How to Dress-up a T-Shirt: 9 Ways to Dress Up a T-Shirt

A T-shirt is a basic top with short sleeves. Retailers sell different types of [T-shirts](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/types-of-shirts) with varying necklines, sleeve lengths, colors, designs, and materials. Cotton T-shirts are among the most common kinds of tees. T-shirts are a staple of casual wear, but you can wear a T-shirt under a leather jacket or drape a baggy T-shirt over pants to create fashionable looks. T-shirt outfits can work well with business casual attire for the office or for hanging out with friends during the day: 1. __Throw on a blazer__. If you can wear a T-shirt to work, dress it up by putting a blazer over it. Tuck the shirt into your khakis or chinos, and pair with a nice pair of shoes that are workplace-appropriate. 2. __Pair with a skirt__. A T-shirt can bring a comfy but elegant look to your outfit when paired with a midi skirt or pencil skirt. Complete your outfit with flats, wedges, or ankle boots. 3. __Wear a button-down over your T-shirt__. For a smart casual look when hanging out with friends or going shopping, tuck a white T-shirt into your jeans and wear a button-down over it. 4. __Tuck into your shorts__. For the warmer months, shorts and a tee make for a sensible summer outfit. To upgrade your outfit, tuck the shirt into your shorts using a full or half tuck, exposing your [belt](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-a-belt), which can act as a fashion piece. 5. __Play with colors and patterns__. A plain white tee is an excellent addition to a denim-heavy outfit, such as jeans and a denim jacket. You can create contrast by wearing beige khakis with a colorful T-shirt. A T-shirt will work in many settings in a fashion-forward way for more casual nights out. Consider the following outfit ideas: 1. __Tuck a tee into high-waisted pants__. Wear a high-waisted skirt, pair of jeans, or wide-legged pants, and tuck your tee in for a trendier look. Here, you can make the T-shirt the focal point, playing with fun patterns or colors. Baggier T-shirts work better with these outfits so the fabric billows out over the beltline. 2. __Play with a French tuck__. A [French tuck](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-pull-off-the-perfect-french-tuck), or half tuck, is where you tuck in the front part of your shirt into your pants but leave the sides and back hanging out and loose. This trendy, club-ready look can dress up your nightwear with skinny jeans, chinos, or even shorts. 3. __Wear a matching mini skirt and blazer__. A matching [blazer](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-wear-a-blazer) and skirt set can make for a flashy outfit. If those articles are colorful or patterned, a plain, solid-colored T-shirt underneath can bring the outfit together and create an ensemble for a night out at a cocktail bar or restaurant. Get a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and let Tan France be your very own style maestro. *Queer Eye*’s fashion guru spills everything he knows about building a capsule collection, finding a signature look, understanding proportions, and more (including why it’s important to wear underwear to bed)—all in a soothing British accent, no less. T-shirts are a casual wardrobe staple that you can also dress up for a smart-casual look.