Why is it so difficult to buy a white t-shirt? Why? - YouLookFab Forum

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Why is it so difficult to buy a white t-shirt? Why?

celia

Veteran

Dear YLF,

My so called fashion evolution has been full of ups and downs, of shortcuts and detours but my love for classic staples has been a constant. I love blue blazers, trench coats and white tops.(I also like khaki pants but let's not get into that)
I see many renditions of trench-coats and blue blazers and sometimes the difficulty lies in choosing just one of the many things offered. White tops there are a-plenty but very few pass the test.
The most elusive of them all is a white t-shirt, you know, the staple , the must have in every list, the thing that goes with everything else.
Either they are sheer, they are too tight, they have unflattering necklines.
Has anyone seen this elusive being, the white t-shirt in cotton that is not see trough and has a scoop neck or v-neck?
Mentioning of sightings are most welcome.

(Sorry for the long text, it is my equivalent of becoming a big green monster and growling " Cecilia smashes!")

Shopping

43 replies

Latest reply was from andis

Thistle

Veteran

I have no leads, but I will be watching with interest!

I used to buy mine at Ann Taylor, but the quality is hit or miss. Talbots are not see through, but I am not thrilled with the neckline.

celia

Veteran

Thistle ,I bought one at the Loft last year and I wear it. But I think that by some people standards it is kind of see through.

rabbit

Veteran

I'm sure there will be good suggestions from others, but I ended up just stealing some menswear ones.

Ones like these from H&M get worn by me until they wear out:

http://www.hm.com/us/product/0.....le=01684-B

http://www.hm.com/us/product/26459?article=26459-C

They also have some deeper or wider scoopneck ones. But all of them aren't see through, and are nicely drapey.

http://www.hm.com/us/product/2.....le=22717-A

http://www.hm.com/us/product/2.....le=25428-A

El Cee

Veteran

Haven't tried them yet, but some of my friends really love Everlane for basic tees: https://www.everlane.com

celia

Veteran

Thank you for the suggestions, I will look at them.
Rabbit, isn't it interesting that men's clothes are always more resilient than women's?

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

I don't wear white tees for fear I'll fade out of existence, but the plain ones I've liked best have been Mossimo and Merona from Target (!), and I also have nice, sturdy pima cotton tee from Banana Republic. Caveat: these are all a few years old, and we all know how quality tends to be inconsistent/go down over time nowadays.

rabbit

Veteran

celia - yep, why is that? So far for a very occasional plain button down oxford or plain tee, menswear has worked best for me. It might be different if I was a bit more busty.

SandyG

Veteran

My white tees from Nordstrom's Caslon line last summer were good. I haven't looked at current ones yet but I hunt every summer for that fashion unicorn, the perfect white tee.

cciele

Veteran

Totally commiserating with you, Celia. And eagerly following thread for suggestions!

Aziraphale

Veteran

Have you tried J. Crew's vintage tees? They are slightly sheer, but not so sheer that you need a cami. I quite like them. The only downside is that they need to be washed on delicate, or they can get tiny holes.

Sarah A

Veteran

Ive just ordered two white ts from Everlane and am quite pleased. Both u neck (oversized fit) and v neck (classic fit) not washed yet so cant comment on durability.

dustt

Veteran

I buy this one - I know don't cringe that it's from LL Bean!!! smooth pima - not sheer - scoop neck - elbow sleeves - it is a tad short on my 5'9" frame - but still do-able

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop.....#038;attrV

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Have you tried Lands End?

Scarlet

Veteran

I desperately need white shirts and I am too discouraged to even go shopping for them for the reasons you mentioned. Something a little forgiving on the mid-section would be most welcome.

Mmm, that H&M tip looks most interesting. Also LandsEnd would be worth a look.

Anonymous

I usually want to wear a cami underneath, but my Eddie Bauer ones I wouldn't need too. At least the ones from last year. I think they are made more for a rectangle....not sure what shape you have.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I don't have any white t's at the moment but my Eddie Bauer and Lands End stuff tends to last for years.

Aubergine

Veteran

I'm nodding along here. Have literally not owned a white t-shirt for years.

When I did own some, I never wore them because anything tolerable was so hard to find that I was afraid to get them unbearably stained/dirty. Which is just silly, but whatever. I think there were ones I donated with the tags still on because the shape looked so outdated. At least they were cheap, because of course I didn't want to spend much money on anything that had a good chance of being ruined the first time I ate tomato sauce in it.

kkards

Veteran

For plain everyday type tees I've always had great luck with target (merona label) the gap, and BR. I have a vneck one from everlane that I got at the end last summer, not worn much, but the fabric is nice, and i will probably try a scoop neck one this year. For slightly dressier tees it's hit or miss ( is a dressy white tee an oxymoron?), but I saw some that looked promising at BR last week.

Helena

Veteran

gap, BR and target for me too - although I find I often need to put a tank or cami under ... but I'm also extra-uptight about that stuff

gryffin

Veteran

Celia - I feel your frustration. This is why I don't own white shirts, period. The only white ones I have are a tux shirt (front panel cancels out sheer) and JCrew tank that had an almost tux ruffled front (again no more sheer) straigt tees that are opaque very tough. AT had some years ago but I have not found them since. Sorry no good suggestions but offering sympathy for the frustration of the hunt!! Good luck!

Anonymous

I like the vince little boy tees, but the price is a bit high

Marmee

Veteran

Greyscale recommended the uniqlo round neck tee. I tried it on, but thought it was slightly too short for me - at least with the BFs I was wearing at the time. Otherwise, I liked the shape and neckline. And it wasn't too thin.

Susie

Veteran

I had the same frustration when I needed to add a long sleeve white tee. I found a nice one at Eddie Bauer. I've also had good luck with JJill tees. And Kohl's often has nice cotton tees at very low prices.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Actually. This fluid tee with diagonal sleeve from the Gap has been great for some of my clients:

http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....=941494012

http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....=941493002

But it does not come in pure white.

Linda

I am on the quest for a good white basic tee, too. Oh, I have several white knit shirts. Not one of them is quite right. Long sleeves are too tight; neck is too wide or too close, yada, yada yada. I just recently watched a YouTube video by HotPants Patterns that encourages me to try tailoring one for myself, now that I've got my sewing machine humming again. It may be the only way to get what I'm after! But I DO keep looking! And looking!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I own a couple for layering but I never wear them alone. I always reach for something that's colored or had some detailing to it.

But if you want something basic and not too thin, I agree with the suggestions of lands end, llbean, or Eddie Bauer.

kerry

Veteran

You have hit on one of my HEWI items! I've tried Lands End tees (too short or the v is too low), Caslon shirred tees (v is a bit low and developed holes quickly) J crew vintage cotton v (a little see-through), Gap (ribbed not flattering to my middle). I have heard great things about James Pearse tees but who wants to pay that much for a white tee that'll only last a season?!

I think I also figured out that a scoop neck (which I thought was as flattering as a v-neck) tends to make me look like a linebacker.

So ... I have no help just sympathy and I'm going to keep looking. I think a great white tee can do just about anything in your wardrobe.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ladies, I have to chime in one more time about tees. You might be expecting too much from them. They are just t-shirts. Often, just to be layered with. T-shirts are not miraculous wardrobe items that instantaneously make us feel fabulous, like a jacket, good pair of jeans or shoes. Actually, they are an under garment, which is how the tee started its fashion legacy in the first place. Be picky about your tees, but lower your expectations too.

fathenry

Veteran

Chiming in to commiserate here. Good tees are hard to find.Especially ones that do not cling at the tummy. I will be checking out some of these suggestions. Thanks for posting this question! I have had best luck with a looser fit with a banded hem but need new ones and they are hard to find.

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