Velvet by Graham and Spencer T-Shirt (Piperlime, $35)
Every woman should have a good quality white t-shirt. You need a tee that’s not too heavy, not too light, made with 100% cotton. I prefer a crewneck, but a bustier woman might prefer a v-neck.
A good white t-shirt can be worn in many different ways to create a myriad of outfits. Check back at 1:00PM for Two Ways to wear this piece.
Have a big day ahead? Major hearing? Big trial? The presentation of your life? Gonna be at a conference with that ex? Whatever it happens to be, these are the fashion weapons that get me to the confidence level that I need to be at.
Without question, the most worn item in my wardrobe is a black-and-white striped tee. I wear it in winter under sweaters, in spring with white jeans, in summer with black shorts. I’ve been wearing the same one for years (it’s the best). But they don’t make it anymore. So here are some options for replacement.
When I started this blog, influencers still re-wore clothes. There were no haul videos filled with the latest from Shein before it winds up in a beach in Ghana poisoning the planet. There were no sponsored campaigns delivering fresh wardrobes each month. The content machine doesn’t like reruns.
Have a big day ahead? Major hearing? Big trial? The presentation of your life? Gonna be at a conference with that ex? Whatever it happens to be, these are the fashion weapons that get me to the confidence level that I need to be at.
Without question, the most worn item in my wardrobe is a black-and-white striped tee. I wear it in winter under sweaters, in spring with white jeans, in summer with black shorts. I’ve been wearing the same one for years (it’s the best). But they don’t make it anymore. So here are some options for replacement.
When I started this blog, influencers still re-wore clothes. There were no haul videos filled with the latest from Shein before it winds up in a beach in Ghana poisoning the planet. There were no sponsored campaigns delivering fresh wardrobes each month. The content machine doesn’t like reruns.
When I was young, my Mother used to bring me along when she would go shopping for fabric. As a result, I spent a lot of time, killing time, flipping through pattern books. So when I spotted this dress, I was instantly transported to the pattern table at a Jo-Ann Fabrics.
Can you personally recommend this particular tee?
Ellie, if you're looking for a good quality t-shirt, Banana Republic has the best that I've found. They're very flattering, thick enough to not be see-through, and last a long time. I have both the crew necks and the v-necks in white and lots of their other colors and I love them.
https://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=5041
I have multiples of H&M's crewneck white t-shirts. They are the perfect weight (not see-through) and the crewneck is perfect–just below the collarbone.
I really like my white scoop neck from Boden. Not see thru and not super low cut either. There is something about V-necks that I just do not like.
Thanks, Ella! And everyone else!
Amen on the advice for bustier women. A slight v-neck or a boatneck is so much more flattering then the classic crew neck. I wish it hadn't taken me so long to learn that! For good quality, LL Bean makes good v-necks that aren't too low in front. J. Crew has good options sometimes, too.
I love the J.Crew white perfect fit T-shirts, just the right level of opacity and long enough not to come untucked. .
I've recently re-incorporated the classic white crewneck as a staple in m wardrobe, after seeing how flattering this (https://us.asos.com/Splendid/Splendid-Maxi-Dress-with-Woven-Full-Skirt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2002361&cid=2623&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Agave) dress is. A tight crewneck is perfect to show off statement necklaces. Surprisingly, I found mine at Old Navy of all places. (https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?searchCID=68131&vid=1&pid=898364&scid=898364022)
busty women beware! while the banana republic crew ts are great, the v necks are so insanely low cut you'll look like a prostitute if you wear them (even though they don't look that low cut when trying on!)
For anyone on a budget, Old Navy's fitted scoop neck tee is fabulous. Beware that it does run small, but I love mine otherwise!
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=898494&locale=en_US&kwid=1&sem=false&sdReferer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26frm%3D1%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D2%26ved%3D0CFAQFjAB%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.oldnavy.com%252Fproducts%252Fwomens-fitted-scoop-neck-tees-P898494.jsp%26ei%3DAVn8T6XnBIHG6gGAxKzRBg%26usg%3DAFQjCNFlh5FJaxOusuKwLaLduGxisKsAtg
I also like the JCrew perfect fit tees–they are nice and opaque and hold their shape well through washes. I am on the busty side (E cup), but I still go with the crew necks for office wear (under blazers and cardigans), because the v-necks look vampy on me. I agree with the poster earlier about Banana Republic v-neck tees having the same issue–they look great on the models, who generally appear much smaller chested than me. I'm on the hunt for more modest v-neck tees.
This one from Ann Taylor is great too. You can't really see it in this picture, but there is a little detail at the top. Not see through, good to tuck or not
https://www.anntaylor.com/ann/product/AT-Apparel/AT-Knits-Tees/Folded-Overlay-Tee/290420?skuId=12072248&catid=cat70008&defaultColor=9000&productPageType=fullPriceProducts&productType=relatedProduct