The 13 Best Women's Tank Tops Our Style Pros Can't Go Without
Whether you want a casual cotton tank or a breathable athletic top, we have a style for you.
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I consider tank tops the perfect wardrobe staple because they bring such versatility to my closet. I wear my thicker tank tops on their own and use thinner styles as an undershirt for extra warmth during colder months. Finding a women's tank top that fits right, whether you want it to hug your body or fit loose, and lasts after multiple wash cycles can become a complicated task for such a simple piece of clothing. Fear not: I did the hard research already so you don't have to scroll through pages of tanks.
Our style experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab are often evaluating clothing basics in the Lab with standardized equipment as well as among consumer testers to gather feedback on comfort, fit and durability. To find the best women's tank tops, I collaborated with our textile pros to gather recommended picks as well as source personal favorites from GH staffers. I also read through online reviews to determine which styles perform the best.
Sizes: 2XS–2XL | Colors: 23 options | Materials: Cotton and elastane blend
In my quest to find the best women's tank top, I have tried multiple styles over the years from various top-performing brands. So far, I find myself reaching for Aritzia tanks more often than not. I most recently tried the HomeStretch Scoopneck Cami Tank and found it falls comfortably at my waistline and feels soft against my skin.
I own the white color and always sigh in annoyance when I realize it's in my laundry hamper. Most days, I like to pair this top with low-rise jeans and a blazer or under a sweatshirt. I find it to be less see-through compared to other white tanks I have tried and usually wear nipple covers underneath. It has washed well these past months although I have noticed other white tanks from Aritzia are more prone to pilling and discoloring after multiple months and consistent wear.
Sizes: S–XXL | Colors: 1 option (pack of black, gray and white) | Materials: Polyester and cotton blend
Hanes is one of our go-to brands for budget-friendly basics and loungewear. This pack is just under $20 and includes four tanks — that's $5 per tank top! We appreciate that it's made from a lightweight fabric blend of polyester and cotton and features a classic scoop neck design. It is also constructed to fit not too loose nor too tight for that perfect happy medium.
RELATED: Hanes Beefy-T Review
Sizes: XXS–4X | Colors: 8 options | Materials: Cotton and elastane blend
Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab Associate Director Emma Seymour calls this rib tank a staple in her wardrobe. She pairs it with suit pants, sweaters and loungewear pieces. "It's super soft and cropped right at the perfect spot," she says. The tank has a snug fit and scoop neckline as well as a ribbed texture. While Seymour wears the tank all the time, she wishes that it was less expensive because it's made of a thinner material.
RELATED: Skims Review
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: 2 options (black and white) | Materials: Recycled polyamide and elastane blend
"No matter if I'm working out or just need a tank top to wear under my layers, this tank from Vuori is my go-to," says GH contributing editor Shanon Maglente. The brand says the tank is designed to be moisture-wicking, but Maglente noticed sweat would seep through the black top after a more intense workout like going on a long run during a hot day. Still, she likes how stretchy the tank is and that it has a high neck for full coverage. Vuori recommends that shoppers machine wash with cold water and like colors and then tumble dry on low.
RELATED: Best Workout Tops for Women
Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 5 options | Materials: Organic cotton and spandex blend
Although not our most expensive tank top on this list, close to $50 is pricier than the majority of our picks. And therefore, I shall lay out the case for why this mid-level splurge is worth it. Offering a snug fit throughout, the Tasha Tank is made from organically grown cotton and spandex for a soft and stretchy feel. The high neckline and thick edges dresses up a basic silhouette, making for an easy day-to-night top that you can wear solo or under a blazer. High-neck tanks like these are my favorite top to pair with jean shorts in the summer.
Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 6 options | Materials: Nylon and lycra blend
I famously wear sports bras to pilates instead of an athletic top because I can never find a flattering top that aids in my movement. That changed when I bought the Transcend V-Neck Crop Bra from Athleta. Designed for low-impact activities like yoga, pilates and barre, this top is meant to feel super lightweight — as if you aren't wearing anything at all. It is designed to be sweat-wicking and quick-drying and is rated UPF 40+, according to the brand.
So far, I have found that it holds its shape after going through the washer and dryer, although I am unsure whether the fabric blend will pill over time. Outside of yoga, I have also worn this top while indoor rock climbing and running errands.
Intimissimi Pretty Flower Modal and Lace Tank Top
Sizes: S–L | Colors: 6 options | Materials: Modal and elastane blend fabric; polyester, polyamide and elastane lace
We recently included Intimissimi in our guide to the best women's undershirts and are back recommending this pretty tank top that features a deep v-neck with delicate lace detailing along the neckline. The wide straps mean you can wear it on its own with your favorite bra for a comfy yet sexy look. It's made from modal for a super soft feel, although it can only be machine washed on cold and cannot go in the dryer. Note that there is low inventory in select colors and sizes, so we suggest shopping sooner rather than later.
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: 2 options (black and white) | Materials: Regenargi certified cotton and elastane blend
Since I have worked as a sales associate at Madewell, I have tried tanks from their popular Whisper and Supima cotton lines, both of which are on markdown at the time of publication and very low in stock. This cotton ribbed tank, however, is a current best-seller with several satisfied shoppers describing it as a stylish, comfortable and sleek tank for year-round wear. According to the brand, it's made from regenerative-certified cotton, which means the cotton fibers are derived from sustainable practices. We also like the ribbed texture along with the deeper armhole openings to expose more of your shoulder for a subtle sexy look.
Sizes: XS–3X | Colors: 4 options | Material: Nylon, lycra and elastane blend
Our pros have extensively evaluated SPANX shapewear and each time concluded that, although pricey, the brand's items are worth the investment. The SPANXshape Invisible Tank features a tummy control panel that wraps around the entire torso to create a slimming effect. "I love this tank! It is my go-to for almost everything. Tremendously comfortable, very flattering in smoothing and shaping," reported one satisfied shopper.
RELATED: The Best Shapewear
Abercrombie & Fitch Essential Tuckable Squareneck Rib Tank
Sizes: XXS–XL | Colors: 3 options | Material: Cotton and elastane blend
From middle school to my mid-twenties, Abercrombie & Fitch has been a favorite place to shop for affordable clothing staples like tank tops. I typically go for a scoop-neck style, but this top-rated square-neck ribbed tank has a 4.6-star rating online. "I like the neckline because it gives off a little bit more effort than just a scoop neck tank. It’s a great layering piece," wrote one five-star review. It's designed to have a slim fit and can be tucked into your trousers or wide-leg jeans. Note that multiple GH staffers reported their clothing from A&F did not hold up super well in the wash.
Sizes: XSS–XL | Colors: 5 options | Material: Polyester, cupro rayon, spandex and recycled polyester blend shell; nylon and spandex blend lining; polyester cup inner lining
GH Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab Product Analyst Grace Wu opts for the AIRism Bra Sleeveless Top when she needs a seamless base layer. "I love how lightweight and smooth it feels on my body," she says. The top features a built-in bra designed with actual cups and no back underband for a smooth look from behind.
Wu also recommends the AIRism Bra Camisole, which is her "go-to for an all-in-one innerwear layer." She recently was on a flight when she began to overheat and was thankful she had packed this cami to change into. Both of these moisture-wicking tanks help cool you down and offer a layer if you have to remove a sweater.
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: 4 options | Material: Cotton and spandex blend
Gap is home to affordable basics and we often include their tees and tanks in shopping guides. The Basic Cami is ideal for layering under a chunky wool sweater or your favorite flannel because it hugs the body and has thin spaghetti straps. Choose from four neutral shades that include white, brown, beige and black — a quintessential quad for pairing with almost all top layers in your wardrobe. Our style pros also appreciate that you can select regular, tall or petite sizing for a better fit.
Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: 5 | Material: Organic cotton, polyamide and elastane blend
Popular online, Cou Cou sells trendy intimates ranging from bras and underwear to tanks and slip dresses. All feature the timeless pointelle pattern that is coquette core. The Long Cami features a subtle v-neck and an adorable tiny bow on each strap. The brand strives to reduce its environmental impact and claims to use GOTS-certified organic cotton. My favorite way to style a pointelle cami is with an open cardigan and baggy jeans for an effortless look.
How we choose the best tanks tops for women
Style experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab evaluate all kinds of clothing essentials, including the best women's tank tops. To find the best styles available on the market right now, I began with a categorical search of popular brands and narrowed down our selections based on GH staffer feedback as well as online shopper reviews. I collaborated with our textile pros to curate a diverse round-up that includes different necklines, fits and prices.
What to look for when shopping for women's tank tops
Tank tops are basic by design, but select features differentiate one style from the next. We dive into the nuances below.
✔️ Material: "The majority of tank tops are made of a knit jersey material, which is stretchy, soft and comfortable," explains GH Institute's Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst Amanda Constantine. You may also find ribbed tank tops, like our picks from Skims, Madewell and Abercrombie & Fitch, which use alternating knit stitches for a textured feel. Tank tops typically blend cotton and "a fiber like spandex or elastane to lend stretch and help the tank top to maintain its shape after being worn," says Constantine. Some tanks may also include rayon, known for its lighter, softer feel, as well as polyester to improve durability and performance.
✔️ Neckline: Scoopneck, or a U-shaped design that extends down to the chest, is the most popular neckline in the tank top category, explains Constantine. However, that doesn't mean it's the only option on the market. High-neck tanks are similar to a crew neckline you find with a T-shirt and hit around the collarbone to provide extra coverage. If you want a sexier look or less coverage, opt for a v-neck that "dips down in a 'V' shape towards the chest for a more revealing look," says Constantine.
✔️ Fit: For the most part, "women’s tank tops have a simple, formfitting design that hugs the natural shape and curves of the body," says Constantine. Other tank options have a looser shape that flare slightly at the hips. Hems often fall between your natural waistline and hips, though there are cropped styles as well as longer tanks that go past your hips.
✔️ Straps: "Not all tank top straps are the same," says Constantine. While some straps are similar in style to a bra strap, others are thicker and bulkier. Constantine recommends opting for a thinner strap if you want to layer on top of the tank, whereas thick straps are ideal for wearing the tank on its own "because they’re able to conceal bra straps and aren’t as likely to dig into the shoulders."
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Elizabeth Berry is the updates editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she collaborates with experts across our Labs to ensure all shopping guides reflect accurate pricing and testing information. She researches and reports on wardrobe essentials from the best undershirts and T-shirts for women to the best wide-leg jeans and loungewear sets. Berry grew up wearing scoop-neck tanks from Old Navy and has found new favorites from Aritzia and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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