Trend Report: T-shirt Dressing
We fully support the desire to spend hours in front of the mirror, trying on clothes, and figuring out the right combination of layers and pieces for an excellent outfit. Of course, there is also something wholly gratifying about the other end of the spectrum, otherwise known as throwing something on and heading out the door. Just to clarify, we're not endorsing lazy dressing (so don’t run off to the land of flip-flops and velour tracksuits), but we are enthusiastic about the effortlessly cool trend of t-shirt dressing.
Around the Who What Wear office, t-shirt dressing refers to the process by which one styles, accessorizes, and wears a plain t-shirt or t-shirt dress to a variety of events. Sorting out the base of this look is a piece of cake (find t-shirt dress, put on t-shirt dress, and voila!), but you must take full advantage of the simple foundation by adding purposefully chosen accessories that show off your personal taste. As there are several ways to style your t-shirt, obviously, we pulled a few images of the celebrities who best illustrate the look.
Former OC gal pals, Rachel Bilson and Mischa Barton, both sported t-shirt dresses last month while out and about in NYC. Bilson complemented her Riller & Fount's Jenny Kimono Mini ($165) with American Eagle's Thin Rivet Belt ($20), Sam Edelman's Gilda Sandals
($85), and Jimmy Choo's Fringe Hobo ($1495). We adore Rachel's ensemble, but also enjoy Barton's manner of approaching the style. She accompanied her dress with a belt cinched at the natural waist and some knee-high fringed boots. If you don't have a t-shirt dress, you can pair an off-the-shoulder tee with a plain skirt as Kate Hudson recently did in Miami. Make the look your own by browsing our closet for a cute vest and patent heels to punch up your outfit.
Perhaps our favorite example in today's trend report is the get-up Zoe Kravitz modeled during a recent event at Milk Gallery in NYC. Kravitz further cemented her place as a style prodigy by elevating a worn-in oversized t-shirt with a pair of thigh-high boots (key for fall!) and vintage accessories. Whichever outfit you favor, we hope this variety of ladies gave you creative ideas for tackling t-shirt dressing. In the event that you don't already have a t-shirt or t-shirt dress on hand, we have narrowed down our favorites so you can get a jump-start on the movement! —Jessica Amento
Bop Basics Scoop Tee Dress ($180)
This dress drapes beautifully and reminds us of the one Mischa Barton recently wore in New York. Dress it up for night with some decorative tights and a sharp pair of stilettos.
Humanoid Long Long Shirtdress ($175)
You'll be tempted to slip into this dress every day thanks to its soft sheer fabric and a Grecian-inspired look. The shirtdress also comes with an optional belt/scarf.
Silence & Noise Scoopneck Tee Dress ($48)
The cuffed sleeves and cute front pocket makes this t-shirt dress stands apart from the rest. You could easily wear it during the day on the weekend, but the plunging back makes it a perfect date dress.
LNA Pocket Racer Back Tank ($58)
In addition to an off-the-shoulder shirt, you can also achieve a Kate Hudson-inspired look by dressing up a semi-sheer tank. We prefer the comfort of LNA's super soft jersey and appreciate the rainbow of colors offered.
Old Navy Metallic Tank Dress ($20)
Take advantage of the remaining summer days in this budget-friendly tank top dress.
Kain T-Shirt/T-Shirt Dresses ($77-$105)
As we mentioned on Monday, we love all of Kain's designs and think many of the brand's pieces are perfect for this trend.
Neal Sperling T-Shirt Dress ($310)
You can carry this trend into the fall months by investing in this long-sleeved version.
Photo of Kate, Rachel, and Zoe, Splash News. Photo of Mischa, InfGoff.
Around the Who What Wear office, t-shirt dressing refers to the process by which one styles, accessorizes, and wears a plain t-shirt or t-shirt dress to a variety of events. Sorting out the base of this look is a piece of cake (find t-shirt dress, put on t-shirt dress, and voila!), but you must take full advantage of the simple foundation by adding purposefully chosen accessories that show off your personal taste. As there are several ways to style your t-shirt, obviously, we pulled a few images of the celebrities who best illustrate the look.
Former OC gal pals, Rachel Bilson and Mischa Barton, both sported t-shirt dresses last month while out and about in NYC. Bilson complemented her Riller & Fount's Jenny Kimono Mini ($165) with American Eagle's Thin Rivet Belt ($20), Sam Edelman's Gilda Sandals
Perhaps our favorite example in today's trend report is the get-up Zoe Kravitz modeled during a recent event at Milk Gallery in NYC. Kravitz further cemented her place as a style prodigy by elevating a worn-in oversized t-shirt with a pair of thigh-high boots (key for fall!) and vintage accessories. Whichever outfit you favor, we hope this variety of ladies gave you creative ideas for tackling t-shirt dressing. In the event that you don't already have a t-shirt or t-shirt dress on hand, we have narrowed down our favorites so you can get a jump-start on the movement! —Jessica Amento
Bop Basics Scoop Tee Dress ($180)
This dress drapes beautifully and reminds us of the one Mischa Barton recently wore in New York. Dress it up for night with some decorative tights and a sharp pair of stilettos.
Humanoid Long Long Shirtdress ($175)
You'll be tempted to slip into this dress every day thanks to its soft sheer fabric and a Grecian-inspired look. The shirtdress also comes with an optional belt/scarf.
Silence & Noise Scoopneck Tee Dress ($48)
The cuffed sleeves and cute front pocket makes this t-shirt dress stands apart from the rest. You could easily wear it during the day on the weekend, but the plunging back makes it a perfect date dress.
LNA Pocket Racer Back Tank ($58)
In addition to an off-the-shoulder shirt, you can also achieve a Kate Hudson-inspired look by dressing up a semi-sheer tank. We prefer the comfort of LNA's super soft jersey and appreciate the rainbow of colors offered.
Old Navy Metallic Tank Dress ($20)
Take advantage of the remaining summer days in this budget-friendly tank top dress.
Kain T-Shirt/T-Shirt Dresses ($77-$105)
As we mentioned on Monday, we love all of Kain's designs and think many of the brand's pieces are perfect for this trend.
Neal Sperling T-Shirt Dress ($310)
You can carry this trend into the fall months by investing in this long-sleeved version.
Photo of Kate, Rachel, and Zoe, Splash News. Photo of Mischa, InfGoff.
Just don't try this look unless you are really pretty.
Posted by: kris | 2008-08-04 17:25:20
mischa bartons dress is made by my friends design label called electric feathers. http://www.electricfeathers.com/home.html
Posted by: lara Hodulick | 2008-07-23 15:32:16
i usually love mischa but this is really bad. haha chewbacca, i totally agree. i think the general idea is good but the examples of the celebs are pretty bad. and kate h, i love you but... find a new vest please!!! also, zoes tee is good, but someone please wash her hair for her, she seems incapable of doing it.
Posted by: lolita | 2008-07-23 11:59:57
this look is gross. It seems so cheap.
Posted by: sienna | 2008-07-21 07:35:22
who knows where I can get a headband like the one Zoe's got? It's super cute!!!
Posted by: dana | 2008-07-19 13:40:56
Mischa Barton looks great. the shirt is a great fit, or not fit, and the boots add to the bohemian feel. check out my blog at http://omowrites.blogspot.com. THANKS! xo, S.
Posted by: Samantha | 2008-07-18 23:33:14
not really digging any of the looks here. i like t-shirt dresses, just none of the gals pictured here can pull that off.
Posted by: dar | 2008-07-18 12:32:16
Rachel Bilson is my personal fav. the gladiators just make it.
Posted by: Beth | 2008-07-17 12:52:38
Zoe looks stunning. she's my fave :)
Posted by: LovesGemma | 2008-07-17 12:08:28
Yeah, Zoe does look drugged out. I thoroughly enjoyed wearing my Rogan for Target t-shirt dress with a low-slung belt and pretty scarf yesterday. It's the only t-shirt dress I have and I really want another one! I can't deal with tank dresses, though, except under something else (and layers ain't conducive to the hot weather here) because I'm paranoid about my shoulders getting burned, even with sunscreen on.
Posted by: Ginge | 2008-07-17 11:33:43
Mischa shouldn't be allowed to dress herself, and if she does have stylist she should be fired.
Posted by: me | 2008-07-17 11:33:23
zoe looks like a crack head.. nice boots though.
Posted by: mom | 2008-07-17 02:06:23
mischa barton = CATASTROPHIC.
Posted by: fashionlov3r | 2008-07-16 22:43:07
are you serious? has it really gotten this bad that you have to include an old trend like this? no doubt it is tres chic, but was there really a need to have a post on this so late? and include a terrible outfit by kate hudson>
Posted by: serena | 2008-07-16 21:27:38
really? ok.
Posted by: runawaygallery | 2008-07-16 16:55:27
i love this look. i have a couple of possible tees that would work this way, but what do you wear underneath? shorts might be too bulky? i'm too afraid to just wear undies...any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by: betsy | 2008-07-16 16:46:13
Taylor Locke's arm! I wish I had that accessory...
Posted by: Alessa | 2008-07-16 15:21:35
Bilson's done it again although kudos to Zoe for not looking like a streetwalker in those boots. This is so easy for a hot summer evening!
Posted by: MEP | 2008-07-16 15:16:38
How can you not love the tee-shirt dress?! Although it can be a little hard to pull off if aren't slim. I have to agree with the others here and say that yes, Mischa is totally channeling Sasquatch, haha. She tends to come off in a way that's too...I dunno, obvious? Just my opinion. Oh, and I would like to own every piece Kain has out right now!!!
Posted by: brie | 2008-07-16 13:55:11
love this trend -- it's a perfect 'beat the heat' strategy, esp for petite women. james perse always has some great options --
Posted by: nicole | 2008-07-16 12:45:54
rachel looks great as usual. and lol @ mischa, seriously...those boots!
Posted by: juana | 2008-07-16 11:55:30
WWW TV will be back on July 30th
Posted by: LovesGemma | 2008-07-16 11:54:33
Rachel looks very cool! I will definately by purchasing a baggy grey shirt-dress like hers. Mischa's boots are hideous.
Posted by: Amy | 2008-07-16 11:48:59
This is one trend I will definitely not be following. I think effortless is one good word to describe this look... homeless is another.
Posted by: Ashley | 2008-07-16 11:28:53
I love this look, because it comes across as both effortless, yet chic. ((*my daily blog*)) -- http://fashionchalet.blogspot.com
Posted by: Fashion Chalet | 2008-07-16 11:21:45
I saw a really cute blue one with a brown belt around it on my way to school.
Posted by: Champagne | 2008-07-16 11:11:47
Zoe & Rachel look great!
Posted by: Taylor | 2008-07-16 10:49:33
Mischa barton looks like chewbacca
Posted by: lonni | 2008-07-16 10:31:50
great looks, but this trend has been around for quite awhile already.
Posted by: th.dany | 2008-07-16 08:22:52
Hey I like this blog and am a HUGE fan of WWWDtv. Check out my blog and my friend's blog at www.PeopleKlick.com! Site drops 08.08.08! :)
Posted by: Jen | 2008-07-16 07:21:42
Kate, Zoe and Rachel look the best I hate Mischa's boots and what happened to WWWTV!
Posted by: Camilla | 2008-07-16 05:57:59
american apparel has a good version for only $36. this is something i'd like to also wear in the fall for school with the right accesories.
Posted by: rachel | 2008-07-16 05:47:46
I love how zoe kravitz is wearing it and how she's accesorized it, i want her hairband. not a fan of over the knee boots usually but they actually look tasteful and unique on her. iheartfashionxxx.blogspot.com
Posted by: Ja xxx | 2008-07-16 05:03:02
The Humanoid shirtdress is actually on sale for $122.50!
Posted by: Sophie | 2008-07-16 04:15:30
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Posted by: myohmy | 2008-07-16 03:21:30
I love how's Rachel Bilson's wearing it!!! I actually bought something similar from American apparel last summer & i love it!
Posted by: Ally | 2008-07-16 00:45:13