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. If you want to purchase by size, the Michael Stars website has the best selection of colors and sizes, and they’re currently doing a Spend More, Save More Sale.
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.
