What’s more simple and basic than a white T-shirt and yet such a key piece in your wardrobe!
It’ s a must-have and a must-be. This is your asset to mellow « caliente » outfits out and add some casualness in your wise looks. Universal, timeless and chameleonic.
So common and widespread that you probably think it s such a piece of cake to find it … Fake news! You will have a hard time to reach your quest finding the One, YOUR one.
Indeed, facing such an amount of diversity and choices, you will quite soon cool down when it comes to details, too tight, not adequate collar, inappropriate see-through fabric, sleeves too short or too wide, not long enough, so much to abort the finding mission.
It has to be minimalist, plain and purely white from the fabric to the seams without anything else in that white landscape.
It must not contain any fancy markings, buttons, rhinestones, gathers, studs, embroidery, yokes etc..
The shirt must be white and that’s it, otherwise it’s not a basic anymore.
How toxic all boxes to get the best white loose tee for you
The fabric
Ideally made of 100% cotton jersey with a fabric substance of 150 g/ m2, madly precise eh ?
I’ll tell you this for nothing but above this metrics, it will feel too thick & rigid, below this basis weight, it will be see-through and soon look like a rag!
It should be subtly see-through, less enough to be able to wear it in any circumstances, at the office for example without having the feeling to be Betty Boop.
Zara
If it’s in noble material such as mercerized cotton or Scotch Yarn it s even better and will give a silky look and a soft touch to your tee, run away from anything that would seem to be cheap like polyester.
Zara
The cut
Your tee has to be simple, the closest to an original cutting.
Forget about any extravagance when it comes to the cut and before all, move on from the snake you don’t want to be by choosing it skin-fitting
Favour loose fitting, not too large, though and straight cut that reveal, just enough, your body curves without emphasizing them.
It should slightly be oversize but not too much, you definitely don’t want to look like a tent and therefore try also to avoid too large sleeves.
I’m not saying that you should try to buy James Dean his tee, but it should look like it has seen life or that you borrow it to your sweetheart unless he wears XXXL, like mine!
And « unfortunately » if you have set your sights on a style which is not oversize, why not trying it but in 1 or 2 sizes bigger and see what it is like ?
Coming to the design of the collar, go for a scoop neck slightly low cut which will take away the impression of you being strangled and tight up in a far too austere groove.
If your silhouette is a V or part of those lucky ones that have, as we would say in France, « crowd on the on the balcony » (#teambigboobs) bet for a V-neck or even better a U-neck probably more suitable as the goal here is not to entice …at least not with that particular detail …
Finally your tee must be long enough to be tucked into your jeans, skits or shorts and to provide a trendy boule look. Ideally you may even be able to tie it therefore the perfect length should reach just above your bottom.
To conclude and after this brief outline, you bump into THE white tee, the perfect idyll between YOU and TEE, don t be greedy, take several and why not in all other basic colors like grey, black, and red if available.
TO SUMMARIZE
Pick a loose TEE, as simple as effective, cotton fabric, scooped neck , half-way between thick and thin.
Our favorite brands
As for all basic pieces, my preference go to : American Vintage, their tees meet all the requirements, however it s not necessary to pay that much for a TEE .
You can easily have a crush for any at H&M or Zara if the cut and the softness of the cotton convince you.
As well as the tees from Fruit of the Loom are also very well cut and affordable.
Further to some recommendations which introduce it as being the top of the range, I have tried American Apparel, but the patterns did not appeal to me.
Apparently the « Conrad » from Sezane has a good track record, although I did not test it… yet!
$$$ Budget : between 8 and 50€
How to style your white loose t-shirt
Without wishing to boast, the TEE has so many ways to style outfits, here below I’ll share a few :
- out of your jeans with a short jacket or blaser but in this case get all accessories like shoes, scarf, foulard and bag very much girly orientated (high heels , bright colors)
- the front or side half tucked in when the rest remains out, to achieve this just slide the half you want to tuck in with one single hand.
- tied at the front or at the side
- completely tucked into your pants/skirts/shorts aiming at a trendy boule look. I’ll give you a clever trick, just raise your arms vertically to obtain the perfect balance of a boule look.
In any cases, highlight your low cut scooped neck with an ornements of tiny and fine chains or statement necklaces to balance a complete casual outfits.
White T-shirt matches well with close-fitting pieces and brings a casual touch to all those items that boast noble fabric like blazer, straight skirt, pleated trousers or skirt.
What styles to wear with your loose white t-shirt ?
Outfits for the office
The loose t-shirt can be worn with other basics in classic outfits: raw jeans, blazer, trench as well as in preppy outfits with a short pleated skirt and derbies.
It can also be worn in business-casual looks under a short cardigan with a straight skirt and pumps or in a tomboy look with men’s pants, a blazer, richelieu shoes or loafers.
Pinterest*
Summer outfits for the office
In summer, you can slip your loose tee into a pair of carrot pants, a chino or men’s pants worn with thin heeled sandals.
Casual outfits
Your loose t-shirt will be perfect with cargo pants, boyfriend or mom jeans, chic jogging pants, sneakers, Converses.
You will be able to feminize these outfits with pumps and of course jewelry and accessories.
Casual summer outfits
You can wear your loose t-shirt with shorts, a mini skirt with ethnic print, spartan shoes, espadrilles.
Rock outfits
Perfect with destroy jeans, perfecto, studded boots or biker boots.
Evening outfits
With sequins, lamé, sequins but also sexy pieces like the mini skirt or the pencil skirt.
TO SUMMARIZE
The tee will relax any outfit a little too sexy or give a cool and relaxed side to a skirt or pants a little strict.
Mix and match
Here are some outfit ideas to match your tee with the other basics and timeless items in your wardrobe :
Loose white T-shirt
+ Slim or raw skinny
+ Blazer
+ Black, nude, flashy or leopard suede pumps or babies
Loose white T-shirt
+ Slim or skinny black or gray
+ Perfecto or black leather jacket
+ Studded boots
Loose white T-shirt
+ Slim or skinny used or destroy
+ Sneakers
+ Parka or military jacket
Loose white T-shirt
+ Slim or leather skinny
+ Large knitted cardigan
+ Heeled boots
Loose white T-shirt
+ Boyfriend jeans
+ Trench coat
+ Court shoes or babies
Loose white T-shirt
+ Straight cropped jeans
+ Blazer
+ Court shoes or babies
Loose white T-shirt
+ Mom jeans
+ Blazer
+ Minimalist high heel sandals
Loose white T-shirt
+ Black men’s pants
+ Blazer
+ Shoes
Loose white T-shirt
+ Black men’s pants
+ Blazer
+ Sneakers
+ Collier plastron
Loose white T-shirt
+ Beige or khaki chino
+ Blazer
+ Black suede pumps or babies
Loose white T-shirt
+ Beige or khaki chino
+ Leather jacket
+ Minimalist high heel sandals
Loose white T-shirt
+ Straight skirt
+ Flashy or leopard print pumps
Loose white T-shirt
+ Pencil skirt
+ Leather jacket
+ Heeled boots
Loose white T-shirt
+ Pleated midi skirt
+ Sneakers
Loose white T-shirt
+ Leopard midi skirt
+ Sneakers
Loose white T-shirt
+ Long skirt in veil
+ Tropeziennes or spartiates
+ Ethnic necklace
Loose white T-shirt
+ Long printed skirt
+ Denim jacket
+ Western boots
Loose white T-shirt
+ Leather miniskirt
+ Oversized cardigan
+ Sneakers
Loose white T-shirt
+ Sequined skirt
+ Studded boots
Loose white T-shirt
+ Denim skirt
+ Converse
White loose T-shirt
+ Beige shorts
+ Tropéziennes or spartiates
+ Sahara jacket
+ Camel braided belt
Loose white T-shirt
+ Denim shorts
+ Tropéziennes, spartiates or western boots
Pinterest inspirations
Pinterest*
The loose tee is the perfect ally of the little summer shorts that it comes to soften.
Wear it tied like here, taking care not to tighten the knot too much near your waist.
The thin necklace brings a touch of femininity to the outfit.
Pinterest*
Denim shorts and loose t-shirt, a vacation classic!
Pinterest*
Roll up the sleeves of your t-shirt to give it a more feminine look!
Pinterest*
Accessorize your loose white t-shirt with a pretty silk scarf
to add some chic to your outfit.
Pinterest*
A loose t-shirt gives a cool and relaxed side to a long pleated skirt.
Les Babioles de Zoé
The loose tee works well with dress pants.
Pinterest*
A casual-chic outfit with skinny jeans, a loose white t-shirt, a blazer and minimalist sandals that feminize the outfit!
Jodie La Petite Frenchie
Chic and feminine outfit with a t-shirt, high waisted jeans and white loafers.
Pinterest*
A basic and neutral white t-shirt and ideal in an outfit with two strong pieces: destroy jean shorts and a sequin blazer.
Pinterest*
A loose white t-shirt comes to soften a leather miniskirt.
Pinterest*
A loose white t-shirt will de-dramatize a jacket with golden sequins.
Pinterest*
Basic and feminine outfit with a loose t-shirt, mom jeans and heeled sandals.
Pinterest*
The ultra successful association of the loose white t-shirt and the leopard skirt.
On the feet we can imagine sneakers for a casual chic look or minimalist sandals for a glamorous outfit!
Pinterest*
Another simple casual chic outfit that works well: loose white tee + cropped straight jeans + pumps. Colored pumps will bring a touch of pep!
Pinterest*
Here again, a simple but successful combination of a loose white t-shirt with high-waisted jeans, a black belt with a western buckle and a leather jacket for the rock touch.
Pinterest*
The loose white t-shirt works great with denim! Here it calms down a total look!
Pinterest*
The loose white t-shirt and the denim jacket come to soften the leopard mini skirt.
Lookastic
The t-shirt is worn in a summer outfit with a khaki chino, wedges and a brown braided belt.
The mix of colors and pieces is perfect.
Archzine
The white t-shirt very sober comes to emphasize the print of the skirt and gives it a very current look.
Tendances de mode
Here again, the sobriety of the white T-shirt perfectly highlights the embroidery of the skirt.
Pinterest*
The loose white t-shirt and the the blazer come to soften the leopard bag.
Lookastic
The T-shirt is worn in a rather rock outfit accompanied by a leather perfecto and black pumps.
Archzine
Here is a nice example of an outfit in which the loose white t-shirt is associated with stricter pieces, here a pair of pants with darts and a straight coat.
The high heeled sandals bring style and femininity to the outfit.
Pinterest*
A loose white t-shirt to play down a long silk skirt and make it “wearable” during the day!
How to care for your white t-shirt?
Washing, drying, ironing
Wash your shirt inside out, in the washing machine, at 30°C max, with white linen.
Shake it to smooth it out and then dry it in the open air, on a fabric hanger.
Avoid absolutely the tumble dryer which would make it shrink.
Iron it gently on the reverse side.
Your shirt is dry
Don’t let the dirt linger, act immediately!
Always treat the problem BEFORE washing.
Tip: Make a paste by mixing 2/3 baking soda + 1/3 water in a small bowl.
Apply the paste to the stain with a clean toothbrush.
Leave for 15 minutes, scrub and rinse!
If that’s not enough, dilute a tablespoon of baking soda crystals in a bowl of warm water. Scrub and rinse!
Your white shirt has turned yellow
Soak it overnight in a basin with a mixture of 2/3 water and 1/3 white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
Let it dry in the sun in summer.
The sun has a remarkable whitening action!
In winter, you can hang it outside when it freezes.
Let’s talk !
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*These are images for which the sources could not be identified on Pinterest.
Header picture credit:
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