We fully support the desire to spend hours in front of the mirror, trying on clothes, and figuring out the right combination of layers and pieces for an excellent outfit. Of course, there is also something wholly gratifying about the other end of the spectrum, otherwise known as throwing, something on and heading out the door. Just to clarify, we’re not endorsing lazy dressing (so don’t run off to the land of flip-flops and velour tracksuits), but we are enthusiastic about the effortlessly cool trend of t-shirt dressing.
Around the Who What Wear office, t-shirt dressing refers to the process by which one styles, accessorizes, and wears a plain t-shirt or t-shirt dress to a variety of events. Sorting out the base of this look is a piece of cake (find t-shirt dress, put on t-shirt dress, and voila!), but you must take full advantage of the simple foundation by adding purposefully chosen accessories that show off your personal taste. As there are several ways to style your t-shirt, obviously, we pulled a few images of the celebrities who best illustrate the look.
Former OC gal pals, Rachel Bilson and Mischa Barton, both sported t-shirt dresses last month while out and about in NYC. Bilson complemented her Riller & Fount’s Jenny Kimono Mini ($165) with American Eagle’s Thin Rivet Belt ($20), Sam Edelman’s Gilda Sandals ($85), and Jimmy Choo’s Fringe Hobo ($1495). We adore Rachel’s ensemble, but also enjoy Barton’s manner of approaching the style. She accompanied her dress with a belt cinched at the natural waist and some knee-high fringed boots and Gucci sunglasses. If you don’t have a t-shirt dress, you can pair an off-the-shoulder tee with a plain skirt as Kate Hudson recently did in Miami. Make the look your own by browsing our closet for a cute vest and patent heels to punch up your outfit.
Perhaps our favorite example in today’s trend report is the get-up Zoe Kravitz modelled during a recent event at Milk Gallery in NYC. Kravitz further cemented her place as a style prodigy by elevating a worn-in oversized t-shirt with a pair of thigh-high boots (key for fall!) and vintage accessories. Whichever outfit you favor, we hope this variety of ladies gave you creative ideas for tackling t-shirt dressing. In the event that you don’t already have a t-shirt or t-shirt dress on hand, we have narrowed down our favorites so you can get a jump-start on the movement! —Jessica Amento
Bop Basics Scoop Tee Dress ($180)
This dress drapes beautifully and reminds us of the one Mischa Barton recently wore in New York. Dress it up for night with some decorative tights and a sharp pair of stilettos.
Humanoid Long Long Shirtdress ($175)
You’ll be tempted to slip into this dress every day thanks to its soft sheer fabric and a Grecian-inspired look. The shirtdress also comes with an optional belt/scarf.
Silence & Noise Scoopneck Tee Dress ($48)
The cuffed sleeves and cute front pocket makes this t-shirt dress stands apart from the rest. You could easily wear it during the day on the weekend, but the plunging back makes it a perfect date dress.
LNA Pocket Racer Back Tank ($58)
In addition to an off-the-shoulder shirt, you can also achieve a Kate Hudson-inspired look by dressing up a semi-sheer tank. We prefer the comfort of LNA’s super soft jersey and appreciate the rainbow of colors offered.
Old Navy Metallic Tank Dress ($20)
Take advantage of the remaining summer days in this budget-friendly tank top dress.
Kain T-Shirt/T-Shirt Dresses ($77-$105)
As we mentioned on Monday, we love all of Kain’s designs and think many of the brand’s pieces are perfect for this trend.
Neal Sperling T-Shirt Dress ($310)
You can carry this trend into the fall months by investing in this long-sleeved version.
