Every season has one unexpected hero piece. This summer, it’s the long sleeve t-shirt.
Not a crisp button-down. Not a tank top. Not another oversized graphic tee.
A simple, relaxed long sleeve tee. (go figure)
Editors have been wearing them with everything from slip skirts to tailored shorts, designers have embraced sporty versions, and street style has fully caught on.
Case in point: these articles about long sleeve loose fitting tees, raglan tees and white tees.
While most people are gravitating toward white, I couldn’t stop thinking about that photo of Margot Robbie I shared last week wearing a black one. It felt effortless, a little unexpected, and somehow made every outfit I styled in my head look cooler.
So instead of talking about the trend, I decided to test it.
Could one long sleeve t-shirt really work from morning until night?
Turns out...yes.
Here’s how I styled it five different ways.
The long sleeve tee I chose is from Gap and it’s perfect. Having spent a decade leading the women's design teams at Gap, and still consulting with them today, it makes me genuinely happy when they get something this right.
It's cropped just enough to wear untucked, but long enough to tuck in when you want to. The fabric is a little heavier than a standard tee, so it drapes beautifully instead of clinging. And it’s on sale for $39.
There are actually a lot of cheap and chic finds throughout this post - enjoy!
Camp Drop-Off
This is what I actually want to wear at 8:00am when it’s a flurry of making breakfasts, applying sunscreen to unwilling participants and filling water bottles. Who has time to even think about their outfit?
A relaxed black tee, athletic sweat shorts, sneakers, sunglasses, and I’m out the door. It’s comfortable enough for sitting through camp drop-off lines but still feels more pulled together than an oversized sweatshirt.
Plus it can go straight to grab coffee (tea in my case), walk with girlfriends or right back home to hop on a call.
Errands & Lunch
Swap the sweat shorts for your favorite jeans, add platform flip-flops, a great bag, and suddenly you’re ready for the rest of the day.
This is probably my favorite kind of outfit because nothing is trying too hard. It’s simple, easy, and quietly cool. Like The Row, but a lot less $$$.
Sometimes the best outfits are just great basics styled well.
Office
This is where the long sleeve tee really surprised me.
Paired with tailored black Bermuda shorts, a sleek belt, and kitten heels, it suddenly feels polished enough for work without looking overly corporate.
The matching black separates create one long column of color which helps elongate your frame, while the accessories give it some polish.
It’s comfortable, modern, and exactly the kind of outfit I’d wear to a creative office.
*These bermuda shorts are on sale for $20 at H&M!
Poolside
I can't take credit for this one. I first spotted the styling on Allison Bornstein after she recreated a look by Courtney Grow. Like whisper down the lane - fashion edition.
A long sleeve tee might not be the first thing you’d think to pack for the pool, but thrown over a swimsuit with a fringe scarf and lace-up sandals, it instantly feels like a chic cover-up.
It’s lightweight enough for breezy afternoons, gives you a little extra sun protection, and looks much more unexpected than the classic sarong wrapped over a swimsuit look.
**My fringe scarf is vintage, but I found this similar style at Urban Outfitters for $30 in two colors/ patterns. I might need them too…
Date Night
This might be my favorite look because a tee is not what you’d typically reach for to head out to dinner.
But the same style paired back to satin shorts and red sandals feels relaxed and somehow also sexy.
The contrast between the casual cotton tee and the shine of the satin creates that tension I talk about all the time. Neither piece competes with the other, but together they make the outfit feel intentionally styled.
Sometimes all it takes is one dressier fabric and a great shoe.
Now that I think about it, Sharon Stone famously wore a Gap t-shirt to the Oscars in 1996. If she can go to the Oscar’s in a Gap tee, we can certainly go out for dinner.
**These red sandals were an Amazon find! I very rarely shop for clothes or shoes on Amazon and was shocked at how chic and comfortable these were. Viva la red sandal!
The Verdict
The best purchases aren’t always the most exciting ones. They’re the pieces that quietly solve outfit after outfit, season after season and that you reach for day after day.
This long sleeve tee is one of those pieces.
I’ll probably add a white one and a striped one before summer is over because I already know how I’ll wear them into fall.
When one piece can take you from camp drop-off to date night, that’s not just a short-lived trend. It’s a smart wardrobe decision.
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Have a great day!
Jamie x
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The office look = 1000/10. Loved this!
Thank you! I ordered this Gap tee - can’t believe it’s not here yet. So excited to wear after reading this.