Shop 11 Plain White Tees Inspired by New York Fashion Week’s Street Style Stars
Every 6 months, the fashion set watches and waits to see what comes down the runway at New York Fashion Week—but also what’s on the bodies of show attendees. It’s fashion fact that street style trends are just as impactful as the designers’ visions. As for season? The item of the moment was surprisingly and delightfully workaday: The plain white tee.
Worn with baggy puddle pants, midi skirts, or pleated trousers, white tees topped off many of our favorite street style looks. It’s simple, it’s fresh, and it embraces a pared-back attitude that’s absolutely refreshing. If critics have called street stylers front-row peacocks, what could they say about this crop of fashion showgoers, wearing a garment that’s as basic as it gets?
Vogue’s Lisa Aiken relied heavily on white tees and tanks throughout the most recent fashion week; she sported them with loose-fitting jeans a pair of black Ray Bans. Our colleague Naomi Elizée opted to dress up a tank with a leather Prada skirt, while Paloma Elsesser chose a pair to pair her tee with a sportif ankle-grazing skirt and fiery red and yellow Nike Air Bakin sneakers.
As fashion history tells us, the white shirt derives from men’s undergarments and thanks to mid-century male muses like James Dean and Marlon Brando, the cotton tee and its cousin, the ribbed tank, moved over into mainstream fashion. By the ’90s, it was a garment worn by minimalists of the era, the perfect U or V-neck oozing with easy elegance. Today’s iterations don’t veer far from the classics, but the distinctly 2022-feeling comes in by way of styling and attitude.
Shop ten perfect plain white tees and style them any which way—the possibilities are endless.
Why We Love it
- Vince’s wardrobe staples are an editor-favorite
- A 100% pima cotton fabric enhances softness
- A shrunken fit creates a more body-con tee
Why We Love it
- Everlane is a brand to love for its transparency; this shirt, specifically, was made in Lima, Peru
- 95% Pima cotton, 5% elastane fabric slightly hugs the body
- An all-over ribbed textile adds to the comfort
Why We Love It
- Remember when The Row started off with the simple mission of crafting the perfect white tee?
- A 100% cotton fabric keeps its shape
- A back seam adds a dash of unexpected detail
- The length is perfect for tucking into pants
Why We Love it
- Stockholm-based Totême is dedicated to crafting the modern uniform
- A 100% cotton fabric is wonderfully lightweight
- The boxy shape borrows from the boys
Why We Love it
- Ninety Percents donates 90% of the businesses profits to charitable organizations
- A 96% organic cotton, 4% elastane offers the perfect about of snug
- Skinny straps elevate the standard tank silhouette
Why We Love it
- Wardrobe.NYC offers basics with an unexpected element
- 100% cotton jersey fabric lies with a heavier weight
- Subtle shoulder pads offer a sculpted fit
Why We Love it
- There’s no arguing with a classic like Hanes
- 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and great for layering
- The price point cannot be beat
Why We Love it
- Kotn is a B-certified label dedicated to mindful and ethical production practices with full traceability
- A 100% mid-weight Egyptian cotton jersey creates a butter-soft feeling
- The proportions are just right, but should you prefer a longer length or boxier fit, Kotn gives options
Why We Love it
- Cos is known for its minimalist staples at an affordable pricepoint
- A 97% organic cotton, 3% elastane fabric provides a slight fitted feeling
- A shallow U-neckline creates a more elevated look
Why We Love it
- Kendall Jenner opened the show and Dua Lipa graced our cover wearing a version of this Prada tank
- 100% cotton fabric in a mid-weight pairs nicely with a variety of garments
- A subtle logo detail offers the perfect touch of Prada
Why We Love it
- Leset’s collections are made in Los Angeles
- The 100% cotton fabric features a ribbed U-neck neckline
- An ideal sleeve length that’s not too short and not too long
- The length allows a belt, should you choose to wear one, shine
