T-shirts are underrated parts of any wardrobe if you ask me. They’re far more versatile than they often get credit for. If you pair them with the right blazer, jacket, or bottoms, you can style them in lots of ways. It’s not uncommon to struggle to make a t-shirt look and feel more elevated than just a t-shirt. But, when styled correctly, the same t-shirt can actually work for date nights, business casual settings, formal work dress codes, and travel days.
I use affiliate links throughout this blog post, which means I might make a commission if you use my link and then make a purchase. This commission comes at no cost to you.
How To Dress Up A T-Shirt
A t-shirt can act as a great base layer for your outfit. You can elevate a basic tee by adding structure, contrast, and intentional shoes and accessories. Dressing up a t-shirt is generally about pairing something inherently casual with refined pieces. However, I also love a t-shirt that comes with elevated details built in, such as the gathering details on my top above.
Can You Wear a T-shirt for Business Casual Offices?
Yes! There are so many ways to style a t-shirt for a business casual office, including wearing it under a blazer, with a work appropriate skirt, with trousers, under a sweater or cardigan, or under a seasonal jacket. You can easily wear a simple t-shirt under a leather jacket or even a cotton jacket for work and look professional.
How to Dress Up T-shirts
Add a Structured Blazer or Oversized Blazer
This is an easy way to style a t-shirt for work, and I’ve done it a million times. My exact t-shirt is perfect to wear with suits, skirts, or jeans underneath a blazer, whether you wear a suit blazer or something more casual. If you’re wearing jeans to work, remember you’ll add instant polish to your outfit when you chose jeans with a tailored silhouette like a straight leg jean.
If you’re looking for dress shoes to wear with an outfit like this instead of boots, I love these loafers. They’ll go with lots of other business casual clothing in your closet too!
The t-shirt I’m wearing in the photo above is fitted, so it’s easy to layer over for work purposes. But, here’s an example of how to style a casual t-shirt for work. This tee is a little more relaxed, but a structured blazer helps balance out the outfit.
Pair With High-Waisted Trousers
These high-waisted trousers are a total dream because their material is so soft and breathable. Trousers and a t-shirt create a refined contrast that makes them perfect for work or the weekend, honestly! I also love this type of outfit for travel throughout the UK and Europe, as it’s very popular to wear trousers with a more casual top there.
I’m wearing an old linen t-shirt from COS, but I shared a few below that I’d wear with these pants, which are still available in tons of colors. While I’m wearing sandals, this outfit will look good with a range of different shoes – from ballet flats to slingbacks to wedges.
Tuck Into a Midi Skirt
There’s something about a linen midi skirt that instantly softens and elevates a t-shirt. Okay, this photo is from a video, I think, but I had to share this outfit because it’s a go-to look for summer. This t-shirt is gorgeous because it has this gathering at the neckline that is just so flattering. It’s also incredibly lightweight as it’s mostly cotton, but it has a tiny bit of stretch to ensure the perfect fit. I’m wearing a medium. This outfit is perfect for a business casual wardrobe during the week and for an elevated look on the weekends. If you’re looking for business casual shoes to wear with your t-shirts, give these a try for spring, summer, and fall.
Add Statement Jewelry
Statement jewelry can be a bold necklace, but something as simple as gold hoops or layered necklaces also elevate the simplicity of a t-shirt. This is an easy way to add your personal style to your outfit, especially if you have to wear a full suit or even business casual attire.
Wear With Tailored Shorts
Tailored shorts are perfect for a polished summer look! You can wear them with a t -shirt for all types of summer occasions, whether you’re celebrating a summer holiday or going to lunch with friends. If you’re looking for athleisure shorts that are actually tailored enough to wear with loafers, check out this pair by Varley.
Pair With Wide Leg Pants or Wide Leg Jeans
Wide leg pants always help create a sophisticated silhouette – even with a t-shirt. This fitted tee is a good option because it balances out wide leg pants. In the spring or fall, I love to add a suede jacket or leather jacket for another elevated detail.
I also love a stripe t-shirt with wide leg jeans!
Add a Belt for Structure or Fun
Belts are the perfect statement pieces, and you can wear a really fun belt to enhance a simple t-shirt outfit. The one I’m wearing has sun medallions and circles on it.
As can see throughout this post, a belt can also help define your waist. However, be careful using a belt to give yourself more of a waist if you’re a rectangle. Instead, go for a pant with a defined waist that’s already part of the pants, such as a paperbag pant. These are perfect to tuck a t-shirt into!
Belts are also a good option to wear with polo shirts, which are popular right now and also feel like an automatically elevated t-shirt for women. I love this one because it’s not too fitted. It looks intentionally loose but not baggy. These are good options for work when you’re looking for something for a business casual wear dress code or even a casual client meeting that lands on a Friday.
Choose Monochrome Styling
Tonal outfits just always look so chic, even if it’s jeans and a t-shirt. You can go for black jeans with a black t-shirt, regular blue denim with a blue tee, or brown jeans and a brown tee. They will all look so good together. Or, you can dress up your t-shirt with trousers or a skirt for work.
Layer With a Trench Coat
Fall and spring are the seasons to take advantage of your trench coat. I love being able to throw on a trench coat over a t-shirt because you really don’t have to do much more than that. I love to give my exercise wear a second life outside of the gym by adding a trench coat and ballet flats. You can see below for what I mean. Shop my exact outfit here. You can obviously wear a t-shirt and trench coat with jeans, a skirt, or work pants too!
Choose A Cashmere T-Shirt
Cashmere t-shirts are the best way to wear a polished tee in the spring and fall. They’re easy to layer over but they also stand on their own – even at work. My exact cashmere tee comes in lots of colors! I’m wearing a small, and it’s not too cropped.
Last but not least, you can also dress up long sleeved t-shirts with most of these tips and pieces too!
In general, neutral colors or soft colors, such as a light blue t-shirt, will go a long way in your closet for work and weekend. I hope this post has helped you put together new t-shirt outfits, whether you’re getting dressed for casual dress codes or wearing a full suit. That’s all from me today.
