The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
I wear white T-shirts nearly every day – these are the best ones to buy. From Cos to Topshop and Me+Em, these styles will be staples of any wardrobe. Daisy Lester, Senior Shopping Writer, Tuesday 12 May 2026 10:04 BST.
I sought out comfortable and flattering designs.
Our Top Picks
1. Best white T-shirt overall: Topshop everyday tee
£10. Buy now.
2. Best budget white T-shirt: New Look white baby tee
£9. Buy now.
3. Best lightweight white T-shirt: AllSaints Stevie slim fit short-sleeve T-shirt
£35. Buy now.
4. Best long-sleeve white T-shirt: Cos long sleeve white T-shirt
£35. Buy now.
5. Best ribbed white T-shirt: River Island white short-sleeve ribbed white top
£12. Buy now.
6. Best v-neck white T-shirt: Me+Em ultimate fitted V-neck tee
£45. Buy now.
7. Best luxury white T-shirt: Ganni relaxed peach T-shirt
£115. Buy now.
8. Best relaxed white t-shirt: Uniqlo dry unisex white T-shirt
£8. Buy now.
The best white T-shirts are essential to every sartorial arsenal. Just as hardworking as denim jeans, a trench coat or trainers, classic white tee's complete your wardrobe all-year-round. A masculine staple in the early 20th century, a white cotton crew neck was military issue during the Second World War, before actors Marlon Brando and James Dean brought it to Hollywood in the Fifties. When Karl Lagerfeld styled one under Chanel's iconic tweed blazer – its fashion icon status was secured. In Friends, Rachel and Monica regularly made a case for a white T-shirt with blue jeans or dungarees, while Kate Moss paired her white tee with vintage Levi's or black mini skirts. As for contemporary inspiration, Kendall Jenner often plumps for printed baby white tees while Victoria Beckham, a longtime fan of a classic white tee, wears relaxed iterations with flared jeans – and the style in her new collaboration with Gap sold out within hours. A staple that will come in handy whatever the weather, pair a white T-shirt with a white midi skirt in spring, layer one under knitwear during winter, and style with loose linen shorts in the summer. Whether you're rushing to the office or getting ready for the pub, a white tee and jeans formula is a firm failsafe. However, not all white T-shirts are made equal. Some are structured, heavyweight and boxy (see Cos and Arket's hero styles), while others are designed to be more skin-tight, thin and lightweight for layering (look to Adanola and M&S). Material-wise, seek out pure cotton and polyester cotton blends, which will be breathable during the summer and temperature-regulating during winter, so, you'll get good cost per wear.
From Cos to AllSaints, these are the best women's white T-shirts
The best women's white T-shirts for 2026 are: Best overall – Topshop everyday tee: £10; Best budget buy – New Look white baby tee: £8.99; Best long sleeve top – Cos long sleeve white T-shirt: £35; Best V-neck style – Me+Em ultimate fitted V-neck tee: £45; Best luxury buy – Ganni relaxed peach T-shirt: £115.
1. Topshop everyday tee
Best white T-shirt overall. Sizes XS-L. Materials: Cotton. Why we love it: Soft, flattering, washes well. When it comes to wardrobe essentials on a budget, Topshop excels and its everyday tee is the best white T-shirt I've tried. The crew-neck tee is cut into a classic shape for everyday wear. It's the perfect companion for mid-rise jeans, shorts and skirts, with a hem that grazes the hips – but it's still long enough to securely tuck into high waist bottoms. I found the round neck and slim fit to be flattering – but, best of all, the soft and stretchy cotton fabric makes it a dream to wear. It's not itchy or irritating, fitting snugly around the armpits without digging in. The material isn't sheer, but is tight enough to show your bra outline – so I'd suggest sizing up if you want it to fit looser or be more discreet. I've had my top for more than a year: it washes well, the colour still looks crisp and the fabric hasn't lost its shape. If you love the style as much as me, you'll be pleased to know that it's available in 22 other colourways, too. £10 from Topshop.com. Prices may vary.
2. New Look white baby tee
Best budget white T-shirt. Sizes UK 6-18. Materials: Cotton, elastane. Why we love it: Flattering fit, affordable, soft. Take note: Loses a little of its shape after washing. Considering its sub-£10 price, I was really impressed with the quality of this white baby T-shirt from New Look. The cotton fabric feels weighty and structured, but it's soft and comfortable against the skin. Flattering and form-fitting, the design features capped sleeves and a slightly cropped hem. Owing to its thickness, I found that it kept its shape well after washing, but I did find that it started to loosen after multiple spins in the machine. Nevertheless, it's a stellar budget basic white t-shirt for layering throughout the seasons – particularly if you like a fitted silhouette. £9 from Newlook.com. Prices may vary.
3. AllSaints Stevie slim fit short-sleeve T-shirt
Best lightweight white T-shirt. Sizes XS-L. Materials: Cotton. Why we love it: Lightweight, breathable, comfortable. Take note: Slightly see-through. This AllSaints white T-shirt is the best white T-shirt for those who prefer a lightweight style. A stellar staple for wearing under knitwear and blazers, it's a cosy layer that will also come into its own during the winter months. The fabric is soft and breathable, but slightly see-through, so I'd recommend wearing a neutral-coloured bra underneath. The regular cut means it can easily be tucked into high-rise jeans or it can sit on the waistline of low-rise bottoms. Complete with the AllSaints logo at the back of the neck, it's excellent value for the mid-range label. £35 from Allsaints.com. Prices may vary.
4. Cos long sleeve white T-shirt
Best long-sleeve white T-shirt. Sizes XS-XL. Materials: Cotton, elastane. Why we love it: Flattering cut, premium material, thumb holes, long-sleeve. Take note: The style is sheer. Among the most reached-for items in my wardrobe, Cos's long-sleeve white T-shirt is a hero basic. The slim cut elevates this classic style, while the cotton fabric is lightweight and comfortable, albeit slightly sheer (pair with white and neutral bras, or make a statement with black). Complete with thumb holes, the tee features a crew neckline and longline cut that's perfect for tucking into jeans or trousers. It keeps its softness and shape through the wash, acting as an insulating layer during colder weather but I also found it to be breathable and airy during the warmer months. Perfect for leaning into a quiet luxury look, style the Cos tee under an oversized blazer and pair it with wide-leg jeans, or opt for a mini skirt and ballet flats. £35 from Cos.com. Prices may vary.
5. River Island white short-sleeve ribbed white top
Best ribbed white T-shirt. Sizes UK 6-16. Materials: Cotton, elastane. Why we love it: Textured finish, comfortable, soft. A steal at just £12, River Island's white T-shirt boasts a textured ribbed finish. Crafted from pure cotton, it's soft against the skin and the perfect thickness for spring and summer days. The crew neckline is also ribbed while the short sleeves are capped. I found the slim-fitting shape to be flattering but forgiving, with enough stretch thanks to the ribbed material to ensure all-day comfort. The T-shirt washes well, coming out just as soft. Boasting more of a longline length than other white T-shirts in my rotation, I love this River Island style for pairing with low rise bottoms or tucking into high rise trousers to give the illusion of a bodysuit. The ribbed, textured look is great for adding depth to a simple jeans, blazer and loafers look, too. £12 from Riverisland.com. Prices may vary.
6. Me+Em ultimate fitted V-neck tee
Best V-neck white T-shirt. Sizes UK 4-16. Materials: Cotton, elastane. Why we love it: Well-crafted, long-lasting, flattering. Take note: Pricey. Me+Em is unrivalled on the high street when it comes to timeless wardrobe essentials. A sophisticated take on the classic white T-shirt, this top is cut into a slim-fit silhouette with short sleeves and a relaxed cut. The V-neck is both a style statement and excellent for layering, and I found that it actually prevented excess bulking when worn under knitwear or vests. As you'd expect from the premium brand, it's comfortable to wear, but it also has a slight rib detailing for extra stretch. This is a staple you'll layer right through winter and into spring, before styling with shorts in the summer. £45 from Meandem.com. Prices may vary.
7. Ganni relaxed peach T-shirt
Best luxury white T-shirt. Sizes XXS-4XL. Materials: Cotton. Why we love it: Statement print, wearable year-round. Take note: Expensive. Available in a range of prints and colourways, Ganni's relaxed T-shirts have achieved cult status over the years. This peach graphic design is perfect for everyday wear, injecting some colour into your wardrobe. The fruit graphic, typography and signature Ganni logo are finished in a vibrant yellow hue. Designed with the brand's laidback aesthetic in mind, the tee is cut into an oversized silhouette with loose short sleeves. Whether you size up for an even more relaxed fit or size down for tucking into jeans, it's an investment piece you'll wear time and time again. However, for the price, I would have liked it to be a little more heavyweight – although, some people might prefer the lightweight organic cotton fabric. £115 from Ganni.com. Prices may vary.
8. Uniqlo dry unisex white T-shirt
Best relaxed white t-shirt. Sizes XS-3XL. Materials: Cotton, polyester. Why we love it: Loose, relaxed cut, comfortable, budget price. Take note: Too thin for winter. Uniqlo's unisex T-shirt is a serious bargain at just £7.90 – but it still delivers on quality. Cut into a relaxed and laidback fit, it's the best white T-shirt for those who don't want anything too fitted and structured. Featuring a ribbed crew neckline and loose short sleeves, the soft cotton and recycled polyester blend is lightweight and airy. It washes well – though creases easily – and the colour remains crisp and clean. While the fabric is ideal for staying cool in warmer weather, it might feel a little too thin for the winter months. Whether poking out from under a knit or tucked into Bermuda shorts, it's a staple that doesn't blow the bank. I'll have one in every colour, please. £8 from Uniqlo.com. Prices may vary.
What are the best women's white T-shirts?
I've tried a lot of white T-shirts over the years, but Topshop's affordable, classic tee is the one I reach for most. It's the perfect cut, tucking into trousers but skimming across mid-rise jeans. For a long sleeve style, you can't beat Cos's flattering cotton top, while Me+Em's V-neck design is an elevated take.
How I tested white T-shirts
In my search for the perfect white T-shirt, I considered material, structure and comfort, while assessing how each style fared in the washing machine and after multiple wears. From statement investment pieces to affordable everyday staples, I've sought out skin-tight styles, relaxed fits, crew-neck cuts and cropped silhouettes.
Why you can trust us
Daisy Lester is a senior shopping writer at The Independent. She specialises in reviewing clothing, from the latest trends at M&S to the best trench coats, so she knows what makes a great garment and keeps a close eye out for comfortable materials. Where white T-shirts are concerned, she knows the brands to turn to for high quality designs yet still keeps budget firmly in mind. Looking to update your night attire, too? We've rounded up the best women's pyjamas.
