Cardigan Empire

💯😳, I ordered and tried on over 100 different tees to find the softest, least transparent, most flattering white t-shirts available.

Now, T-shirts aren’t an item it makes sense to pay a lot for; you won’t be able to recoup your cost per wear. Let me explain, whether you buy a tee for $98 or $25, you’re probably only going to get 25 wears out of either of them. Higher quality fabrics are less likely to shrink and pill, but they are just as likely to stain and form little holes at the bottom front from your denim hardware. Which means your more expensive option will end up being almost $4/wear. (You’re less expensive option is just $1/wear). In general, I don’t recommend spending more than $50 on a tee. And all my recommendations here are under $40.

I selected one winner and one runner up for 6 different categories of white t-shirts: best half sleeve, best classic crew, softest fabric, best linen tee, best cap sleeve, best retro pocket.

Best Half Sleeve

Wherever your sleeve hems ends will bring attention to the body area it is nearest. A half sleeve will therefore bring attention to the area just under the ribcage where most women are narrowest. A half sleeve has the additional advantage of offering a bit more coverage for shy arms.

Winner: The Ballet Neck Half Sleeve from Caslon, $29 is an ideal weight for offering comfortable coverage. It’s perfect for dressing up and tucking into a high waisted paper bag pant. Consider sizing up if you want a looser fit.

Runner-up: The Everlane Air Oversized Tee, $25 also offers a longer elbow sleeve length. The fit is more relaxed and slightly androgynous. If you prefer a slightly more disheveled, untucked approach, this fit should suit you perfectly.

Best Classic Crew

Because crew-necks create an uninterrupted expanse from the neck across the shoulders and down the torso, they are going to maximize the breadth of the shoulders and the fullness of the bust. (Cutting the figure into distinct sections with say a V-Neck makes it appear smaller). The slimmer the fit, the more pronounced the effect. This is great cut for a straight upper body or a lower figure with a more delicate upper half. On the latter I recommend tucking the hem into the waistband or finding a cut that ends around the widest part of the hips. You can also soften the effect by moving to slightly lower, round neck.

Winner: J.Crew has been perfecting its Essential Tee, $14.50 for almost 75 years. This tee is perfectly slim, exquisitely soft, and has a high neckline that’s ever so slightly rounded.

Runner Up: T-shirts were invented to act as an under-layer for suits and athletic gear. They existed to absorb sweat and prevent chafing. Whether you use Uniqlo’s Short Sleeve Crew Neck, $14.90 as an underpinning or as an ensemble star, you won’t be disappointed with it’s clean fit and soft fabric.

Softest Fabric

The most common t-shirt materials are cotton, linen, or some kind of blend of these materials with a synthetic material. The first and original is generally less expensive but relatively soft and durable. We’ll address linen shortly, but for now, the synthetic blend or Modal fabric is generally the softest and depending on the blend of fabrics can resist loosing its shape the best.

Winner: Nordstrom’s Halogen Modal Jersey V-Neck Tee, $16.99 may just be my favorite t-shirt of the whole set. The V is neither too high or too low, the fit is relaxed without being sloppy, and the fabric feels like your favorite pajamas.

Runner-Up: Bobeau’s Butter Short Sleeve Tee, $39 has a playful swing cut and is aptly named for it’s buttery soft modal fabric.

Best Linen T-Shirt

When it comes to light and airy, few things compete with a linen fabric. It’s breathable, wicks away moisture, and adds a subtle texture to an everyday basic.

Winner: At $16.99, Banana Republic’s Linen V-Neck T-Shirt rose to the top of this summer staple category. The weight of this fabric was just right: not transparent, but not at all heavy. I also loved BR’s sister company’s option at Athleta, but the price there was more than double.

Runner-Up: I purchase last season’s H&M’s Linen V-Neck, $17.99 and have worn it down to pennies per wear. It’s held up in the wash withstood many a sweaty summer afternoon. The current season’s cut is a bit slimmer with a slightly deeper V, but the fabric is just as durable and soft.

Best Cap Sleeve

One of my favorite combinations this season is a cap sleeve with a relaxed cut. Loose full cuts are extra comfortable and less likely to be see-through even when the material is somewhat sheer. Pair these with a slim bottom like jeans and style using a front French tuck to get the architectural fit without looking overwhelmed. Definitely opt for a liquid fabric over anything stiff and bulky.

Winner: Zara’s Basic T-Shirt, $9.90 is really anything but. The versatile cut offers a flattering cap that fits a bit like a muscle tee, minus the side-view overexposure. The fabric is soft and breezy at an under $10 price tag.

Runner-Up: Old Navy’s Everywhere Slub Knit Tee, $12.99 has a slightly longer sleeve but still ends near the bust line. This is a great length for slim upper bodies looking to balance out a curvier lower body. The slub knit has a subtle texture similar to linen, but in a cotton construction.

Best Retro Pocket

Pocket placement and size can make or break a t-shirt. It becomes particularly important with a close fit as the pocket will be stretched across curves. These two options offer slightly different features, but both nail perfect pocket application.

A tee in optic white (see Madewell’s Crop Tee, $24.50) is the easiest to keep clean because you can use bleach with it to remove stains. However if you have a warm undertone to your skin you may want tot try a cream or off-white, like Madewell’s Easy Crop Tee. A little bit of yellow will make it a better match for your complexion. (PS-I loved almost all of Madewell’s fits and fabrics, but no one else made a crop that was playful without being indecent for someone over the age of 25 😉

There are few brands more iconic than Levi’s. Their perfect pocket tee, $29.50 draws on Levi’s history of durability with an effortless fashion than feels retro and on trend simultaneously.

Did I miss your favorite? Tell me about it in the comments. I’d love to try them out too.

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Searched through hundreds, tried on over 50, now with all the hard work done, I turn over only the best to you. Swimsuits for the bodies we live in. Following are 10 modest swimsuits that can survive pool parties, sandcastle building, and sprinkler running. And in each category I found you an investment option and a budget option, so if you’re going to be wearing it all summer you can trust that it will last. Or if you just want a cute swimsuit for pool chairs, I’ve got you covered as well.

Tribal Halter One-Piece

So why do some swimsuits cost so much? The biggest feature you’re going to get in an investment swimsuit is the fabric. It will be soft, smooth, yet supportive. Inexpensive fabrics tend to be coarser and less supportive. They’re great if you only need to wear it to layout a couple of times. But if you want to spend a summer playing in the water with your kids, the investment swimsuit is less likely to fade, pill, and stretch out.

The execution of the pattern on the Trina Turk is more flattering and sophisticated. I love how the symmetrical arcs defined my waistline and brought the eye in visually. The feel of the fabric is also superior, particularly the neck tie. It was wide and soft which means it wouldn’t be digging into my neck after a few hours.

I actually appreciated that the Ekouaer option offered much more backseat coverage, but I was still won over by the overall look of the Trina Turk….until I got the lookalike from Zilin in the mail. It came too late to photograph, but I had to share it with you. This copy cat doesn’t have the beautiful watercolor pattern of the Trina Turk but the cut is virtually identical. It has straps across the back and slightly more fabric across the backside. The only fit difference I noticed was a little back gap.

Asymmetrical Wrap One-Piece

If you’re looking for a swimsuit that provides coverage for a shy stomach, look no further than this Asymmetrical Wrap One-Piece. Rouching or shirring over an area you’re less than confident about immediately minimizes and disguises superfluous bulges. Supportive fabric can also have a compressive effect without being uncomfortable.

The first option is from Miraclesuit. This swimsuit offers firm compression and looks modest without being matronly.

Its copycat is by Runtlly. While the overall look is very similar, it has more mesh areas than the original and does not smooth or contour.

Side by side, I picked the Miraclesuit over the Runtlly. I believe it’s worth the investment for the superior fit, fabric and visual results. The biggest downside to the Runtlly option in my opinion was the saggy fabric around the front brief.

Peplum Tankini

If you struggle with finding a swimsuit that can keep your bottom covered, there are a few areas you should consider. First, how much coverage does it offer in the back. I’m personally more conservative in this area. Especially since I have a swimsuit devouring bottom. Three steps and my seat can make a meal of any rear coverage I started with. Second, if it’s a tankini or bikini how high does the brief reach. You want it to corset in the widest part of your torso. Below it will give you muffin top, above it will give you kangaroo pouch. Finally, and often overlooked with the width of the crotch. Since I have wide thighs, I don’t like the crotch two wide. Otherwise I’m not going to be comfortable and the swimsuit is going to look awkward. These two peplum tankinis stood out to me because they eliminate long torso issues by breaking the swimsuit into two pieces. I also love how the ruffle offers some coverage for soft, delicious centers.

I actually purchased this peplum tankini from JCrew last season. I loved how the halter was adjustable as was the empire wrap tie. The bottoms offer a high rise brief with a slightly higher cut in the back which was flattering without being uncomfortable.

Verano Playa Peplum Tankini was also a winner in my opinion. It offered a few different details which are perfect for certain body types. The waist on this option is a true waist, so if you narrower at your waist than under your rib cage, it can highlight that. The brief is a lower rise but the back cut is more generous. I also really liked the mismatched patterns. I’d consider switching out the no-show bra pads, but other than that I was taken with this budget friendly look-a-like.

Since both the JCrew halter top/ high rise brief tankini and the Verano Playa Peplum Tankini tied in my opinion since both offered different options for different body types. The fabric on the JCrew option will definitely last longer, but the Verano Playa Peplum Tankini could be a fun extra if you already have a robust swimming wardrobe.

High Neck Criss-Cross One-Piece

My booty has always been my first focus when swimsuit shopping, but after I breastfed three kids, my chest also got prioritized. It had less volume and shape post child-bearing. This is when I became a fan of high necklines. What a high neckline offers is an uninterrupted line of your curves. Breaking a broad expanse into smaller pieces immediately makes it look smaller, which is great when you’re trying to minimize an area, but can lead to gaping overexposure when the area is dainty to begin with.

The criss-cross high neck and mesh waistband immediately drew me to the design of this Kenneth Cole One-Piece.

But the Mycoco look-a-like offered a virtually identical fit and look. The inexpensive option did have a small flaw in the mesh at the waistline, but the overall look was spot on.

Given the price difference, I’d still probably go for Mycoco over Kenneth Cole.

Colorblock One-Piece

Your dress size may not be your swimsuit size, particularly if you are wearing a one-piece swimsuit. You need to take into account the length of you torso in addition to the circumference of your curves. If you have a long torso, I recommend buying a tall or sizing up. Also if it’s European, Asian, or from a Junior Retailer, you’re going to want to size up at least one to two sizes.

Coastal Blue has a superior support if you’re nervous about any jiggling. It’s a smooth, comfortable fit with a fun, expected color palette that keeps the eye moving.

CupShe has hundreds of fun styles but their fabrics lack support. If you’re just looking for a swimsuit that can survive a day on a pool chair, it will definitely do the trick. One of the features I appreciate most was the adjustable straps.

The only area that left me disappointed is the Coastal Blue was that the bra pads were slightly visible. Based on the feel of the swimsuit I initially favored the Coastal Blue, however when I looked over the pictures I loved how the CupShe one-piece defined my waistline with the centered strip of color blocking.

If your heart is set on an investment swimsuit, but your pocket book isn’t sure, you need to download the Shoptagr app. I’m obsessed with this service. Shoptagr is a free smart shopping app where you can get alerts from hundreds of stores (including Amazon) when your item of choice goes on sale, is low in stock, or has been restocked! Everything with regards to stock inventory is updated in real time. This ensures that I can get exactly what I want at the best price possible.

Shoptagr sends an alert to your computer, tablet, or phone so you can act quickly and not be left empty handed.