Real-Life Style Challenge: Revisiting the Graphic Tee
Back in high school, I stuck to a pretty regular uniform of graphic tees and jeans. It was an easy way to get dressed those early mornings and still look cute. But as trends changed and I got older, I wore graphic tees less and less. They stayed in my closet, though, because they were still in great shape and still cute!
The Challenge:
So this week’s real-life style challenge had me revisiting a trend from my past. This week I aimed to style a week’s worth of interesting and fashionable outfits, all around my collection of graphic tees.
The Results:
- Monday: Starting the week, I wore my Les Miserables graphic tee with my red cord skirt, tights and boots.
- Tuesday: I wore my Where The Wild Things Are tee (RIP Maurice Sendak!) with shorts over tights and accessorized with loafers and a bowler hat.
- Wednesday: I paired my cropped Muppets tee with brown skinnies and my black boyfriend blazer.
- Thursday: Showing team spirit, I wore a Miami Dolphins graphic tee with a khaki skirt, simple brown belt, and black cardigan.
- Friday: Going casual for the almost-weekend, I wore a Hunger Games graphic tee with bright blue jeans and oxfords.
What I Learned:
When you think about it, graphic tees are really just like any other shirt! All of my outfits could have, and and in fact have, been worn with other plain blouses and shirts. While graphic tees aren’t the most professional or maybe appropriate choice for all places, they are a great way to add some fun to any ensemble. And pairing them with other pieces besides jeans still gives you that casual feel while still getting style points.
A few more tips I picked up from this challenge:
- Play with colored denim. Friday’s outfit was basically jeans and a tee shirt, but since the jeans are a bright blue, the look becomes a little more interesting.
- If you attend a sport-obsessed university, pairing a team tee with a skirt is a great way to show your school spirit at a game while still looking chic.
- Adding a blazer can make anything look instantly polished. So even if you’re wearing just jeans and a graphic tee, throwing on a blazer before you go out can add a extra dimension to your outfit.
- Accessorize! Shorts and tee shirts, for some, can be the staples of summer. Adding on a hat or fun jewelry can set your outfit apart.
What do you think?
Do you still rock graphic tees or have you left them behind? How do you turn your tees into a fashion statement? Let me know in the comments!
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Posted on on May 12, 2012 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Graphic Tees, Style Challenge
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Asilia
Love the third outfit. Blazers do make everything look better. And I love love love love love colored jeans.
Lia
I love this! I have waaayy too many t-shirts and I wear them all the time. I love the first outfit especially because of the great combo of blue and red. And nice hat!
Alyssa Nicole
I could totally see myself wearing some of these!
Nicole
Love the Les Mis t-shirt! :) These are some great ideas…I’ll have to keep them in mind for when I wear MY Les Mis t-shirt to see the movie in theatres this December :)
plum
I love this! I’ve really been wishing I had more graphic tees lately, to try out some different looks. I also really need a blazer, and I love what it adds to that third outfit! I’ll definitely be looking back at this post in the future. :)
Rita S.
Loved the looks :)
Where did you buy the Hunger Games tshirt?
Jessica
This was super helpful! For graduation, I’m living out of a suitcase with very little of my wardrobe with me, and I was trying to find an outfit to wear to grad parties tonight. I had a bunch of graphic tees with me, so this post came right in time!
Rose
Great post!(:
Ashley
You look so cute. I’ve basically phased them out of my wardrobe at this point. Most of them were ten years old and just not holding up. I do have some concert shirts that I wear, mainly because I will always have a springsteen tshirt. No matter what the year’s trends are.
Ras
This is a great idea! I have a lot of band shirts, so I sometimes like to add cute scarves and bracelets to make them look more girlie.
Em
I actually do not like any of these :/
aish
I just love the third on. I’m gonna try that look with a t shirt I have with a large Betty boop on it!… great post
Charlotte
Awwh :) LES MISERABLES TOP!!!!!!!!
am
I realise that all the graphic tees are grey or black, which kind of makes it easy to pair with other clothes since the colour ‘fades’ in. how about brighter graphic tees, such as yellow or green or even white?
Ashley - Emerson College
@Rita – Its from Books A Million!
@am – I realized this when i was editing the photos together. I don’t own much color! But I feel like the same rules apply, just pair a bright colored shirts with items that go with yellow, or green etc.
Brittany
where did you get that blazer?? i cant find a well-fitting black blazer anywhere :/
AlexaKate
Love it!!
Chelsea - University of Oklahoma
There outfits are awesome! I want to wear a bowler hat now, where did you get yours?
Hermione
This is JUST the post I have been searching for!
I love all my graphic tees – and probably have a slight obsession with them – but I usually just pair them with jeans and converse.
This has been so unbelievably helpful as I can now change my look about :)
I have to agree with everyone else, I love your blazer, Les Mis tee and Hunger Games tee :L
AlexaKate
Really love the look with the Blazer! Where in the world did you get it?? I can’t find a good blazer anywhere!
Musical Lynn
I could use those looks with my Thor, toy story and sailor shirts!! :))
Toto
I was looking up graphic tees with converse and skirts on google for a inspiration for a cute outfit for my Hogwarts shirt tomorrow for school and I came across the picture of your different outfits. I saw Muppets and Hunger Games and I just have to let you know that I love your style. Two of my favorote things. Ever. I must get those shirts. Anywho LOVE your outfits and I think now I will go look at your other presumably ADORABLE outfits. Hunger Games. Muppets. Yeah.