A quintessential college student clothing item, the t-shirt is one of the most basic wardrobe components. W&M Collegiettes are bound to have a ton, from those decidedly TWAMP-y Orientation tees to fitted, embellished ones from J.Crew. But a lot of girls, myself included, always find it difficult to actually make a t-shirt look, well, chic. It’s easy to throw on a sorority tee with denim shorts and flip flops for a casual Sunday afternoon, but what about now when the weather is cooling down? Can you wear a t-shirt and skinny jeans tucked into boots?
The key is to decide what the focal point of your outfit is. Every outfit, whether there’s a t-shirt included or not, should have a main focus with the rest of the ensemble in supporting roles, but when it comes to something as basic as a t-shirt it’s even more crucial. If your tee is a slim, fitted style in a neutral color with little to no embellishment, it should be used as the backdrop to a more central piece. A chunky layered necklace would stand out against a simple top, as would a bright cardigan that needed a subtle under-layer. I also love the idea of tucking a plain fitted tee into a high-waisted mini skirt and topping it off with a blazer, a necklace, and some cute shoes for a polished look.
If your tee is the same fitted style but has more embellishment like sequins, appliqués, or a graphic design, it should be made the focal point. A sparkly tee paired with dark skinny jeans and simple flats or sandals is casual enough for class while still being a put-together look. Embellished tees can be dressed up, too, but be careful to not have competing accessories. Don’t pair a beaded and sequined t-shirt with a sparkly necklace and a ton of bracelets; instead, keep it simple with a classic skirt and minimal jewelry. More decorated tees, unlike plain ones, are assumed more dressy anyway, so no need to go overboard!
And then there are the dreaded boxy tees. You know, the ones that are unisex and handed out during dozens of events on campus throughout the year. Sometimes if you’re part of a club or organization, you’re even asked to wear the shirt one day for PR. What’s a fashionable college girl to do when they’re faced with that shapeless crew neck shirt one morning? To start, let me just say that it IS possible to make these shirts look cute, too! Your best bet would probably be pairing the shirt with slim jeans (attempting to tuck a boxy shirt into a skirt may get a bit too bunched around the waist). Accessorize with a coordinating cardigan or blazer, skinny metallic belt, simple flats or boots, and daytime jewelry. The rest of your outfit will be so pulled-together, no one will even realize you’re wearing a boxy tee!
In addition to these t-shirt tips, there are endless other possibilities. Designers and brands are really into redesigning the classic t-shirt with different shapes and styles, from shoulder cutouts to new necklines (I’m currently a fan of the scoop neck). Just remember- it is totally doable to wear tees in a chic, stylish way!