As we discussed yesterday, one of my top ten Summer Wardrobe Essentials is a good white tee, and I highlighted a few of my favorites in that post. Today I want to take a deeper dive into some of the best tees and tanks that pair with everything in your closet.
Whether you wear it as a stand alone top or base layer under a jacket or cardigan, each of these will be a versatile addition to your summer wardrobe.
Best Basic Tank Tops for Summer 2024
also wearing: Gap Factory Baby Boot Jeans (29) // Crewneck Cardigan (M)
Gap Factory Favorite Tank Top $6.80 // This tank is super affordable, and it’s a traditional scoop neck style with thin straps that cover most everyday t-shirt bras (I wear this one). I like this tank mostly for layering purposes, but it can stand alone if you want it to. I recommend sizing up, if in between; I have the medium.
Gap Factory Cropped Ribbed High Neck Tank $10 // Also a great price, this tank has a crewneck and on-trend cutaway sleeves. It’s made of a stretch ribbed knit, and it comes in a bunch of colors and some petite and tall sizes. Due to the body-con fit, I recommend sizing up if in between; I wear the medium.
also wearing: Caslon cardigan (S) // KUT from the Kloth Meg (6) // Birks (39)
Splendid Ribbed Tank $38 // This is a more upscale version of the Gap Factory Favorite Tank Top, and the one I usually reach for when I want something simple to layer under a cardigan.
It’s a really nice quality tank, made of 50% Supima® cotton / 50% modal. It’s soft and stretchy and thin but not see-through. It also has a scoop neck and is regular bra friendly, and it’s 26″ long. I recommend sizing up; I have this tank in the medium.
also wearing: AGOLDE Parker Shorts (28) // Rails Charli Button-Up (S) // similar Joe’s Jean Shorts
Michael Stars Maya Cotton V-Neck Tank $68 // This is another high quality option, even thicker than the Splendid, and with a v-neck rather than the more traditional scoop neck tank. It’s 100% cotton, made in the USA, and 23 1/2″ long.
I like the shorter length for leaving untucked, and it’s nice enough to wear on its own, but you can certainly use it as a layering piece as well. I like this tank so much, I have it in white, black, beige, and coral! It’s O/S, which admittedly is a little strange, but it somehow works.
This tank is on sale in some colors at Bloomingdale’s, and you can find the neutral colors at Nordstrom and Evereve.
also wearing: Evereve Yara Midi Skirt (S) // Nordstrom Carolina Slides (8) // KUT from the Kloth Kara (S)
Michael Stars Cassie Binded Cotton Tank $68 // This tank is similar to the Maya, but it has a high scoop neck and thinner straps. It’s also made in the USA out of a thick and stretchy 100% cotton, and it’s 24″ long. It looks great worn alone or layered under jackets and cardigans. A similar style is on sale at Bloomingdale’s.
Best Basic T-Shirts for Summer 2024
As I mentioned yesterday, a good white tee is foundational to my summer wardrobe. I often wear them alone with jeans or a colored bottom, and they layer well under jackets and cardigans. For that reason, I’m willing to spend a little more on my white t-shirts, but you can also find good budget-friendly options if that’s your preference.
I’m focusing on v-necks here because that’s what I usually wear, but I’ll also call out some other options that are similar to each of these, if you prefer a crewneck or scoop neck tee.
also wearing: old Gap Factory denim shorts
Gap Factory Favorite Crew Neck T-Shirt $8 // This is the most affordable and the only crew neck t-shirt I’m featuring here. It has a classic straight silhouette and is about 25″ long. I recommend sizing up for a more relaxed fit; I’m wearing the small in the picture above, but that was two years ago. I would want the medium now.
also wearing: KUT from the Kloth Meg (6) // Sam Edelman Bambi Slides (8)
Madewell Whisper Cotton V-Neck Pocket Tee $19.50 // This 100% slub cotton v-neck t-shirt is 25 12″ long with a traditional fit and a split hem. Unfortunately, sizes are getting depleted. It’s been around for years, and it looks like it may finally be getting discontiued, but I wanted to feature it because it’s a great value for the price point.
I like the shape of the v-neck. It isn’t immodestly low-cut, but it opens up the neck and chest area, which tends to be flattering on most women. If the chest pocket is a deal breaker for you, the Madewell website has a pocket-less option. I take this one in a size small.
also wearing: KUT from the Kloth Jacqueline (S) // KUT from the Kloth Meg Linen Pants (6) // beek Sunbeam flip flops (8)
Splendid Faye V-Neck Tee $48 // I like this t-shirt for a more fitted style. I can wear it alone, but it’s really great for layering under a jacket or cardigan.
It’s a really nice quality, soft and stretchy, and very flattering. The length is 23 1/2″, and the fabric is 60% cotton, 40% rayon. I found this tee at Nordstrom, but it’s currently on sale at Bloomingdale’s. It also comes in a crewneck style that is on sale right now at Bloomingdale’s.
ATM Schoolboy V-Neck Tee $90 // For a splurge-worthy option, I absolutely love this ATM slub cotton v-neck. I’ve been wearing this tee for several years, and it has held up great. The fabric has such a lovely feel to it, and the texture adds interest to a simple white tee and denim outfit.
The shape of the v-neck is particularly flattering, and it’s a nice 24″ length with small side slits. I wear this alone and layered under jackets and cardigans. You can find this tee at Saks and a few sizes on sale at Bloomingdale’s. I recommend sizing up in this tee; I wear the medium.
also wearing: MOTHER Insider (29) // P448 John (39) // KUT from the Kloth Kara (S) // Frank & Elieen Gaucho Jeans c/o (29) // Paul Green Hadley (8)
FRAME Le Mid Rise V-Neck T-Shirt $98 // This tee is my current favorite, and of course, it’s the most expensive. insert eye roll emoji I love the narrow v-neck and the design of the sleeves. The fabric is thin but very high quality and it really holds up to wash and wear.
I never leave home without this tee; in fact, I usually wear it to travel in because it stands alone nicely and also layers well under a denim jacket. I recommend sizing down in this one; I wear the XS, which is pretty much unheard of for me. You can find it at most major department stores including Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks.
