The 10 Best White Shirts We’ve Ever Worn
Petite, plus-size, stain-resistant? Real Simple editors have found the best button-ups in every category.
No matter what type of white shirt you’re looking for, our fashion editors have found the perfect match. Whether you’re looking for a button-up that can survive red wine spills, one that will protect you from UV rays, or simple one that actually fits, the solution can be found in these 10 editor-approved picks. Fair warning, once you find the right match, you’ll want to wear it every single day.
Best Stretch
Made from 72 percent Italian cotton and a best-in-class 5 percent elastane blend, it provides a perfect balance of softness and stretch.
To buy: Lafayette 148 Italian Stretch Cotton Linley blouse, $298; lafayette148ny.com.
Best Petite
Ann Taylor’s petite tops are proportioned through the arms, shoulders, and neckline for a tailor-free fit.
To buy: Ann Taylor Petite Pleated Ruffle Perfect shirt, $70; anntaylor.com.
Best Nonsheer
Supima cotton is thicker than traditional poplin and eliminates the need for a cami underneath.
To buy: Brooks Brothers Classic-Fit Supima Cotton Oxford Button-Down shirt, $140; brooksbrothers.com.
Best Tall
Constructed with women five-eight and taller in mind, this shirt has extra inches in the arms and tails. And the cuffs, darts, buttons, and seams hit all the right places.
To buy: Long Tall Sally Cotton Stretch Work shirt, $60; longtallsally.com.
Best Plus-Size
This option offers a relaxed fit without being baggy, and features extra buttons so you can avoid dreaded gaping at the bust.
To buy: Lane Bryant the Boyfriend Shirt, $50; lanebryant.com.
Best for Summer
Sweat-wicking, breathable fabric that offers UV protection and is light-weight, quick-drying, and wrinkle-free? What more could you ask for?
To buy: Aday Something Borrowed shirt, $135; thisisaday.com.
Best Noniron
This pick is superlatively wrinkle-resistant and noticeably softer against the skin than its competitors.
To buy: Talbots The Perfect shirt, $75; talbots.com.
Best No-Gape
It’s sized by bust and waist measurements to guarantee the perfect fit, with no pulling at the button placket.
To buy: Campbell & Kate Signature shirt, $180; campbellandkate.com.
Best Stain-Resistant
A plant-based fabric blend uses microscopic fibers to repel liquid, helping this shirt withstand even a red wine spill.
To buy: Elizabeth & Clarke The Unstainable White blouse, $60; elizabethandclarke.com.
Best Stay-Put
This bodysuit style ensures a polished, tucked-in look all day long. It has strategically placed snaps and comes in tall and petite sizes.
To buy: J.Crew Stretch Perfect bodysuit, $78; jcrew.com.