Last November, I did what many would consider an irrational, bordering on nonsensical thing: I paid $75 for a plain tank top. Then, a couple months later, I went back and did the same thing again — another $75 dollar tank top from the same brand. The reason being? They made one of the best tops I’ve ever worn.
If your algorithm looks anything like mine, you can’t open Instagram or Tiktok without seeing or hearing about Tankair Studios’ Studio Tank. The question on many people’s mind has been “is this tank top really worth $75?”. Well, for me, the answer is an easy and resounding yes. I’ve had the Studio Tank for over nine months, and I can honestly say I’d make the purchase again in a heartbeat.
Now I’m no stranger to Tankair; I made my first purchase from the brand in January of 2022 with one of its very first products, the Collect $$ Mini Skirt (and it’s held up fabulously over the years). However, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect white tank top to add to my wardrobe for years now — one that’s not too sheer, maintains its color, and is comfortable enough for me to wear all-day and year-round. After trying dozens of options that haven’t lasted more than a few months, I believe I’ve finally found my holy grail tank top with Tankair. Curious as to how the Studio Tank fits the bill? Read below to find out.
The Studio Tank is a camisole-style tank top from boutique brand, Tankair Studios, that retails for $75 on the brand’s website. It’s made from a heavyweight blend of polyester and spandex, and has a stretchy, slightly-sueded surface that gives it a soft feel while wearing. The heavier weight is also designed to offer support when you feel like going braless (more on that below). The tank has a scooped neckline and a slightly-cropped and flared hemline that stops just below the belly button on my torso (I’m just over 5’8” and my torso is on the longer side of average). It’s inclusively sized, with sizes available between XXS and XXXL, and the brand also has an email advice service for anyone who’s unsure of which size is right for them.
The Studio Tank is available in a range of colors, all of which have a solid, matte finish, making it a great statement or support piece in your wardrobe depending on the shade you choose. To wash the tank, the brand suggests using a delicate machine cycle and hanging or laying it flat to dry.
Like I said before, I’ve been in search of the perfect white tank top for basically forever, so my color choice here was almost a no-brainer — when buying my Studio Tank I decided on Milk, a solid pure-white color that has a matte finish. As for size, I went with a large, since I have a fuller chest and didn’t want to look like my chest was bursting out 24/7. It ended up being the perfect choice — I’ve lost over 20 pounds since originally buying the top and it still fits perfectly, which, in my eyes, is a testament to how well the top stretches within a given size range.
When I think about how I use this top, it’s hard for me to describe, because I wear it for any and everything. I prefer to wear it without a bra in milder weather or for shorter periods of time, and with a bra when it’s hotter out or I’ll be wearing it for the long-haul. I wear it as a standalone top in the summertime, but when the weather is cooler I like to pair it with heavier sweaters or jackets (but never as an undershirt — I like the tank to stay visible because of how good I think it looks on me). I usually wear it a minimum of one to two times a week, and I wash it every one to two wears (so almost on a weekly schedule).
Related
No bra? No problem
I’m not a big fan of bras — I prefer to let my girls hang loose, so to speak, and the Studio Tank is perfect for just that. The form-fitting body gives me a light amount of hold, and the thicker fabric supports me enough so that my chest feels secure without being overly-compressed. I know that may sound normal for a tank top, but when it comes to double-Ds like mine, that’s no small feat. I also like that going braless doesn’t interfere with the thin straps of the tank, and results in an overall cleaner look. The only downside is that, since my Studio Tank is white, if the weather is on the warmer side I’ll start to show underboob sweat stains, which is why I prefer to wear a bra when it’s hotter outside. Luckily, the Studio Tank also looks great with bras (although I’d recommend a smooth, T-shirt-style bra for the most seamless look).
The white stays white
White tees are notorious for changing color over time, and I honestly expected to have to compromise on that with this tank, but thankfully I’ve had to do no such thing. As I said before, I’ve had this top for over nine months. At an average of one wash a week, that’s about 36 washes total — which means 36 chances for the Studio Tank to lose its color, and 36 times it held up despite that. The color is very much still a bright, crisp white, which is more than I can say for some of my other (formerly) white tank tops and T-shirts. As a heavy sweater, yellowing around the underarms is a constant struggle with my white tops, but I’ve encountered none of that here. Once it dries down, it looks like the sweat was never there, and once it’s washed? It looks basically brand-new.
The tank sometimes has a bit of lint stuck to it after washing, which can make the color appear to have greyed or changed. However, a quick swipe with a good lint brush once it’s finished drying will solve the problem quickly and easily.
Chic, versatile silhouette
Despite the Studio Tank’s many draws, the biggest one is easily the tank’s shape and silhouette. In my opinion, it’s the perfect embodiment of hugging you “in all the right places” — it feels impossible to not look good in it. It fits my body very closely in a way that almost sculpts my figure, and the flared hemline further enhances what I like to call the tank’s “hourglass effect”. The slim straps and scooped, rounded neckline make my chest look full and, as I said before, are still supportive enough to keep my breasts from sagging, drooping or bouncing uncomfortably. Also, although I can admit that the slight crop of the Studio Tank’s bodice may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s certainly mine. I love that I can pair it with a pair of high-waisted pants or shorts for full coverage when I’m going into the office, or with a miniskirt or a pair of low-rise jeans when I’m going out and feel like showing a little more skin.
The Studio Tank’s fabric composition also adds to its versatility. Its stretchy texture gives the sizes range, so that if you’re someone whose weight tends to fluctuate from week to week (as mine definitely does), it will still fit beautifully regardless. When I initially bought it, I thought that I’d suffer during warmer days because of the top’s heavier fabric. However, I’ve worn the top through a New York summer and a trip to Rio de Janeiro and haven’t experienced any overheating yet. Airier tops always tend to be a better choice for hot weather, but this is a great close-fitting option because of how well the fabric absorbs sweat. This also makes it ideal for layering during the colder months — the fabric strikes a great balance between light enough for summer and warm enough for winter.
I know that $75 for a seemingly basic tank top seems ridiculous at first glance. But that’s just the thing — I don’t think the Studio Tank is a basic tank top at all. Sure, it’s a staple piece, but that’s the only thing basic about it. The fit, the material and the longevity take it to the next level, and in my opinion, justify the high price tag. There are of course alternatives, for those who are looking for a similar style at a lower cost; Abercrombie, Garage and Amazon all have form-fitting camis that can get the job done, all for under $30. However, for me, this tank top takes the cake — its quality is undeniable, so much so that I bought another $75 top (the equally fab Half Moon Halter) from the brand shortly after, and I have no price tag-guilt on that purchase either. Once you buy it, you won’t regret it, and the only time you’ll be thinking about the price is while congratulating yourself on making a lasting, worthwhile (and incredibly chic) addition to your wardrobe.
I’m an associate SEO reporter who’s been covering skin care, hair care, lifestyle and more for NBC Select for two years. I’ve helped test and rank the best white Tshirts, leggings and more. For this story, I used my apparel expertise to give my thoughts on the viral Tankair Studios Studio Tank after owning it for almost a year, and why I think it’s worth every penny of the $75 price tag.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
