There is one summer staple that has transcended time and fashion trends for years — the white tank top. You saw it first on movie stars and models in the 90s, and now you see it on pop icons and runways for notable fashion houses. My motto has always been, "When in doubt, wear a staple," and a white tank top is exactly that.
"A white tank is such a closet staple. They pair amazingly with skirts, jeans, shorts, layered under bombers, moto [jackets] and blazers — they’re a basic you can dress up or down,” says stylist Samantha Brown.
This summer, searches for tank tops have been taking off as we see more style icons continue to wear the classic silhouette. While you can find one at basically any store (I once even bought them from CVS during a fashion emergency), what truly sets a great white tank top apart is comfort, fit and durability.
To find the best option out there, I tried eight different white tank tops for a month in the summer heat. I also spoke to experts about what you need to know when choosing the best white tank top for you.
How to find the best white tank top
I asked celebrity stylist Cynthia Kennedy about how to find a great-fitting tank top. Her first piece of advice? "Start with your visual balance points. Basically: look at the necklines, hem lengths and strap placement in proportion to your natural architecture — not trends."
Kennedy also talks about what materials make a great white tank: "Look for cotton-modal blends, cotton-spandex or ribbed knits — they hold their shape, feel soft and don’t pill as fast. Avoid cheap 100% polyester unless you’re going for a very specific performance fabric or sheen. If it’s thin, scratchy or feels plastic-y, skip it — it won’t last and it won’t breathe."
She even provided a handy guide for shopping for white tank tops based on your body type:
- Petite: Cropped or high-neck fitted tanks can elongate your frame.
- Full bust: Scoop necks or V-necks in stretchy but structured fabric flatter without squishing.
- Broad shoulders: Scoop or square necklines with wider straps help balance your top half.
- Curvier bodies: Ribbed or structured tanks with a bit of stretch hug curves without clinging in the wrong places.
- Athletic or straight builds: Asymmetrical or racerback styles can add softness and shape.
Brown adds that she prefers tanks with "slightly thicker fabric and a bit of stretch, in order to highlight curves in a flattering way.” She also advises against "paper-thin" tanks, as they can make choosing an undergarment difficult.
Best overall white tank top
Quality score: 5/5 | Comfort/fit score: 4.5/5 | Durability score: 5/5 | Overall score: 4.83/5
Quality: This tank is made from almost 100% cotton, which I love, especially in the heat. I have very sensitive skin, so anything too sticky or starchy can feel uncomfortable. I wore this tank on a day in the park with friends while watching tennis and then headed to my friends' place to cook dinner. In the park, the tank felt very breezy and even though I was sweating, the cotton was not absorbing too much of it. The material is thick but not too weighed down to the point where you feel like you would sweat a lot in it. Throughout the month I wore a variety of bras (sports bras, t-shirt bras and bralettes) with it and none of them peeked through.
Comfort/fit: Since I have a larger chest, I'm always worried about how a top moves with me. Lounging in the park, I felt very supported and secure in this tank. I was wearing a nude bra and the cups nor straps were seen through the tank. The straps fit nicely and weren't too snug on my shoulders. They were also thick, so I didn't have to worry about them falling throughout the day.
Durability: Even though I wore this tank all day and sweat a lot in it, it did not get any noticeable pit stains. I washed it on a cold delicate cycle and let it air-dry. At first, I was worried about the fit becoming too loose once washed, but it retained its original shape. Out of all the tanks I tried, this was the one I kept reaching for in my closet because it was so comfortable, looked great when styled with different accessories and held its shape.
More of the best white tank tops, tested by an editor
Best full-length tank:
Quality score: 4.5/5 | Comfort/fit score: 5/5 | Durability Score: 4/5 | Overall score: 4.5/5
Quality/material: The thick material was an immediate green flag for me. I have owned other tops from Buck Mason and am regularly impressed with their quality. The straps felt very well-made and like they would not fall down or stretch out.
Comfort/fit: I tried two different sizes of this tank and ended up going with the larger size. The high neck was very flattering, but I was only able to wear a racerback bra with it. Even though it’s summer, the thick material did not feel too heavy. I loved the length of this top, too, because it was great for tucking into skirts or shorts.
Durability: I wore this tank on a day of errands and did not notice any yellow sweat stains. By the end of the day, it didn’t seem to have lost any of its shape. It also held up nicely in the wash and retained its color.
Best for large busts:
Quality score: 4.5/5 | Comfort/fit score: 4.5/5 | Durability Score: 4/5 | Overall score: 4.3/5
Quality: This tank is made from mostly organic cotton and a small percentage of spandex. With a boat neckline, you need something that stretches out nicely across the chest without feeling restrictive or looking thinned out. The feel of the organic cotton was also nice. While the material was a little on the thinner side, I found that it was not see-through at all and, while it was slightly sheer so you could see the outline of your undergarments, it did not distract from the flattering silhouette.
Comfort/fit: I normally go for tops with a boat neckline because I find them the most flattering with my chest size. I really like how this one sits on my collarbones and how it felt like a second skin in some ways. It didn't ride up on my stomach and the length was perfect for tucking into pants.
Durability: I wore this tank to a dinner event where I paired it with a necklace and found that the jewelry didn't catch on the fabric. I washed it with my normal white sheets in a cold delicate cycle and air-dried it. It didn't wrinkle and it kept its bright white color.
Best for sculpting:
Quality score: 3.5/5 | Comfort/fit score: 4.5/5 | Durability Score: 4/5 | Overall score: 4/5
Quality/material: At first glance, this tank does not look or feel like polyester, so I was surprised to see that it was the majority of the material composition. While the fabric feels very thick, it’s not hot. I could tell that you could wear this tank without a bra and still feel supported based on how thick the material was. I do wish it was made of cotton instead of polyester because I think it would feel less structured/have more stretch in it. Before purchasing, I would advise consulting the brand's size chart to ensure you're picking the right size.
Comfort/fit: This viral tank fit very comfortably but was more fitted and cropped than I'd like. I do wish they were a little bit longer, especially if you're like me and don’t like showing your midriff. However, I felt very sculpted and would wear this tank without a bra because the straps are so thin. All in all, I felt like a "cool girl" in this tank and felt super comfortable (and even understood some of the hype).
Durability: I wore this tank with jeans during the day and, despite carrying lots of bags on my shoulders throughout the day, the straps didn’t fall or stretch out. I was impressed at how well it held up being polyester.
Best for heat:
Quality score: 4/5 | Comfort/fit score: 4/5 | Durability Score: 3.5/5 | Overall score: 3.83/5
Quality/material: Lululemon is known for its stretchy and buttery-soft athleisure, so I was not shocked at how soft this tank felt. The material feels like it's made for working out. It is thick, not too thin and feels well-made.
Comfort/fit: I found that you can see whatever undergarment you are wearing underneath very clearly, so wearing the right bra is extra important. The thick straps were comfortable, and overall, I really liked how this felt on my body. It did have a more athletic cut, so I don’t think I would wear it to fancy events or to work.
Durability: The tank comes in an oatmeal white color, which helps conceal any small surface stains that would stand out on a normal white tank. It also hides sweat a little bit better than some of the other tank tops and does not show pit stains as much. In the wash, I made sure to put it on a gentle cycle and air-dry, and it held up nicely.
Best budget-friendly white tank top:
Quality score: 4/5 | Comfort/fit score: 3.5/5 | Durability Score: 3.5/5 | Overall score: 3.67/5
Quality/material: The composition of this tank is a blend of cotton, polyester and spandex — although it feels like mostly cotton. The stitching was ribbed and felt pretty well made; I didn't feel like I was going to stretch it out a ton which is a concern I typically have as someone with a large bust. The material was on the tighter side, so it clung to my body more, however, I found that it was still breathable in the summer heat.
Comfort/fit: This tank features white ribbing throughout, so it fits more snug to the body and feels more form-fitting. I wish it was a little bit longer and not so cropped. I like to wear low-rise pants sometimes, so I knew it would not go with all of my outfits.
Durability: I wore this tank while lounging around for a few days and did notice some wear and tear by the end of the day, as I am prone to water spills or messes from food debris when I am doing the dishes. In a cold, delicate cycle, it held up okay, but it did seem like it slightly shrank and lost a bit of its color. But for $10, you can't get better than this.
Frequently asked questions
“Always treat your white tank top like a delicate," advises Rechelle Balanzat, owner of Juliette, a dry cleaning service in New York City. "Wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle, preferably in a mesh laundry bag to preserve the fabric. Use a detergent specifically designed for whites — and skip the bleach. Bleach can actually yellow fabrics over time. For an extra brightening boost, try adding a scoop of oxygen-based whitening powder.”
She also notes that you should always air-dry any material that feels stretchy because putting it in the dryer can ruin the shape and fibers of the tank top.
Balanzat says you should never let pit stains or sweat stains sit for too long on your white clothing. Treat them immediately and hang dry them in sunlight because it “naturally whitens and disinfects without harsh chemicals.”
How we tested white tank tops
I, Annie Shigo, tested each tank individually, looking at factors like material, fit and durability throughout wear and washes. I wore the tank tops for over a month while I was at the park, out to dinner, at work and more.
While wearing the tank tops, I prioritized paying attention to how the fabric felt on my skin, how supported I felt in each option, if the top stretched and whether it showed signs of wear and tear among other factors to determine which was the best of the bunch.
Tops have always been a bit of a struggle for me because I have a larger chest, so I have to make sure I can move around comfortably in the tank and feel supported (whether I’m wearing a bra or not). Plus, they need to be able to stay white and not fade to a gray-ish color after washing.
How we chose
We selected eight white tank tops based on expert insight, internet reviews and brands editors have previous experience with.
Meet the experts
- Rechelle Balanzat is the founder and ceo of Juliette Laundry Service in NYC.
- Cynthia Kennedy is a personal stylist and imaging consultant.
- Samantha Brown is a personal stylist and has worked for many magazines on styling.
