Most graphic tees are cut straight, which means the styling work is in proportion rather than fit. Get the proportion right and a plain printed tee carries an outfit.
The tuck decides the shape
A front tuck defines the waist and changes the garment from shapeless to intentional. A full tuck works with high-waisted trousers. Untucked works if the hem sits at or just below the hip — any lower and it reads as an oversized borrowed shirt, which is a look, but choose it on purpose.
Balance the volume
Loose top, fitted bottom. Or fitted top, loose bottom. Loose with loose needs a defined waist somewhere or the whole silhouette disappears — a belt, a tuck, or a fitted layer over the top.
Layering
An open shirt or a cardigan over a printed tee narrows the visible print to a strip down the middle. That is often more wearable than the full design, and it lets a bold print work in settings where it otherwise would not.
A hoodie half-zipped or tied at the waist does the same job with a different register.
Colour
- Pull one colour from the print and repeat it once — earrings, a bag, shoes. Once, not everywhere.
- Print on white sits well with almost any bottom half.
- Print on black wants neutrals or black around it. Mid-wash denim is the usual mismatch.
Sizing
Unisex cuts run straight through the body, so if you want a defined shape you either size down and accept a closer fit, or size up and create the shape with a tuck. Both work — unisex sizing explained covers the details.
Where to start
The women's collection and the t-shirt range. For the layer over the top, the hoodie range. The men's version of this guide is here.
Further reading: Wikipedia: T-shirt