Tight and cropped t-shirts were popular in the 70s and 80s due to the sky-high nature of denim waistbands, but there’s no decade more synonymous with the style than the 1990s. Originally referred to as the “French cut tee”, designer Linda Meltzer is credited with creating the very first line of baby tees.
The music video and film stylist found herself combing through racks of vintage and second-hand clothing in desperate attempts to curate a selection of children’s t-shirts dating back to the 1970s. Obsessed with the shrunken, skin-tight, and somehow perfectly boxy silhouette yet unable to source an ample supply of exactly what she was looking for, Meltzer decided to create her own.
Founded in 1993, Meltzer’s Tease Tees eventually rebranded to the cult-favourite, still wildly popular Pretties. Spotted on the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Naomi Campbell, Alicia Silverstone, Kate Moss and more throughout the years, Meltzer’s brand was quickly and firmly cemented as a go-to destination for it-girl basics.
With the revival of all things the 90s showing no sign of slowing down, the 21st century seems to have vehemently denounced all forms of non-cropped tees. Even Abercrombie & Fitch is slowly replacing their classic tees with shorter silhouettes, for the brand found that modern consumers were snipping away at their new purchases to ensure that they fall perfectly when styled with their favourite pair of jeans, even with the re-emerging popularity of low-waisted styles.
Yet cropped is perhaps the wrong adjective to use when describing the fit of a true, OG baby tee. To stay true to the original intention behind the style, your baby tee shouldn’t sit above the midriff but rather graze the belly button area. Subtly feminine and flirtatious, the baby tee is a styling basic that every It-girl and boy needs in their wardrobe.
We’ve curated a list of the 12 best baby tees for women on the market right now. Summer styling has never been easier.
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Abercrombie & Fitch Essential Baby Tee
Crafted from 95 per cent cotton for sumptuous softness and 5 per cent elastane for unbeatable stretch, A&F’s Essential Baby Tee is our top pick for the summer. The seamless fabric slides over the skin like silk and appears to be wonderfully resistant to pesky pit stains. The crew neckline is neither too thick nor too thin, and after multiple washes it retains that perfectly cropped silhouette.
Buy now £20.00, Abercrombie & Fitch
Lisa Says Gah Alex Tee
Summer-ready graphics meet a boat-necked baby tee thanks to LA-based Lisa Says Gah. Available in sizes XS-3XL, choose from an array of signature designs including vine cherry tomatoes, birthday cake, oysters, strawberries and more. Crafted from 100 per cent dead stock cotton, the fabric is not only wonderfully soft and eco-friendly but creates a gently loose silhouette for those who prefer tees without figure-hugging stretch.
Buy now £61.00, Lisa Says Gah
Pretties OG Baby Tee
Designed by Linda Meltzer in the summer of 1993, the OG baby tee from Pretties is where it all started. If you’re truly on a mission to replicate the look of your favourite 90s It-girl, there’s simply no better baby tee on the market. Offering that coveted and remarkably difficult-to-replicate shrunken fit, the OG baby tee is available in multiple hues – always with that signature lacey, scalloped neckline.
Buy now £43.46, Pretties
Organic Basics Core Baby Tee
Desirably waist-grazing, the baby tee from Organic Basics is a semi-sheet, scoop-neck dream. Snug and body-hugging, we’re big fans of the purposely slightly worn look. A carbon-neutral brand specialising in cotton which is free from harmful chemicals, you’ll be doing both yourself and Mother Earth a favour in grabbing a selection of these form-fitting t-shirts.
Buy now £20.00, Organic Basics
UO Campania Baby T-Shirt
Urban Outfitters offers a lovely selection of graphic baby tees, but this vintage-inspired baby blue crew-neck feels perfect for the summer. Featuring a collage design including a fresh strawberry at the centre, pair with a flowing white maxi skirt for the ultimate picnic outfit.
Buy now £26.00, Urban Outfitters
Skims Fits Everybody T-Shirt
The Skims Fits Everybody tee is a figure-hugging, body-sculpting staple this summer. Available in a myriad of shades from classic neutrals to warm weather-ready pastels, the t-shirt is renowned for its unbeatable stretch and breathability. Lightweight and wonderfully soft, it skims the waistline perfectly – if you’ll pardon the pun.
Buy now £48.00, Selfridges
Frame Baby Tee
No one does quiet luxury quite like Frame. Made with deliciously soft and slightly sheer Supima cotton, this baby tee has been designed to effortlessly compliment your favourite denim. We’d slip on a pair of embellished flats for an effortlessly chic daily look.
Buy now £87.00, Frame
Mazzy Star Baby Tee
Mazzy Star fans rejoice, for we’ve found the perfect baby tee to show your love for the beloved 80s alternative rock band. Choose from a vast selection of colourways, including a black and white raglan option.
Buy now £12.49, Etsy
Uniqlo Mini Short Sleeved T-Shirt
New to the Uniqlo t-shirt scene is what the experts in basics have dubbed the ‘mini’. We’re truly struggling to believe that this brilliantly shrunken tee hasn’t been plucked straight from Jennifer Aniston’s 1990s wardrobe, for it grazes the below-the-belly button area with the grace and ease of an old-school It-girl.
Buy now £14.90, Uniqlo
Reformation Muse Tee
An eco-friendly option from everyone’s favourite sustainable retailer, the Basic Rib from Reformation is a must-have. A whopping 97 per cent cotton and 3 per cent spandex, this vintage-inspired tee has the perfect amount of stretch yet falls ever-so-slightly loosely over the frame for an oh-so-90s feel. Pair with sky-high-waisted jeans and a chunky belt as pictured.
Buy now £38.00, Reformation
Tala 365 Sculpting Lounge Short Sleeve T-Shirt
The most size-inclusive baby tee on the market, Tala offers the Sculpting Lounge t-shirt in sizes 2XS-4XL. A super soft, ribbed option which is double layered at the body for extra comfort and protection, you can slip this stretchy tee on without a bra and enjoy incredible support.
Buy now £34.00, Tala
Pose Fitted Tee
We’re head over heels for the extra-thick neckline on this fitted baby tee from Vuori. Brilliant for those living in sunnier climates, it’s made with a premium Modal fabric which has unbeatable four-way stretch, moisture-wicking power and UPF 30+ protection. Outdoor Yoga has never looked so good.
Buy now £60.00, Vuori
Minga London Starlight Grey Raglan Baby Tee
Who said baby tees are limited to the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic? Certainly not Minga London. Offered in an array of edgy, darkly-hued designs, our personal favourite happens to be this grey raglan baby tee which features a large star sewn into the centre. Made using 100 per cent cotton, this silhouette just about covers the belly button.
Buy now £33.00, Minga London
H&M Ribbed T-Shirt
We know it’s a strange kind of t-shirt to covet, but if you’re looking for the vintage-style, thickly ribbed tees that we were required to wear during PE at primary school, H&M has got you covered. Pair with a black mini skirt and some sheer black tights to embody true French-girl style.
Buy now £5.99, H&M
Dump Him 90s Inspired Baby Tee
Embrace the spirit of Pop Princess Britney Spears with your very own ‘Dump Him’ baby tee. The complimentary pastel blue and orange hues are not only visually appealing, but make for an ideal summer colour palette.
Buy now £22.67, Etsy
Verdict
For its versatility, fit, comfort and ability to withstand wear and tear, the A&F Essential Baby Tee is our top pick. While you can’t go wrong with the OG Baby Tee from Pretties, we think that Lisa Says Gah’s graphic, 100 per cent dead stock cotton Alex Tee is supremely underrated too.
