How to Style Your Favorite Graphic Tees for Work or Play
At this point, who doesn’t have a whole drawer full of graphic tees? Few things say “lazy Sunday” like a graphic tee and a pair of sweatpants.
But graphic tees aren’t just for kicking it at home. You can get a lot of mileage out of a tee these days. Dress it up with a skirt and blazer for the office (you might not even need to wait for casual Friday).
Mix and Match with Colorful Bottoms
When it comes to styling your graphic tees, you don’t have to feel limited to jeans and denim shorts. Graphic tees come in a vibrant range of colors and patterns, so they’re perfect for pairing with your funnest, most colorful bottoms.
A skirt in any print or style can work well with a graphic tee. Choose a solid-color lace skirt or a pleated midi skirt with stripes. Pair your favorite cat shirt with a leopard-print mini skirt. Choose a French tuck to add casual polish and show off the bottom half of your outfit, or fully tuck your graphic tee into a long, flowy patterned skirt for that California beach day vibe.
Layer Under a Sweater
Now that brisk autumn weather is with us again, you can’t go wrong with a layered look. Layer your favorite graphic tee under an unbuttoned cardigan and throw on your favorite pair of jeans for a casual look, or layer under a pullover sweater or sweatshirt for a look that works just as well for chilly mornings as for warm afternoons. You can even layer a graphic tee under a denim dress or a pair of overalls.
Dress It Up with a Blazer and Slacks
Heading to the office? Throw together a casual Friday look when you tuck a graphic tee into slacks and layer it under a blazer. The blazer’s structure will add some formal polish to the ensemble.
Choose cigarette or ponte style pants to slim and elongate your legs, or wear a graphic tee under your favorite monochrome suit to add a playful element to your ensemble that can bring the whole look back down to Earth. Slacks in neutral colors pair well with graphic tees of any color and design. Glam up the look with a pair of tailored slacks and a pair of sleek, pointed toe heels. Tuck your tee in for a glamorous but casual look that shows off the cut of your trousers and gives an office chic sheen to your outfit.
Go for an Edgy Punk Look
Whether you’re headed to a Green Day concert or a night on the town, graphic tees are perfect for an edgy look that says punk’s not dead. Layer your fav graphic tee under a leather motorcycle jacket with black denim jeans, or grab a black denim jacket and coordinate with a leather skirt or pants. Strap on your combat boots, spike up your hair, and add some spiked bracelets and a lock necklace to complete the look.
Coordinate with Plaid or Seersucker
Just because you’re not heading out to the club doesn’t mean you don’t want to look nice. Pair a graphic tee with a comfy pair of plaid or seersucker trousers for a daytime look that works for running errands, grabbing lunch, or meeting friends. Throw on a pair of neutral-colored flats and a denim jacket to complete the look. Couple a graphic tee with a wool tartan skirt for a fall look that will keep you cozy. Style with heeled booties and a cropped raincoat.
Fake a Crop Top
Crop tops are in right now, but you don’t necessarily want to take scissors to your beloved graphic tees. That’s a permanent decision, even if you’re weren’t taking the risk of ending up with a jagged or lopsided cut.
Pull the hem of your t-shirt up and tie it in a knot to effortlessly fake a crop top style. There are plenty of different t-shirt knots you can try, like a simple front knot, an open back crop knot or a front tuck knot. Fake the crop top look without a knot by tucking the hem up and into your bra, using the bra itself to hold the tuck in place. You can also get these nifty accessories to knot your tee called Twist-Tee Knot.
Graphic tees are a staple of most wardrobes. They’re versatile enough to wear with anything. They can add so much fun to what might otherwise come across as a stodgy outfit, and they’re comfortable and affordable. Plus, they’re a great way to show off your favorite bands, TV shows, movies, festivals, and more!