The tee shirt is a staple of any wardrobe regardless of your age, size, gender, or style. They go with everything, look great on everyone, and are perfect to throw on last minute to save the day in one of those “I have nothing to wear!” moments, but not all tees are built the same.
We looked at a variety of popular women’s tee shirts from a swath of vendors known for their ability to turn out a good basic. Whether you’re looking for a plain white tee, some colorful v-necks to pair with shorts and skirts, or you want something long-sleeved and layer-ready for traveling in comfort and style, keep reading to discover the top tees for women we could find.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn a commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing, expert advice and our own research. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Transit Bamboo Silver Ion Long-Sleeve Bamboo Tee
We tried this tee out for ourselves, and it’s possible this is the most comfortable shirt out there.
Thin, soft viscose from bamboo provides a moisture-wicking wear that feels constantly cool to the touch, and a healthy dose of spandex means you never feel restrained. The fit is something to be adored, as the lightweight drape hugs and defines your curves while slimming all the right areas.
The long sleeves come with built-in thumbholes so you never have to worry about the cuffs coming up while you’re stuffing your arms in a jacket, and this shirt is literally built for travel so theres’s nothing to stress on your next trip to the airport or long ride in a car–just toss this on with a pair of the brand’s incredible compression socks (the ones we talked about here) and comfy face masks (which we covered here), and start your journey in style.
Jersey V Neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt
Beautiful, soft jersey in an equally calming color and it’s $3. Yes, you read that correctly: It’s $3.
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EveryWear Slub-Knit Scoop-Neck Tee for Women
For those who want to show a bit of collarbone but aren’t quite committed the the v-neck, this Old Navy scoop-neck is a delightful compromise. We’re in love with the Golly Gee Garnet shade you see here, but the $8, 100% cotton tee also comes in White Cream and BlackJack for the muted shades crowd.
& Other Stories organic cotton t-shirt in white
Part of & Other Stories’ “Responsible Edit,” this tee is made with 100% organic cotton grown using less water and fewer pesticides for reduced ecological impact. It’s soft and breathable, machine washable, and the regular, true-to-size fit looks great with nearly any outfit.
Women's Short Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt - Universal Thread™
V-neck tees are flattering, comfortable, and perfect for showing off your fantastic necklace collection with any outfit (check out some of our favorite jewelry stores here). At just $8 a pop, you can probably afford to buy several, and luckily they come in a wide array of colors from basics like white and red to more springlike and lovely shades of mint green, light orange, rosewood and white tie dye, and cream.
Gap 100% Organic Cotton Vintage V-Neck T-Shirt
Another option combining a loose v-neck fit with the organic goodness of sustainable cotton is this Gap tee that comes in a variety of neutral options, fitted to be flattering and comfortable for everyday casual looks.
Leopard Print Fitted Crewneck Pocket Tee
In our world, leopard is as neutral as it gets. Buy one of these bold but basic tops and get another in a similar style for half off when you order now!
We The Free The Perfect Tee
They don’t call it Perfect for nothing.
This boxy, cropped tee with a loose shape and cool rolled sleeves is endlessly cool with the kind of carefree attitude you want for a casual moment. The color selection is vast, too, with shades like “wine” and “audacious” beckoning to be paired with your favorite straight legged jeans.
Try this beautiful sage shade pictured here with a pair of bottoms recommended in our recent roundup of green favorites.
Hanes Women's Nano T-Shirt
Hanes is a leading name in go-to basics, so naturally their Nano 100% cotton shirt is a top choice for simple tees. While the white option here is by far the most popular seller, there are plenty of color options (and sizes up to 3x in many of them) for all needs and tastes. Just make sure to dry on cool as these do have the tendency to shrink a bit in heat.
H&M 2-pack Cotton T-shirts
Need a quick 2-for-1 option? These super-soft H&M tees are a great go-to from the omnipresent Swedish retailer. They fit a bit slimmer to the body than most boxy styles, and they’re also available in a dual light beige pairing if you’re less into graphic looks than the black/white pack will provide.
Banana Republic Slub Cotton-Modal Raglan T-Shirt
A raglan shape is unexpected and fresh, especially when done in a solid color like this soft white version from Banana Republic. Camo, black, gray, and leopard options also exist, so you can fill your closet with these beautiful cotton/TENCEL (an Earth-friendly wood pulp product) blends for any occasion.
Everlane The Organic Cotton Crew
As always with Everlane’s commitment to sustainability, this shirt “uses GOTS-certified organic cotton, which is better for the soil and water, and safer for the workers,” says the company. It’s a thin material and slim fit with plenty of color options, and more than 230 reviews give it a 4.5 overall rating.
Vintage cotton V-neck tee
“Can always count on JCrew for the perfect lightweight tees,” one reviewer raves, and they’re backed by many more praising this lightweight, hip-length tee that’s fitted for a slenderizing shape. The “Find Your True Fit” option is perfect for determining which size to purchase, so use it to find yourself some ideal basics on the J. Crew site today.