31-03-2025
This white tee from Madewell is one of the best you can buy — here's why
A white T-shirt is the backbone of any closet. Not to be dramatic, but a white tee is to wardrobes as water is to humans. Why? The fashion basic is versatile, low-maintenance and useful no matter your aesthetic. But much like a pair of jeans or a comfortable bra, finding a good one can be tricky.
As someone who has owned hundreds of white tees in what I like to think of as my very fashionable 30 years, I'm always on the lookout for a new one. On the recommendation of Yahoo's Amanda Garrity, I ordered the Madewell Northside Vintage Tee (which also topped our list of the best white T-shirts). After about six months of wear, I'm calling it: It's the closest thing there is to the elusive perfect white T-shirt.
I literally shop for a living, but one of the hardest things about choosing a white tee is that it's so simple, making it easier to pick out any and every flaw. However, when I tried the Madewell tee on, I could tell that this was the one my wardrobe was missing.
The soft but structured fabric felt fancy, and the silhouette was so flattering that, dare I say, I looked hot in a white T-shirt and jeans. In fact, when my fiancé came home from work, one of the first things he said was, "Ooh, is that a new T-shirt? I like it!" (Automatic gold star — for the fiancé and the tee.)
Obviously, every body type is different. I'm 5-foot-2 with a long torso, smaller chest and hips that are wider than my waist. I gravitate toward more cropped tees that don't feel overwhelming, but this shirt was much more flattering than I expected and true to size. The tee fits exactly as Madewell describes: "slightly shrunken." It's relaxed but still slim-fitting, so there's no sacrificing shape for breeziness.
The hem hits right at the top of my hip, which is great because I, much like Tan France, love a good French tuck (where you just tuck in the front of the shirt and leave the back out) with a pair of high-waisted jeans. As far as the sleeves go, they're on the shorter side, but they have enough room so my pits don't suffocate. I'm a sweatier-than-normal person, so this is very important to me.
All in all, the sizing is accurate and the silhouette is flattering for such a simple tee. Size up for a looser fit!
Softness is one of the most important things when it comes to finding the perfect T-shirt. While I know that it's subjective, I found that this 100% cotton tee was incredibly soft and lightweight right off the bat without being thrown in the wash. It's neither flimsy nor stiff, making it feel a lot more expensive than it is. That said, it's not the absolute softest of tees (that would be Madewell's Softfade Cotton Boxy-Crop Tee).
I have yet to wear it through a full summer, but I did bring it on a recent (very humid) Florida vacation. While there was some sweat happening, I found it breathable enough to keep on all day without feeling like death.
Another thing: I've only owned it for about six months, but it's durable — I've been wearing it multiple times a week. So far, there are no holes or loose threads, and it has resisted any shrinking.
As a white-tee lover, I've resigned myself to the fact that all of them are always going to be a little bit sheer. This one, though, is the most opaque white tee I've worn. If you're wearing a dark or brightly colored bra, it might show through in bright lighting, but only if you're really looking for it.
Want to be safe, though? Just throw on a nude bra and you'll have zero problems. I love to wear the Skims Fits Everybody T-Shirt Bra with a white tee — there are so many shades to choose from with a variety of undertones.
A white tee goes with anything and everything. Like I mentioned, I love tucking it into a pair of high-waisted jeans. If I want to feel chic and chill, I'll just pair it with a pair of light wash jeans (any style) and heeled booties. Pairing it with black jeans and white sneakers is also an easy casual combo.
Because the fit is flattering without being too tight or boxy, it's easy enough to dress up for the office or other buttoned-up occasions. Just style it tucked in with a pair of trousers or a polished midi or maxi skirt. Leave the sneakers at home, sling on a blazer or elegant cardigan and you're good to go. I also recently had an, "oh, I look CUTE" moment when wearing it with my favorite heeled boots and a satin slip midi skirt.
And before you ask, it fits comfortably underneath a pullover sweater. No need to worry about bulkiness, bunched-up sleeves or peeping necklines.
Am I replacing all of my other white tees for the Madewell Northside Vintage Tee? No. (I like having options!) However, this is the most basic of the basic tees, which makes it a super versatile addition to my closet. And because it's easily the tee I've worn the most, I'm planning on buying a couple more in white, as well as grabbing it in gray and black.
