In the land of basics, there are few other brands quite as polarizing as Tank Air. If you’re not aware of the brand, it has gone viral for its $75 Studio Tank and its other highly coveted (and highly criticized) basics. The steeply priced pieces have been seen on celebrity It girls like Bella Hadid, along with many fashion people across social media. Over time, the brand has seemed to amass many supporters and has been the center of many a review in recent months.
As a plus-size fashion person who quite literally shops for a living (shopping editor reporting for duty), I’ve been dying to get my hands on some Tank Air styles to see just what all the hype is really about, as I haven’t seen many diverse reviews of the brand. Most fall in the straight to midsize range, so I felt like I could shed light on these viral tank tops from a much-needed perspective in the online chatter. I acquired the viral Studio Tank and a couple of other best-selling styles (System Tank and Peek Tank) to give a well-rounded look into Tank Air’s trending tops.
Studio Tank
(Image credit: @thechichio)
Size Range: XXS–XXXL
Color Options: 12
Fabric Composition: 88% Polyester, 12% Spandex
I tried the Studio Tank first because it has been the center of most online discourse relating to Tank Air, and it’s the brand’s most popular item. The silhouette isn’t anything new, as it’s a basic spaghetti-strap tank top that I’d say can be slightly cropped depending on the length of your torso. Immediately, when unpacking the top. It felt like it had more weight and structure to it than you’d expect. I’ve heard rumors that the top is somewhat compressive, so I opted to go braless for all my reviews. As a 44DDD, this felt like a particularly risky. To my surprise, the fabric had a semi-suctioning compression to it that made the need for a bra’s support obsolete. This detail alone might make the $75 worth it. The fabric feels supportive and substantial but not rigid, making it easy to wear for long periods.
The tank top mostly evoked a pretty positive reaction from me. I did want to make note of a couple of details worth considering if you’re looking to buy the Studio Tank. I’m between a 22/24 dress size, and I tried on the brand’s XXXL, and I found that the top would roll up on me sometimes. I’d say the tops are probably best suited for someone who is a solid US 22 or even US 20 and lower.
System Tank
(Image credit: @thechichio)
Size Range: XXS–XXXL
Color Options: 6
Fabric Composition: 88% Polyester, 12% Spandex
As someone with a larger bust, the thick straps of the System Tank were a huge plus. As far as support goes, the straps did make this tank feel a bit more secure than the spaghetti straps of the Studio Tank. There was even more of a lift and fewer adjustments made to the position of my breasts compared to the Studio. Outside of that, I’d say the feel of the System tank is largely similar to the other tanks in this review.
This style, particularly in black, is my favorite Tank Air product out of all the ones I’ve tried thus far. The thicker straps and the compressive fabric make it quite versatile and perfect for a wide range of occasions. The scoop neck also makes the style appropriate for professional and casual environments.
Peek Tank
(Image credit: @thechichio)
Size Range: XXS–XXXL
Color Options: 4
Fabric Composition: 88% Polyester, 12% Spandex
The fit and feel of the Peek Tank is very similar to that of the system tank. Once again, no bra is needed as the compressive fabric does a great job of providing that lift and support. That said, this top does show some cleavage because of the plunging V-neckline. I’d personally save this for strictly nonprofessional outfits because of the neckline.
It’s important to note that the white colorway is mostly opaque. I do feel like the outline of my breast was a little too exposed for my comfort. I’m personally a bigger fan of the darker or deeper-toned colors for this reason. This top also rolled a little bit, suggesting the right fit for the brand’s largest size would be someone slightly smaller than me.
