Elevate Your Summer Outfits With These T-Shirt Alternatives
Do you ever suddenly “go off” a style that’s been a wardrobe staple for years? That’s where I’ve landed with plain t-shirts. This summer, I’ve benched most of mine in favor of tops with a bit more structure, detail, and polish, and my outfits feel all the better for it. If you’re looking for stylish alternatives to t-shirts that still offer comfort and ease, here are a few of my current favorites.
Knit summer tops
Lightweight knits are a mainstay of my summer and early fall wardrobe. They’re comfortable, layer well, and add a textural contrast to my linen pieces.
A crochet-look vest adds subtle texture but still allows plenty of air flow. A sleeveless style like this one looks good on its own, but is also easy to layer under a jacket or cardigan.
Similar styles:
Marine Layer | AllSaints | Vince Camuto | Halogen | Madewell | Vince Camuto
My sizes: Top – Small, Pants – Petite Medium
And if you prefer something with a sleeve, this cotton-linen blend open stitch top from rag & bone is SO good…also quite breathable. It’s as easy to wear as a t-shirt, but a more polished and interesting alternative.
This “featherweight” cashmere shell from J.Crew is comfortable on all but the hottest days, and is currently on sale, along with the cardigan! (I’ve been wearing mine quite often, and am delighted to report that they haven’t pilled. At all. )
Woven summer tops
Cool and breezy, and just as easy as a t-shirt…
My sizes: Vest – 6, Jeans – 28
A button-front vest like this one gives you lots of styling options. You can wear during the warmer months on its own, and later over a tee or shirt. (Everyone has their own comfort level around going sleeveless, but this was the year I decided to quit worrying about the less-than-smooth skin on my arms. If someone doesn’t like it, they can look away.)
Similar vest styles:
Everlane | J.Crew | Talbot’s | Aritzia | Open Edit | Eileen Fisher
A camp or eyelet shirt is another easy throw-on-and-go style that dials up the look. This one is still available in other colors, and here are a few more eyelet and camp shirt options:
Faherty | Madewell | Bobeau | Liverpool Los Angeles | J.Crew | Everlane | Eileen Fisher
And of course, a relaxed linen or cotton poplin shirt is always a winner. (You can also wear it open as a lightweight top layer over a shell, tank, or tee.) Go neutral, or have fun with color or stripes.
Whether you’re dressing for brunch, errands, or travel days, these t-shirt alternatives offer that same casual comfort but with a little more intention. I’ve found that even small style shifts like these can make getting dressed feel fresh and a bit more fun. Have you found a favorite go-to top this season that’s replaced your plain tees?
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We are in the dog days here in the Midwest! I like a lightweight peasant style top in cotton, linen or gauze. It gives some AC warmth inside, and it is loose enough for the short periods of time I’m outside this time of year. Little sweaters are cute but expensive for what they are and hard for me to find in colors other than black/white/navy -and even a true white is hard to find. Like none of the JC feather weight shells are in a color for me. I’m also starting to embrace polo collar shirts. I wore a silky one yesterday to jury duty under a classic cardigan and liked it.
I have been eyeing the Rag & Bone top- but I’m a winter. Will it suit me? Thanks
Hi Susan, I do think that one would be too warm for most Winters. Here’s a similar style that looks close to Winter’s Cranberry: https://bit.ly/46VGNZm. And here’s something in white (better for Winters): https://bit.ly/457I1yj. And this one in black: https://bit.ly/4m2RuxC
Thanks ~
I go through the same stages. I was so hoping to get to a JCrew to see the ‘Garden Rose” color of your twinset in person, but no luck. Now that I know I can incorporate brights into my colors, do you mind sharing whether that leans toward red, or a hot coral pink? which is what I am looking for.
Hi Pamela, the Garden Rose is a close match to Flamingo Pink in the Spring palette. It’s a slightly warm, very bright pink. (Warmer than Shocking Pink in the Winter palette, but not quite a coral.)
Thank you. The NDU color chart I was given for Light Summer has a lot of brights (summer leaning toward spring), but unfortunately only numbers, not names. I will try to eyeball it.
I only recently discovered Marine Layer and really like some of the crochet-like tops they’re currently offering. As a tall woman, I love this vest and know I’ll wear it year-round (please feel free to convert the link to one of yours!) —
https://www.nordstrom.com/s/ray-open-stitch-sweater-vest/8345325
Love your chic, casual styles.
Regarding your comment about going sleeveless, I just this morning read on another Fashion blog that some ladies have “given up” wearing shorts. I feel exactly the same way you do, if people don’t like the bug bites and veins on my ankles or my less than toned arms, they are free to look elsewhere. I intend to be cute and comfortable in all types of weather!
I love all your tops, only the eyelet isn’t my taste as you know.
So many people, so many tastes.
Greetje
It’s what makes the world more interesting! 😉
Susan, your tops look great, polished and cohesive. For me T shirts are too casual, I much prefer a classic formal look but am careful not to look too traditional!!
You look fabulous in those sleeveless tops. The entire line of the outfit is enhanced.
I remember being around 5 years old and deciding that short sleeves weren’t flattering on me, and I still feel that way!
Thanks so much, Dianne!
I am with you on wearing sleeveless tops! I am an older woman and this is how I look, not as smooth and firm as I once was, but this is what aging looks like. How dare I age in front of them? Not sorry to offend onlookers with my presence, they will get over it if they even care about it in the first place. Some days the crepey arms bother me more and I’ll wear a sleeve but I am getting better at regarding myself more kindly and enjoying all my lovely clothes, sleeveless or not.