Campus to Career: The Graphic Tee

Did you miss the first installment of Campus to Career? Find out a few favorite ways to style a chambray shirt for the office. Campus to Career is about taking your favorite college staples and transforming to fit a post-grad dress code. Every other week, I'll feature an old campus favorite in new ways appropriate for the office. Have a request? Let me know in a comment!

From dozens of campus events, sorority functions and cheap concerts, your closet is probably home to at least one graphic tee. But graduation doesn't mean you have to throw it out just yet. With the right work environment, your favorite tee can also have a home in the office. Here are a few things to consider about graphic tees before adding them to your typical work wardrobe:

• A tee is about as casual as you can get. These outfit suggestions were put together with an incredibly liberal, casual work enviornment in mind. I wouldn't recommend any of these looks for a big client presentation or corporate luncheon - unless you know it's part of the scene.
• No matter what the style, your printed message needs to be appropriate. Avoid raunchy, obscene, racy and just plain distasteful.
• You might love your tee, but make sure it doesn't look well loved. Holes, stains and fraying hemlines are a big no to begin with. And it's even more true for your favorite graphic tee.

Add a skirt! And other classic business pieces to dress up your favorite tee. I love how Jamie of Petite Panoply dressed up a well-loved band tee with a printed skirt and cardigan. The dressier pieces help balance out the tee for a look that balances fun and polished. If you're in doubt, opt for solid pieces or a structured bag to finish off the look.

Dress it up! It's true that t-shirts often hit a whole new level of casual, but you can still dress them up a little bit! Jessica of Love Love Love proved this theory when she paired her cute graphic tee with a tulle skirt and statement necklace. Feminine details can make a tee completely appropriate for a day in the office. Try adding a flowy skirt and nude heels to your everyday top. Bonus points for an fun necklace or clutch.

I want to hear your suggestions! How would you dress up a graphic tee or tank for the office?
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