Lately I have been really gravitating towards super simple outfits; an interesting cut of denim and a basic t shirt are all I really reach for these days. And I think this is partially just a change in moods but also more of an embrace of minimalist styling. I’ve recently replaced one of my favorite wardrobe staples, the Uniqlo U Crew Neck tee and I’ve added this great stone/off-white shade that has completely rekindled my love for styling this basic piece. So if you’re looking to replace your tees (because stains happen, ya know?) or if you fancy some new ways to style this basic than keep reading!

Where To Shop

Tees are one of those items that you don’t have to spend a whole lot on to find good quality, especially with how often you inevitably have to replace them. Rather than price, t’s best to let these two factors guide your shopping: preferred cut and material. I try to look for 100% cotton tees and knowing that they shrink a bit, I usually go up a size or look for looser fitting styles. I prefer a crew neck that comes up high around my neck but there are so many different styles that will make a big difference in the overall look of your outfit. I also like to mix in lower cut v-neck tees if I really want to show off my jewelry or if I want my look to feel less casual. Here are some great places to start if you’re in the market for a new tee or two.

Uniqlo: The U Crew Neck is my go-to, it comes in a ton of colors and has a very reasonable $14.90 price tag. This is 100% cotton but has a really soft, practically satiny feel to it and is thick enough that I can wear a black bra underneath without a problem. Today I’m wearing it in the shade ‘Natural’ but I also have your basic black and white.

Everlane: If you’re looking for a great sustainable option Everlane has literally every style and color you could want. Of course, I gravitate towards the Cotton Crew and Cotton V-Neck styles and they have only a slightly higher price tag at $18. If you’re looking for a boxy style with longer short sleeves then check out the Cotton Box-Cut and the Air Oversized Crew. Everlane has a more fitted, scoop-neck style and much more casual cropped and pocket tees too so if you’re not sure what style to go for yet, take some time to look around their site and compare fits.

Muji: My love for Muji was rekindled this weekend when I visited the Santa Monica store. I found that they had a ton of different styles made of organic cotton, in their signature subdued, neutral color palette and all priced at $10! They had plain, ribbed, yarn (more textured weave), coarse and sweat absorbent options - basically a tee lover’s paradise.

Cos: This brand generally has a higher price point, but surprisingly, their basic 100% Cotton T-Shirt is priced at a fair $19 and the quality is bound to be good as well. Cos has perfected the wearable minimalist wardrobe and the classic cut of this tee is no exception. They also have some lovely striped and colorful options.

Arket: This is sadly only for European-based readers, as Arket doesn’t currently ship to the US but I thought I’d add this to the list just in case. I’ve read some really rave reviews about their basic Crew Neck, which is priced at a very reasonable 12 Euros. I’ve really wanted to try out a few of their pieces so if you have a review of this product, or others, I’d love to hear it! Fingers crossed that they will eventually start shipping to the US or that I will make an impromptu trip across the pond soon.

Styling Ideas

Have A Denim Moment

One of my favorites things to pair a basic tee with is a pair of killer denim. As you may have noticed, I am a big fan of straight leg and light wash denim jeans. I love how denim cuts are getting more and more oversized and vintage looking and I think a great way to really experiment with some of these newer cuts is by grounding the look with something simple on top, like a basic tee. I’m really looking to experiment more with wide straight and barrel leg cuts and more dark and vintage washes in the next few months and I know a tee will be my go-to pairing.

Highlight Accessories

A great and super easy way to style denim is with more statement accessories and shoes. I love layering dainty gold chain necklaces and the tee is a simple backdrop for these pieces to stand out against. I’m also loving my new Loraine loafers from Sam Edelman and I think they look so cool paired with the laid back jeans and tee combo. So much of the fashion inspo I save on Pinterest and Instagram are really simple jeans and tee looks with loads of understated accessories to add interest, so I’ve added this to my arsenal of styling tricks.

Dress Down

I love pairing a basic tee with more tailored or dressy pieces for a unique styling approach. A blazer or trousers can be a bit intimidating to style if you shy away from the super polished looks but switching out a blouse or shirt for a tee can make tailored pieces feel much more laid back. I also love how a fitted tee looks layered with a slinky slip dress or something a more revealing on top. Similarly, a bias cut midi skirt can easily be incorporated into your every day look when paired with a tucked in tee and sneakers. The juxtaposition of a casual tee with more occasion pieces is such a fun way to play with styling and lends a wardrobe staple to be paired with that much more of your closet!

Tee: Uniqlo | Jeans: Zara | Shoes: Sam Edelman | Short Necklace: Missoma | Long Necklace: Mejuri | Earrings: Mejuri

And before I wrap this up, I have a bit of an update. I’ve been missing writing on my blog more and once a week posts didn’t feel like enough. So I’m back to twice a week, for a bit, posting on Tuesdays and the usual Thursdays. As always, thanks for reading this! Let me know your favorite way to style a basic tee and any ways your updating up this classic piece. xx Jessica

Refreshing a Wardrobe Staple