Clothes have always been a medium for expression. What you wear can say so much about your personality and interests.
No piece of clothing offers a better canvas than the graphic tee.
With their bold words and imagery, graphic tees send a message about the people wearing them. They’re a proud display of musical taste, brand affinities, values, and more.
And contrary to what some critics say, they couldn’t be further from basic. As long as you know how to style a graphic tee, you can show off your personality and look put together.
The Art of the Graphic Tee in Modern Fashion
Today, you’ll find graphic tees everywhere, from restaurants to runways.
But it wasn’t always like that.
The first shirts were plain, used as undershirts by soldiers during World War I. Then, in and around the 1940s, people started adding designs like political messages and logos.
By the 1960s and into the ‘70s, graphic tees took off. Thanks to advances in silk-screen printing technology, any band, brand, or designer could slap images or words on a shirt.
And they did. From cartoon characters and concert memorabilia to company logos and campaign slogans, anything you can think of has graced the front of a graphic tee.
That said, it wasn’t until recently that graphic tees jumped from fandom to fashion.
As the worlds of streetwear shirts and high fashion have collided, slogans and logos have been spotted on catwalks and celebrity Instagram pages aplenty. The graphic tee, it seems, is more in style than ever.
Inspiration for Styling Graphic Tees
The good news is that graphic T-shirts aren’t just fashionable; they’re also accessible. You probably have a few in your dresser right now, and if you don’t, you won’t have to travel far to find some.
With these tips, you’ll be able to turn that wardrobe staple into a creative styling piece.
Outfit Idea #1: Graphic Tee with Tailored Trousers
Because graphic t-shirts tend to lean casual, it’s fun to dress them up. By pairing eye-catching tees with high-quality rousers, you create intentional contrast within your casual outfit.
Take this Personal Evolution Tee, for instance, and match it with a pair of baggy trouser pants for a comfortable yet slightly sophisticated look.
Or choose a simpler grayscale graphic tee and wear it with black-and-white pinstripe pants to create a coordinated, understated look.
To take the “elevated graphic tee” idea one step further, throw in some streetwear accessories for good measure. A pearl bracelet, metal watch, or silver chain is sometimes all it takes to bring this kind of casual look over the top.
Outfit Idea #2: Layered for Sophistication
Another way to infuse sophistication into a graphic T-shirt look is to wear it under outerwear, such as a blazer or bomber jacket.
If you like the idea of rocking a bomber, wear a black one over top of a shirt with a small-scale graphic, like this I Heart NY Tee, and put on a pair of slim-fit black cargo pants.
For something simpler, throw a faded denim jacket over your favorite graphic tee, then finish the look with some black pants.
The trick to layered outfits like these is the mix of patterns and textures. As a starting rule, stick to a more basic color palette, then play around with textures to give your look more depth.
Outfit Idea #3: Casual with Denim
Again, graphic tees are about as casual as they come. So why not embrace the everyday look and wear them with casual denim jeans?
With a little forethought, a tee-and-jeans casual outfit can still come off as stylish. For example, a white vintage-inspired option like this Stars Align Tee, with graphics on the front and back, pairs well with faded blue jeans or dark denim jeans.
Oftentimes, what separates a tee-and-denim outfit from a throwaway is the footwear. Instead of standard sneakers, consider finishing this look with:
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Chelsea boots
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Leather Sneakers
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Basketball shoes
Outfit Idea #4: Monochromatic
If you’d like to draw the focus away from your simple graphic tee, opt for a monochromatic look for an elevated casual attire. When every piece is a different shade of the same color, the graphic tee outfit becomes a sum of its parts rather than a collection of individual clothes.
Recreating this look is as simple as matching your favorite graphic tee to your pants (and if desired, your denim or leather jacket). For our example, take this chocolate-colored Eternal Tee and wear it with brown denim pants and boots.
Just remember that monochromatic fits can look flat if you don’t pay attention to texture. Try to combine your cotton tee with canvas, leather, or corduroy wide-leg pants for better results.
We’ve Got Your Graphic Tees
Over the years, graphic tees have always been about self-expression. Today, the message a graphic tee sends is “I’m on top of the latest trends”—as long as you style it well, that is.
With our styling tips, you should have no trouble creating looks from the graphic tees at the bottom of your drawer. And if you’re ready for a new tee or two (or ten), check out the mnml collection. Our bold graphic tees can help you send whatever message you want, loud and clear.
