Why Bazaar Editors Are Obsessed With Leset’s Margo Tee

It doesn’t get more ubiquitous than a white T-shirt, yet finding one that fits the way you want it to is still, somehow, extremely hard. (This is one of those cases where having more options does not equate to a better outcome.) So when I caught wind of Leset’s best-selling Margo tee, I was intrigued. What was it about this T-shirt that had people all over the internet posting about its merits?

Founded by Lili Chemla in 2019, Leset is an L.A.-based contemporary brand focused on designing basics that feel anything but. Slim-cut cardigans that look chic enough to wear for an overnight flight and a dinner out. Ponte slim pants that have the feel of a legging but won’t give you flashbacks to college. Then there are the T-shirts, specifically the Margo. In midweight cotton cut to a slightly boxy shape, it’s airy but not see-through (very important). All points that sound great on paper.

But how would it actually fare when a team of editors—with discerning fashion sense and a range of body types—got their hands on it? As it turns out, 10/10 across the board. Below, four editors share why the Margo tee is worth the hype.

To be honest, it’s taken me a while to come around to the white T-shirt, mainly because I hate the telltale signs that come with wear. Most white tees look good until you throw them in the wash, at which point they become, well, a wash. But I still had hope, so when I heard about the Margo tee, I decided to give it a chance. And I’m so glad I did. The crop is subtle–I’m five-foot-nine with a somewhat long torso, and it hits just below the waist on me—while the shape is boxy enough that it’s comfortable to wear on a 80-plus-degree day, but I don’t look like I’m swimming in it.

The best part: Whenever I wash it, it somehow looks better than before. Instead of looking dingy, it comes out crisp, yet the material feels soft—not stiff—on the skin. I’ve been wearing it pretty much nonstop since I got my hands on it, pairing it with my Levi’s 501s, nylon hiking shorts, and a cherry-red tiered linen skirt that makes me smile every time I slip into it. It’s a casual everyday piece that still looks put-together, which is what makes it so versatile.

Chelsey Sanchez wearing the Margo tee in a size M

I gravitate toward a baby tee more often than I’d like to admit. Crop tops are my comfort zone! Sue me! But the things that slightly intimidate me about baggy T-shirts are put to rest in this Leset crewneck. Although not necessarily pegged as a baggy tee, the Margo features a much slouchier fit than I’m used to. The weight of the material hangs perfectly—not too heavy, not too light—and allows for a boxy-but-not-too-boxy structure that doesn’t make me feel like I’m being swallowed up in fabric. It gave my favorite pair of jeans an instant summer refresh.

Tiffany Dodson, associate beauty commerce editor

Tiffany Dodson wearing the Margo tee in a size L

As someone who wears a T-shirt and jeans so often that I might as well sleep in them, I’m extremely particular about comfort and fit. I already considered myself a fan of Leset’s range of elevated basics, but I’ll admit I’d prejudged the boxy shape of the Margo tee before testing it. No shade to the brand—typically, I steer clear of these kinds of silhouettes, as they’re not always the most flattering on my curvy frame. But for the sake of fashion, I decided to give this one a try, and I’m very glad I did.

The Margot is known as Leset’s top-selling T-shirt, and it’s pretty clear why. Though it features a cropped, slightly boxy shape, the tee doesn’t make me appear overly wide, and is long enough to lightly tuck into a pair of high-waisted pants. Its cotton material feels thick and durable, instead of loose and flimsy, which indicates that I can get plenty of washes and wears out of the shirt before needing to replace it. Since it’s available in five other colors, I plan on adding all of them to my wardrobe, to round out my ongoing uniform of choice.

Jennifer Algoo wearing the Margo tee in a size XL

My new favorite white shirt! As someone with a large chest, I’ve had a hard time finding something that fits well and is not oversize or too long. I loved the fit and quality of the Margo. I styled it with a linen set and my Loeffler Randall sandals for a casual summer outfit.

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The Margo

Michella Oré is the fashion commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar. Previously, she was the style commerce writer at GQ and associate producer at Vogue. Her writing has been published in i-D, 10 Magazine, and WWD.