The humble tee is comfy and cool for the warmer months, but it’s easy to look sloppy if you aren’t wearing yours well. Here are some tips for rocking a tee, haute couture style, in the upcoming weeks and months:
The Oversized Tee
Popularized by American Apparel, the slightly-too-big tee is a wardrobe staple. Combine an oversized top in a bright, vibrant shade with a skinny belt, a pair of leggings, and your favourite flats to prove that casual cute doesn’t have to equate to slob status. Avoid wearing a t-shirt like this with baggy bottoms (such as harem pants or a flowing skirt) unless you wish to look disproportionate or wider than you actually are.
Accessorize Aritzia’s Karina Oversized Tee in Rosee de Miel/Blue, $165. Available at Aritzia.
The Off-the-Shoulder Tee
Similar to the oversized t-shirt trend, the off-shoulder or boatneck top trend allows an outfit to have a feminine silhouette without being uncomfortably tight or clingy in warm weather, or overly dressy for a cottage weekend with friends. You can add a thin belt, a patterned cotton scarf, or a pair of dangling earrings to accessorize this otherwise rather basic trend as well. A pair of skinny jeans or jeggings with a colourful shirt, or a high-waisted floral tiered skirt over a neutral coloured top would all be ideal choices for bottoms.
Make a statement with Urban Outfitters’ Pins and Needles Off-the-Shoulder Tee, $29. Available at Urban Outfitters.
Layer It Up!
In general, many outfits appear much better constructed and accessorized when effort is put in to add layering pieces, either underneath or over. Add a preppy striped cardigan to a basic white V-neck, or a fitted denim jacket over a short-sleeved tunic top. Be experimental and unafraid to take fashion risks with layering (such as adding a blazer, a high-fashion it bag, or lipstick), as your tee is simply your building piece and not the mainstay of your entire look.
Layer your look with Mango’s Cropped Fitted J Kathy Denim Jacket, $89.90. Available at Mango.
