Graphic tees were once our favorite middle school way to show off our personality, but now that we’re in college, the trend is all grown up. Trade the old-school rhinestones and glitter for minimalist typefaces, chic phrases, black-and-white photographs and funky band logos on your favorite tee and draw the kind of attention to your look that’s bound to get a conversation going.

With designer labels such as Acne and 3.1 Phillip Lim bringing graphic tees to the runway, you can never run out of inspiration for how to wear this season’s “It” item. Pair them with anything from skinny jeans to maxi skirts to cargos, and look to “It” girls of the past and present for fresh ways to style your tee.

Retro Cool

Doris Huang | Staff Photographer

Retro tees were made for bell-bottoms. Channel your inner ’70s babe in a breezy tee that can be easily tucked into classic flares. Complete the look with black-and-white converse or your favorite pair of retro sneaks to keep your ensemble playful. Tall and leggy girls, you’re in luck, because bell-bottoms add crazy length while playing up your best feature. Go even more on-trend and find bell-bottoms with frayed hems to make your look especially breezy. Can’t find a pair? Check the thrift store and DIY. Look to ’70s icons such as Farrah Fawcett and Debbie Harry for a tomboy cool that looks more “one of the boys” rather than “The Brady Bunch.” Keep your accessories to a minimum with carefully-selected rings and allow your hair to fly free like those fabulous girls of the ’70s.

Mod Squad

Doris Huang | Staff Photographer

Button-up minis are all the rage in the British street-style circuit. Girl it up with a femme tee emblazoned with a chic quote. Mini skirts are all about accentuating the legs, so make them appear even longer with a pair of preppy pointy-toed loafers. Check out It-Brits such as Alexa Chung and Suki Waterhouse for inspiration on how to take looks like this to the next level. Suede is this season’s fabric and can make any outfit look like you put in a little extra effort without trying too hard. This look can transition from the classroom to the street with the right accessories, such as a bracelet stack, or go for drama with a wide-brimmed hat. You’re bound to have all eyes on you with this.

Vintage Pretty

Doris Huang | Staff Photographer

Look to one of the most stylish Old Hollywood icons, Audrey Hepburn, for inspiration on how to bring her classic look to the present. Cigarette jeans were a staple in her closet, as they’re easy to wear and go with everything. Pay homage to the style legend by pairing her image with none other than her jean of choice. The slim-fit goes well with a perfect pair of pointy heels or ballerina flats, plus a structured blazer that takes your easy graphic tee up a notch to business casual. Just be prepared for a roundtable discussion of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” at your next meeting thanks to your conversation-starting tee. Swap the cigarette pants for a swingy midi-skirt and swipe on a red lip to transition from work to date night.

Rocker Chic

Doris Huang | Staff Photographer

Throw on your best vintage band tee and slip on a slinky skirt for an edgy-meets-sexy ensemble that can take you from the concert hall to the bar to a night on the town. The older and more worn the shirt, the better. Rocker accessories like heavy metal rings and bracelets complement the edgy zippers on the skirt. Pair this look with a lightweight cross-body bag that won’t distract from the rest of your ensemble. The tee is bound to get a conversation going with another cute music fan across the way, and before you know it, you’ll be swapping numbers just as fast as you swapped trivia facts. For maximum fun, don’t forget to finish off the look with your best pair of ankle boots made for walkin’.

Published on March 21, 2016 at 8:23 pm

Contact Taylyn: twashi01@syr.edu