Get Ready for Another Season Full of White Tank Tops

They've become a fashion statement in their own right, but your wardrobe really isn't complete without one.

white tank tops
(Image credit: Marie Claire)

Welcome to The Best in Basics, our series highlighting all the must-have classics that are key to building a timeless, pulled-together closet.


Few pieces are as versatile as the humble white tank top. This sleeveless style ranks high on the list of wardrobe essentials because it rotates through practically any outfit formula and, we might add, through any season. “A white tank is the perfect foundational piece because you can wear one on its own during the warmer months or layer it beneath your clothes when it’s cold out,” says Alexandra Avdey, Reformation’s senior director of buying. 

Whether you wear a white tank as a stand-alone top or a reliable undergarment—beneath a cardigan, a blazer, or a coat—you should have at least several white tanks hanging in your closet for the sake of practicality. After all, you’ll be reaching for them more often than not and can never have too many.

What's most important to note is that the best tank tops are the ones you feel the most comfortable in, whether that be a lounge-adjacent style for hanging around the house or a structured, ribbed designer option to wear out. “I typically look for a cotton-lycra blend that holds me in but is still soft enough and not too constricting,” says Avdey.  

In selecting the best tank tops for this roundup, we’ve made sure to keep comfort and style in mind. Ahead, you’ll find a range of white tank tops for a variety of occasions, along with several outfit ideas for the upcoming warm weather seasons.

What to Look For in Tank Tops

  • Thickness

"The thickness of fabrication is key—this may affect what situations you feel comfortable wearing it in," says trend forecaster Kendall Becker. "[A tank top] should border between thick enough to avoid a bra and thin enough to be breathable."

  • Necklines

You'll want to carefully consider the neckline of your tank top, as there's a gamut of silhouettes to choose from. Each design yields a different style effect, from scoop to square to halter, and the look will vary depending on body type. As Becker notes, "certain necklines (like the halter) may make it difficult to hide bra straps underneath," which will dictate its wearability. 

  • Fit

Finding your ideal fit is crucial when it comes to tank tops. Do you prefer yours cropped or a longline silhouette? Or, maybe you gravitate toward form-fitting styles instead of loose and baggy ones? Decipher your preference—and the occasion you'll likely be wearing the tank top the most—and keep that in mind while you shop. 

  • Trends

Certain silhouettes experience their moment in the spotlight as the most sought-after styles. "Currently, we’re seeing higher necklines and ribbed fabrications taking the lead as the 'It' style within tank tops," describes Becker. The trend forecaster also notes that the classic white style is also experiencing an extreme peak in popularity in 2024. 

The Best Tank Tops

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Laura Harrier street style

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Pajama Chic

street style: white tank, trench coat, shorts

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Dress it Up

street style: white tank, skirt

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Edgy and Easy

street style: white tank, leather jacket, skirt

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A Summery Ensemble

street style: white tank, blazer, skirt

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Balance is Key

street style: white tank, blazer, trousers

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Subtle Luxury

street style: white tank, white blouse, trousers

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Meet the Experts

Kendall Becker wears black sunglasses, gold earrings, gold large chain necklaces, a white pearls necklace, a white cropped t-shirt, a white latte oversized blazer jacket, gold rings, high waist brown large wide legs suit pants, gold rings, outside PatBo , during New York Fashion Week, on February 12, 2022 in New York City.
Kendall Becker

Experienced in luxury editorial, trend forecasting, and strategic consulting, Kendall is currently the Fashion & Beauty Trends Editor at Trendalytics as well as a freelance writer for Refinery29, The Zoe Report, LuisaViaRoma, WhoWhatWear, and Coveteur. Prior, she was the Assistant Fashion Director for Women’s RTW at Bloomingdale’s and contributed to global trend forecasting agencies. Plus, she’s a fashion media personality and expert that’s been featured in ABC, Cheddar News, Harper’s BAZAAR, GQ, Bustle, Sourcing Journal, Brides, and Vice.

Emma Childs
Fashion Features Editor

Emma Childs is the Fashion Features Editor at Marie Claire, who writes trend reports, long-form reported features, and style guides. She previously wrote for TZR, Editorialist, Elite Daily, and Mission Magazine and studied Fashion Studies and New Media at Fordham University. When she's not writing fashion deep-dives, you'll find her stalking eBay for designer vintage and perusing HBO Max (in her heart, it'll always be *HBO* MX).