From the tight one clinging to James Dean’s ripped torso to the messily oversized kind layering the Olsen twins, white T-shirts are as iconic as the stars who wear them. Even style maven Tim Gunn names the piece one of his 10 closet essentials. But all tees are not created equal – and neither are their price tags. Read this before hitting the racks, or before throwing your favorite basic into the scorching dorm dryers.
The Hanes Perfect T: This unisex classic sells at Target in $9.99 packs of two. The shirts come out of the package looking (and feeling) like paper. A laundry cycle with dryer sheets does the trick, but expect major shrinkage. Definitely the best deal, Hanes’ white tees are worth the trip to far-off suburbs to fight with crazy shoppers. But we advise that you buy the tees big and wash them (a few times, perhaps) before wearing.
The Gap V-Neck T: With a breast pocket, this tag-less version of a classic is incredibly comfortable, breathable – but unfortunately, very easily wrinkled. If it isn’t folded within seconds of drying, you’ll be sporting a disheveled, accordion look until washing again. For $16.50, this T-shirt doesn’t break the bank, but considering that it requires so much care to keep this tee looking good, it’s nothing special.
American Apparel Deep V: The priciest of the bunch at $18, this shirt is a stretchy, smooth blend of rayon, cotton and polyester that resists shrinking and wrinkling. Since it’s unisex, ladies may need to move down a size to prevent the shirt from looking frumpy. But the plunging neckline could force dudes to ponder how much chest hair they are comfortable baring – especially considering the shirts are snug.