Wearing vs. Styling a Graphic Tee

Wearing vs styling a graphic tee. 5 before and after photos of Sarah Williams in graphic tee outfits

Don’t just wear a graphic t-shirt, style it. Learn how to take basic pieces and style them in a way that has you feeling – and looking – confident, polished, and pulled-together. You’re going to love how you look!

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Wearing our clothes is easy. We just pull something out of a drawer or off a hanger in our closet and put it on. But there’s a big difference between wearing clothing and styling it. 

Styling is about creating a look. It’s about taking an item of clothing – like a t-shirt–and creating an outfit. Styling makes us feel more put together–which in turn makes us feel more confident. More ready to face the day. And who doesn’t want to feel like that? 

But… It can be hard to know how to style a t-shirt. How to take it beyond the basic “t-shirt and jeans” look we all do. Don’t worry. That’s what I’m here for.


Take your look to the next level.

Monogram Box subscribers, you have so many items you can use to style your tees right in your closets. Every month, the T-Shirt Club tee that comes in your Combo or Ultimate box is designed to coordinate with the items in that month’s box! But don’t stick with just that month. Have fun and get creative mixing and matching items from different boxes! 

Today I’m showing you 5 different looks–5 different ways I’ve styled a simple graphic tee.

Split graphic. On the left, Sarah Williams posing in a blue graphic tee with tan skort unstyled. On the right, she is wearing the same blue tee and tan skort styled with long hot pink cardigan, colorful earrings, and a fun tumbler.

Classic Cardigan Styled with a Tee

I started with a simple t-shirt and neutral skort and took it to the next level with a classic cardigan and the perfect accessories. 

I knew this cardigan had to be part of my outfit! It pulls out the lettering color on my “Sunshine and Tan Lines” tee and is the perfect lightweight layer for cool mornings. The longer length gives it a dressier feel. It’s also easy to remove later in the day when the hot Texas sun kicks in! 

Sunshine and Tan Lines blug graphic tee, hot pink cardigan, tan skort, colorful accessories and beaded sandals displayed on a surface.

One thing can take an outfit from plain to polished. In this case, it’s the rhinestone sandals. They immediately add a touch of sparkle that takes this look from casual to just-a-bit-fancy! The addition of a pair of super cute, oh-so-colorful earrings and my flowery Swig cup and I’m ready! 

Split graphic. On the left, Sarah Williams posing in a blue graphic tee styled with tan skort, long hot pink cardigan, colorful earrings, and a fun tumbler. On the right, the same items displayed on a surface along with colorful accessories and beaded sandals.

This look is perfect for work, lunch with your girlfriends, or running errands around town. You’ll look polished and put together–and you’ll feel confident and comfortable. Winning! 


Split graphic. On the left, Sarah Williams in white shorts and pink graphic tee untucked or styled. One the right, she is posing in the same pink graphic tee styled with white shorts, with red clutch, and pink and green kimono.

Graphic T-Shirt and Shorts

A perfect summer look starts with a t-shirt and jean shorts! But taking that summer look and turning it into a summer style? Well, I turned to some Framed! favorites for help. 

Pink graphic tee, white shorts, pink and green kimono, red clutch, and colorful accessories displayed on a surface.

This kimono is the perfect layer! The beautiful colors of the kimono complement the colors of the August 2024 T-Shirt Club tee perfectly –and so do these hot pink raffia earrings and beaded bracelet stack. 

Split graphic. On the left, Sarah Williams posing in a pink graphic tee styled with white shorts, red clutch, and pink and green kimono. On the right, the same items displayed on a surface along with colorful accessories.

When it was time to leave the house, I added a summery bag! This hot pink monogrammed crossbody holds all the essentials and adds a fun pop of color! 


Split graphic. On the right, Sarah Williams posing in a ivory graphic tee styled with medium wash jeans, black quilted bag, black blazer, and matching accessories. On the right Sarah is posing in just the ivory graphic tee and jeans unstyled

Put Together and Professional – Blazer with a Graphic Tee

This look starts with my favorite straight-leg jeans in a medium wash and February’s T-Shirt Club tee. To level up, I started with a favorite classic accessory–a black leather belt. A thicker belt like this one helps camouflage any unflattering areas in the front and gives a pulled-together feel. 

"Be Kind" butterfly ivory graphic tee styled with medium wash jeans, black quilted bag, black blazer, black heals, and matching accessories displayed on a surface.

When people say jeans and a t-shirt can’t be part of a professional look, I say, “Hold my coffee.” By layering my t-shirt with this black blazer and adding a gorgeous pair of hoop earrings, a pair of stiletto sandals, and a quilted black bag with a gold chain strap… Well, I think we can all agree I look polished and professional. And I feel good, too! 

Split graphic. On the left, Sarah Williams posing in a ivory graphic tee styled with medium wash jeans, black quilted bag, black blazer, and matching accessories. On the right, the same items displayed on a surface along with black booties.

Split graphic. On the left, Sarah Williams posing in a blue long sleeve graphic tee and distressed jeans unstyled. On the right, she is posing with the same graphic tee and jeans styled with a brown leather jacket, leather belt, and matching accessories.

Taking it Urban Chic with a Leather Jacket

When you start with a classic look like a favorite pair of jeans and a t-shirt, you can take your style from casual to a bit structured and even a little edgy with a leather jacket. 

blue "just Breath" graphic tee, brown leather jacket, brown booties, leather belt, distressed denim, and matching accessories displayed on a surface.

I LOVE this look. It starts with my go-to distressed jeans and the December T-Shirt Club long-sleeved tee. From time to time, we all need a reminder to “Just Breathe.” The soft, dusty slate blue of the t-shirt is so pretty under the warm brown of this leather motorcycle jacket. 

Split graphic. On the left, Sarah Williams posing in a blue graphic tee styled with brown leather jacket, leather belt, distressed jeans and matching accessories. On the right, the same items are displayed on a surface.

Accessories helped me pull together the rest of this look. I grabbed my favorite statement belt and these super cute wooden spotted earrings. Once I slipped into these stacked-heel boots, I was ready for adventure!   


Split graphic. On the left, Sarah Williams posing in a gray graphic tee and jeans unstyled. Then again with just a denim shirt. On the right, Sarah is posing in the same gray graphic tee and jeans styled with tan puffer vet layered over denim shirt, maroon crossbody bag, belt, and matching accessories

Layers, Layers, Layers!

Take one super cute, super comfy graphic tee and one pair of your favorite jeans, and start playing with layers. You can have so much fun and create so many cute looks just by adding different layers. 

Fall themed gray graphic tee, denim shirt, tan puffer vest, jeans, brown shoes, maroon bag, and matching accessories displayed on a surface

I love layering flannels over my graphic tees. And of course, you cannot go wrong with a great denim shirt or a vest. Or even a denim shirt and a vest like I did here. Add some cute accessories and the perfect pop of color complements of this burgundy camera crossbody and this look will take you from errands to the bleachers or sidelines to lunch with a friend! 

Split graphic. One the left, Sarah is posing in gray graphic tee and jeans styled with tan puffer vest layered over denim shirt, maroon crossbody bag, belt, and matching accessories. One the right, the same items are displayed on a surface

Wear It vs. Style It

When you start with a graphic tee, you can take your look almost anywhere. I hope these five styles I shared help you create your own styles! Use what you have in your closet, start with a favorite piece, and have fun!


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