Every woman has at least three basic tees floating around in the back of her closet. Whether you wear them to the gym, on errands, to sleep, or wherever else your daily life might take you, trusty T-shirts have your back. Sadly, these basic tees are often bashed by fashion lovers for being boring or looking sloppy.
The fact of the matter is, basic tees are extremely simple pieces. They don’t necessarily turn heads on the street by themselves. But that’s the beauty of a basic tee. It doesn’t make much of a statement on its own, so it can become anything you want. There are countless ways to transform versatile basic tees to make them an integral part of a wide variety of gorgeous looks that are anything but boring.
1. Add Statement Jewelry
Statement jewelry can make all the difference in the finished product of your basic tee look. One of the biggest problems with basic T-shirts is that they often appear too boring to wear anywhere less casual than the grocery store. However, sometimes all it takes is a statement necklace to make a basic tee wearable to a coffee shop date or lunch with friends.
Make sure that you take neckline into account when choosing statement jewelry to wear with your basic tee. If the T-shirt has a low V-neck, try layering a long chunky pendant necklace over it. For scoop-necked tees, try a shorter, floral statement necklace that rests above your shirt’s neckline.
2. Go Oversized
An oversized T-shirt is probably one of the most versatile pieces of clothing that exists. Make sure that you have a variety of oversized tees in your closet along with their more form-fitting counterparts. Oversized basic tees are generally more eye-catching and trendy than plain, tighter T-shirts.
Get away with wearing leggings as pants almost anywhere by layering an oversized T-shirt over your favorite pair. If it’s long enough to reach your mid-thigh, wear an oversized tee as a trendy T-shirt dress and pair it with ankle booties or chunky block heels. You can even loosely tuck an oversized graphic T-shirt into the waistband of a skirt to achieve a casual yet chic finish.
3. Dress Up With Shoes
Even though your shoes are far away from your shirt, wearing the right ones can instantly dress up your basic tee and prevent your outfit from looking lazy. Shoes are magical and their magic does not disappoint when it comes to transforming the vibe of a look that includes a simple T-shirt. You want the shoes you wear with a basic tee to make your look appear more put-together.
The shoes you wear with a basic T-shirt should depend on the rest of your outfit as well. Heels are always a good bet because they offset the casual vibe of a T-shirt and add an instant streamlined finish to your look. Dress up cutoffs and a tee with block-heeled strappy sandals. Pair tighter jeans and a T-shirt with lace-up ankle booties to add texture and interest to your look.
4. Go With Jeans
Jeans and a T-shirt are a classic combo for a reason and their power together should not be underestimated by even the most fashion-forward women. Both of these pieces are very casual and comfortable, so together they create an unstoppable
The only thing you need to do to rock jeans and a tee together is make sure that your jeans add a bit of interest to your look. Opt for jeans that are distressed, embroidered, or detailed to balance out your solid tee. If you want to wear jeans that are more simple, cuff them at the bottom to add in some texture.
5. Professionalize It
Believe it or not, you can even wear a basic tee to events that require a little more formality, like on a business trip or to a day at the office.
Professionalize a basic T-shirt by starting with a top in a neutral color such as navy, white, or black. Make sure the neckline of the tee is not too low and tuck it into fitted dark jeans. Try cuffing the jeans and pair the outfit with black pumps and a blazer.
6. Wear a Jacket
Sometimes all a basic tee needs is a bit of layering to spice it up. A jacket or cover-up can work wonders to add a bit of intrigue to an otherwise simple look.
Experiment with different lengths and fits of jackets. Try layering a cropped leather jacket over a longer tee. Match a chunky knitted cardigan with a T-shirt that fits more snugly. Just make sure that the fit of your jacket and shirt show off and complement your natural shape so that your body does not get lost in a sea of fabric.
7. Make it Your Foundation
A basic T-shirt does not have to be the statement piece or focal point of your outfit. In fact, unless you’re keeping things very simple, it probably shouldn’t be. Don’t be afraid to wear a basic T-shirt along with more interesting pieces that complete your look.
Solid tees work well as the foundation for your outfit. They’re comfortable, simple, and extremely versatile. Don’t think that a T-shirt will automatically sap the intrigue from your look. Take advantage of your collection of basic tees when you want to wear more unique, eye-catching pieces but want to avoid an outfit that looks too busy. Throw on a basic tee with a pair of embroidered jeans to let the embroidery patterns steal the show. Tie up a T-shirt and layer it over a maxi skirt for a chic boho vibe.
You can be comfortable and on-trend at the same time with a basic tee. Don’t worry that a T-shirt is going to look boring or sloppy. With the right combination of pieces, a basic tee looks anything but basic. Experiment with a range of different pieces and accessories to enjoy the comfortable versatility of basic tees as part of a variety of trendy looks.
Stripe T-Shirt
