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White t-shirts, take a bow. We often focus on the shiny, attention-stealing aspects of our wardrobes that we often forget about the unsung heroes that can make most outfits work. One of them being the humble white t-shirt. For me, it’s the kind of basic staple that I rely upon constantly as I can wear it in myriad ways and it works for so many different occasions. I could wear a white tee under a blazer to a meeting, or pop it on over a pair of jeans and wear it to do the school run. It’s that versatile. I think everyone needs a good selection of white tees because…

It works for different dress codes

As I said, a white tee can be worn for most occasions and dress codes. Wear it to a formal setting with a nice pair of slacks and heels, or pop it on over a pair of shorts for a more casual off duty outfit. Either way, there’s really only a handful of instances where a white tee wouldn’t work.

It layers well

The appeal in a white tee is that it’s a neutral that works well layered with a variety of different pieces. I wear them throughout the year, whether it’s during summer with a pair of linen pants, or layered under a jumper or jacket during winter.

It looks polished

My general style is underpinned by the fact I like to look polished wherever I go. Believe it or not the white tee definitely helps me achieve this. Even though a t-shirt would be categorised as a casual staple, I think the crispness of a white tee elevates it from your average t-shirt and makes it look infinitely more put together.

How to choose a white t-shirt

It’s important to remember though that not all white t-shirts are of course created equal. You could spend hundreds of dollars on a t-shirt from a major designer or go the cheap and cheerful route from your local chain store. Either way, the main thing is to focus on the fit, quality and style. I am usually a mid-range person when it comes to tees, where I don’t want to spend a fortune, but I also want something with a bit more durability so I’m not averse to spending a bit more.

I have a few boxes that I like to tick such as the cotton is nice and sturdy (I’m not a huge fan of a flimsy fabric as I find it leans more towards a casual look, so takes away from the versatility a bit more) and that it can be worn tucked in or out and I usually opt for a crew neck neckline. I’m equally on board with both a sleeveless option and one with sleeves as it works with my wardrobe but obviously go with what works back with everything in your closet. I also like to make sure it’s not overly skin tight, but a bit more on the relaxed fit side as I think it works with my shape better.

So, while it doesn’t quite equate to traditional investment dressing, in that you spend a bit more on higher quality building blocks of your wardrobe, I do think white t-shirts fall into that category of pieces that help you build outfits, and are high in wearability. If they’re not already, definitely add them to your shopping list this year.

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