Graphic tees are an easy way to coolify your denim or perk up your joggers. I have had an influx of graphic tee requests from my clients and want to make sure everyone knows how to rock these tops. And may I remind you that age should not prevent you from enjoying a graphic tee. You just need to find the right ones. Many graphic t-shirts for women can look too young, especially with all the inane slogans and graphics printed out there. And the fit alone can be enough to make a stylish adult woman turn away. Tight or overly boxy tees are not delightful choices. But the right graphic t-shirt that flatters your torso, and charms you with its imagery is a treat. You can still look age-appropriate, but feel youthful, fun, and, maybe even a little edgy.
Best Graphic Tee Brands – Where To Buy Graphic Tees
I just did a massive search for graphic t-shirts for one of my clients. I pursued my usual haunts and also found some new spots for the best graphic tees. As with any designer, keep in mind that no brand bats 100. In fact, when I recommend the brands below, I am referring to a small portion of their selection. So, when I recommend, say, Lucky Brand for their graphic t-shirts, I am saying that each season this brand probably has 1 perfect graphic t-shirt, and at best, 3 amazing graphic t-shirts. The rest may be too trendy, too cheesy, or just not fresh enough.
- Lucky Brand: Lucky Brand is one of the best brands for flattering graphic t-shirts for adult women. The fit is always that flattering, a-line silhouette that cups the breasts, nips in at the waist, and releases into an a-line at that perfect moment when our bellies need a bit of space. And, of course, the graphics are fun and beautiful. Plus, they make most of their graphic t-shirts in plus sizes as well. Just be careful with some of their overzealous and paisley tees.
- Sol Angeles: Sol Angeles graphic t-shirts are soft, yummy, and often sport charming fonts with simple sayings that don’t make me cringe. The silhouettes of the graphic t-shirts that I recommended below are not as obviously flattering as the other t-shirts recommended, but still very slimming. When shopping Sol Angeles, steer clear of the boring and cheesy ones.
- Anthropologie: I know Anthropologie is technically a department store that doesn’t have an in-house brand that specifically creates graphic t-shirts for women, but their selection is too delicious not to mention. If I am on the search for a charming graphic t-shirt, Anthropologie is where I go.
- J.Crew: J.Crew is back y’all! Their comeback is marvelous. I used to utilize them for my clients constantly, but it’s been years since I have felt satiated by their general selection. After a long hiatus, I am excited to tell you it’s worthy again for more than the occasional pant or blazer purchase. I am especially excited to see their graphic t-shirt selection is coming back. They used to be my main go-to source for graphic tees. I wouldn’t say that their full graphic glory has returned, but I just had to give you the good news!
Other stores I love to browse for the best graphic tees are Free People, ModCloth, Daydreamer, and of course, you can keep scrolling down in the post to see all my recent picks.
How To Wear Graphic Tees
Graphic tees are so supremely versatile the question shouldn’t be how to wear graphic tees, it should be how not to wear them (don’t worry, I’ll discuss both). There are only four real no-nos I’d like to mention when shopping for and styling graphic t-shirts …
- Don’t wear them untucked with wider-leg pants.
- Wearing tight graphic tees with low-waisted pants is a breeding ground for muffin tops.
- Skip graphic tees with stiff graphics.
- If you are busty, skip high-neck graphic t-shirts. Instead, go for tees with a scoop neck.
In terms of how to wear your graphic tees, they pair wonderfully with every kind and style of denim. Jeans and graphic tees are like Laverne & Shirley. I especially love to see a graphic tee under a denim-on-denim look. A graphic tee under a casual blazer is also a good choice. Beyond jeans, I appreciate graphic tees with any casual pants and leather skirts
#1 How To Wear Graphic Tees Tip: No matter what item you wear on the bottom of your outfit, a longer graphic tee will look best if you tuck it in or tie it at your waist. If that is too much for you, go for a cropped graphic tee…
How To Wear Cropped Graphic Tees
Cropped graphic tees are perhaps more versatile than a longer graphic tee. They pair with everything a longer tee does without having to tuck them in. Plus, a cropped tee is required to proportionally please certain looks. For instance, sweatpants, workout leggings, lower-waisted pants, and joggers require a cropped tee. Try tucking a longer tee into any of these pants and you will notice how unflattering it looks. You can also tie a graphic tee at the waist if your top is longer, but most of my clients enjoy a break from fiddling with their shirts.
How To Wear Oversized Graphic Tees
The oversized graphic tee can be interesting, but first, size down — way down. I like them best fully tucked into high-waisted leather skirts. Another option is belting them at the waist and pairing them with fitted shorts. And I do believe that it has been long enough in the style cycle that an oversized graphic tee with leggings could be fresh.
Tucking an oversized t-shirt into jeans is difficult. Don’t let that model featured above fool you. It’s usually just too much fabric. Try it though, and tell me how it goes in the comments.
Best Graphic T-Shirts For Women
Above and below are all the best graphic tees I’ve put on myself and clients recently. I’ll keep adding more graphic Tees for women as I come across more amazing ones I must share with you.
Golden Hour Capri Italy Mermaid Graphic T-Shirt
Size Range: XS-XL
Fabric Content: 100% Cotton
MOTHER The Rowdy Fruit Tee
This graphic tee is available at Anthropologie, Bloomingdale’s and MOTHER.
Size Range: XS-XL
Fabric Content: 100% Cotton
Original Retro Brand Vintage Tee
Size Range: XS-XL
Fabric Content: 100% Cotton
Clare V. Ciao Sweatshirt
This oversized graphic sweatshirt is available at Anthropologie, Clare V. and Shopbop.
Size Range: XS-XL. Runs large.
Fabric Content: Polyester, cotton, rayon
Anthropologie Let Luv Bowie 1973 Tee
Size Range: XXS-XL
Fabric Content: 100% cotton
Daydreamer Stevie Nicks Scoop Neck Tee
This flattering graphic tee is available at Free People, Daydreamer, and Garmentory.
Size Range: XS-XL
Fabric Content: 100% Cotton
AllSaints Clavon Imogen Cotton Graphic Tee
Size range: XS/S-M/L. Order a size down for a less baggy look.
Fabric content: 100% cotton
Loft Amalfi Coast Everyday Crew Tee
Size range: XXS-XXL
Fabric content: 92% Cotton 8% Spandex
Daydreamer Fleetwood Mac Rumours U-Neck Tee
This graphic tee is available at Free People and Daydreamer.
Size Range: XS-XL
Fabric Content: 100% Cotton
Anine Bing Tiger Tee
This tee is available at Revolve, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Anine Bing, and Shopbop.
Size range: XS-XL. Order a size down for a less baggy look.
Fabric content: 100% cotton
J. Crew Classic-fit lighthouse graphic T-shirt
Size range: XXS-XXXL. True to size.
Fabric content: 100% cotton
Etsy Vote Shirt
Size range: S-XXL
Fabric content: 100% cotton, heather colors are 50 % – 50 % Poly-Cotton blend
Sol Angeles Trio Palmas Crewneck T-Shirt
Size range: XS-XL
Fabric content: 100% cotton
Letluv Queen Graphic Tee
Size range: XXS-XL
Fabric content: 100% cotton
Madewell Fruit Bowl Graphic Softfade Cotton Boxy-Crop Tee
Size range: XXS-XXL
Fabric Content: Cotton
Lucky Brand Foil Garden Tee
Size range: XS-XXL. Order your usual size as well as a size down to compare.
Fabric content: 50% cotton, 50% polyester
Maeve Postcard Graphic Tee
Size range: XXS-XL
Fabric content: 100% cotton
Sezane La Chamde T-Shirt
Size range: XXS-XXXL
Fabric content: 100% cotton
Banner Day Let it Shine Tee
Size range: XS-XL
Fabric content: 100% linen
Lucky Brand Phases Classic Crewneck Graphic T-Shirt
This tee is available at Nordstrom and Lucky Brand.
Size range: XS-XXL
Fabric content: 100% cotton
The Laundry Room Mimosa Oversize Tee
Size range: XS-XL. Order a size down for a less baggy look.
Fabric content: 50% cotton, 50% modal
South Parade Lola Round Neck Tee Evil Eye
Size range: XS-XL
Fabric content:100% Pima Cotton
Real Fun, Wow! Tigers Graphic Tee
Size range: XXS-XL True to size.
Fabric content: Polyester, cotton, rayon
Best Graphic T-Shirts From Years Past
I originally wrote this post years ago and update it regularly due to its popularity. I’ve left these photos below for nostalgic purposes. Whenever I update older posts, I love to hold on to a collection of images as a bit of a time capsule so we can watch how our style evolves.
J.Crew Short-sleeve “Honolulu” T-shirt
Forever 21 Patrick Nagel Graphic T-Shirt
Lucky Brand Bouquet Tee
Anthropologie Marcello Velho Sunlight Graphic T-Shirt
Free People Wrangler Oversized Tiger Tee
Free People We The Free Woodstock Clarity Ringer Tee
Free People Midnight Rider Circling Tigers Tee
Lulus Prince Peter Coachella Valley Black Cropped Tee
Free People We The Free Showtime Tee
Urban Outfitters Cosmic Floral T-Shirt Dress
