August 3, 2005 Over the years, the t-shirt has truly evolved into a wardrobe staple. According to a recent survey by Hanes, the average woman owns 26 t-shirts. The majority of women even own more t-shirts than shoes! The t-shirt is no longer just a basic white crew, there are tons of styles, fits and fabrics that can be worn to virtually any occasion all year round. Choosing the right fit and style: Neckline: 1. Crew neck t-shirt The basic crew neck is the most traditional style t-shirt. It�s classic and will always be in style. But it�s not for everyone, women with larger chests or short necks should avoid the crew neck. * Hanes Classic Pre-Shrunk Tee - The basic white tee will never go out of style. Our favorite, and still the best bang for your buck, is the traditional pre-shrunk 3-pack from Hanes. Shop in the boys department for a snug fit. * Banana Republic White Crew Neck � this one�s a bit thicker for a dressier look 2. V-necks, Scoop Necks These tend to be the most flattering styles, they can flatter both large and small chests and tend to show off a woman�s thinnest feature: her upper chest and collarbones. Also helps to elongate the neck. * Dark Red Scoop neck tee with � sleeve from Three Dots * Pink V-neck sleeveless tee with twist front from Lilla P Length / Shape: Choose tees that are tailored, rather than boxy, for the most flattering fit. Many tees today are cut very narrow, so don�t be afraid to go up a size if necessary. We�re also seeing a lot of longer-length tees (mainly as a result of low-rise jeans!) These can be very flattering and slimming on some, but petite women should be careful as they can make you look shorter * Red v-neck long length tee from Splendid A banded bottom can help offset the length for a petite woman * Mauve Henley with banded bottom from Three Dots Sleeves: Shoulder seams should sit right at the widest part of the shoulder for a proper fit. Cap sleeves work well on most figures, unless you have a particularly heavy arm * Orange cap-sleeve tee found at Marshalls Avoid short sleeves that hit right in the middle of the upper arm and any sleeves that don�t fit snugly. If you prefer to cover up, go for � length sleeves which showcase a thinner wrist, or long sleeves. * � length sleeve tee found at TJ Maxx What to Wear Under Your Tee: The right bra is essential for getting a smooth, no show-through look under your tee. A t-shirt bra typically has a very slightly padded cup to give a finished look. Avoid lace which can appear lumpy. * Barely There Comfortable Curves Underwire T-Shirt Bra � thin foam, seamless cups and tag free for comfort. Or, look for tanks and tees with built-in support * Bali Behind the Scenes Tailored Camisole � has a full support underwire bra inside to give shaping without bulky layers or unsightly straps buy it here * En Vie tee from figleaves.com � has a built-in shelf bra for women who don�t need as much support Plus Sizes: Many companies today are cutting their t-shirts specifically to flatter larger sizes. * Short Sleeve Tunic Tee and � Sleeve T-Shirt from Roaman�s Catalog � These have a loose fit to cover tummy and bottom and arms that go past the heaviest part. A scalloped scoop neck and deep zippered v-neck are the most flattering. Fabrics: Fabric determines many factors about a t-shirt. 100% cotton is the classic - it's comfortable and breathes well. This hooded version has Stay Clean fabric protection added in to reduce staining * hooded jersey from Hanes A Lycra or spandex blend will drape better and help the shirt to retain its shape, even after repeated washings. You can also get a nice, close fit without feeling constricted. * � sleeve stretch scoopneck from Lands� End A cotton/rayon blend feels extra silky and the color stays true and retains its luster through repeated washings. * Ivory Supima cotton and rayon Henley from Lands� End Mesh is a great fabric variation that truly bridges the gap towards a dressier look * Mesh shirt from Sweet Pea Tissue Thin t-shirts have become extremely popular over the last few years. They�re ultra-light and great for layering. Some companies cut their tees on the bias for a figure-skimming look. * J Crew and C&C California tees Trends: * Vintage/washed out tees (from Fashion Bug, PlanetFunk.com and Barking Irons) * Embellished with sequins or beads (from PlanetFunk.com and J Lo) * Tanks with built-in jewelry (from Cynthia Rose, Crimes + Misdemeanors and Miller Girl) * Prints (zebra print from Thalia at KMart, leopard prints from C&C California) * Message tees (David & Goliath and Planet Mom T-Shirts) * Layered (Conspiracy Eight and JC Penney) * Interesting Shapes (crossover and tie front tops from Lilla P) � Our models wore Adam + Eve tank tops: * For daytime, we paired it with a peasant skirt from TJ Maxx and wood jewelry * For evening, we paired it with black pinstripe gauchos and a short nylon jacket from Ellis Dixon SALE ITEMS CANNOT BE RETURNED. ALL SALES OF LONG SLEEVED SHIRTS, HOODIES, HATS, PANTS, BRIEFS, PERSONALIZED BOXER BRIEFS, APRONS, ROBES, TOWELS AND ON-SALE PLUS-SIZED TEES ARE FINAL. Questions? Custom order request? Want to know when we get new stuff? Please email us! Photography by Kristin Burke of Peter Baker Studios. 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010 Planet Mom. All Rights Reserved.