5 Ways To Style A T-Shirt Dress This Spring
A t-shirt dress is one of those amazing chameleons that can be so useful in our wardrobe. Being able to style it for multiple occasions and looks helps stretch your budget and make it easier to get dressed in the morning. There are a ton of ways to wear t-shirt dresses and today I’m sharing just 5 ways to style a t-shirt dress this spring.
1-Layer With a Denim Jacket
For a super casual look, layer a denim jacket over your T-shirt dress. I started with this Eileen Fisher organic cotton T-shirt dress. It comes in three colors, sizes 0-18. As with all Eileen Fisher garments, I suggest you size down because they run large. I opted for black because it’ll be so versatile for travel this summer. They’ve added 8% spandex to this dress, so it’s super comfy and moves with you.
I love denim jackets over just about everything. This Kut From The Kloth one is soft it feels like a cross between a denim shirt and a denim jacket. The lightweight material stretches easily, and it’ll be lighter in warm weather than a traditional jean jacket. It’s slightly cropped, and I opted for the petite so it would hit right at my waist. The slightly frayed bottom edge and lack of a stiff band make it even softer and more flexible than a traditional denim jacket. It comes in regular sizes XXS-XXL and petite XSP-XLP.
2-Add a Hat
A hat is a fun way to add some attitude to a t-shirt dress. I added this jaunty fedora in Eric Javits’s amazing polypropylene/polyester weave that looks like straw but takes a beating and travels like a dream. This is my third of his hats in this material, and I can vouch for the fact that you can crush it into a bag, and it pops right back into shape. This brim can be worn up or down in the back for extra neck coverage. It also blocks 95% of UV A/UVD rays.
3-Layer with a long cardigan
A long neutral cardigan and low block heels dresses up a simple t-shirt dress for work, lunch or dinner out. I’m wearing the Nordstrom everyday cardigan in tan/cobblestone. This lightweight cardigan comes in seven colors sizes 00-18.
I popped the cross body strap of this Madewell Straw bag inside to dress it up as well. I find crossbody bags sporty and convenient but I often don’t want them to rumple my clothes so ones that have handles are my favorite. This bag is super lighweight and comes in 5 colors.
These neutral colored block heels are low enough to be stable and are comfortable. A nude shoe is one of the most useful colors you can own because they go with everything and help elongate the look of your legs. I’ve worn these so often, I think I need a second pair because a ācomfyā heel is indeed a unicorn with my feet.
4- Wear it over pants
Styling a dress over pants has been popular for several years, especially with Eileen Fisher. Here, I’m styling a monochromatic look with my favorite slim leg crepe pants. I’ve owned and worn these crepe ankle pants for more years than I can remember. They travel like a dream and go into every suitcase I pack. In fact, I often wear them to travel in.
5- Style it with sneakers
For a relaxed, casual look, pair your t-shirt dress with sporty sneakers. White tennies are a super popular look and I also like mine with these black Ecco 7 Softs. I could not resist the color of this easy linen shirt that I’ve tied at the waist for some figure shaping. It comes in 5 colors, XXS-XL.
I styled all these looks with my new Jenny Bird hoops, which I’m wearing on repeat these days. The size is perfect for every day, and the gold/silver combination means they coordinate with all my jewelry. I looped the chain on my Lagos necklece through the clasp on the ball twice to shorten it. It’s a very versatile neckalce that seems to go with everything.
I’ve often shared that Nordstrom is my favorite department store and a peek into my closet shows that most of my wardrobe comes from them. They offer BOPUS, ROTUS (reserve online, try on in-store), and curbside pickup along with free shipping and returns, on everything! I highly recommend you join the Nordy club here which is free and allows you to earn points towards notes to use on future purchases. I’d saved mine up so I could treat myself to this fun hat last week which made it feel free! It’s hard to beat that feeling š
SHOP MY LOOKS
These 5 ways to style a t-shirt dress this spring are just the tip of the iceberg. I urge you to experiment with different combinations to create your own unique look.
Thanks for reading ladies and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
I think your dress might be one or two inches too long on you. The hemline seems to catch you at the fullest part of your leg. Otherwise, love the look.
Very cute looks. I like the one with the hat and jean jacket best! So cute!
Wish the dress came in more colors.
I just bought a navy T-shirt dress for a lot less money, so I’m happy to see some ways to style it.
The dress with the pants underneath is an unusual look. At 5’2″ I don’t think I’d do that unless the dress came in a petite.
I also love the look with the long cardigan. Very nice. Great shoes too!
Hello,
I feel like there are so many other t-shirt dresses that are much more cost effective. I love all the looks exception of the pant one, not a fan. Have an amazing day!!
Prices do vary widely in many items and I always encourage ladies to shop within their budgets.
Do you wear a half slip underneath the dress? Do people even wear slips these days?
I wear skips if the dress isnāt totally opaque or if it cups my backside. This dress does neither so I donāt wear a slip.
Finding a half slip is not easy in FLorida. I recently went looking for one. Many stores didnāt carry them, a few only had 1 or 2 in extra small, one store told me theyād have to special order one for me. Finally found 1 large half slip at Kohlās.
Cute, cute , cute looks…..always love a hat and denim jacket..might try a t-shirt dress this year. Will look into the Ecco, reminds me of Nordstrom branded shoe that I purchased a few years ago…they look so comfy……
I like all these looks but unlike some of the other readers, the dress with pants look is my favorite.
Itās great for cooler weather too š
Oh am loving the cropped denim jacket and shall look into the recommended sneakers as am in the market for some. Regarding the t-shirt dress; from the many styling options (like you have shown) I have to agree, it would be a good traveler as well. As to the shoes; I do have similar in style and find both the low heel and the nude color is very versatile. (Mine however are just in a p/u leather but very comfortable being a ‘wedge’ of 1.8″ heel in height. Also I do have them in black and a white with an additional pair slated to be dyed in a color still undecided upon. Do I want something bright? Decisions – decisions …. lol!)
-Brenda-
Color vs neutral colors is always a quandary for me.
Love this post. From a different size perspective, I’m 5’9″ and own/wear the EF dress in size XL — on me, it is the perfect length and fits a little more slimly than it does on you. I never wear sleeveless anything, so I do layer on a denim jacket or cardigan or linen blouse, just as you’ve shown. Under the dress, I wear Skimmies slip shorts in my skin tone. So easy and comfortable for summer.
PS. Ordered the KFTK denim jacket you’ve shown — love the frayed bottom edge with no tight band at bottom. Very hopeful for this, thank you!
PS. I’m also just thinking — light bulb moment — that I could remove the band on another denim jacket I have and fray it myself. Excited to try this!
@Betty: Don’t know if you sew but IF not — As a lot of industrial garments are ‘not’ laid/cut on ‘straight of grain’ it would be wise (after the band is removed) to a) first apply a machine running stitch at the point of desired length b) then fray up to that point c) and trim with scissors to even out. Hope this either helps you or others who wish to try it. -Brenda-
Great tip Brenda
Brenda, thanks! I used to sew and I understand what you’re saying. At this point, however, my “sewing” consists of cutting things with scissors and a seam ripper, and, if feeling extra bold, using a little iron-on hem tape. Haha.
Yes!!
Love all the ways you came up with styling the dress. I usually wear mine just plain with sandals or a little lightweight cardigan for evenings.
Looking good as always Jennifer- love the way you take a very basic T-shirt dress and amplify it. I especially like the denim jacket with white speakers!
Love a t-shirt dress in the summer and have several in my closet as I find them comfortable in the sticky heat. When it is hot outside I find I cannot wear anything over them, even a long scarf around my neck to trail down the front of the dress is too much warmth. I like the look of the long cardigan over your dress and wonder if an open sleeveless, collarless shirt, maybe in a gauze fabric, would work like a vest and elongate the look without too much extra warmth? I think, for me, I will have to settle for a long necklace to pull off that effect.
Gauze would be terrific over a t-shirt dress.
Good morning, I like the idea of adding a jacket or light long sweater to the dress. I too would need a belt because a straight dress make me look boxing. (Not a good look for me)
Bought the Talbots Linen Bristol pants yesterday & the boyfriend linen shirt, so comfy and breezy outfit.
Have s great dayš
Great post today. I absolutely love Kut From the Kloth jeans (only thing I wear) and love the jacket. The styling of putting the dress over pants is a no for me, to frumpy. If you feel comfortable with that style fine, but I donāt care for it. Also love the idea of the adding linen blouse! Do you like this dress at the length you are wearing it or would you have it altered to be just above the knee? Again, great post and have a wonderful day.
Love all the ideas and styles….I agree with the length of dress with leggings or pants, I think it would be more flattering if a wee bit shorter and accentuate your figure better (you have great proportions even if petite and this hides it)……I love the idea though.
You could hem it but I like just below the knee as much as just above the knee. This length feels more relaxed to me. As we know, frumpy is in the eye of the beholder. I certainly donāt feel frumpy and thatās what counts āŗļø
Iād ask that we please keep critiques of outfits to our Saturday posts. Thatās not what my daily posts are for.
I like the way you styled the T-shirt dress. I have a rectangle body style. Straight up and down, so I would belt that t-shirt dress in an effort to show a waistline. Sometimes a thin belt works, other times, a thicker belt might look better. I love one and done dresses in the summer, so cool and easy!
Love this post! Thanks for showing EF items! Sizing can be tricky esp now that she is offering fewer (or no) petites. With the dress over pants you have fully gone down the EF rabbit hole ; ). Also appreciate a denim jacket available in petite! In addition to the linen shirt the gauze shirts would also work over the dress (no ironing ha!) Also a blazer, cargo jacket, short cardiā¦endless possibilities. Finally got my first pair of Ecco Soft. They are awesome and I want more. The stying is spot on and they are comfy on my wider feet (Ecco is now a go to brand). Iām am 8 ams solid EU 39 which is what I got. Mine are silver; had to venture to Zappos for them, but I need a new black pair.
Zappos is a great source! You could do a hundred variations with this dress.