Throughout all of my adult life, I’ve been on a quest to find the perfect T-shirt—one that’s high-quality, fitted yet flowy, and looks just as good tucked into a pair of high-waisted jeans as it does under an oversized blazer. So far, I’ve found a couple that come close, and I hold those T-shirts dear, but I don’t have enough to build out the core collection of perfect T-shirts that I dream about.
If there’s one brand that might finally change that for me, it’s x Karla. It’s a brand that specializes in (you guessed it) T-shirts. Created by celebrity stylist Karla Welch, the brand was born when her client, Justin Bieber, asked for long T-shirts to wear on his Purpose tour. When she couldn’t find any on the marketplace, she bought classic men’s Hanes tees and reworked them based on a new pattern she created. Thus, the x Karla brand was born.
These days, the x Karla brand sells a variety of styles, although there’s one in particular that’s especially beloved by celebrities such as Gigi Hadid, Kaia Gerber, and more. Oh, and it’s on sale for only $28. Keep scrolling to see which T-shirt it is and why celebs love it so much.
Here’s what the t-shirt looks like. It’s a cropped crewneck tee with just the right amount of give through the waist. It’s what we like to call an elevated basic. The best part about the x Karla The Baby Tee is that it’s currently on sale for $28 (it’s originally $40) on Verishop, my new go-to shopping site that sells clothes from well-known brands like Re/Done, Free People, and Agolde, along with up-and-coming indie brands. It’s quite literally the perfect time to buy.
Celebrities can’t get enough. Take Kaia Gerber, for instance. The model, who was featured in the brand’s initial campaign, clearly wears the tee in her off-time, as proven with this picture she posted to Instagram. We like the way she paired it with low-rise jeans and an oversize blazer.
Gigi Hadid is another celebrity who’s been pictured wearing The Baby Tee. Here she is, out and about in NYC, wearing it along with a pair of dark high-waisted jeans and white sneakers.
Or, do as Tracee Ellis Ross does, and wear The Baby Tee as part of an all-white ensemble. The way she paired her T-shirt with sneakers and a suit that has a shiny, vinyl-like finish is just so cool.
Actress Willa Fitzgerald wears her x Karla The Baby Tee under a cherry red Chanel suit.
Actress Karen Gillan wears her x Karla T-shirt with a pair of matching flare jeans. This look was styled by Karla Welch, herself (we’d like to think the umbrella was a conscious accessory).
The Baby Tee comes in 10 shades in total. However, only two shades are on sale on Verishop, cream and pink. Since these colors are still muted enough to pass as neutrals, I’ll be wearing them with everything and (finally) building out my perfect T-shirt wardrobe.
If you’re looking for a different color, you can find all of them on the brand’s website. You can shop the three classic shades, which are black, gray, and white, on Shopbop for full price.
The Baby Tee isn’t the brand’s only popular T-shirt. Celebs also love The Crop, which is less fitted than The Baby. This boxy and slightly oversize tee is beloved by the likes of Zendaya, who is pictured here wearing the tee in a golden hour snap she posted to her Instagram.
Amandla Stenberg is also a fan of The Crop Tee, as shown by this mirror selfie she posted.
The Crop Tee just so happens to be an editor’s pick on Shopbop. We’re guessing it has to do with its versatility. Since it flows past the waist, and it has a slightly box shape, it’s the perfect tee to wear with both high-waisted and low-waisted pants. You can go back and forth, depending on the day and your preference.
