How to Make Jeans and a Tee Look More Interesting
My most popular post of 2016, my first year of blogging, was the American classic: jeans and a t-shirt. Easy, comfortable, casual and versatile! You can change this basic duo into an infinite number of looks, and can wear it just about anywhere. It’s like a painter’s canvas: you are the artist. By changing the colors and shapes of your t-shirt and jeans and adding the accessories that you like best, you could wear this every day of the week to just about any event and always look different.
Alternatives to white tee, blue jeans and sneakers:
The most basic of this basic is a white tee and blue jeans. Since a white tee and jeans is so neutral, you can add as many prints, colors and textures as you want. But it doesn’t have to be a white tee, blue jeans, or sneakers. It could also be:
- a different color tee, a print tee or a graphic tee.
- short sleeves, long sleeves, 3/4 sleeves, etc.
- any shape collar, including a turtleneck.
- a henley, a polo, a lace tee, etc.
- jeans in a different color or print.
- flares, bells, straight-legs, skinnies, jeggings, crops, cut-offs.
- distressed or embellished jeans.
- a pair of killer heels, any kind of boots, sandals, etc.
- brightly colored, printed, metallic or embellished footwear.
Now that you have chosen a basic tee, jeans and footwear from the list above, add something interesting, such as a topper or statement accessories.
Here are some possible toppers:
- a blazer
- a leather jacket
- a cardigan
- a kimono
- a duster
- a poncho
- a vest
- a jean jacket
- a chambray shirt as jacket
- a shrug
Here are possible statement accessories:
- a necklace
- earrings
- a bracelet or arm party
- a unique belt
- a fringed, metallic or studded bag
- a patterned or brightly colored scarf
- any bold or colorful accessories
Alternatives for Business Casual or for Evening:
For work, wear a matte jersey or embellished tee and/or trouser jeans in dark denim, black or a color with a blazer. For evening, wear a sparkly tee with any kind of jeans you want, dressy or casual.
Color Schemes:
Use your favorite color scheme for your t-shirt and jeans, such as: black and brown, black and white, colored jeans, etc.
Try rolling it:
Roll up your jeans, messy-tuck your shirt, roll up your sleeves (whether they’re short, long or in between).
Here are some ways to put it all together:
- At work: Add a blazer and heels to any jeans and t-shirt.
- Day to Evening: A killer jacket such as tweed + jeans + a t-shirt. Add polished accessories like pointy-toe shoes, a chunky metal watch, a classic bag. For evening, push up your sleeves and layer on bracelets, necklaces and rings.
- An ivory blazer + a short-sleeve white or ivory tee + blue jeans. You may belt it and add gold jewelry.
- A military jacket + jeans + a tee + combat boots.
- A leather jacket + jeans + a tee + bold shoes and jewelry.
Miroslava Duma, editor of Harper’s Bazaar, added a studded leather jacket to her white tee and jeans - Jeans + a tee + a cardigan + a scarf.
- Jeans + a tee + neutral shoes & bag. Then pile on all the gold and silver jewelry you want.
- A graphic tee + black jeans + a skinny scarf.
- A gray tee + white jeans. Add colorful shoes and a matching color necklace.
- Jeans + a tee + a fringed bag + a wide-brimmed hat or fedora.
- Layer a plaid button-down shirt as a jacket over your t-shirt and jeans. Top with a leather jacket. (Or use any button-down and any jacket.
- A black tee + blue jeans. Add a black belt + a statement necklace + bracelets + aviator sunglasses if sunny. You may also add a fedora.
- A chiffon or drapey vest over a t-shirt and jeans.
- A suede shirt as jacket over a t-shirt and jeans.
- A faux fur vest or fur-collar cardigan + a t-shirt + jeans. You may add a couple strands of beads, or a long pendant and a few bangles. You may also belt the vest.
- A graphic tee + leopard-print or tie-dye jeans + a sleeveless blazer. Add ankle boots.
- A flannel shirt as jacket + a t-shirt + jeans. You may add a brown leather bracelet.
- A plaid blazer + skinny jeans + a scoop-neck tee. Add ballet flats.
A blue tee with white jeans and a boucle tweed jacket – from Jacket Society - White tee + blue jeans + tweed blazer.
- A tie-dye tee + tie-dye jeans. Add a long pendant + aviators + ankle boots.
- A long-sleeve black t-shirt + blue jeans + a black leather jacket or black pieced leather cardigan. Add a statement necklace + a gold cuff over each sleeve. You may also add a big ring, a black beret, sunglasses if sunny.
- A moto jacket open over a long black tee + black skinny jeans. Add black ankle boots.
- Black jeans + a white tee. Belt and add tan boots and bag. Accessorize as desired.
- A long-sleeve black t-shirt over blue jeans. Add gold, such as a long delicate gold necklace + a shiny gold cuff paired with a gold bangle + a gold openwork bangle on the other wrist + gold stud earrings. Or add color instead of gold, such as colorful bracelets.
- A tough-looking tee + black jeans + flat-heeled boots. You may add a canvas jacket, a backpack, sunglasses if sunny.
- A plain tee + distressed jeans + a velvet jacket or cardigan. Add chain necklaces and flats, preferably suede. Add sunglasses if sunny.
- A rocker tee + blue jeans + a velvet blazer. Add beads + a necklace or two.
- An army jacket + a red t-shirt + blue jeans. Add a studded belt + cut-out or peep-toe booties.
- Skinny or regular jeans + gray or other color sleek scoop-neck tee + a faux fur, embellished or leather jacket. Suggested accessories are platform pumps, a short delicate necklace and a long, fine strand of beads.
If you need to find a new pair of jeans, see my next article “How to Find the Jeans You’ll Love.”
How do you put your own creative spin on a plain tee and jeans? Share your ideas by leaving a reply below.
Do you have a friend who would like this? Please use the Share buttons.
Follow Your True Self Blog on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Bloglovin.
Leave a Reply