There’s More Than One Way to Wear a Striped Shirt

Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Getty Images

By now, you’ve assembled your steady roster of fall essentials: the perfect jeans, an easy-to-throw-on sweater, and the right pair of boots, but do you have a striped T-shirt? Like a classic white tee, it’s a versatile wardrobe staple that blends into your uniform while adding variety in color and pattern. You can pair a skinny striped short-sleeve tee with white jeans, or a wide-striped black-and-beige long-sleeve shirt from Phoebe Philo with a sleek gray skirt. Stripes have long been part of fashion, and brands like La Ligne have even built their entire business around the print, whereas designers like Jean Paul Gaultier have routinely used stripes as part of their house code. However, stripes seem to have seen renewed emphasis in recent seasons. Perhaps this is partly due to the preppy resurgence, as seen in recent showings by Polo Ralph Lauren and Ossou.

Below, you’ll find eight stripe-filled looks that show the pattern’s full range and styling tips you can use throughout fall.

The Pattern Clash

Although stripes can stand on their own in an outfit, that doesn’t mean you can’t also introduce another pattern into the mix. The key to mixing and matching patterns is to include at least one shared color in both, then play with the print’s scale so the two items feel distinct yet complementary. To avoid swimming in color and patterns, ground the look with neutral pieces like cargo pants, sleek hiking shoes, and an easy-to-throw-on shoulder bag.

The Unexpected Color Combination

For an outfit saturated in color, use a striped shirt to bridge the high-octane tones of a purple cashmere sweater and casual khaki chinos. Because the striped shirt here isn’t just one block of solid green, but rather a series of thin horizontal stripes, it makes pairing the two colors a tad easier on the eye. To polish up the look, go for a croc-embossed kitten heel rather than a slipper or sneaker.

The Downtown Stripe

Style a slim-fit, dark-hued stripe shirt with a pair of slim, high-waisted pants, a slightly oversized leather bomber jacket, and oversized sunglasses for a chic downtown-ready look. A pair of brownish-red booties helps introduce another color into the mix without overwhelming the outfit.

Consider Adding a Layer

With fall in full swing, so is the mandate for layering. To ensure maximum warmth as the chill sets in, layer a white mock-neck top underneath a long-sleeve striped shirt and a tailored wool blazer. To keep the overall menswear-inspired look, pair them with tailored trousers and Oxford shoes.

Give the Stripe the Evening Treatment

Take some of the preciousness out of a satin slip dress by pairing it with a striped shirt. Wear it on top to create the illusion of a skirt, which is the more conventional option; alternatively, layer it underneath the slip dress for a ’90s grunge look, or even tie it around your waist to add some dimension. Finish with a trench coat in a similar satin fabric for an elegant touch, plus mother-of-pearl earrings and a navy clutch. Wear this look to your next event when the dress code calls for something above business casual.

The Clashing of Stripes

Don’t be afraid to style two stripes together in one outfit. Similar to mixing and matching patterns and prints, the key here is to choose stripes in a similar color palette and play with the stripe’s proportions. To tie the outfit together, consider an olive-green quilted jacket, a cotton poplin skirt (which you can probably wear for a few more weeks before it gets too chilly)—and a pair of camel knee-high boots.

The Cool Minimalist Option

Y2K layering has been trending this year, so try the look by pairing a ribbed tank top over a long-sleeve striped T-shirt. To keep the silhouette clean and minimal, pair it with straight-leg white jeans and a low-profile shoulder bag. Finish with suede driving shoes you can wear for everyday errands and to the office.

Going Back to School

Autumn brings collegiate-inspired fall favorites back into the wardrobe like argyle prints and corduroy. Pair these pieces with a dark red striped T-shirt to tie the outfit together. Ground the look with cozy shearling flats and a statement ring for added intrigue.

Why trust Harper’s Bazaar?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion, beauty, and lifestyle resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in fashion by working with the world’s leading authorities in ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, and more. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of editors and industry experts.

Source link