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5 Ways to Wear a White T-Shirt

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a huge white t-shirt review, and a lot of you found a new favorite! To follow that up, I wanted to show a variety of ways to wear a white t-shirt for your spring and summer outfit inspiration.

I was going to take new pictures, but then I realized I have a ton of outfit ideas with a white t-shirt in my archives. Why reinvent the wheel? So I went through them this morning and rounded up a bunch of my favorites.

5 Ways to Wear a White T-Shirt: There is no more essential wardrobe piece than a white t-shirt, so I rounded up 5 easy ways to wear a white t-shirt, with real-life examples! Click through to see them all, and tell me which is your favorite!

5 Ways to Wear a White T-Shirt

Since these are mostly older outfits, most of the exact pieces are sold out, but I will link to similar where I can. Shopping links are under each picture.

#1. White Tee + Jeans/Jean Shorts/Jean Skirt.

The first and most obvious way to wear a white t-shirt is to pair it with jeans (or jean shorts, or a jean skirt!) This look is simple and classic, but it does require some styling to keep it from being boring.

As always, the key to making a simple outfit look intentional is to make sure the fit and proportion is on point. This applies to each garment, as well as the overall outfit. Then shoes and accessories are what will take the look from drab to fab!

In this first look, I wore neutral shoes and kept the accessories minimal, but I did wear earrings and a necklace, and the patterned bag adds interest as well.

The white tee creates a crisp, clean contrast against the dark wash denim, making this the perfect mom-about-town summer look for running errands or whatever the day holds.

James Perse white tee (sold out; similar here) // Gap 5″ denim shorts (rolled twice) // TB Miller sandals // necklace // earrings

Here’s a more casual take on the same outfit… I wore this for July 4th last year. We just hung out at home nad had friends over for a cookout, so I kept it casual with distressed shorts and a white tee, but I wore fun sandals, and I added  jewelry and sunglasses.

I realize not everyone loves distressed jean shorts, and I’m kind of over this look, myself. But you could do this outfit with whatever casual denim shorts are your favorites.

J.Crew v-neck t-shirt (size M) //BlankNYC  jean shorts // sandals // earrings // necklace // bracelet // sunnies

Of course, you can do the same thing with jeans — this outfit could really use a necklace, but it’s the only one I could find. The snake print sneakers add an element of interest, and the quality of the jeans and tee keeps it classy.

James Perse white tee (sold out; similar here) // AG Prima ankle jeans // snake print slip-on sneakers

Here, I wore a white tee with a denim skirt. I added a layer necklace and a bracelet, and my espadrille flats elevate the look even more.

denim skirt options // J.Crew v-neck t-shirt (size M) //  Eileen Fisher espadrilles (size up half) // similar necklace // bracelet

#2. White Tee + Printed or Colored Shorts/Pants.

A white t-shirt is also the perfect pairing for printed or colored shorts and jeans/pants. In the first look below, I’m wearing a white tee with ikat print drawstring shorts. They’re almost sold out, but you get the idea!

Again, I wore minimal jewelry, but I did wear earrings, necklace, bracelet, watch, and sunglasses. And the tote is a fun, summery addition that brings in another color as well as some great texture to the look.

J.Crew v-neck t-shirt (size M) //  LOFT Ikat drawstring shorts // sandals // raffia tote options // similar earrings // necklace // bracelets // sunnies

In this next look, I paired a white tee with blush colored jeans. Again, this is a very simple look, but the accessories take it up a notch.

On a cooler day, I’d throw a denim jacket on top of this.

J.Crew raw edge v-neck tee (similar) // similar pink jeans (same brand/color) // Eileen Fisher espadrilles (size up half) // similar bag // earrings // necklace/necklace // bracelet

#3. White Tee + White Jeans and Cardigan/Kimono.

There are so many possible iterations of this look, but what I like about it is how it creates a column of white, and then you can put almost anything on top.

In this first look, I love the blue and white pairing with the light neutral accessories. I also wore some really fun embellished tortoiseshell hoops.

Jo-Lynne Shane wearing LOFT Earth Month Shirttail Open Cardigan, J.Crew Supersoft Supima raw-edge V-neck tank top, Madewell 9-Inch High Waist Skinny Jeans, Marc Fisher LTD Orla Sandals, and Brahmin Satchel

similar cardigan // similar tee // white jeans // Marc Fisher sandals (on sale! so comfy) // tortoise hoop options // similar necklace // similar Brahmin satchel // sunnies

This next outfit is pretty much the same as the one above, but the lightweight kimono gives it an entirely different look! My kimono sold out, but Evereve has a bunch of cute ones!

Dressy Summer Kimono Outfit for Work or Church featuring LOFT Fern Kimono, Madewell 9" Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans in Pure White, and Marc Fisher LTD Orla Sandals in Blush Leather

kimono options // similar white tee // white jeans // Marc Fisher sandals (on sale! so comfy) // similar bag // bracelet // necklace

Here’s another example.

How to Wear a Ruana for Spring and Summer

I also wore this kimono with a white tee and jean shorts.

How to Wear a Ruana for Spring and Summer

And this is an example of the white tee with white jeans and a denim jacket. This time I wore a pair of espadrille flats to add interest and some whimsy to the classic look.

Jo-Lynne Shane wearing spring outfit with Soludos C'est La Vie Smoking Slippers, Paige Verdugo Ankle Skinny Jeans in Optic White, Kut from the Kloth Helena Denim Jacket. Fashion for Women Over 40 #springoutfit

denim jacket (the color is gratitude) // white tee // white jeans // Soludos espadrilles // 3-disc necklace // bangles

#4. White Tee + Jeans and Jacket/Cardigan.

This outfit formula just takes #1 and adds a jacket or cardigan. Of course, shoes accessories go a long way towards adding interest and personality into these simple outfits.

A few weeks ago, I shared 3 ways to wear a tweed jacket, and one incorporated a white t-shirt and raw hem jeans. The pink flats really pop this dressed-up casual look!

a casual way to wear a tweed jacket with jeans

Ann Taylor tweed sweater jacket // similar white tee // AG Farrah raw hem skinnies // Linea Paolo pink flats // necklace

Another time, I wore this draped faux suede jacket over a white tee and swapped out my usual skinnies for flares.

I love how the blush pumps and bag complement the light neutrals in this outfit, nad the layer necklace and X-cuff bracelet add a bit of an edge. (My jeans are obviously too long here… I have since had them shortened.)

drape front jacket // J.Crew v-neck t-shirt (size M) // AG Angel flares // similar pumps // necklace // bracelet // sunnies

And here’s an example with a cardigan. This cardigan was my top seller of 2019, and these cropped skinnies are one of my favorite spring/summer wardrobe essentials.

Both are great basics that can be worn in so many ways, and I like how the loafer mules keep this look current.

Daily Ritual cardigan // similar tee // Citizens Rocket Crop Jeans (size up) // Sam Edelman mules // white crossbody // necklace/necklace

#5. White Tee + Denim Jacket and Colored Skirt/Pants.

I never get tired of pairing white with denim, so if I’m not wearing blue jeans with my white t-shirt, I’ll usually throw on a jean jacket.

This bold red and white print skirt looks amazing with the white tee + denim  jacket combo, and these white espadrille sandals are the icing on the cake! (They’re very comfortable too.) Here’s a lower heel option, if you need one.

similar skirt // similar white tee // denim jacket // Dolce Vita wedge sandals // necklace // bracelet

Black jeans or pants with a white tee and blue jean jacket are is one of my favorite outfit formulas. Once again, the key to keeping this simple combination from being boring is to make sure the fit and quality of each item is on point, and then to add accessories.

This first example is built with a bunch of neutral wardrobe essentials. The denim jacket is my go-to. It’s soft and stretchy and comfortable, and the perfect medium blue indigo wash.

The ballet flats are soft and supple and the perfect shade of nude for my skintone, and these black jeans were my favorites for years. I’ve since moved on to the higher rise Farrah, but they have the same fit through the hips and legs, and the same deep black wash that doesn’t fade.

I kept my bag and shoes neutral, but I added a Victoria Emerson boho cuff and a layer necklace to inject some personality into the look.

similar white tee // AG legging ankle jeans // Sam Edelman Felicia flats // denim jacket // similar bag // VE boho cuffs

Here’s a similar look, but with raw hem faded black jeans and snake print slip-on sneakers. I like how the brown bag adds contrast, plus bown and black is such a chic combo!

similar white tee // AG raw hem ankle jeans // Steve Madden sneakers // denim jacket // earrings // bag

And finally, one of my go-to outfits last spring, summer, and fall… a white tee and denim jacket with these trendy cargo jogger pants! The snake print slip-on sneakers add a fun pop of color and texture, but I also wore this with white sneakers and sometimes my white espadrilles.

similar white tee // denim jacket // Paige cargo joggers (similar for less) // Vince leopard slip-ons (budget option) // earrings // necklace // tote option

I also did this look with a graphic tee and black cargo crops.

And that’s a wrap! I hope that gives you some outfit inspiration for your favorite white tee.

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Join The Conversation

19 Responses

  1. I love your posts.  I’m wondering if you can tell me which v neck white tees have a higher v neck.  I want a v neck, but I’m small busted so I need a higher one.  Thanks.  

    1. Check out my white tee review – I explain them all there. Off the top of my head – I know the talbots one was shorter, and there were a few others that stood out.

  2. I love these looks. I never think to wear a white t with white jeans. ( love it) You’ve given me a lot of ideas so I better get some extra white tee shirts. I don’t think one will do 😉

  3. Perfect timing!   I am actually wearing black jeans and a white tee today!  I really didn’t think about how truly versatile a white tee can be.   Smart!

  4. This is so helpful in inspiring me for SPRING. I have several of the pieces already and now I know what to shop for and how to put a few quick transition outfits together. I have a kimono and have only worn it once. I now have more inspiration and confidence Im wearing it correctly…lol. THANKS.

  5. The white jeans and lightweight kimono outfit is one of my favorite outfits you’ve posted. So wish I had that kimono!

  6. I love the purse in the first picture – are you lucky enough to have a real Louis Vitton purse?
    I have knock offs on Amazon – was thinking about ordering one.

  7. Great minds think alike! Wearing a white tshirt with black jeans and slip on sneakers. My ankles were chilly walking outdoors but tired of boots. 😂 So ready for spring. We are rollercoastering up and down between winter cold snaps and spring teasers.

    Those kimonos look terrific!

  8. Hey! I’m trying to find your post on how to cut your jeans. Can you direct me? Thanks!
    Love you’re posts!
    Lynn

  9. This Post will be so helpful for Spring, Summer and Fall! What color t-shirt do you recommend with black jeans?

  10. I like all of these examples!  For some reason, when I see my plain white tee, all I think of is boring.  I need to refer to this post and start seeing possibilities.  I’m glad that y’all are having a taste of spring weather also.  It does add some pep in your steps, doesn’t it!

  11. Wearing a white t-shirt with a deep pink cardigan, flare jeans, and tan booties today. Gray day, so I am glad I am brightening it up with the cardigan. Think spring!

  12. I know it’s trendy but I find a white t-shirt and denim jeans dull. However I think a white t- shirt and white jeans really sharp, and I love a white shirt and a patterned bottom.  Love this post.

    1. I really enjoyed this post-never knew how much a simple white tee shirt could do. The color white looks clean and crisp.Nothing says spring like a white tee
      Thanks for the ideas-simple and easy.

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