the t-shirt: revamped

Its no secret that the t-shirt is a staple in pretty much everyone’s closet. They are hassle and stress free; we throw them on without thinking much because, most often, a t-shirt is just a t-shirt. But what if that t-shirt fits well, looks great on its own, and looks equally as great as a part of an outfit?

When the co-owners of Tiebreak Tees approached us about doing a shoot in their t-shirts, so many outfit ideas came to mind. Not only do they design and print out of Ottawa, but they also aim to spread the local cheer with their designs, which are based on regional and national icons that are recognized as “Canadian”. Going local is definitely something we can get behind, as we like to support local fashion boutiques and small businesses. If you’re looking for a comfy tee that’ll still work with your wardrobe, check these guys out at tiebreaktees.ca

From her | Although I always saw the t-shirt as a functional piece, creating these two different outfits brought new meaning to its versatility. When putting together both of these looks, I wanted to create a contrast to show how a basic tee can be incorporated into casual and dressier day wear.

For my casual outfit, I wanted to show off how a t-shirt could be used to create an edgier look. The pleather skirt, beanie, and studded purse gave it a grungier feel, while the blazer and heart-patterned tights kept the outfit classy. To complete the look, the bright fuchsia lipstick gave my outfit a refreshing pop of colour.

In contrast to my first outfit, I opted for a sweeter, more playful look by using a pastel colour palette. The mint blue pants combined with the pink pleather jacket were the perfect way to make the t-shirt stand out. The nude heels kept the look refined, and didn’t draw focus away from the use of colours. They also elongated my legs, especially since the cigarette pants cropped at my ankles.

Statement accessories are an excellent way to dress up a t-shirt. The body chain added another element to the grunge look, and was an interesting layering piece on top of the t-shirt. The stone necklace and gold-plated belt in my pastel outfit complemented the softer hues.

From him | For men, the humble t-shirt is usually paired with a hoodie and jeans. Although there’s nothing wrong with rocking this everyday look, you don’t need to sacrifice comfort for style. For my more casual outfit, I went for a more relaxed feel with the unbuttoned cargo shirt and simple earthy colours. If you’re unsure about bright colours, opt for neutral hues, as they’re easy to work with and look great on everyone.

Pairing a blazer over a t-shirt is an awesome way to instantly dress up your outfit. If you’re heading to the bar or out for dinner right after work, you can simply swap your collared shirt for your favourite tee. Any basic t-shirt will work, but I find that this works best with a graphic tee or one with an impressive pop of colour. To keep the look sharp, I opted for simple dark wash jeans and wingtips. I gave my outfit a unique spin by wearing some fun, colourful socks. They’re one of my favourite accessories, as I think they give your look some more personality.