Living in a busy tourist area, this tee shirt + jean shorts + flip flops combo is a ubiquitous look around town each summer. It’s easy and comfortable, no doubt, but I wanted to break down 3 easy steps to upgrade the look without taking away from that!
1. Start with high quality, elevated basics
The “before” tee is fine, but a little limp and shapeless. Small details like cut, fabric weight, fabric structure, and neckline all play a role in transforming the finished look. Tucking in is also key for showing off the natural waistline.
Here’s a few examples of basic tops that are easy to throw on, but look a little more elevated:
- A well-cut cotton tee shirt. See below for my top 2 picks.
- A sleek top that’s easy to tuck. ie: Madewell modal top (see on me), Quince mock neck
- A simple square neck tank. ie my old favorite Reformation tank
- A classic bodysuit. ie. this soft Amazon one
Tee shirts are not created equal, and I’ve spent the past few years searching for the best ones. The COS clean cut tees (also sold at Nordstrom) are an excellent premium quality option that’s a little thicker weight with structure. Just note that each color has a different fabric feel, with the off-white color I’m wearing (“light beige”) being very soft, while the striped one I have is a little more rigid.
My other favorite -and probably most worn tee- is the Everlane box cut tee, which is more of a traditional 100% cotton tee. The box cut style has the right amount of slouch and isn’t too long on me, even when untucked. It’s not as thick and less structured than COS, and great for everyday wear.
I usually take xxs in clothing, but sized up to an XS in both tee shirt styles for a relaxed fit!
2. add Polish + Texture via accessories
Changes made above:
- Replaced…
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