The Five Best: Basic Tees

Working from home is slowly changing my wardrobe.  I buy fewer suit jackets and more t-shirts.  But a selection of great tees is one of the building blocks of a great casual wardrobe. Here are five favorites.

01. The Henley // Once you recover from the deep 90s throwback, you’ll wonder why you ever stopped wearing henleys to begin with.  This one from Everlane has a fabulous fit and a mid-weight material that’s great for solo wear or layering.  Sizes run XXS to XL.

Old Navy also has a selection of stylish henleys.  I like this heavier weight sweater style and this longer, oversized style.  But if you’re afraid a henley is going to swallow you up, this scoop neck style opens the neckline to lighten the look.  Sizes run into plus, tall and petite, so there’s something for everyone.

02. The Striped Breton // Winter, spring, summer or fall, this striped tee is the one.  Black and white is my particular favorite because it wears well with denim or, for a dressier look, black trousers and a relaxed, knit blazer.  Prefer a boatneck style?  J.Crew almost always has one.

Truth be told, Land’s End is my number one source for t-shirts.  They’re a little heavier than most retailers sell in 2023.  There’s almost always a sale, and the selection of styles is pretty clutch.  They have so many striped options, but I bought this one with a banded collar in three colors.  At <$30, why not?

03. A Tissue Turtleneck // I have owned this J.Crew Factory turtleneck in so many colors over the years.  It comes in almost 20 colors and prints, so there is something for everyone.  The black and white stripe is probably my most worn, but I have a feeling this year it may be the warm sepia pictured above.  It’s a great fall color and a different pick for my closet.

The great thing about the tissue tee is that you can wear it solo or layered without melting.  So if you run hot, it gives you a winter look without the weight.  If you run cold, you can wear it under a sweater (I wear mine under my ottoman sweater) to stay warm.

04. A Squareneck Tee // For a slightly dressed up look, try a square neck tee.  Personally, I prefer a bodysuit so that the fit is close to the body, but this Old Navy tee is a superb buy.  I like that he neckline is open, but not so deep that you’ll be tugging at it all night.  This Gap tee is just a little longer, in case you’re longer torso’ed.  I also like this striped French Connection tee with a rounded shoulder.

05. The Wrap Tee // A jersey wrap is a chic choice with denim, slim trousers, wide legs or a pencil skirt.  Wear it under a jacket or on its own.  My fit tip, however, is to size up.  As a ‘smedium’ sized person, I often buy medium sizes and sometimes, even a large.  Because I want a look that’s stylish without being showy.

This NY & Co ribbed top with a speckled material is great.  After trying on this Halogen wrap-effect top, I sized up to a large for chest coverage and nipped the waist in a hair.  JCPenney has a pick for petite ladies.  And this H&M top starts the wrap effect higher for a chic, dramatic look.

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