A White T-Shirt and Jeans

The real Me's just a Southern girl with her Levi's on and an open heart.

For the most part, I grew up in uniforms. Part of it is a drag, for sure, but ultimately I fell in love with not worrying about clothes in a space where my mind is supposed to be on work, along with how easeful it makes the mornings.

I’ve almost accidentally made a uniform for different jobs and lifestyles I’ve had over the years, from pencil skirts to lululemon pants and wedge Nikes. But the classic Lilly “uniform” that I go to the most is simple denim and a white t-shirt.

Going back and forth between rural Kentucky and Dallas over my life, I think I picked up the common threads of simple American style - strong, clean cotton and intentional construction. It’s nice to wear something simple but pretty and feel like I’ll feel in place anywhere I go. I notice too that I go to my jeans and white too look more in certain years that I’m feeling in liminal space. So often I love lots of prints and accessories, but then sometimes I need a clean slate of crisp white, understated jeans and some freckles coming through to just feel like my most authentic self.

With such an affinity for this look for decades, I’ve done my shopping research. If you’re also a classic white tee and denim girl or want to join our club, here’s my faves I’ve purchased myself to date.

White T-Shirts

I’m pretty obsessed with a white t-shirt. I love a brilliant white that pops and a cut that is super comfortable and easy to work and play in and that is flattering without being too tight or sheer.

I found this snug crop t-shirt through one of my favorite girls and I think I’ve ordered two more since. Typically priced under $10, I cannot ever say no to one more. The crop is not cropped on me but more so means that it sits right at a higher waistline, meaning I don’t have to tuck a bunch of excess in and have a bulge, IYKYK. I also have it in black and liked it so much I bought the long sleeve version, which is somehow even prettier.

I have been looking for a pointelle t-shirt at a price point I could wear without fear of eating condiments in it for a few years now and was thrilled when my go-to cotton t-shirt was now making one too. I ordered two to start and the little bow on the neckline is too much. It’s a touch more delicate so I just wear super smooth nude undergarment.

If you like to buy in bulk like me , my favorite white t-shirt since high school is now on Amazon. I had a little superstition for a while that I needed to wear one on every flight for good luck, which I suppose at encouraged me to be nicely dressed for the plane. The weight and softness of these are so good.

My Favorite Bodysuits

Sometimes one wants the ease and approachability of the jeans and white tee look but we need to, you might say, turn it up a little. Growing up in dance, I feel so comfortable and myself in a bodysuit. For me, I love the smoothed, tucked-in feeling and maybe I feel a little like a dog in a thunder shirt - in a good way.

Subbing these for my typical white t-shit or even oxford shirt makes the look just a little more modern, chic and sure you could say sexy.

For the t-shirt girls, I first present the white cotton t-shirt bodysuit. This looks like the best fitting white t-shirt you’ve ever owned and I love to wear it year-round. I feel like the sleeves and collar are just right where it looks far more luxurious than the price point.

I’ve ordered this ribbed henley bodysuit three times (for personal needs, not quality issues). People ask where I got it every time I wear it, and the buttons work so I play around with them often depending on what I’m wearing. This is my go-to with a sweater because it’s so smooth as a base layer but really cute if you get warm and put your sweater on your shoulders, etc.

If you want to get some attention, I love a long sleeve second-skin bodysuit with jeans - one of my go-to’s for Holiday parties this year - and I also love the tank top version that i wear with jeans or shorts in the summer.

I know it’s not for everybody, but I like a super-smooth look under my bodysuits so I tend to stick with just these underneath (no pun intended). They’re so good I had to include them in my Favorite Things.

Go-To Denim '

I keep it classic and low-key on bottom and I’ll be honest with you, with how much I get in the way of paint, baking accidents, animals and other messes, I’m paying more than I need to on jeans. These did get approved and are workhorses in my closet.

These retro jeans that remind me of Veronica Beard are under $50. The stretch is comfortable without looking like stretchy pants. I feel snatched in these, tbh, and they’re fine for me at 5’8” to wear with sneakers.

My Goldenboy casual straight-leg denim goes to work with me (both of them, ha), Mom duty, cleaning, running errands - a classic, easy jean that’s affordable and easy to replace as life does its thing to them.

High-waisted classic button-fly Levi’s are just one of those things that belongs in a girl’s closet, and I love my pair. The rise sits right on my waist and it’s slimming for my legs without being too tight.

Simple Accessories

I just started wearing jewelry again after a nice palette cleanser. The first thing I wanted back on was this gold chain necklace that I feel like I can tap into the sound that’s so soothing to me when I touch it.

For my bag, I’ve been carrying this pretty, simple and practical mini tote bag and, given how well it’s held up so far, probably will until the end of time. The monogram options are so cute.

People tend not to know how often I’m running on black coffee thanks to these aviators. :)

Easy Feet

All I typically slip on next are classic Adidas (I think I have to get the Farm Rio option under $40 on that page) and my trusty striped tube socks

If I’m taking my uniform out on the town. all I usually change are into my sparkly leather Mary Janes with a jacket on my shoulders, and then we’re ready to play it up!

Do you have a uniform? If you have white tee or pair of jeans you can’t get enough of, let us know in the comments!