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If you only buy one new fashion item this autumn, I urge you to make it a long sleeved t-shirt. I know, it sounds relatively mundane, but trust me – it will become one of the hardest-working items in your wardrobe.
Now, I don’t mean any old long sleeved t-shirt. I’m specifically talking about a nice, somewhat heavyweight fabric t-shirt that will hold its shape, preferably in a striped pattern, and certainly with a slightly wider sleeve for that 90s kind of vibe.
You’ll no doubt have spotted me in my yellow striped number from Tu in recent Instagram posts, which was a purse-friendly £12.50, but more recently, I picked up this Kim Stripe Tee from White Stuff and it’s fast become a repeatedly worn staple in my autumn rotation.
There’s just something about the chocolate brown and blue colourway that speaks to me and makes it really easy to mix and match with pieces I already own. It lends itself effortlessly to suede and denim, and because it’s a relatively simple base layer, you can change the whole feel of the outfit just by swapping a few pieces each time..
Here are four ways I’ve been wearing a long-sleeve striped top for autumn.
1. With corduroy
Nothing quite screams autumn like a pair of cords and this slightly barrel-shaped pair from H&M for £28 are perfect (save for the fact I had to size up). They add texture that contrasts the smooth tee, and I generally use a styling rule whereby if there’s block colour on the bottom, there must be a pattern up top – a formula this outfit is a great example of.
For extra warmth and interest, I added a chocolate brown teddy gilet and brown suede loafers – both from White Stuff – keeping everything in those warm seasonal shades. The loafers also make it feel a little more put together than trainers would.
I finished the look with a woven blue bag to pull out more of the blue in the top. The result is an outfit that feels really intentional and quintessentially autumnal. If you can’t tell from the fact this is the outfit that made it out of the dressing room and into ‘real life’, it’s potentially my favourite of the bunch.
2. With a midi skirt
I’ve also been wearing striped t-shirts with skirts, which is a really easy way to make a long-sleeve top feel a little more feminine. I styled the White Stuff blue/brown number with a navy midi skirt, loafers and a suede bag, which feels a little Parisian to me. I’d have potentially even chucked on a knitted triangle scarf if it were any cooler.
I’ve also tried a similar combination with a polka dot skirt and trainers with my yellow Tu t-shirt, though the White Stuff top pairs just as well with the ASOS midi. Because the skirt and tops have similar tones, the pattern clash just works so well.
3. With a suede jacket
For a slightly more elevated outfit, I paired the striped top with a brown skort from Stradivarius and a Topshop brown suede jacket. I wore this with loafers for a smarter take, but I think it would look equally good with brown knee-high boots for date night.
There’s something I really like about wearing different shades and textures of brown together in autumn. The suede jacket makes the outfit feel instantly more seasonal, while the stripes add a bit of contrast underneath. But when I have gone brown-heavy both top and bottom, I think it’s nice to add that splash of colour with the bag, so again I’ve gone for the trust M&S basket bag.
4. Under a pinafore
Finally, one of the easiest ways to get more wear out of a striped top is to layer something over it. I’ve been wearing mine underneath a denim pinafore which basically does all the work, while the stripes add a layer of pattern underneath. Add a pair of tinted sunnies and a suede bag, et voila.
I’ve actually worn this look in summer with the yellow Tu top and trainers, but it transitions really well into autumn with loafers, too. As the temperatures dip, you can adapt this outfit formula with a longer sleeveless denim dress and chunkier boots for a tougher look, too.
And there we have the proof that a long-sleeve striped top can be the ultimate wardrobe essential. As someone who has been trying to make my wardrobe work a little harder rather than constantly buying something new for every season, these long sleeve striped t-shirts are exactly the sort of staple I want hanging in my wardrobe this autumn.
