For years, I have been on a quest for the ideal T-shirt. This journey has involved countless trials and errors. However, after an extensive search, I have finally discovered a shirt that meets all my requirements: it fits perfectly, is incredibly versatile, and costs less than $20. Surprisingly, it comes from Abercrombie & Fitch, the beloved mall store from my youth.
The Essential Polished Body-Skimming Tee
The Essential Polished Body-Skimming Tee from Abercrombie & Fitch has answered my sartorial prayers. This piece looks good on everyone, is surprisingly versatile, and is affordable. It features a classic crew neckline and a straight hem with a body-skimming silhouette that is neither too tight nor too boxy. The length is also a major advantage; it is not cropped but does not overwhelm my petite frame like most shirts do. It tucks in beautifully, stays in place, and offers the perfect amount of roominess while remaining chic and timeless. However, if you have a larger chest or a longer torso, it may hit closer to your waist.
Why This Tee Stands Out
Although I enjoy experimenting with fashion, most days I opt for a reliable mom uniform: pants, a white T-shirt, and a sweater, sometimes with a funky shoe. Keeping it simple does not have to be boring. This easy outfit combination looks much more elevated when the components are high-quality and fit well, including the tee, even when layered under other items.
The fit is as precise as similar designer styles I have long admired. It is lightweight, soft, washes well, and is surprisingly durable. The 100% cotton fabric is on the thinner side, making it ideal for layering in winter without adding bulk or wearing alone during warm months. I previously fell in love with a Hanes x Re/Done collaboration tee that retails for nearly $100, which I refused to purchase. This shirt is the closest doppelganger I have found, and most people who ask where it is from are shocked to learn it is not from a high-end boutique or designer.
Available Colors and Sizes
The tee is available in eight colors, including a striped pattern, in women's sizes XXS to XXL. Stock up now before everyone discovers it and it inevitably sells out. It is highly rated, so it is only a matter of time. Here is what other shoppers have to say:
- Reagan: "AMAZING! Absolutely perfect tshirt, I cannot wait to style and wear!"
- E: "These are my FAVORITE tees for fit and quality. Can be casual or a little more dressy. They just really make you look put together. When I saw the new green color I had to add it to my collection. I’m 5′5″, 150 pounds, 34D and the fit is so flattering. Cropped enough to not have to tuck in but also doesn’t show any skin with mid to high rise bottoms."
- Mel: "So soft! Love this tee! So comfy and pairs well with everything."
- JoeJoe: "Great fit. Just arrived. I love it. The fit makes me look slimmer. Comfy material too!"
- Sav: "This might be my new favorite basic t-shirt style!! So flattering and the perfect material and length!!"
- Leah: "Cute slimming tee, hides chubby part of my arm, really is slimming! Love!"
- Tori2005: "Perfect and lasts. My go to t shirt. For under jackets."
Other Work-Appropriate Tops
If you are looking for more work-appropriate tops, consider these button-up shirts that older women love:
Old Navy: An Editor-Beloved Staple
HuffPost Shopping managing editor Emily Ruane, 41, owns about five of these shirts in various stripes and solids. She says, "They're pretty much all I wear to work throughout the week. (And honestly, on the weekends! I just pair it with more casual pants.) It's definitely a softer and looser silhouette, so if you're looking for something really crisp and structured, this is probably not the shirt for you. I, however, love how ultralightweight it is. (It's great to wear when the weather is hot but you still want to look a little polished.) As someone who lives in button shirts but also wants to be extremely comfortable, this is the perfect compromise. The oversized fit is pretty spot-on, too – my usual size, a small, fits with a perfectly roomy/slouchy fit." Available in ten colors in regular, tall, and petite silhouettes in sizes XS to 4XL. $28+ at Old Navy (regularly $40).
Anthropologie: A Fluttery Short-Sleeve Blouse
My mother also owns and looks fabulous in this charming short-sleeved button-up blouse from Anthropologie. She says, "The shirred material gives it a bit of stretch, and it comes in a lot of nice prints and colors. I can dress it up or down — it's an easy look to pull together." Available in standard, petite, or plus silhouettes in sizes XXS to XL. The collar would look great poking up over a sweater. $88+ at Anthropologie.
Amazon: An Affordable Shirt
This striped number at Amazon is timeless, crisp, and wonderfully versatile. Made with 100% cotton, this Oxford blouse is perfect with jeans, trousers, skirts, and even as a layering piece. Available in several colors in sizes XS to 3XL. One reviewer noted that it looks much more expensive than it actually is, and another pointed out that it holds up well after multiple washes. Shopper Stephanie says it "just makes me feel beautiful." $25+ at Amazon.
The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.
