Trying to figure out what to wear as a certified fashion person in New York City this time of year is not for the faint of heart. Between snowstorms and sub-30-degree temps, my "cute and cozy” mantra gets tested daily. It’s a constant struggle not to default to a sweatshirt and leggings on repeat. Sure, practicality wins when it’s that cold, but I’m still determined to look chic even if it looks like the Arctic Tundra outside.
Lately, I’ve been hunting for low-effort ways to elevate my winter uniform, and I started noticing a trend: fellow editors in the office and fashion It Girls on the streets of the Big Apple were layering white T-shirts under their sweaters. It doesn’t sound groundbreaking, I know. It was actually huge in the ’90s and early aughts, and unsurprisingly, it’s made a comeback. But for someone who has spent 29 years on this earth wearing sweaters completely solo, the effect feels—not to be dramatic—revolutionary. And as a naturally sweaty girl, the last thing I want is an extra layer under something already warm. My armpits would quite literally be fighting for their lives. Yet that sliver of white peeking out at the collar instantly sharpens the whole look. I had to try it immediately.
But there was just one problem: I didn’t own a proper white T-shirt. And in this equation, getting the right white tee is crucial. It makes or breaks the whole thing. I opted for one from Buck Mason after hearing consistently good things about the quality. It’s soft, made from a thicker fabric that isn’t remotely sheer, and fitted without being tight or clingy, or bunched under the sweater. But also long enough so that if I wanted it to peek at the bottom hem, I could. And the collar has the classic crewneck, which adds some dimension and doesn't look like the ones your dad buys in a six-pack bundle from Costco. Basically, it was perfect for bringing this vision to life.
Once I checked the shirt off my list, it was time to actually put it to the test. I wore it with two of my current favorite sweaters from Abercrombie & Fitch: one a relaxed V-neck and the other a Henley option. I wanted to see how the layering would shift depending on the neckline—and that’s when it clicked. What would’ve been a simple sweater-and-pants combo suddenly felt styled, multi-dimensional, and entirely more elevated. Bonus: My armpits were at peace—sweating their usual amount—but thankfully not any more than usual.
To give the V-neck look an extra curated touch, I layered on a stack of chunky necklaces to highlight the pop of white. That small styling move instantly amped it up and injected some of my personality, while the added shine gave the neckline even greater presence.
It might not sound like that big of a deal, but honestly, this little trick has completely reshaped my winter wardrobe. It’s shockingly incredibly versatile. Like, four legit looks in one! When it warms up in the spring, or the sweater just starts feeling stuffy, and you’d rather just wear the white tee, you can: drape the sweater over your shoulders, tie it at the waist, or even knot it diagonally across your chest for some extra flair. So next time you’re staring at your closet at 8 a.m., completely over the same sweater vibes , just throw a white tee under it, and I promise your old sweater that you've been wearing twice a week for the last two months will feel fresh again.
Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she's also written for Delish, House Beautiful, and People. Follow her on Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok.
