Do You Know Why You Like Your Clothes?
an exercise in what my white tee collection says about my personal style
Hi Readers!
This week’s Sunday Styling Series was dedicated to all the fun ways you can style a wardrobe staple - the White Tee.
But before you can really leverage the versatility of a garment, you have to know WHY you like it in the first place.
Everyone has that one thing they can’t ever seem to stop shopping for. Mine used to be the white tee. As much as I love it now, it used to be my “elusive” item. I had so many, I lost count because I was always searching for the “perfect white tee”. But until I knew what I was actually looking for, it was time, cost and efforts wasted and I ended up with a drawer full of white tees I didn’t really love.
Now working with my clients, I have found they either just buy the first tee that fits ok because they think all white tees look the same and don’t know what to look for OR they are like former me and own a lot of mediocre versions they don’t really like.
If you fall into either of these camps, this post is for you!
What if I told you that something as basic as a white tee can actually say a lot about your personal style? Or rather, how you view your style.
If you are someone who generally likes what’s in your closet but aren’t 100% in love or confident in your final outfit, it could be that you haven’t spent enough time really looking at each garment. Sometimes its not our style thats the issue - its knowing why certain pieces work or do not work for our style.
It goes beyond “I like this” or “I don’t like that”.
Back to the white tee! Lets use my own style and clothes as an example -
I follow a similar approach to Amy Smilovic from Tibi and Allison Bornstein’s 3 word method and use 3 words to define what I call my “Style Language”.
My Style Language:
Chill - Relaxed, at ease, lived-in…this is the core anchor to my style
Modern - This is the aspirational anchor to my style. Modern in the sense that I am progressing with my style and always moving forward. Less about having new trendy pieces but more of a feeling. Styling in new ways to me, pushing out of my comfort zone etc.
Unexpected - As someone who used to never like defining my style as it felt too constricting, I found that this word really helped me define that certain feeling I couldn’t put my finger on. I dress and buy based on how I want to feel (which ebbs and flows A LOT) and this word allows me to pivot my look whenever I feel inclined to.
Based on my style language, here’s a deep dive into my white tee collection and why each has a place in my wardrobe based on how I view my style. Its an exercise I encourage if you aren’t fully happy with the items in your closet as it allows you to get a deeper understanding of the details behind why you like or don’t like a garment which ultimately help you feel more connected to your style.
1. Leset Margot Tee
Headline: This is my favorite all-around tee for myself and my clients
Fit Notes: A modern fit in that its a bit more streamlined and structured than what I typically wear. A nice clean rounded collar. It has what I call a very “democratic” fit - standard length, set-in sleeves and a straighter fit. Wearing my true size.
Quality Notes: Nice thick cotton jersey that provides good coverage and opacity but not bulky.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fea53451c-9494-4484-b528-242f52660d6d_836x808.png)
2. AYR Sno Cone Tee
Headline: This is my favorite everyday tee (unfortunately it looks like the brand has sold out or is retiring it after many years 😢 )
Fit Notes: Slightly boxy but with some drape. It has a center back seam which creates intentional ease in the waist but a closer fit at the chest (a great design feature to look for when you want a boxier fit thats not sloppy!) I never liked cropped tees until I tried this one. Not too cropped but still intentional. A modest crop. Wearing my true size but I did size up in my Black colorway.
Quality Notes: 100% pima cotton which gets its softness from the long fibers. Airy but not sheer. I’ve had mine for a few years and still in great condition.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54884088-ce22-4cc0-a2b6-a3f86b93aaa6_704x780.png)
3. Re/Done x Hanes 1950s Tee
Headline: The best “lived-in” tee.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4aaf225-4b01-4bcb-a421-cbace4c8aa94_688x942.png)
Fit Notes: This style doesn’t have a center back seam so its oversized evenly throughout the chest, waist and hips. I like the subtle drop-shoulder seam which allows the fit to be more slouchy. Standard crop length. Sized up.
Quality Notes: 100% cotton slub. Slightly sheer with a slub yarn texture. I love a slub when done right and in the right context. In a tee, it creates an “I’ve owned this forever” quality right out of the box.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9295517-3987-428b-b8d3-eef5ac41097e_974x762.png)
4. Zara Oversized Tee
Headline: My newest tee purchased at the beginning of the year. I don’t usually buy basics from Zara as they can be very hit or miss but I saw this and instantly wanted to try it based on the quality.
Fit Notes: Definitely intended as an oversized fit. Longer length, extreme drop shoulder and roomy throughout the body. Sized down.
Quality Notes: Heavyweight 100% cotton and reminiscent of the beloved COS quality. I love the defined rib collar and exposed stitching at the seams.
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5c7084a7-946b-454c-8a3e-7affdafd3dd6_1094x780.png)
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbf0efce0-a85b-4a8a-83f2-f885581da3cb_822x788.png)
Some other ideas -
![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F944fffce-4a45-4c24-9c58-90139baf9f86_1430x616.png)
1Round up of some of my other favorite white tees:
Best affordable democratic fit | alternate here
Best affordable boxy crop tee | this looks promising too!
Of course, I could technically wear the same white tee for all the looks shown but if you are anything like me, you have different aspects of your personal style you want to express and maybe this exercise could be helpful for you!
I find with this knowledge, it can help focus in when shopping for a really broad simple item like a white tee because you know why it resonates with you and over time, styling and wearing it will become more intuitive because you understand the reasoning behind why you like it.
Happy White Tee shopping!
xx
Angie
For an everyday tee, I recommend a cotton knit as its more durable and provides some shape and lends itself to that “effortless” feel. I also prefer a crew vs v-neck as its more versatile for layering (personal opinion!). I would avoid something really spongy and stretchy/bouncy like Rayon Spandex as it doesn’t provide the best coverage except when: you want something more fitted or a rib (ie: the Skims version), want a lot of drape (ie: maybe a swing crop tee), a long sleeve (I sometimes like the bouncy drape at the cuff for layering)
*this post includes some affiliate links - they are at no extra cost to you as a reader and I only include links for items I personally am interested in or would buy for myself or my clients
I have to admit that I’ve never given the basic T much thought. Despite their versatility I avoid them because I’m clumsy and I spill a lot (especially coffee) how do you keep yours white!!
This was incredibly useful! Need to look closer at that Leset Margot Tee