Archives for July 2020

Name a more iconic wardrobe piece than the white tee shirt…. Ok, maybe a little dramatic. Name a more basic wardrobe piece… That one might actually be right. I think about what could possibly trump a white tee shirt. MAYBE jeans? Otherwise, I don’t think much comes close.

What’s not to love? It’s comfy and you can bleach the heck out of it to look newer, longer. Especially for my cozy pieces, I’m always looking for more ways to wear them. Especially since quarantine I have a whole new appreciation for the casual. #pajamasarelife, am I right?

I always have one washed and at the ready in my closet so it’s a really easy item when I have no idea what else to wear. The possibilities are genuinely endless. Think of it as a closet’s chameleon.

Important to note – in reality, you COULD grab a mens or boys Hanes tee for all of these. However, a women’s cut is preferred. That doesn’t mean it’s tight, it just means it is tapered to flatter in a strategic way. You’ll still get the effortless look. Trust me.

Undercover Classy

Ummmm… Can I live in this? Destroyed denim paired with heels and a blazer is a MOOD. It’s classy, but not really since you can wear your favorite lived in pieces.

I tucked in the tee shirt and threw on a belt that matches the heels so they have a coordinated feel. You could absolutely go with a solid colored blazer, this polka dot just felt right to add some extra style to this otherwise simple look.

Fun fact, I couldn’t find a bobbi pin to pull back the side of my hair, so instead, I grabbed a large paper clip. You’d never know, would you 😉

A Threw This Together Standard

This is basically my uniform for if I need to run out and don’t want to put myself together, but want to look put together. Basically, it’s my step above baggy, leopard pajama pants.

This look works well with plaid and flannel shirts also, and your top of choice can be wrapped around the waist for coverage or if it’s a sweltering day like it has been (record month of heat in New York this month!). It is CRITICAL to roll up your sleeves on this. Since the tee isn’t fitted, nor is it tucked in, you need to eliminate at least one level of drapiness. The cuffs will take care of this for you.

It’s amazing how much more “ready” for the day I feel when I swap sandals for real shoes. Doesn’t need to be sneakers, just something with more of a purpose than a slide. But, trust me, I LOVE a slide.

These leggings are my all-time favorite. They are Spanx brand and the price will make you clutch your pearls, but as a self-proclaimed budget fashionista, they are WORTH IT. I have three different styles. They hold me in and form to fit perfectly. It’s also an instant butt-lift. They have sales often, so check back!

Just Rolled Out Of Bed

So you slept through your alarm… again. You scramble to do your favorite five-minute face routine and realize you don’t have time to iron or steam the outfit you had planned. YIKES!

A tee-shirt is a shockingly great pairing with all your favorite structured skirts – for work or for play.

I love a statement necklace to dress up the top half. If you wore a crew neck tee shirt, they look especially great. I tossed on a cardigan, too, to hide the casual nature of the sleeves so it really just feels like a crisp top.

I added some slip on mule loafers for a “just enough” finishing touch.

Get Yours

This shirt is one of my all time favorites and you can get it from Old Navy for just $8 by clicking here.

A t-shirt dress is a must for the warmer months of the year. It’s often made in a loose fit without a seam at the waist. A t-shirt dress can be made in a variety of colors and fabrics and because of the unstructured nature, it is flattering on most body types and there are a ton of ways you can make this your own. 

My t-shirt dress is on the fancier side in a blue and cream snakeskin print. The fabric is a really thin polyester blend and hangs beautifully. It’s one of those easy items where when I don’t know what to wear, I reach for this. I bought it secondhand (seeing a trend?) And it has paid for itself one hundred times over. Length in a t-shirt dress is important to me. I want to be able to “belt and fluff” for the max amount of ways so it can’t be too short by itself. So consider buying one about two inches longer than you would like it to be at its shortest.

Side note: When I came downstairs ready to take photos in this outfit, Kevin (my fiancé) said, “oh, is it snakeskin edition this week?”. Which not only was a great idea, but he is clearly enjoying life as a blogger spouse. Hi dear! 

Dressed Up

The first way I wore this dress was in all its unstructured glory. I reached for a long necklace with a heavy bauble. The way it falls against my chest helps create SOME shape on the top part without actively creating a waistline. Because of the unstructured nature of the t-shirt dress, it can be a challenge to really dress it up so I went with a metallic gold theme for the accessories. 

That said, textures go a LONG way in helping to elevate this simple piece since it often comes in basic fabrics. The purse was the perfect choice because of the natural woven texture and gold tassel which went perfectly with my necklace. 

Accidental miracles like the purse and necklaces happening to match is the KEY to throwing it together. Did I think about this in advance, not quite, but does it look like I did…. Heck yes. As you get more confident in your outfits, as it’s been said, fortune favors the bold and you’ll find a lot of coincidences just fall in your lap.

Last of the group are these gold Michael Kors wedges (bought secondhand, again). These keep it casual, but still as dressed up as it gets.

Dressed For Business

If you want to look professional or give the impression of organization and control, a strong structured outfit will definitely do that for you. Each item picked for this looked was specifically chosen to give that impression.

A blazer and t-shirt dress is a winning combination for a summer event. The dress is light and airy, but the blazer adds class, sophistication and much-needed shape for this occasion. You’ll want to make sure yours is VERY fitted. Otherwise, boxy and boxy just don’t mix and will do nothing but swallow you up.

A round quilted purse feels intentional and the pointed mules are a strong statement. An outfit like this should look thought-out even if it was a last minute decision.

Dressed Down

My personal favorite way to wear a T-shirt dress! It’s classic, feminine and you can’t go wrong. A skinny belt at the natural waste totally changes the whole game without taking up too much real estate. A larger belt may take away from the ease of the look.

The rest is simple, coordinated natural purse and shoes. They don’t have to be match-y match-y, but it keeps it looking really clean. Because of the pattern, this felt like the most organic choice.

Other Ways to Play

This is where you could have a lot of fun with a t-shirt dress. It is essentially a blank canvas to play with. Want to do a neon accessory set? Fabulous. Want to play up an animal print palette? Meow. Want to jazz it up with metallics? Glam it up. 

If you REALLY wanted to kick up your t-shirt dress a notch… leave it completely unstructured (no belt or cinching allowed), toss your hair in a ponytail or top knot and toss on some stilettos. This will level up this piece in a new way.

Do you have a t-shirt dress? What’s your favorite way to wear? 

When I was talking about this week’s post with my friends, I mentioned that one of the swim cover up styles was a sarong. Every. Single. Time. I said this, it was met with, “Oh I have one of those, but I have no idea how to tie it”. (Light Bulb)

I live for multi-way ANYTHING – it’s basically a challenge and I ALWAYS want to win. Back in the day I wore the LeSac dress by American Apparel to death. One day I wore it three different occasions, in three different ways, all while changing it around in the car.

Have a sarong hanging in your closet? Here is a step by step video to walk you through 7 ways to tie a sarong. Feeling impatient? The speedy version can be found right below.

Best of luck and be sure to send us your photos @threwthistogether on Instagram and hashtag #threwthistogether

Speedy Version Here: