Baby Tees Are the Nostalgic Summer Staple We Can Get Behind

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As the summer heat reaches its peak, the benefit of having a soft, lightweight baby tee you can always rely on simply can’t be overstated. A shrunken-to-perfection T-shirt is the necessary counterpart to casual jeans, jorts and party-ready skirts alike.

Though seeing a resurgence because of fashion’s obsession with all things nostalgic, baby tees are pretty versatile. Take it from stylist, writer, street-style favorite and host of Dress Code (a show in which she gives tech bros a makeover) Michelle Li.

“They’re casual without feeling frumpy, and it’s a great balance for when you want to be comfortable but still stylish,” Li says, defining the top as “a tighter, more fitted version of a T-shirt.” She cites Pretties’ Fashion Cafe tee and Vanna Youngstein’s Cherry Baby as staples that are particularly beloved by New York City fashion girls. 

“Fabric is most important,” Li says of features to look out for when buying a baby tee. “I love a true cotton baby tee without too much elastic. I also really pay attention to the fit and proportions,” she adds, prioritizing wider sleeves that “don’t pull under the armpits,” as well as a longer cut through the torso — “because if it’s too cropped, it feels overdone and harder to style.”

Beyond New York City, you may have noticed Hailey Bieber endorse the look. (She favors Leset’s Kelly Crop Slim Fit Tee, having sported it multiple times recently.) She’s paired hers with slouchy denim and Bermuda slacks, sometimes adding a decorative belt.

Those after a “quiet luxury” vibe might choose a solid version, but as Li notes, “it’s fun to find fun graphics or interesting textures to make your baby tee feel more special.”

Shop some of our favorite baby tees below.

Leset Kelly Slim-Fit T-Shirt, $78, available here (sizes XS-XL)

Nuuds Baby Tee, $48, available here (sizes XS-XXXL)

Skims Fits Everybody T-Shirt, $48, available here (XXS-XXL)

Big Bud Press Dark Emerald Green Baby Tee, $52, available here (sizes P-6XL)

Loewe Anagram Cropped T-Shirt, $590, available here (sizes XS-XL)

Off-White Cropped T-Shirt, $515 $207, available here (sizes XXS-XL)

The Row Rasa T-Shirt, $550, available here (sizes S-L)

Pretties 1995 Reissue: Fashion Cafe Baby Tee, $60, available here (sizes XXS-XXL) 

Khaite Emmylou T-Shirt, $380, available here (sizes XS-XL)

Guizio Genius Tee, $78, available here (sizes XXS-XXL)

Dion Lee Cropped Corset T-Shirt, $550, available here (sizes XXS-XXL)

Z Supply Pamela Cropped Tee, $49, available here (sizes XS-XL)

Heaven by Marc Jacobs Heat Sensitive Baby Tee, $95, available here (sizes XS-XXL)

Re/Done 90s Raise Hell Tee, $150, available here (sizes XS-L)

Heron Preston ‘Law Flames’ Baby T-Shirt, $320 $256, available here (sizes XXXS-XXL)

Edikted ‘Do Not Disturb’ Crop Graphic Tee, $28, available here

Minnie Rose Cotton Frayed Tee, $161, available here (sizes XS-XL)

Reformation Earth Lover Muse Tee, $58, available here (sizes XS-XL)

Still Here Football Tee, $48, available here (sizes XS-L) 

UO Sardines Perfect Baby Tee, $35, available here (sizes XS-XXXL)

Find Me Now Ribbed Mesh Baby Tee, $74, available here (sizes XS-XL)

Harley Davidson Silver Wing Baby Tee, $55, available here (sizes XS-XL)

Broken Promises Bat Wing Ribbed Crop Tee, $30, available here (sizes XS-XL)

Thrills Heavy Strength Baby Tee, $50, available here (sizes AU 6-14)

White Fox Weekend Vibes Baby Tee Blue, $30, available here (sizes XS-XL)

Moonkissed Collective Love Letter Tee, $45, available here (sizes XS-L)

Réalisation Par Zodiac Tee, $69, available here (sizes XS-XL)

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