I’m into the whole smart casual look, which is why I don’t have a single T-shirt in my wardrobe. But I would like to try it out, especially as I just just received a cute white tee as a gift. How can I pull off a neat, smart or even classy look with T-shirt and jeans?

— Rilla, from wildx.org.

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Rilla,

White t-shirts are probably the easiest things to wear. You can dress them up, dress them down, keep it casual, or make it a bit more elegant. There are so many ways to wear a white t-shirt, it’s almost overwhelming! (Which could be why you’re a bit clueless as to what to wear them with.)

Here are my suggestions for you:

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You said you wanted more of a classy, neat look. So with your white t-shirt outfits, keep it simple & slightly understated. Let the outfit speak for itself, in a way. By doing that, you’re allowing the natural classiness to peek through without much force.

For a casual look, pair a plain white t-shirt with black skinny jeans (or black slacks). A black & white color scheme is an instant classic, but it still comfortable. Black & white is also a great canvas for other additions to your outfit. For instance: if you want just a splash of color, you can easily add a pair of shiny earrings or a bold scarf to give the outfit a bit more pizazz. Finish off the ensemble with a pair of stylish heeled booties.

For a more sophisticated look, find a pretty printed skirt, with interesting & colorful detail. With skirts like these, it’s almost better to match them with a simple white shirt, because it lets the skirt be the statement piece. So you’ll be perfectly put together, but not so sophisticated that you feel like you’re in business attire. A pair of yellow sandals (or any color of shoe that mixes well with the print of the skirt) would be the perfect accent.

For a more classy look, add a pair of wide-legged, jean trousers with your white t-shirt. Not only do wide-legged jeans look smashing on just about anyone, they create the illusion that your legs are longer & leaner. A pair of red shoes would finish this outfit perfectly.

& don’t forget accessories! I kept this inspiration board really simple for you for a reason. Depending on the weather, the season, your mood, or your style, there are so many ways you can add character to these simple outfits with accessories. Earrings, knit scarves, tights & stockings, berets, pea coat jackets, necklaces & bracelets… All of these things can instantly customize the outfit to YOUR liking. So let your imagination flow! & have fun with it.

— apricot.