15 of the Best White T-Shirts for Women, Vetted by Editors, Starting at $9

The trouble with plain white tees is that they tend not to stay white. There are, luckily, numerous things you can do to try and keep your beloved wardrobe staples looking as fresh as the day you bought them. Multiple editors, mothers and grandmothers polled credited the bleach alternative OxiClean as the holy grail of stain-fighting products. For maintaining that bright white color, simply toss a bit of OxiClean in with your regular wash. Or, to lift set-in stains, try soaking your favorite tees in warm water and a scoop of OxiClean for a few hours before washing. Switching to natural deodorant, one without aluminum, may also help prevent those underarm stains from appearing in the first place. And, of course, always separate out your white laundry to prevent bleeding from other colors.

Some folks will tell you the answer is white, others red (shocking, I know), but in my experience nothing beats a nude bra under light colors for a totally seamless look. P.S. Skims and CUUP both offer wider ranges of “nude” shades to fit more skin tones.

The “best” material really depends on a number of different factors. Cotton tees tend to be super soft and wear well over time, but are also prone to staining under the arms, take a long time to dry when wet and the fibers break down rapidly if you use a heated dryer after washing. On the flip side, many synthetic blends tend to be less eco-friendly and not as durable. Consider the factors that are most important for your specific needs, then double check the T-shirt’s fabrication before adding to your shopping cart.

Stylist and fashion influencer Lydia Tomlinson is all about taking clean basics and elevating them with other wardrobe staples. She suggests keeping things easy with other classic styles, like a button-front cardigan or tailored blazer, in luxe materials like cashmere or wool. If you want to dress up this chill duo, she suggests adding a pair of sleek heels and a big statement earring. “Jeans and a T-shirt is relatively casual, but I love that contrast between dressier elements and more casual ones.” She’s specifically a major fan of mixing leopard and denim. “Leopard print just gives these tones a bit of a pop. I love denim and leopard print together, especially with the crisp white T-shirt. It feels fresh but it’s also quite a classic combination—leopard never goes out of style.”