The White Tank: From Screen Rebels to Style Mavens
The white tank started as a ribbed underlayer in the 1920s and has since become fashion’s ultimate shape-shifting staple. On screen, James Dean and Marlon Brando immortalized its rebel spirit¹, while on the runway, haute brands from Saint Laurent to Theory have reimagined it as luxury. Supermodels Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell sealed its sex-appeal in ’90s campaigns, and today Bella Hadid channels it street-style—layering hers under Marc Jacobs cardigans² or pairing with leather pants³ in NYC. Even royalty can’t resist: Meghan Markle wore a sleek white knit tank for her podcast portrait⁴.
© Volarre 2025
Our Luxury White Tank Edit
Totême Curved Rib Tank
The Scandinavian label’s ribbed cotton blend shapes to your body with a gentle curve at the hem—street-style stars like Meghan Markle have layered this under blazers for a quiet luxury look⁵.
$110 Buy Now
Skims Soft Lounge Tank
Kim Kardashian’s go-to loungewear line offers this modal-blend tank that drapes like a dream—perfect for off-duty modeling and high-fashion street snaps⁶.
$40 Buy Now
Hanes Boys’ Cotton Tank
The everyday classic 100% cotton tank that James Dean and Madonna turned into icons of effortless cool in film and music videos⁷.
$9.98 Buy Now
Hanes Originals Women’s Cotton Rib
Madonna made ribbed basics punk-glam in “La Isla Bonita”⁸; today it’s a laid-back staple for lounges, layered under moto jackets or paired with slip skirts.
$17.99 Buy Now
Aritzia Homestretch Rib Tank
Worn by influencers on the regular, this figure-hugging stretch cotton tank is a modern minimal essential for styling with leather and denim.
$25 Buy Now
Cos Ribbed Tank Top
COS’s clean-cut organic cotton tank has been spotted on Bella Hadid during Fall street-style season—proof that supermodels cherish simplicity².
$29 Buy Now
Uniqlo Ribbed Cropped Bra Top
Beloved by Town & Country’s editors, Meghan Markle sports Uniqlo’s ribbed tops under blazers for her podcast portrait⁹—an example of high-low dressing at its finest.
$29.90 Buy Now
Eva Tank in White
Luxurious viscose-blend tank favored by editors at Harper’s Bazaar for its drape—it elevates basics to editorial chic¹⁰.
$90 Buy Now
Madewell Cotton Ribbed Scoopneck Tank
A go-to for influencers and editors alike, this tank’s lived-in cotton and flattering neckline make it a style staple for layered looks.
$38 Buy Now
Cotton Classics 5-Pack Tank
Editors praise this value multipack for delivering consistent quality in everyday wear—and for layering under suiting or trance jerseys.
$48.65 Buy NowReferences & Disclaimer
- Brando’s and Dean’s iconic tank scenes in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) & Rebel Without a Cause (1955).
- “The Cheap White Tank Top Has Always Been the Supermodel’s Secret Weapon,” Vogue, 2016.
- Bella Hadid wears white tank under Marc Jacobs cardigan, The Zoe Report, 2021.
- “Meghan Markle Looks Laidback in a White Tank Top for New Spotify Podcast Portrait,” Town & Country, Aug 2022.
- “You Can Now Shop the White Knit Top Duchess Meghan Can’t Stop Wearing,” Harper’s Bazaar, Apr 3 2025.
- Skims’ celebrity endorsements: Kim Kardashian on Instagram, 2024.
- Madonna in “La Isla Bonita” music video (1986).
- “The Ribbed Tank Top Bella Hadid Can’t Stop Wearing,” The Zoe Report, 2022.
- Town & Country Editor picks, 2022.
- “You Can Now Shop Meghan Markle’s Favorite White Knit Top,” Harper’s Bazaar, 2025.
