WIW: Book-Nerd Graphic Tee - YouLookFab Forum

Category

What I Wore

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

WIW: Book-Nerd Graphic Tee

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Hey look! Actual photos with my actual camera instead of iPhone-selfies in the mirror. I don't like it. I look much slimmer in my happy mirror. This is probably truer to life, though.

I'm just working at home today and supervising while the teenager has friends over. I love this graphic tee with the library due dates, but I don't really love it on me. I think it's the athletic gray color. That marled gray always reminds me of junior high PE, and I don't think it's particularly flattering on me. It's better with the blazer, but the topper only lasted about halfway through the day, until it warmed up enough to go without.

Comments/suggestions?

Wearing: black Target ponte knit blazer, Out of Print library due date tee, Eddie Bauer Horizon capris in black cherry, black Converse Chuck Taylor oxfords, leather and brass necklace, vintage cuff

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

View Info

Burberry Burberry BE2129 Eyeglasses

View Info

Top Pick

3

View Info

Converse Chuck Taylor® All Star® Core Ox

View Info

Top Pick

4

Women's Horizon Capris

View Info

Top Pick

5

View Info

23 replies

Latest reply was from Jenn

Astrid

Veteran

Well I can't say anything against the library due date tee... I have the library card tote. I think I would leave the necklace off and try to go lighter overall with the rest of your look.Maybe try it in a "smart casual with graphic tee" outfit?

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

I'm kind of digging the gray tee on you but then I like that tone of gray. You can try wearing white cropped or ankle pants as an idea.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, can you explain what you mean by ""smart casual with graphic tee"? I'm having a hard time picturing this tee making the leap to smart casual. (Also, I love that you have that tote!)

citygirldc, thank you. I have to confess, I have no pure white items in my wardrobe. I...um...spill a lot of coffee.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks - I'm a librarian. Basically I mean comfortable but smart looking clothes with the tee. The blazer goes in the right direction. How about pairing it with a skirt and dressier shoes other than sneakers?

Aida

Veteran

For working from home this very casual outfit is probably quite appropriate.

I am fond of that shade of gray like Citygirl, buuuuut I look for tees that have details that make them look less like... tees. So things like: fluid or roomy through the body, different sleeve shape than the standard t-shirt cut (like flutter, elbow length, diagonal etc.), curved hemlines, and not crew neck.

Styled this way, with the cargo crops and sneakers, puts it squarely
into casual to me. I see what Astrid is saying about dressing the tee up
to make it feel less tee-like though -- Pair with, say, dark
skinny/straight jeans and pointy flats and that same blazer (for fall or
cooler days, obviously), and let the tee be the only "really casual"
piece (as opposed to being one of several casual pieces). Maybe not for
working-from-home unless you felt this wasn't dressy enough for work.

A non-tee tee like I described above, those I like to use for casual outfits because they add a little dressy element; tees like this that are decidedly casual I like to use in smart-casual outfits because they dress the look down.

E

Veteran

If you don't feel great in the colour, how about adding a lighhtweight scarf in a colour you do like? You could wear it cowl-style so it's not interfering with the graphic print. Or a chunkier necklace in a flattering shade. I think it's a fun casual look as is, but I like Astrid and Aida's suggestions for smartening it up too.

Also, depending on the focal length of your camera & where it is in relation to you, photos can totally lie. So trust your mirror. Although you look lovely in these photos, imo.

Sidenote: I love the idea of the Out of Print tees, but I've never bought one for myself because either the colour, book, or neckline (I don't do v necks) are always off. But now I think I'll just copycat Astrid & get the tote instead, side skirting all of those issues!

Word Lily

Veteran

I love that shirt! I agree that it'd be nice to showcase it in a dresser outfit.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I think you hit it, Aida, in that this tee is just too tee-ish. The print is great, but the color, the cut, and the sleeves are all straight-up t-shirt. I have a pretty casual life that involves working from home all but a few days a month, but my tastes skew slightly dressier, so I'm more likely to want an "up" element in my casual wear then a "down" element in smart-casual wear.

I do love the print, though, so I'll try this again in some different combinations before I give up. E, obviously I hear you on the Out of Print tees being simultaneously cool in concept and not-quite-right. And I do love scarves, so I'll try that, but I fear the color issue is more mental than anything. Apparently, I was really scarred by gym classes.

Thank you, WordLily!

Word Lily

Veteran

I can never buy the cool graphic tees I see because I'm picky. Either they're not all cotton, or they're printed on a shirt brand that doesn't fit me, or not available in the options I want (colors, shape, etc.)

rachylou

Veteran

I like the outfit, but I think Aida has a good point.

E

Veteran

LOL

I was fortunate to be able to stop taking gym after 9th grade. And I've wiped all of the memories of it during middle school (the traumatic years for me) from my mind. That way I can be happy with my greys.

Staysfit

Veteran

I happen to love the library due date print! I am trying to make myself believe that an awesome graphic print can minimize some minor style flaws in a tee. In my case, my DH purchased a tee for me in China last month while he was there for a business trip. The print is fabulous, the tee style is meh. I'm going to wear the tee and put a smile on my face! Right! After all, it's going to be hard to return or exchange it now!!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Hi Jenn. The easiest way to dress 'up' that outfit would be full length pants. I like the unexpected mix of trousers mixed with tshirts. Chinos are good too. So cotton pants that fit well and have a dressier vibe about them (when compared to shorts, capris and distressed jeans) look surprisingly good with casual tshirts, making the outfit smart-casuals, instead of just casual.

So, like Aida says, pair your casual tees with dressier bottoms, including skirts. And dressier floaty, drapey tops with casual bottoms - like these capris.

Btw you look pretty good for working from home. You look cool and comfortable....thought I have to say you looked 'happier' in iPhone photos! There are no smiling photos today!

celia

Veteran

I like that t-shirt on you. Although I have the same issue with that shade of grey but I like Aida's suggestion.
The outfit is super fun and I would wear it in a heartbeat.

jackiec

Veteran

I love the tshirt! It makes me laugh. I think you look great.

kerlyn

Veteran

I think it looks great...casual and a little funky! And the cuff bracelet is awesome!

Anonymous

I totally get what you mean about wanting an "up" element in your casual wear rather then a "down" element in smart attire - sounds
Iike you are really figuring out your style! I love the suggestions that others have made about how to elevate the tee with nicer pieces come the fall, and agree that it would look nice. But if that doesn't fit your lifestyle or style vision, there's nothing wrong with just treating it as a cute logo tee and wearing it with shorts for working-out/dog-walking/gardening, etc.
As for middle school gym class, i'm from the era where we wore those one-piece rompers - UGH!
ETA, that brass cuff is so cool!!

deb

Veteran

I like the tee. How about changing the black jacket for a brighter one? That would make the tee look less gym like.

Anonymous

I didn't respond before because I just wasn't sure what to say. To me, it looks really great, especially with the jacket.
You could also do a lower vamp shoe with this, or maybe sandals.

catgirl

Veteran

Love this color combo!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, kerlyn, smittie, celia, jackiec, and alaskagirl. Wow, you guys have made me feel a lot more positive about this outfit.

Good suggestion, deb! Most of my jackets are pretty muted, but maybe a cardigan?

Ryce, yes! I'm still going to play with options, because I think this is a fun tee to wear out and about, but I start every single morning out in workout gear and end every evening in loungewear, so there will always be options.

Maneera, it's hard to compose my face for a timed photo than in front of a mirror! I think you're right about the long pants. I really need to sort out my pants options, because I basically have nothing right now.

Staysfit, you made me smile. Thank you.

L'Abeille

Veteran

A year or two ago, Angie posted an ensemble with a graphic T and pencil skirt. I remember it because I tried it, on a double-date movie night with another couple. (And got zero feedback, but whatever.) It involved a T-shirty T like yours, with the other elements dressier--pencil skirt, nice shoes (heels or booties),and some kind of topper--I wore a leather jacket with somewhat ladylike detailing. Someone more versed than I might find it in the archives for you. That's what Astrid reminded me of, though--subbing in one casual item with some flair (like your T shirt) into a slightly dressier look can give a great vibe.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I do remember that, L'Abeille. I'll have to search for it. I recall pulling out an awesome plaid pencil skirt I had at the time to try it out.