How to Style Plus Size Graphic Tee for women 30 and Up
Ever since I was a teen, one of my favorite things to wear was a graphic tee. It’s such a simple piece of clothing that does so much for your outfit. You can toss it on with jeans and sneakers and you're ready to go. It’s the easiest but cutest outfit you can put put together. However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to take my beloved graphic tee and elevate my outfits to match a more mature style, but still full of fun. So, I’m going to show you some of my favorite ways to style a graphic t-shirt that is mature but still very cute.
OUtfit 1
Styling around the colors and the theme of the shirt is one of my go-to ways to create outfits using graphic tees. This outfit has a bold use of green, blue and orange with hints of earthy neutrals. My goal is to play with a nice mix of everyday casual and street style. I wanted to create an outfit that is perfect for running errands and going to lunch, but still makes a bold and stylish statement.
I started with the graphic tee. I picked this one up from Target’s black history launch this year. This graphic tee drew me in because of the different skin tones and hair styles of each woman. I knew that playing off of the style of the shirt, and the various colors, I could come up with a great casual style. I also love the boldness of the green shirt. I don’t wear a lot of green, but it’s nice to have new colors and pieces to add to my arsenal.
Next, I went with these brown-ish/orange-ish trousers. I picked these because I felt they complemented the splashes of brown and orange shown in the ladies’ hair and skin. The trousers are also from Target. They’re comfortable pants that cuff at the ankle, giving the pants a more laid-back feel. Just a tip: you’ll want to size up if you prefer a looser fit.
I added this oversized denim jacket to add some texture and dimension to the look. I think it goes great with the overall casual style of the outfit.
To complete the look, I added these two-tone wedges. I love how the unique tones of brown and tan match the different skin tones of the women on the shirt. It’s just little details like this that create an interesting outfit. I also added a white belt to play off the white letters in the shirt, while adding another dash of color to the mix.
This outfit is full of bold colors that play so nicely together. Even with there being so many different colors in the outfit, the graphic tee is center stage as the star of the show. It’s a simple graphic, but packs so much interest. This graphic tee ties together the pants and gives the look that edge and street style we were going for. When you build your outfit around the graphic tee, you really create an interesting ensemble that tells such an amazing style story.
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OUtfit 2
Pairing girly shirts with interesting skirts is another way that I love to style graphic tees. This outfit is fun and flirty, and I feel that the vibe totally matches the shirt. There is just something about using a short skirt and a tied up graphic tee that just looks so cool and stylish. This outfit doesn’t have a lot of color, but the mix of different textures and the subtle color and neutral tones from the shirt makes this look work. If you’re looking for something playful but still full of style, this is the look for you.
I started with this tweed skirt. This tweed skirt is more of a brown-ish/cream-ish mix of colors with dabs of white and pink. Those colors are going to play well with the graphic tee I have in mind. I thrifted this skirt around Christmas and haven’t really used it. This skirt leans into business wear and it has not inspired me to create a formal. However, I love styling it with casual pieces to elevate the outfit and give it a little dimension.
Next, I went with this MTV graphic t-shirt. This shirt is an off white color with pinks and blues making up the logo. I thought that the pinks on the shirt would play well with the hints of pink in the skirt. The brown and the major neutral tones in the skirt work well with the shirts’ soft colors. To give it a little something extra, I like to tie it up. Yeah, this isn’t a very long shirt, but I still like to tie it at the waist. I feel it’s better than tucking it in and give it a little flair.
From there, I went with a fitted denim jacket. You can never go wrong with adding a third piece. I felt this outfit needed the jacket to not only pull it together, but to push it firmly to the casual side where we want it. I also love that the dark wash of the denim jacket works well with the pinks and light blues in the shirt.
Finishing the look, I went with these white platform sandals. These shoes are really becoming my spring favorites. They take me back to my younger years without falling too deep into the Y2K trend. Plus, I just really love platform type shoes over pumps. These shoes give me height and also make my legs look long. Paired with this short skirt, it’s giving legs for days and I love it.
I live for these creative and fun looks. I love the mix of textures with the tweed skirt and the denim jacket. Not to mention how well the casual shirt goes with the more formal tweed skirt. I could see myself swapping out the platform sandals for some sneakers for a truly easygoing, everyday look. Mixing different textures and graphics really helps you create something interesting and stylish.
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OUtfit 3
Wearing a blazer and a graphic tee is such a classic outfit combination. Whether it’s paired with jeans or a cool pair of trousers, this is a go-to look that you can always pull out of your arsenal. For this outfit, I wanted to use this simple combination but with a twist.
I started with these black flare jeans. My goal is to create something that feels boho chic, and I feel flare and wide legged pants give the look a bohemian feel. Plus, I want to go with a very neutral color scheme to make the graphic tee pop and this fits the bill.
Next, I went with this graphic tee. Since I’m going for a bohemian look, this colorful and bold tee is perfect. It’s will be the star of the show in a very neutral outfit.
Adding to the look, I used this very interesting corduroy blazer. I thrifted this blazer about two years ago. I fell in love because it’s such a unique piece. I’ve seen corduroy jackets, but never a blazer. I added this blazer to this outfit because it gives texture and interest to the look. It also gives me those free spirit boho vibes that I’m aiming for.
Rounding off the look, I added some black platform heels. I wanted something that will give me some height. Also, platforms just felt like a wonderful choice for this creative outfit.
Overall, I think this is a great twist on the blazer and graphic tee combo. The texture from the corduroy jacket blends nicely with the colorful tee. I adore this boho inspired look. It’s such an interesting take on a classic outfit combination. This look uses different textures and interesting clothing pieces to create an ensemble with lots of flair.
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OUtfit 4
Pairing your graphic tee with trousers is another fun way to create an interesting outfit. For this look, I wanted to work with a more subtle graphic tee while using pops of color. This outfit isn’t really a business casual look, but uses dressier pieces mixed with casual for a unique combination.
I started with these plaid trousers. I got these trousers from Target quite some time ago. Neutral colored plaid pants are a terrific choice for building a dimensional outfit without having to use color. They add so much to the outfit while remaining very simplistic.
From there, I went with this Fleetwood Mac graphic tee. I love that it’s black and white, which gives me so much room to add in colors of my choosing. This shirt is from the men’s section of Target. Never skip the men’s section of stores like Target and Walmart when looking for graphic tees. They run a lot larger and longer, which is why I tucked this one in and added a black belt for a little something extra.
Next, I went with this red cardigan to add a little pop of color to the look. I chose this cardigan because of its more cropped fit. I also wanted to match the slight stripes of red on the pants. The cardigan draws your eye up to not just the sweater but also the graphic tee. Since the graphic design is black and white, it plays nicely with the brightness of the sweater. Finishing the look, I went with a pair of low-profile converse sneakers. This sneaker really pulls out the casualness of the graphic tee and gives the outfit a relaxed look.
I adore outfits that use formal pieces casually. We often limit our wardrobes to a clothing items intended purpose and don’t see its potential to do so much more. An outfit like this mixes casual and business pieces to build a creative outfit that is perfect for everyday. I love the mixing of the black and white graphic with a pop of color. They work so well together and really pull in the design on the plaid pants. Overall, this is an outfit I would certainly put in my repeat collection.
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OUtfit 5
One of my favorite ways to style a graphic tee is to just be random. That’s the fun of graphic tees—the ability to express your creativity. We typically pick graphic tees because they go with a certain color pattern, or because they show off your favorite things or interest. So, for this outfit, I created something eclectic and bold to express what I like. That’s the wonderful thing about style—you dress to express yourself. So, I encourage you to use your graphic tee to create something unique and tailored to your individual style.
I started with this floral slip dress. This dress is from Walmart. I got it last fall, but I love these moody type florals for the springtime too. Slip dresses are fantastic pieces to keep in your closet. They’re perfect on their own, but can also be an excellent layering piece.
Next, I chose this Biggie pop art tee. I know what you’re thinking. Where is she going with this? Well, here is my thought process. There are colors in the flower design like orange and purple that are also in the shirt. Yes, they’re differing graphics, but I kind of like that fact. The floral dress gives it a sweet, feminine feel, while the graphic tee gives it a creative edginess.
Adding to the texture of this outfit, I added a leather jacket. I feel the leather jacket goes great with the graphic tee—again that edginess I stated from before. Then there is the fact that I love to pair very feminine styles with leather pieces.
Finishing things off, I went with these chunky platform sandals from Steve Madden. I thought that the look kind of gave weird 90s vibes. Not because it looks like the 90s. It actually just has a lot of things that remind me of the 90s. So, why not add a shoe that brings home that type of nostalgia, and goes with the slip dress? This one does the job.
This outfit is probably not for everyone. Ultimately, it’s showing that you can use graphic tees as part of an overall creative expression. One of many pieces that helps you build on the canvas to create something special. This outfit is fun and brings me joy, and ultimately that’s the point of style. If you’re not creating to express yourself, what’s the point of creating?
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Graphic tees are amazing pieces to add to your look for a splash of color or creative flair. It’s also nice to have a few graphic tees in your closet for either a quick outfit piece or an interesting piece to help you build a fantastic look.
Stay Bright- Live True- and be Vividly You
Courtney
