How to wear a logo T-shirt: 10 Style Panel tips for making the most of this trend

Date August 13, 2013

All hail the logo T-shirt! From the 3.1 Phillip Lim “I Heart Nueva York” print to designer jerseys to cheeky logos that play off beloved fashion house names, logo T-shirts have gone from vintage favourite to coveted wardrobe staple.

It’s a favourite item amongst fashion bloggers, street style regulars and models like Cara Delevingne. Even celebrities are fond of letting their logo T-shirts say what’s really on their mind. But if “how do I wear a logo T-shirt?” is what’s on your mind, you’ve come to the right place. This week the Style Panel is serving up their best dressing tips on turning a simple logo tee into the statement piece of your outfit.

While A Fashion Love Affair’s Cara McLeay and Suburban Faux Pas’s Krystin Lee dressed up their designer shout-out t-shirts with statement necklaces and heels, Leah Says’ Leah Gust played with a rock n’ roll look with a vintage t-shirt and leather skirt for a little juxtaposition. Since the riot girl is a trend this season, and with fall drawing nearer, The Style Mogul’s Christina Cravero opted for a logo sweater instead to pair with her asymmetrical skort and studded heels to complete her edgy look for the day.

Question 64: How do you style your favourite logo t-shirt? Read the answers now! »

Photography by Emma McIntyre

Leah Gust, 31
Toronto | Leah Says’ Photography by Emma McIntyre

Not really one for t-shirts I’ve nonetheless latched on to this print tee craze. In any outfit, I like a little juxtaposition – high with low, casual with formal – so pairing a vintage tee with a leather skirt is a favourite of mine. I cropped this t-shirt by just cutting the hem to the length I wanted, and paired with a little socks/sandals combo! Added my favourite pendant necklace and black handbag to round out this rock n roll look.

Leah’s wearing: T-shirt/Skirt, vintage. Necklace, Aldo Accessories. Sandals, Office. Bag, Alexander Wang.

Cara McLeay, 28
Vancouver | A Fashion Love Affair

I think the printed tee/logo tee trend is so much fun — it feels really playful and easy. I love pairing tee’s with mini skirts, I think it looks so girly and the look is super comfy too!

Cara’s wearing: T-shirt, Rodarte. Necklace, Olive and Piper. Skirt, Haute and Rebellious. Bag, Céline. Sunglasses, Karen Walker. Heels, Shoemint.

Krystin Lee, 26
Toronto | Suburban Faux-Pas

I too have become quite the fan of the logo tee but often worried how the oversized style would look on my frame. So I opted for a more fitted version and tucked it into the ‘skort’ of the summer from Zara. By pairing it with feminine details I feel it best represents my style with an edge.

Krystin’s wearing: T-shirt, Crown & Glitter. Skort and shoes, Zara. Necklace, Purple Paparazzi. Bag, Alexander Wang. Watch, MK. Bracelets, J.Crew and Stella & Dot.

Melanie Morais, 25
Edson, AB | BornLippy

Graphic tees have always had a special place in my heart. How can any 90’s childhood be complete without a Northern Getaway tee? Lately however, graphic tees have taken quite the spotlight and I’m loving it. What I tend to do with mine is pair them with a slightly more dressed up item such as a skirt or a pair of trousers to give an effortless but chic look. They equally look great with your favourite pair of boyfriend jeans and heels as well. The possibilities are endless!

Melanie’s wearing: T-shirt, J.Crew. Skirt, Urban Outfitters. Necklace, H&M. Sunglasses, Ray-Ban.

Christina Cravero, 27
Toronto | The Style Mogul

Logo tees have become somewhat a staple in my wardrobe, but now I’m gradually becoming obsessed with logo sweaters. With high-end name brand logos to just simple wording/graphic art, a logo t-shirt can be paired with almost anything from a black blazer, jeans and pumps or flats & vintage jeans. I decided to create more of an edgier look with an asymmetrical skort and studded pumps to help transition my day out in the city to an evening with friends.

Christina’s wearing: Sweater, M for Mendocino. Skort, Zara. Pumps, Zara. Purse, Louis Vuitton. Ear Cuff, Boohoo.com. Sunglasses, Ray-Ban.

Anum Khan, 23
Toronto | SummerxSkin

For a few years I avoided wearing logo or graphic tees unless I was going to sleep in them. It wasn’t until spring this year when I found a few that I really liked and had to incorporate them into my wardrobe.

That being said, there are quite a few ways of styling a graphic tee without compromising current, seasonal trends. Since high-waisted flared jeans are really popular for Fall/Winter 2013, I decided to take out my favourite pair and style them with a logo crop top! To add contrast to the outfit I wore bright-coloured bracelets and my new Mini MAC bag! Hope you like this look.

Anum’s wearing: Graphic t-shirt, Garage. Jeans, Forever 21. Crossbody bag, Rebecca Minkoff. Bracelets, Dynamite.

Amber Desilets, 30
London, ON | Canadian Fashionista

I’ve been a fan of the logo tees since my early teens when I went to my first rock concert and picked up a No Doubt t-shirt. Back then I would pair it with denim and some converse sneakers and would be out the door. Now in my early 30’s, I still love a good tee, but am always looking for a more “adult” way to wear them. If I’m going for a comfy, casual look I will pair it with some boyfriend jeans, but dress it up with a killer pair of heels and add some sophistication to it by adding a blazer.

Amber’s wearing: T-shirt, Forever 21. Blazer, RW & Co. Purse, Rebecca Minkoff. Necklace, Smart Set. Bracelet, Aldo. Watch, Guess. Jeans, American Eagle. Shoes, UrbanOG

Becky Kung, 30
Calgary | Velvet & Vino

How fun is this trend? From ice-cream cones to slang words, this logo t-shirt fashion trend is the perfect way to take your outfit from stylish to the next level of interesting and creative! Depending on the theme of the logo such as this ice-cream cone, a pink skirt kicks it up a notch to the next statement level of cuteness.

My recommendation in deciding how to style your t-shirt is to match it to the type of activity you are doing and then layer it with the appropriate pieces if needed. If you feel like wearing it on a casual Friday in your office, then go for it! Add some classy items such as the boyfriend-blazer and dark denim skinnies to match the tone of the environment. If you are wearing your logo t-shirt out on a sunny Saturday afternoon, add a flowy skirt and comfy heels. Rule of thumb with this fashion trend is you can never go wrong!

Becky’s wearing: Logo T-Shirt, Jack & Elliot by Wildfox Couture. Skirt, Forever 21. Metallic pumps, Marc Fisher. Watch, Michael Kors. Earrings, Target.

Lyndsey Forest, 23
Edmonton | Over My Styled Body

There’s nothing like a good logo tee to bring me back to my high school days of O.C. marathons and sneaking out on the weekends. Oh the good old days! But it doesn’t matter how old we get, a logo tee will always be a classic. Whether you wear one with a pair of baggy boyfriend jeans or dress it up with a skirt, it’s sure to make a statement. I personally like to dress mine up with some flirty bottoms, edgy heels, and bright pops of colour.

Lyndsey’s wearing: Shirt, Zara. Skirt, Forever 21. Heels, Zara. Clutch, BCBG. Leather jacket, H&M.

Kayla Short, 26
Halifax | Short Presents

I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I am kind of obsessed with logo tees lately. I was reluctant at first, but I’m totally on the bandwagon now hitting every bump along the way. I love pairing a graphic or logo tee with things that you wouldn’t normally think go with such a causal piece of clothing. I really like to dress it up, a lot of times I like pairing graphic tees with skirts (especially full girly ones) and accessories, but this one’s graphic sat too low on the shirt that I have to opt for trousers.

Originally designed to be worn in the dance studio I’ve repurposed this Sugar and Bruno tee into street wear by styling it with some skinny black trousers, capped toe ballet flats, my favorite magenta lipstain (info below), and of course a giant sock bun. I couldn’t style a dance inspired tee without a giant sock bun: I mean? That would just be crazy!

Kayla’s wearing: T-shirt, Sugar and Bruno. Capped Toe Ballet Flats, Calvin Klein. Sunglasses, Ray-Ban. Purse, Allie’s Boutique. Cigarette Trousers, Suzy Sheer. Lipstair, Revlon Just Bitten in “Lovestick”.