Z Investigates: How to Style an Oversized T-Shirt Like a Celeb

Every Zeitgeist girl needs a trusty oversized t-shirt or two (or twenty 🤫) in her closet. On days when you just want to be comfy, there's nothing quite like the familiar feel of your favorite tee. When styled correctly, this humble wardrobe staple can look laid-back and effortlessly chic. 

For a lesson in how to style an oversized t-shirt, we've turned to a few celebrity street style icons. Their chic looks prove that a graphic tee can be worn any place, any time— even to the club. S2G!  

And just FYI, you can style any of these oversized shirt outfits with one of Zeitgeist's signature bleach tie-dye t-shirts or vintage graphic tees. 

 

Zeitgeist Investigates: How to style an oversized t-shirt like your favorite celebs

 

Over  Boyfriend Jeans

Kendall Jenner

Guess Jeans

Guess Jeans

The classic combination of jeans and a tee is a foolproof way to style any oversized t-shirt in your closet. Take it from Kendall Jenner; with the right styling, this timeless look is anything but boring. The blank canvas offers the perfect opportunity to showcase your favorite statement footwear and accessories. 

Kendall's cherry-print vintage Louis Vuitton bag and fishnet heels keep her outfit interesting, while her dressy heels bring balance to the outfit's relaxed silhouette. For a more casual take on Kendall Jenner’s style, swap the heels for white sneakers. 

 

Tucked into High-Rise Jeans

Emma Roberts

Emma Roberts Celebrity Style Oversized T-Shirt
Emma Roberts street style how to style an oversized t-shirt

It's incredible what a difference something as simple as tucking in your shirt can have on the overall look of your outfit. If you ever feel like your jeans-and-tee combo looks a little sloppy, a tucked-in top (perhaps cinched with a black leather belt) will do just the trick. Tucking in an oversized tee helps create an hourglass shape and lengthen your legs.

When tucking in your shirt, stick to relaxed-fit denim as opposed to skinny jeans. Pairing skintight bottoms with an oversized top throws off your proportions and makes your upper half appear boxier. You can't go wrong with a pair of straight-leg jeans like Levi's 501 or Wedgies.

 

As a Dress

Hailey Bieber

Maison Margiela oversized tee

Maison Margiela oversized tee

drew house overstee

drew house oversized tee

The no-pants look is by far one of celebrities' favorite ways to style an oversized shirt. There's just something about intentionally forgetting to put on pants that says, "I'm rich enough to pull this off, and we both know it."

For us common folks, throw on a pair of bike shorts or denim cutoffs underneath your pants-less look to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions. Take a cue from Hailey Bieber’s trend-setting style and pair your oversized shirt with fashion-forward outerwear and accessories. Purposeful styling ensures you don't look like you just rolled out of bed. 

Knee-high boots and leather blazers are two of the biggest trends for Fall/Winter 2021. Leather fabrics add a luxurious touch to the otherwise plain look—especially when paired with gold jewelry.

 

With Full Glam

Rihanna

Made in America tour merch t-shirt

Made in America tour merch t-shirt

Vetements longsleeve tee

Vetements longsleeve tee

If there's one celeb that really knows how to wear an oversized shirt stylishly, it's Rihanna. The fashion designer/musician/absolute boss loves to play with proportion. She often juxtaposes streetwear clothing items— like this tour merch tee from her 2016 Made in American tour— with otherwise formal looks. 

Next time you're headed to happy hour or a night out with the girls, try layering an oversized graphic tee over a slip dress. The contrast is unexpected yet totally on-trend for 2021.

Other than the casual t-shirt, go all-out on the glam. Throw on your go-to heels, a swipe of red Fenty lip paint, and a healthy dose of jewelry. Bonus points for flexing a faux fur coat or scarf like Riri's. 

 

With Sweatpants

Emily Ratajkowski

Come Tees graphic tee, The North Face puffer coat, New Balance sneakers

Come Tees graphic tee, The North Face puffer coat, New Balance sneakers

The North Face puffer jacket

The North Face puffer jacket

As Emily Ratajkowski, the Kardashian clan, and everyone here at Zeitgeist HQ can attest to, an oversized graphic tee and sweatpants is the unofficial official outfit of 2020. The combo is the perfect casual winter outfit when you're working at home or running errands and want to feel at least a little stylish.

In the winter, color-coordinate your outwear with the colorway of your graphic tee. Emily Ratajkowski's green retro puffer and grungy graphic tee add that certain je ne sais quoi to the look that helps it feel intentional. Finish the look with streetwear sneakers, gold hoops, and a sporty baseball hat. 

 

With Bike Shorts & Sneakers

Kim Kardashian

Travis Scott merch tee, YEEZY sneakers

Travis Scott merch tee, YEEZY sneakers

YEEZY sneakers

YEEZY sneakers

Kim Kardashian is the queen of oversized tees and sweatshirts. She loves to sport an oversized Yeezy tee with a pair of bike shorts and futuristic footwear. 

To recreate her look, simply throw on a pair of black bike shorts and an oversized heavyweight tee. In true KKW fashion, finish the 'fit with chain necklaces and a slicked-back hairstyle. Again, careful styling helps the casual outfit look deliberate instead of thrown-together. 

 

Tucked into Trousers

Gigi Hadid

Gigi Hadid street style how to style an oversized t-shirt
Gigi Hadid street style how to style an oversized t-shirt

As a twenty-something, it can be quite a confusing task to understand which items in your closet can be made work appropriate and which ones should be saved for the weekend. If you work in a business casual office, you can absolutely wear an oversized t-shirt— as long as any graphic, phrases, and logos are SFW. 

Paired with wide-leg high-waisted trousers, a graphic tee feels effortlessly chic. Heeled ankle boots ensure your stylish outfit is 100% office apropro. Add a chunky cardigan or boyfriendy blazer to complete your work outfit selfie in the bathroom-worthy look.  

 

With a Mini Skirt 

Zoe Kravitz

Zoe Kravitz how to style a graphic tee
Saint Laurent t-shirt, skirt, and pumps

Saint Laurent t-shirt, skirt, and pumps

For an easy summer outfit, tuck your oversized shirt into a flirty miniskirt like Zoe Kravitz's forest-green pleated tennis skort. The internet's obsession with Serena Williams has helped make the school-girl-inspired tennis skirt one of the most popular styles of skirt.

Stick to minimalist accessories like Zoe's black mini purse and oval sunglasses. If her playful socks and Mary-Janes combo isn't your style, go with old-school sneakers like Nike Air Force 1s or Air Max. 

 

Under a Blazer 

Celine Dion

Want to know the real reason we miss Paris Fashion Week? Celine Dion's incredible street style looks. With the help of her stylist Law Roach, she is unafraid to try new trends and take calculated fashion risks.

During Paris Fashion Week in 2019, Celine sported this chic blazer and oversized shirt outfit. She finished the look with a blue Titanic-inspired pendant (because her heart will go on ppl!!) and simple pointed-toe pumps. The final ensemble feels feminine, chic, and very French. 

 

With  Jeans Shorts

Kaia Gerber 

Madeworn denim shorts, Vans sneakers

Madeworn denim shorts, Vans sneakers

Levi’s denim shorts

Levi’s denim shorts

While we can't all have Kaia Gerber's supermodel-length legs, we can steal her model-off-duty style. Her 90s-inspired outfits often have a laid-back, grungy feel. Paired with combat boots and distressed denim, her t-shirts feel very Kurt Cobain meets Parisian chic. 

 

Under a Denim Jacket 

Selena Gomez 

Selena Gomez street style outfits ways to wear a graphic tee
Selena Gomez outfits how to wear an oversized graphic tee

Let's face it. Denim jackets can be worn with just about anything, so it should come as no surprise that they're perfect for throwing on over your favorite tee. 

Selena Gomez's leggings and oversized shirt outfit is an easy last-minute look for a lazy day. The quirky graphic and crisp white sneakers help tie the whole thing together. 

 

Armed with a Zeitgeist tee and these celebrity-approved ways to style an oversized shirt, you're sure to look stylish no matter the 'fit. 

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How to Recreate Kendall Jenner’ Street Style

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How to Recreate Emily Ratajkowski’s Street Style