Great point Angie! Kind of brings me back to balance. I'm a fan of the "Perfect Tee" series at ON, actually, I really love the feel and the fit of their long sleeved v neck tees, although for some reason, I don't own one in white!

I plan on checking out the men's tees at H&M next time I am by too since they seem to get praise from many on YLF. I might fiddle with alterations to it if they are too boxy for me.

Well put Angie and an important reminder. I've been guilty from time to time in wanting more from a tee than what it can realistically deliver.

Yes, it's just a tee.

But a white raglan tee hugging a guy with well fitting, slightly slouchy jeans and a James Dean devil-may-care, non-chalant smile and, well, I like a tee

Umm .... And to think I was once a jeans and tee girl :D. I wear that now too, but with better shoes and statement necklace/earrings.

Yep, agree 100%, Angie.

That said, it seems to me that when those lists mention "perfect white tee" and shows a picture of a model wearing such a garment (with perfect jeans and perfect black pumps and perfect blazer) the tee appears to actually be a men's version. It reminds me exactly of the type of tee's my dad would wear under his collared shirt and suit, yes as underwear. On a woman's shape it would be relaxed and loose, ala "boyfriend" fit.

It is also about the cotton. When I was a kid, I'd sometimes borrow my dad's tees to sleep in. The cotton was so soft and comfy. So I dunno... I guess I've been looking for that version in my adult life, the same feel against the skin. My dad's tees came in value packs. I have shopped the men's department in the past, but the selection isn't there like it was back in the 70s-80's. Because as office attire has become more and more casual, men no longer wear such layering tees.

The closest I have found to such a tee, for women, is the Vintage tees at Jcrew. They are 100% cotton, not linen or rayon. I have them in scoop & v-neck, and black, white, navy, and neon pink. You have to play around with the size a bit, to get a fluid fit. But yeah... they are mostly for layering and supporting roles.

Nodding along with Shiny. Years ago (late 80s/early 90s), I got in a habit of wearing one of my dad's old tees, which led me to start purchasing newer men's tees (Hanes or the like). Classic crew neck, loose-fitting, a little baggy but just soft enough that it draped... I used to tuck them into everything from jeans to shorts, roll up the sleeves, and go. I still think it looked kinda cute on my then-young body. Not sure if it would work now.

I've found tees with Pima cotton work well for me.

This is refreshing truth! I think part of the myth of the Perfect Tee comes from those lists of so-called "must have" items in every woman's wardrobe, most of which I don't understand, and don't actually work well on most women's bodies in real life.

Anyway, I completely agree with a previous commenter that my obsession with the perfect top (if not the perfect tee) is functional. It's so easy to get dressed fall through spring, for me. Come summer, I live in a place that gets very hot and dry, and it's my style disaster zone. I just don't know how to be comfortable, authentic, and professional -- how to be me and feel good in my skin. A top can't be a layer. A top is a fundamental choice and a dilemma, especially as I get older and start to feel less good about going sleeveless. From that point of view, I completely get where the anxiety comes from.

I do have one expensive "tee" from Current Elliot that is yet to be matched - super soft, reasonably thick but not hot, and just right slouchy/slight U neckline. I paid too much for it (in my eyes) but I do love putting it on. The cost keeps me from ordering others from them as I feel like I have to be careful with it.

Remember when Sharon Stone wore a basic Gap tee with a big flowy skirt to the awards?

Recently I've found a few from Madewell that I really like - very soft, interesting cut (but maybe too "boxy" for some people's taste), single pocket. They were on sale for about $20 and I ordered duplicates I liked them enough. I don't expect them to last past the season and certainly don't expect to be "dressed up" when I wear them.

Good reminder regarding tee shirts. Not sure on my favorites although I have quite a few from the gap...some hits many misses due to quality issues!

I completely agree about the status of tee shirts. I see them as a layering piece. Especially long-sleeved tees. I only buy them in black and white and I never spend more that $10 on them. I also don't use graphic tees as statement pieces -- they're just for fun. I do however expect my tees to fit well.

30 ways to wear a basic white tee:

http://www.fabsugar.com/30-Way.....o-22420356

Lists like this make you want to find the perfect one.... just like finding the perfect crisp white collared shirt...

I own several basic T's in white, black, navy. I buy at the Gap and replace often. I use them mostly as layering pieces or as casual tops in the summer.

Ah, I'm nodding with Shiny and Janet...those oversized drapey tees of the late 80s! A blast from the past.

I really love Boden's tees. They have a feminine fit, a flattering scoop neck and they're weighty enough to not be sheer. They're the perfect basic layering piece, IMO.

A Talbots tee which I bought several years ago is the best one I've had. It feels lovely and soft, and gets softer with repeated launderings. It drapes rather than clings, and the color--soft sage green--is still true.

I'm eager to try the linen blend tees several YLFers have mentioned.

I posted on the other thread, but should have posted here so I'm copying:

Just one more thought on the white or other color tee as undergarment. I have to wonder, IF it is just an undergarment, then why is there such an overwhelming number of women trying to find the "perfect" one to wear on it's own? Doesn't that in itself negate it from the purely undergarment category?

To me, it is similar to the perfect white shirt. A simple crisp white shirt often looks like the same work shirt my Dad used to wear back in the late 50's when he worked at a grocery store. In fact, in a way I do relate simple white shirts as work shirts (and have myself tried to find the perfect one), and they are indispensable fashion items for many.

So why isn't the perfect tee?

Which I would define as: thick enough to wear in white on it's own; flattering neckline and sleeve style; soft, comfortable fabric; slightly tailored fit with good drape.

I agree with your statement Angie . I personally love a great tee. I use it as a base then build from there. With wearing lots of jewelry or jackets etc. I have a large tee collection.