The Best Ways to Wear a Graphic T-Shirt

Date: December 21, 2024

If you ask us, no wardrobe is complete without a few graphic tees. They're a styling essential for events and everyday, and can be incorporated into pretty much every look and personal style. Whether you like band tees that look like you found them at a vintage shop or cheerful tees with a witty word or slogan, there's a graphic tee for you.

There's a reason the graphic tee has never really left the trend cycle; people have been wearing them since the T-shirt first became popular in the late 1950s! Graphic tees can be used to liven up a more basic or neutral outfit. They never take themselves too seriously, so they're a fun way to infuse color, texture, and cheekiness into a more "serious" ensemble. If you're wondering how to wear a graphic tee for 2025 and beyond, check out our latest favorite ways to style this must-have piece.

How to wear a graphic tee to work

As our office dress codes become more casual, it's easier to incorporate a graphic tee into your workday looks. Just make sure it's appropriate for the audience! If you work at a more buttoned-up job, like a law firm, a graphic tee probably isn't appropriate. But if you're in a creative field, go for it! Wear your graphic tee with an oversized patterned blazer and your favorite jeans or a midi skirt and style it with heels or sneakers on casual Friday. We like to tuck the T-shirt in for a more polished office-friendly look.

How to make a graphic tee more feminine

Graphic tees are a natural match for jeans, shorts, and cargos, but if you want something more traditionally feminine, swap your denim for a slip-style skirt or style your tee over a favorite slip- or sundress. The "lady" jacket is another great way to soften up a graphic tee; the tweedy fabric and vintage-inspired silhouette adds a fun juxtaposition to a T-shirt. Consider pairing your graphic tee with more traditionally feminine colors like pastel pink and blue or ivory, or mixing it up with cozy, soft textured knits. Jewelry can make a big difference here too.

How to make a graphic tee edgy

Band tees are a classic, and you don't have to go digging through your dad's closet or a local vintage store to rock one. Size up for a more rock 'n roll style and pair it with leather pants, a leather midi skirt, or a leather moto jacket. (Just choose one or the other so you're not wearing a full leather suit; ripped denim works well here too.) Strategic rips and weathered, washed fabric adds to the vintage feel, so look for a graphic tee that feels distressed and well-loved. Pair it with sneakers or flat boots.

How to make a graphic tee look polished

Graphic tees aren't just for the weekend! You can easily wear them to more polished events and occasions with the right outfit. Like we said above, tucking your T-shirt into your pants or skirt is a simple way to add structure and shape. Pair a graphic tee with trousers versus jeans to make it feel more dressed-up, and add a jacket, blazer, or cardigan for extra texture. Skip anything with rips or tears, and opt for a graphic tee with a smaller pattern, print, or phrase. Adding heels or heeled boots signals that you're dressing up without trying too hard.

Another way to approach this type of styling is to swap a graphic T-shirt where you'd normally wear a sweater or a button-down shirt. It's a simple way to zshush up a dressier look and make it feel more relaxed and cool.

More ways to wear a graphic tee

Don't overthink it! There are no rules about how to wear a graphic tee, so incorporate it into your personal style. Graphic tees are so beloved and popular that they're the styling equivalent of a pair of blue jeans — they go with anything and everything.

Once the weather warms up, style your graphic tee with a pair of cutoff shorts for the ultimate comfortable, day-off outfit. Brighten up black, white, khaki, or green bottoms with a colorful tee. Add texture and pattern to an otherwise neutral ensemble. Change up the vibe with jewelry, belts, and bags. Sounds like it's time to add a few new shirts to your wardrobe for the year!