “spend” on other things. 

The Best White T-Shirts for Women 

Today, I’m sharing recommendations for the best white T-shirts for women.

Qualifications for a top spot are affordability (these start at $10 and do not exceed $50), quality, durability, and, the sheer factor.

Best Affordable White T-Shirts for Women

I ordered a crew and v-neck style white tee shirt from the blog’s most popular brands: Talbots, Old Navy, Everlane, J. Crew, J. Crew Factory Target, Banana Republic, Lands End, and Quince. 

Then, I inspected each one for quality, tried them on for fit, and did a “sheer” test. 

To be considered one of the best, the tee had to check all the boxes AND offer a range of inclusive sizes. 

As usual, this post is not sponsored. I personally purchased each one of these and kept my five favorites. 

Testing Out the Best White T-Shirts

Testing the best White T-Shirts for Women

To find the best white T-shirt for women, we bought over a dozen styles, examined each, tried them on for size and shape, and washed the winners.

These are all cotton blends (specifics are on the product page), available in an inclusive size range.

It was like we created our very own Good Housekeeping lab but in my office 😉

The Best T-Shirts That are Not See-Through

The Best White T-Shirts That are Not See-Through

Amazon Essential

1

Amazon Essentials

Amazon

$19.00

2 for $19!

Amazon really kills it with affordable basics.

And this basic white crew neck is a great example of the kind of gems you can find in their massive assortment.

This top seller has almost 50,000 glowing reviews.

You get two for $19 .

It has a lovely fit, washes well, not see-through. Ideal to dress up or down.

Available in XS – XXL, I took the large to account for shrinkage.

V Neck Option Here.

Lands’ End

2

Lands’ End

$30.00

It makes sense that Lands’ End would make one of the best white t-shirts.

Their focus on quality and practicality is at the heart of their brand.

I like this option because it has a bit of shape, but doesn’t cling, a nice sized sleeve (I hate when they cut your arm at an awkward spot) and a little more length that you can half tuck, full tuck or leave out.

They also wash and wear well. 

Available in regular, petite, tall and plus sizes. 

V Neck Option Here  

Banana Republic

3

SUPIMA® CREW-NECK T-SHIRT

Banana Republic

$50.00

The SUPINA cotton crew is the most polished option on our list. It’s a wonderful, better quality, every day tee, worth the slightly higher price point.

Available in XXS – XXL.

Size up, I went with the Large. 

Talbot’s

4

CLASSIC COTTON CREWNECK TEE

Talbots

$39.50

If you are looking for a better white tee, with a longer short sleeve, the Talbot’s Classic Crewneck Tee is a winner. 

Available in missy, petite, plus and plus petite! 

I take a medium in Talbots.

Old Navy

5

Luxe Crew-Neck T-Shirt

Old Navy

$16.99

The Old Navy Luxe Crew is a different kind of white T-shirt.

It has some drape and movement to it with a little bit of stretch.

It washes well and holds it shape.

I preferred the crew neck version of this to the v neck – which feels like the neckline is stretched out. 

Available in regular from XS – 4X, petite and tall for $16.99 now with 40% off at checkout

J.Crew Factory

6

Girlfriend Tee

J. Crew Factory

$19.00

Finally, I love this Girlfriend Tee from J.Crew Factory.

We’ve already featured it several times this season. It’s a great more casual feeling tee that still washes and wears well.

Available in XXS – 3X, one for $19 or 2 for $35.

Here are some options that didn’t make the cut and why:

Old Navy’s Everywear Tee – too sheer.

J Crew Vintage Cotton Crew Tee – pretty much the same as the J.Crew Factory Girlfriend tee.

Quince Crew and V-Neck Tees – I hated these, sheer and had a yellow undertone. 

Everlane – this one is a bummer because I use to LOVE their tees, but the last few times I ordered them the quality wasn’t the same. 

The 6 Best Affordable White T-Shirts for Women
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MEET THE AUTHOR

Megan Kristel

Megan Kristel is an entrepreneur, working mom, and former personal stylist. Tired of the one-dimensional portrayal of women online, she founded The Well Dressed Life as a resource for other professional women.

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Kelly

Saturday 9th of March 2024

My daughter introduced me to the Michael Stars “Lexy” tee. It is a really nice quality and I love the wider crew neckline. With the 15% discount you can get online, they ring in at $57 but they are worth it. I will be checking out your suggestions.

Suzanne

Saturday 9th of March 2024

Thanks for the post on white t-shirts - something that I tend to replace every 2 years! Also appreciate the info regarding change in quality of the Everlane Ts. Disappointing, isn't it? Would you mind posting the country in which each of the 'winners' was manufactured? This makes a difference to me. Thanks!

Marilyn

Friday 8th of March 2024

Great but what about v necks? I’m a 36 D so the crew necks aren’t the best for me. Thoughts? Thank you for ll that you do for us!

Melissa

Friday 8th of March 2024

The JCrew Factory fine-ribbed tee is also surprisingly high quality, and the ribbing provides stretch as well as keeping sheerness at bay. I have several and they stand up to Atlanta heat and humidity.

Teresa

Friday 8th of March 2024

I purchased the Amazon tees on your recommendation last year and they wore and washed great! I got v-neck in white and the pink that was so popular last year. Thanks for your research!

Jen

Friday 8th of March 2024

Perfect timing on your post! I was just thinking that I need some new white t-shirts for spring layering. Thanks for all you do! In addition, glad to hear I am not the only one that gets holes in t-shirts. I have been trying to figure this out for years.

Julie

Friday 8th of March 2024

LL Bean has a non-sheer, good quality while T, but they may be on the short side for taller gals.

Mollie Tkacik

Thursday 30th of March 2023

Do try the white Saturday tee shirt from LL Bean. I like the neck, which doesn't gap. The shorter boxy fit works well and they last forever.

Madeline

Wednesday 29th of March 2023

Thanks so much for your research! Truly appreciate it.

Linda

Wednesday 29th of March 2023

I love this post every time you do it! So helpful. I’ve bought the Old Navy luxe tees in the past, they’re great, not too clingy and a little less casual. Thanks!

Katji Nichols

Wednesday 29th of March 2023

Why didn’t any V-necks make the cut?

Megan Kristel

Wednesday 29th of March 2023

In the post I offer a v-neck in both the Amazon and Lands' End styles and I note that the Old Navy V neck didn't "make the cut" because it looks stretched out.

Joyce Brady

Wednesday 29th of March 2023

I have at least 8 Marine Layer T-shirts in my closet. Some are 5 years old. Good quality.

Julie

Wednesday 29th of March 2023

I have also found LL Bean's white t's to be great - not sheer, V and crew neck, and a decent range of sizes. I have several and have found them to wash well and continue to look good for several seasons.

Collectwears

Friday 20th of January 2023

Great Post.

Tracy Gray

Friday 18th of March 2022

Thank you for this post!! I love the white tee shirt and like you saw the prices go up and the quality go down. I can wait to check out your recommendations!!

Ann

Friday 18th of March 2022

I'm actually glad to hear your comment on Everlane. I ordered a white T from them on your recommendation a year or so ago and was very disappointed. I use it as a sleep T, but it was too sheer and thin to use as a daytime T-shirt.

NATALIE K

Friday 18th of March 2022

Thank you for going to the trouble of ordering and trying on for us all these white tee shirts!! I really appreciate your recommendations!! Will be ordering white tee's soon!!

Cristina

Friday 18th of March 2022

I got the Mae shirt from able and really like how it fits. I got the hummus and mahogany so can’t speak to the white but if it’s a similar thickness I think it would work! Plus I like their women supportive mission.

https://www.ableclothing.com/products/mae-drapey

Lori

Friday 18th of March 2022

Thank you for taking the time to do this and provide us with the best white tees. I have found it difficult to find a good tee for years that is a good price and not sheer. Thanks also for being honest and realistic about cost and quality! I love your help and knowledge with getting dressed and looking our best.

Rita

Friday 18th of March 2022

Thank you so much for your investigation into the white tee shirt! Sheer has been such an issue for me. I'm looking forward to shopping for one now!

Annie

Friday 18th of March 2022

Are there any elbow length sleeves in a good white tee?

Jill

Friday 18th of March 2022

Lands End also makes a 1/2 sleeve t shirt that I have coming as my arms are terrible. Lol

Tracy gray

Friday 12th of March 2021

Thank you for this!! I live white tees especially in the spring and summer and have had a tough time finding a good one! Now I know I have seen real good t’s too choose from.

Barb

Thursday 11th of March 2021

I, too, have many Land’s End tees and have been buying them for years. They have constant sales. I also like Universal Standards’ tee-rex and v-rex. They drape beautifully! Although I shop a lot at Talbots, their tees are a little too clingy through my thicker middle for my taste.

Ann B

Thursday 11th of March 2021

I was glad to see that Everlane wasn't listed this year. I bought one on your recommendation a year or so ago, and was very disappointed. It is unfortunate that brands don't always hold up through the years.

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