Styling Solid T-Shirts Part 1: How To (Actually) Make Them Interesting

Your historical breakdown and extensive guide to making basic tees look genuinely cute.

Out. Full look description below.

Like many of our favorite clothing basics, T-shirts were originially born out of necessity. The solid T-shirt was manufactured as an undergarment in the 1800s and has since undergone several transformations throughout the last century.

In the early 1900s, massive conglomerates like the U.S. and British Royal Navy began permitting soldiers utilizing T-shirts as underwear for their uniforms. Likewise, laborers often wore T-shirts under their workwear then simply lost their outer layer on the weekend, making T-shirts a casual and practical option for people, especially during the hot summer months.

As the public began to recognize their flattering if not slightly revealing shape and fit, T-shirts began showing up on movie stars of the 1950s and 60s. Technology continued to advance, fresh designs emerged and T-shirts soon became a unisex piece. They only continued to rise in popularity as marketers discovered T-shirts to be a powerful blank canvas for branding, personal expression and even political activism.

Today, basic T-shirts still serve as the blank canvas of clothing, easy to grab for formal and laid back events alike. Here’s how I keep them interesting:

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Up top, in a Uniqlo mini T-shirt and AIRism biker shorts, with Ray-Ban sunglasses and my Maison Miru event tote. At bottom, a Uniqlo AIRism T-shirt, the same Ray-Bans and biker shorts, Tod’s sneakers plus a corkscrew crossbody bag.

Silhouette is key.

Think of your T-shirt as a vehicle to getting where you want to go style-wise. Rather than being the main event like a loud, pattern-y summer top, a solid tee can make it easier to appreciate a cute hairsyle or fun bag.

Here are the above T-shirts, flat:

Uniqlo’s mini short-sleeve T-shirt in white and AIRism cotton short-sleeve T-shirt in pink. Images via Uniqlo.

A summer statement bracelet can go a long way. I find that sometimes just adding an accessory gives a simple look that oomph it needs:

Accessories are my friend. I added this yellow bracelet to a Uniqlo mini T-shirt in black, Madewell jeans, Rothy’s flats with a Vogue tote bag and Marc Jacobs wallet (a million years old).

Flat, here:

A flat look at the Uniqlo mini-tee in black. The sleeves are loose enough that they don’t ride up under your arms, but not so loose they look sloppy. Very important. Image via Uniqlo.

Another example of what a bold accessory can do for an outfit:

Uniqlo ultra stretch AIRism cropped tee in natural with Madewell shorts and Tod’s slip-on sneakers and Ray-Ban sunglasses, funked up with the same yellow bracelet.

Bracelet, in detail (my mom bought it in Cuba and gifted it to me):

Statement accessory.

Here is the AIRism cropped T-shirt styled a couple more ways:

An autumn-like display in REI Co-op cargo pants turned shorts (a little nerdy, but it seriously comes in handy!). The crossbody bag is Ferragamo.

Another styling idea:

These unflattering Nike shorts are looking pretty cute paired with Uniqlo’s AIRism cropped T-shirt. In the same Tod’s sneakers and Ray-ban sunglasses, which help bring the look together.

Flat look at Uniqlo’s ultra stretch AIRism cropped T-shirt in natural:

Uniqlo AIRism cropped T-shirt in natural. One of my favorite shirts of the season. Image via Uniqlo.

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Here’s a little sneak peak at what is coming next week in part two…

Heels moment.

Old school Tod’s shoes I am determined to walk in effortlessly by the end of summer.

Next week I will be diving into more in-depth T-shirt styling ideas, with additional brand and clothing recommendations!

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With that, thank you so much for being here. I can’t believe it’s been nearly half a year of All-Year Season. It feels like a true blessing to be able to share fashion with you each week. Enjoy your holiday weekend if you’re celebrating the fourth here in the United States, otherwise enjoy the rest of your day. Until next week. :)

Yours Truly,

Kyoko

I am not compensated for the features listed in All-Year Season. My sincerest thank you to Uniqlo for supporting the creation of this post.