How To Layer Camis Over Tees (Or Turtlenecks)

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If you’ve been following me on IG for any length of time (@shanachristine), you may have noticed that I have a styling trick I keep trottin’ on out. In fact, I’ve been trottin’ this one out since 1993. (And you can just stop doing that math RIGHT NOW.) But this trick has stood the test of time — why? Two reasons: One, it’s cute. Which sometimes is enough. And two, perhaps most importantly…it’s useful.

Layering a t-shirt underneath a silk cami is not only cute (in a nonchalant, almost rebellious kind of way)…but it’s useful, too. It’s useful in making that cami a little warmer in the winter, and covering up a sunburn (or just strange tan lines) in the summer. It’s useful in that you can forgo the annoying strapless bra and wear a real, big-girl bra (the one you really wanna wear). And it’s useful in that this cami-over-t-shirt combo can be dressed up or down, paired with jeans or skirts.

Styling hacks for getting fancy, dressing down & keeping us warm — #nailingit. Layering camis over t-shirts & turtlenecks is a go-to— check out our how-to.

cami (xs) | tee (xs) | skirt (in store only) – here’s similar | jeans (size 24) | bag | earrings

 

How To Layer Camis Over T-Shirts

I’ve been getting some questions about how to layer camis over tees recently, so I thought I’d try to pull together a few tips. Here’s what’s working for me…

1. Get The Right Kind of Cami

Worry about two things: fabric and fit.

For the fabric, 100% silk is the best, because it drapes so nicely AND slides over a cotton tee. That said, silky-feeling camis (like this LOFT one) also work.

For the fit, just make sure the cami isn’t skin tight — you want it to effortlessly glide over your tee. In general, the cami needs to fit looser than the t-shirt.

That said, you don’t have to stick to camis with regular straps — even a fancy, lacy one will work.

Styling hacks for getting fancy, dressing down & keeping us warm — #nailingit. Layering camis over t-shirts & turtlenecks is a go-to— check out our how-to.

cami | tshirt | jeans | boots | bag | jacket

 

2. Get The Right Kind of Tee

You know those reallllllly thin white t-shirts that some people complain are too thin and you can see their bra through them? Yeah? Those? They’re perfect for layering under camis. Know why? Because even if they’re not skin tight, they still lie flat against your skin.

tshirt | dress

And the easiest t-shirt shape to layer is the classic crewneck. Not a v-neck. Not a scoop neck. Don’t be fooled by a boat neck — you want the classic crew.

NOTE: Graphic tees also work (and add an edgier vibe), but if they’re made from a thicker material, it gets tricky. If you are very small chested (or really thin), a thicker tee is OK.

3. Tuck In The T-Shirt (Or Try a Bodysuit)

For the best lines, the tee has gotta be tucked. In order to get properly tucked, the tee has to be fitted, without sacrificing length. (Anyone else cracking up over this sentence? Just me?)

Anyway. A bodysuit is perfect for this, especially if you really like clean lines. (I’m more of a slightly-rumpled girl myself, but every once in a while I branch out.)

Styling hacks for getting fancy, dressing down & keeping us warm — #nailingit. Layering camis over t-shirts & turtlenecks is a go-to— check out our how-to.

 tee | cami | sweater | jeans

4. Try Layering a Cami Slip Dress

Incidentally, if you’d like to layer a slip dress over a t-shirt, a bodysuit is amazing for this purpose. You won’t have to worry about the tee bunching up all night. (However, I’ve also had luck tucking my white tee into my tights, then pulling the dress on. Ridiculous, but it worked.)

Under that dress? There’s a white tee tucked into tights. 

Styling hacks for getting fancy, dressing down & keeping us warm — #nailingit. Layering camis over t-shirts & turtlenecks is a go-to— check out our how-to.tshirtdress | sparkly dresses (rented from Rent the Runway!!)

5. Don’t Forget About Turtlenecks

Still cold? Try a turtleneck. The neckline makes it almost foolproof to layer. Just like the t-shirt, choose a turtleneck that’s a little bit thin. (There are even some sweater turtlenecks that work…they just tend to be expensive, because the drape is so important.)

This is a great way to bring your silk camis into a more casual, daytime rotation.

Styling hacks for getting fancy, dressing down & keeping us warm — #nailingit. Layering camis over t-shirts & turtlenecks is a go-to— check out our how-to.Styling hacks for getting fancy, dressing down & keeping us warm — #nailingit. Layering camis over t-shirts & turtlenecks is a go-to— check out our how-to.

cami (xs) | turtleneck (s) | jeans (24) | boots | rain jacket

Shop My Favorite Camis

My hands-down favorite camis are all from Cami NYC.  Shopbop, Revolve and Bloomingdales have the best selection (my favs below).  The downside?  They’re pretty pricy.  I’ve been getting a bunch of requests for lower-cost options, so I included my affordable favs as well.

 

Shop My Favorite Layering Tees

These are my favorite layering tees – most are ones that I’ve actually tried….

 

xo,

S

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Shana founded The Mom Edit in 2008. She lives with the love of her life (his name's Mike) and their two crazy boys in downtown Philadelphia. She loves a good styling challenge (her engineering side shows eventually), appreciates kindness, and usually picks scotch over wine, sneakers over stilettos, and shorts known as denim-underwear, always.

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