Just call me the queen of college shirt outfits.
As an orientation leader, college apparel is a big part of my wardrobe. And I actually don’t mind it: Every time I bring students through orientation, I walk away with my school pride reinvigorated.
Indeed, the most popular way to display your school pride is through your collegiate apparel but there are two issues with this:
1. College t-shirts are RIDICULOUSLY expensive.
2. College t-shirts can be generally unfashionable – at least at first glance!
Because of reason 1, it is all the more important to look for new ways to style your college tees so that you get your money’s worth out of them.
And so it is with this lofty goal that I embark on this journey in order to help you make the college tee fashionable again! Read on for three college shirt outfits to get you started.
Table of Contents
College Shirt Outfits: 1. The Unisex Tee
Ahhh the ubiquitous block-letter, unisex college tee.
The beauty and curse of college t-shirts is that while they don’t really look great on anyone, they don’t look terrible on anyone either. Literally every college in the country has a shirt almost identical to the one pictured and literally every college student owns one.
Get back to basics just in time for the new semester with this shirt. I love incorporating this style into a classic athleisure look for both the library and the lecture hall.
Products: University of Texas Tee – University CoOp; Shoes – Amazon.com; Joggers – H&M; Jacket – Old Navy; Backpack – Forever 21
Like any good athleisure outfit, start with sneakers and joggers, with these Adidas ones remaining very on-trend while standing out from the array of Stan Smiths that everyone else will be sporting.
Forgo the classic black or gray sweatpants and instead, make army green the new neutral. I especially love the stitching details on the thighs and knees of this pair. This embroidered denim jacket ties into the muted shade of this Comfort Colors Tee, with a bucket backpack that will probably not hold all your textbooks for class but will still be perfect for quick trips to the pharmacy or grocery store.
College Shirt Outfits: 2. The “Athletic” Tee
When I say “athletic” tee, I am lumping in all of those shirts that have that vintage jersey feel to them while still being made of a cozy lived-in material that makes them so attractive to college students. I include in this category the baseball tee, the raglan tee, perhaps even the spirit jersey, the most coveted and costly of the college tees.
You don’t have to be a varsity athlete to pull of the athletic tee and I’m here to prove that, even if the only “gains” you’ll be making this semester are academic ones.
Products: NYU Baseball Tee (top) – American Eagle; NYU Jersey Tee (Bottom) – American Eagle; Jeans – Old Navy; Vest – Charlotte Russe; Shoes – DSW
Layer either of these styles of athletic tees beneath an army green vest with black skinny jeans before slipping into some chic desert boots. I’ve included two examples of this tee just to show how easy it is to style regardless of what kind of shirt your college bookstore may carry.
Now, I have to be honest with you, this outfit is pretty much my fall weather uniform because there’s just something about the versatility of an army green vest that instantly elevates whatever you’re wearing into a capital-O-outfit. Also, this one has a hood, so bonus!
College Shirt Outfits: 3. The Muscle Tank
When it comes to tank tops, I tend to favor the style of muscle tanks over racer-backs mostly because I don’t have to worry about wearing a specific kind of bra underneath it and any day that I don’t have to think too hard about my bra choice is a good day.
Additionally, these tanks have the dual function of being great for working out while also looking cute in any other setting.
Products: Rutgers Tank – Rutgers University Official Bookstore; Bralette – Target; Bomber Jacket – H&M; Jeans – Old Navy; Shoes – Amazon.com
I was very excited to find a bomber jacket that matched the colors of this Rutgers tank perfectly but even if your school colors aren’t a red or burgundy, this H&M piece also comes in black and blush pink. If you’re on the shorter side, like me, you can either rock a half tuck or tie a knot at the bottom of your tee for a cute faux-crop top look.
Since this tank has particularly wide armholes, make your bra part of your ensemble by throwing on this Target bralette. I own it, and can personally attest it is the comfiest bra I’ve ever purchased. It’s also the most supportive bralette I’ve ever owned.
These ankle booties from Tom’s are a bit on the pricier side but I’ve included them anyway as Tom’s booties are ridiculously comfy. But if cost is a big concern, Charlotte Russe has an incredible selection of peep toe ankle booties. Many of them are currently available for just $20 if you order online.
Also, these jeans from Old Navy are made from Eco-Friendly Denim meaning that they are made with 25% post-consumer content from recycled plastics!
What do you think?
Obviously this is only the tip of the iceberg and I didn’t even go into how to rock your school colors, a topic well addressed at CF. But even so, let me know what you think!
Do you too have an overabundance of college tees? What are some ways you’ve made them a better part of your wardrobe? Or do you prefer to keep your college tees for the gym or lounging? Let me know in the comments below!