elevating the graphic tee

Like most (dare I say all?) of us, I have a few beloved graphic tees in my closet that are far from being the most stylish pieces in my wardrobe. But paired with the right combination, you can wear than casually in a way that says chic instead of sloppy. Most importantly, you need to choose a graphic tee that is versatile. Ideally that will be one that is mostly image with little to no text. Although that probably excludes the tee from the 5k run you did last weekend, there are options at Threadless, J. Crew, and at many local boutiques.

The easiest step you can take to avoid looking like a slob in a graphic tee is to tuck it into a pair of dark wash jeans (or in the case of these photos, a dark wash jean skirt) and add a belt. As we move into fall, you can also try pairing your tees with colored corduroys and chinos. Slip into a pair of ballet flats and you're ready to leave the house.

I personally dislike wearing flashy jewelry with a graphic tee since it can seem like your jewelry is going to a fancier event than the rest of your outfit. However, accessorizing with a scarf tends to cover up the very print you are trying to feature. To avoid both of these issues, I like to add another layer, such as a cardigan or blazer, to add depth and contrast especially since many of these tee only have the image on the front.

In the photo on the left, I added a printed cardigan to add detail to the arms and back. When layering patterns, keep to a similar color palette in both patterns so that the eye is not drawn in many different directions. Going bold in the outfit on the right is appropriate since the blazer is a solid color and is acting as a frame for the image on the tee.

If you're not a fan of silk-screened graphic tees, you can apply these same principles to patterned knits and blouses. Just because a shirt already has a design on it, doesn't mean that you don't have to style it. So take a look through your closet and see what fun graphic tees have been relegated to the bottom of the pile. But remember, if you've worn it for home improvement projects, you probably shouldn't try to salvage it!