Our Style Pros Love These Tank Tops for Summer

WHY WE LOVE IT: Gap is home to affordable basics, and we often include its tees and tanks in shopping guides thanks to its soft shirts and inclusive sizing. Not only can you get this body-hugging tank in sizes XXS to XXL, but you can also choose from regular, petite, and tall. This tank top has a boat neck, which adds a chic touch to the style that can be dressed up or down.

WHAT OUR EDITORS SAID: This versatile tank top from Gap is one of my favorite shirts because of the substantial feel of the fabric, snug fit, and longer length. I sized down for an extra snug fit because I find Gap tends to run big, but the cropped tank is long enough that I can easily tuck it into mid-rise bottoms for a smooth fit, and it barely reveals my stomach with low-rise pants.

I’ve paired my tank top with jeans and sneakers to hang with friends, but I’ve also worn it with a mini skirt on a night out and a long midi skirt to go to work. It’s casual enough to wear on a daily basis but looks classy enough for more professional looks with a blazer or for fancy occasions. It’s soft, comfortable, and has held up well after multiple washes.

WHY WE LOVE IT: If you’re not a fan of your bra straps showing with spaghetti-strap tops, this cami is for you. It’s designed with a built-in bra that has removable padding, so you’ll have coverage without needing to wear a strapless bra or nipple covers—both of which can feel sweaty in the summer heat. It even has adjustable straps to give the girls a little lift. It also comes in 16 colors, including striped patterns.

WHAT OUR EDITORS SAID: One of my favorite tank tops of all time is from Abercrombie, but it’s no longer sold on the site. It has held up decently well over the past four years, with some pilling and torn threads only recently. So, I decided to check out some other tanks from Abercrombie, and I am now a huge fan of the brand’s new bra-free collection, which includes more tops and dresses.

I love that this cami has a built-in shelf and padding in it, which looks more seamless than when I wear a strapless bra under thin cami tank tops, plus it feels comfortable to go bra-free. It’s thin and great for layering, but it also has a bit of stretch, and it’s substantial enough to be worn on its own. It’s not ribbed and instead has a smoother finish, which I prefer. As someone whose bra size is a 30C, I found this tank top to be supportive enough for daily wear, but I wouldn’t go on a run or hike with it on, and I’m doubtful it offers enough support for chests over a D cup.

WHY WE LOVE IT: This tank top is the perfect cropped length to wear with high-rise pants or low-rise pants if you want to show a bit of skin. It has a ribbed texture and comes in four classic shades, but there are multiple limited-edition colors that rotate in and out (at the time of writing, there are six). The tank has a snug fit, and the neckline is a mix between a scoop and a square. The front of the tank has thin straps, but it has high-cut back, so you can wear this tank with a racerback bra.

WHAT OUR EDITORS SAID: Seymour calls this 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 said. While Seymour wears the tank all the time, she said it’s a bit expensive for a tank top made of thin material.

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WHY WE LOVE IT: The tank top is made with cotton, modal, and spandex for a soft, stretchy feel, and the cut makes it a great undershirt to wear under sweaters. Just keep in mind that the smallest size of this tank top is a men’s size Small, which may fit a bit loosely or long on petite women.

WHAT OUR EDITORS SAID: This tank top is only available in men’s sizing, but one of our editors found it provides the ideal fit for any gender (she and her husband both own this tank top!). “It gives me everything I love about the classic Hanes men's tank, but it's even softer, fits better, and somehow stays incredibly soft wash after wash,” she shared. “I reach for it almost every weekend because it goes with any pair of shorts and makes getting dressed effortless. It's lightweight, has the perfect slim fit, and the slightly longer length makes it easy to tuck in without ever feeling bulky.”

WHY WE LOVE IT: This tank top has a deep V-neck, halter straps, low back, and ruching details that make it feel elevated and fancy, so it’s the perfect top to wear with a mini skirt or jeans and heels on a night out or date night.

WHAT OUR EDITORS SAID: I wanted to wear an outfit to Ariana Grande’s concert inspired by her look from the “we can’t be friends” music video, so I was on the hunt for a dark gray deep V-neck top (very specific, I know). I eventually came across this top, and while it was a bit pricey, I am 100% planning on buying this top in more colors (I’ve got my eye on the brown and white polka dot pattern). It’s extremely comfortable, and the halter neck straps are long enough to double-knot at the nape of your neck, which allows you to adjust the fit and create a cute bow. However, I noticed that if I tie the straps too tightly, the top rises, and the seam meant to rest under the boob will slip up the chest, creating the dreaded quad boob. That makes me think it may not be the best design for large chests, especially since the largest size is only an XL.

It has a slightly longer length than some of the other tanks on the list, which I prefer as someone who doesn’t wear high-waisted pants. I like that the fabric felt luxurious and thick because I couldn’t see the outlines of my nipple covers (you can probably go bra-free with this top, too, but I like the peace of mind of extra coverage).

WHY WE LOVE IT: 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’s made with a blend of nylon and Lycra for a sweat-wicking and quick-drying fabric that’s stretchy and breathable (making it the perfect top for a hot yoga class). It’s also rated UPF 40+ for sun protection, according to the brand. Keep in mind that we have seen this top go from six to two color options, and some sizes tend to go out of stock quickly.

WHAT OUR EDITORS SAID: One of our editors said she used to only wear sports bras to Pilates classes, but now she has started wearing this tank top. “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,” she shared.

WHY WE LOVE IT: This tank top features a built-in bra designed with actual cups and no back underband for a smooth look from behind. Also, the padding is not removable, so it won’t shift or clump up. This moisture-wicking tank helps keep you dry, making it perfect for the summer heat. It has a slightly loose fit, and the material looks like an athletic top, however the built-in bra isn’t tight enough for an intense workout.

WHAT OUR EDITORS SAID: Textiles Lab Senior 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 said. Wu also recommends the AIRism Bra Camisole, which is her "go-to for an all-in-one innerwear layer." She was recently on a flight when she began to overheat and was thankful she had packed this cami to change into.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Loose and flowy, this tank top is great for those days when it’s just too hot outside, and you want a thin tank that won’t stick to your skin. Plus, the straps are thick enough to hide a thin bra strap. This tank top is also a budget-friendly pick as Quince has very frequent sales.

WHAT OUR EDITORS SAID: I love the relaxed fit of this tank top, which looks stylish tucked on the side into denim shorts, but it also works as a comfy pajama shirt. Keep in mind that this tank top looked wrinkled at the bottom after tucking the shirt in for a few hours (which you can see in the photo!), so you mus stay committed to tucking the shirt in all day or leaving it untucked.

Since it doesn’t fit tight, I also like to wear it over my swimsuit when leaving the beach. Quince sells a T-shirt version of this tank, which we rated as one of the best T-shirts for women. One of our consumer testers of the tee said, “It's softer and more flexible than my 100% cotton tees. Since it's more flexible, it drapes better and feels nicer on my skin.” I found the tee and tank to be a bit thin and see-through, so I wouldn’t choose the white color for this tank.

WHY WE LOVE IT: With a high neckline and racerback cut, this tank top provides coverage for the chest and can easily be worn with your favorite sports bra, but the straps of your regular bra will most likely peek through.

The navy and white striped design offers a nautical style, but there are other color options, including an opaque white. The ribbed material is soft with considerable stretch (thanks to 8% elastane). We also appreciate the extensive size range (XXS–3X) so that you can find your perfect fit.

WHAT OUR EDITORS SAID: Our director of editorial commerce said she impulse-purchased this tank top right before her vacation, and she really likes it. As a crafter myself, this is the exact type of tank top I’d scoop up to embroider on.