White tees - should I bother? - YouLookFab Forum

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White tees - should I bother?

catgirl

Veteran

Once again, I have been contemplating whether to attempt to wear white. It is so not me, but I'm wondering if I need to add it in to my palette of grey, black, ink blue, emerald, and citron for some variety and change.

White bottoms are not practical for me year round and I am never going to wear a white button down. What item would you suggest I add that will give me a sense of whether white can work for me? A white tee seems like it would go with BFs and work wear. But it has to be that HEWI... Not tight, not see through, etc.

Any guidance?

Dressing

55 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Diana

Veteran

I have one, and I think that is the right number for me. Once in a while I get the hankering to wear a white tee in an outfit (like the one below, which ended up being a YLF favorite) but it's not that often. I also use it as a layer under my white sweaters sometimes.

Mine is just a regular scoop neck from the Gap. It's 100% cotton (important for summer!) and opaque, which works for me. It is a bit too long for me though.

ETA: I wouldn't spend big bucks on a white tee. They're too hard to keep looking pristine, plus tees in general are high turnover items.

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Helena

Veteran

Hi Alaskagirl, I swear Gap doesn't pay me, but I swear by their bowery super-soft tees ... the are not overly see-through and wash well. I also have a white Target merona v-neck, which fits nicely but does need a cami underneath.

I would go as cheap as you can get away with as any white tee gets gungy quickly in my experience, and need to be replaced fairly frequently.

I personally love a pop of white in an outfit, it looks very fresh and sharp to me, and would add nice contrast to your darker palette. A white tee, jeans and a scarf is easy and great if white's not your best by your face (which it's not for me either).

Also, if plain white's not your bag, what about a stripe with white being the main color?

Have fun; hope you'll post some pics if you add white!

Greyscale

Veteran

I added white to my wardrobe this year. I'm very excited about it. Our coloration is very different though - but I think you should try it

I just found my perfect new white tshirts at uniqlo. They're the round neck supima tees (the ones made from two t-shaped pieces of fabric, no set in sleeves, would link but I'm on my phone). They're a very modern cut, drapey and fluid and not too sheer for me. And flattering on my IT shoulders, I think.

Diana

Veteran

Oh, just saw that you were asking about other white items as well. What about a white denim jacket for summer? I think that's my white item that gets the most wear. I like my white blazer too but I think the denim jacket is more versatile.

catgirl

Veteran

TG, I do have and love the striped black and white Brahmin that Rae has. The structure is polished but the texture is roughed up. I also only recently realized there are "shades" of white and have no idea which suits me best. Thanks for the rec! We even have a Gap here. May have to go look.

catgirl

Veteran

Ooh, Diana - I have made that mistake already! I think white under something more in my comfort zone is the way to go for starters...

AviaMariah

Veteran

I couldn't live without white tees, especially in the summer. I think you should try one. It is hard to find the perfect one, and if I do I try to double or triple up. Although I'm with Diana that I try not to spend too much on them if I can help it as I like to replace them every year.

Diana

Veteran

Oh, ha, go for the tee then. You can always use it as layering or loungewear if it doesn't work out.

AJ

Veteran

Although white is an excellent color for my skin tone, I can't seem to find a white top or topper that looks good on my IT shape. I have a button down and tee, but I always feel the need to put a dark layer over it. The closest I have come to is a cream denim vest that I wear over a column of black.

carter

Veteran

Not a stand-alone top, but a great layering piece, I wear this all the time: http://www.chicos.com/store/br.....#038;size=

Because its a smooth fabric, blazers and sweaters don't get hung up on it, and it doesn't add any bulk or conflict with anything I need to tuck. I like the little bit of white poking out over a deep V of a sweater or jacket...seems to make the top layer stand out more. They also have it in ecru, if that's more your shade.

catgirl

Veteran

AJ, that is exactly how I feel! Add into that my style preferences and it's near impossible. Carter, thanks for the suggestion - that is exactly the way I should start.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

You said white is so not you, but you didn't say why. Does it not look right to you when you wear it? Is it the upkeep? Is it a specific white - maybe you prefer a non-blinding white, something more like cream or ivory or pale gray?

I think I would first try it in a scarf, a print in your favorite colors on a white background. It's a small dose that could help you decide if you want more of it.

Anonymous

I try white Ts on all the time, but I have yet to find one that meets all the criteria of not see-through, not clingy and not too low-cut (something you're concerned about too, if I remember correctly). I found an Eileen Fisher one at my Rack once that was an "almost". I didn't care for the slubby linen texture and there was a place near the neckline where it was starting to unravel. I wasn't willing to invest $50 in something that wasn't perfect, but I keep looking. Like you, I'm not sure if the Great White T will hold the key to my future wardrobe success or not, but it sure has done wonders for Mo's and Rae's wardrobes, hasn't it?

So what is is about white that you find hard to wear? Do you feel it looks harsh on you? Does it make you look sick or pasty? I know you don't tan anymore, but did you ever try white with a tan? I'm just curious, because I would think it would look really good with your complexion.

ETA: Oh, it's the IT thing. I get it now. I think a white denim vest is a great idea then. Maybe with the trending of white, you'll be able to find some white that are more to your style in the coming months. Also--I'm really self conscious of my tummy, and a full-on white top/shirt can exaggerate it. I really love my little white jacket (which I can wear open) for this reason.

E

Veteran

What about a belt? Or a sweater?

I enjoy soft white woven blouses too, but my style is very different from yours.

catgirl

Veteran

Partly it's finding the right shade. I also have the "not slimming" hang-up EVEN THOUGH I normally don't care about that. And I also find it hard to locate RATE items in white, which helps it feel less crisp to me. I don't wear a lot of t shirts, and I have major sleeve and neckline issues. And then it seems like I'm defeating the whole purpose of wearing white to begin with!

At the same time I feel it is really limiting to eschew white in a way that it wouldn't be if we were talking, say, powder pink for me. I think a white t with faded black jeans and boots could be a fun change of uniform for me - if I could only find the right one!

Anonymous

Got it! That makes complete and total sense. That uniform variation sounds very much like you.

AJ

Veteran

What about white accessories instead? A b&w clutch, boots, watch?

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yes, definitely get a white tee! White tees are such a great tomboy element. I think they'd go great under your blazers and leather jackets.

If you don't like a stark white against your skin yet, you could try a sheer white or with sheer paneling at the neckline.

If tees are not warm enough, you could try a white cashmere shell, too. Or I think Enza Costa makes an amazing cashmere jersey, too. Or now that I saw Grayscale say Uniqlo, maybe size way up in a Heattech?

Diana

Veteran

Another idea, although I may be way off here. What about a cream cabled sweater like mine or Anna's?

catgirl

Veteran

Diana, I am looking at sweaters right now! Maybe something angled or destructed?

April

Veteran

Una, I'm super-picky about white tees. Nothing with ribbing (which does horrible things to the bust, simultaneously magnifying it and making the shape look all wrong); nothing with a chest pocket; nothing so scooped or V-d that I must wear a cami,but not one of those neck-shortening crewnecks either; nothing see-through; nothing too clingy or too baggy; nothing too short since all my shortness is in my legs.

Has this pickiness resulted in my finding the perfect white tee? It has not.

I persist, though, because I would have many uses for the perfect white tee. Basically, I want it to look good enough to wear under an open blazer, and that's harder than it sounds.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, sweaters are game?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/he.....wordsearch

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/he.....sonalizeds

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/en.....wordsearch

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/he.....wordsearch

catgirl

Veteran

April, your list is my list. Thank you for that.

Rae, sweaters are totally game! Will check links.

viva

Veteran

What about something like this? I feel like it needs to be supercool for you, Una.

http://tinyurl.com/qfgpqn9

kkards

Veteran

i love white tee's. i probably have close to 10 if i counted both long sleeve and short. l wear them layered year round. my everyday fav's are target, gap, BR. i have an old long sleeve one from martin and osa that i love. love, love, but alas, it will need to be retired soon. the lenght was perfect, the fabric soft, everything layered nicely over it. my other perfect white tee is short sleeve and has ruching on the sides....very slimming (it was from theory, but they don't seem to be making this style anymore). this summer i'm going to try a rounded neck from everlane. at the end of last summer i ordered the vneck, i loved the fabric, but not the vneck.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I love white. I'm not an IT, though - I'm a rectangle with strong shoulders. I also have a brutal summer, which I don't think you have, which makes white absolutely essential.

However, I do like
- JCrew Perfect white tees underneath gray
- Everlane white tees
- white chunky cashmere scarves, especially with silver or metallic thread in
- white cotton or linen pullover sweaters from Vince, Enza Costa, Eileen Fisher, Rag and Bone, Alexander Wang, JCrew, and Inhabit

I have never yet really found a white cashmere sweater I actually wear. I have one in vanilla, but it's so textured I don't think it counts.

Hope this helps.

catgirl

Veteran

So,I found some too but of course the first HL sweater you posted is my fave - at the corresponding price! At least I know there is hope... Thank you!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

I think Rae's two Helmut Lang picks could be just what you're looking for. They have that asymmetrical hem and/or looser fit your RATE stylings want. I like Diana's photo, too, which is a basic that can be layered with so many of your great jackets and toppers. GAP really does have some comfy tees and there's also Vince for more sleek, slippery silhouettes. Go toward the white!

unfrumped

Veteran

Or a white T with a denim vest or utility vest.
Or a not-white pale color like palest blue-gray, and then white in your bag or belt. Possibly a white T or cami layered under a Vneck sweater that ticks all the other boxes. And still like the stripe idea, which adds the freshness mitigates the too-much white problem.

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