I'd put a striped tee in almost every wardrobe I build, because it slides between casual, sporty, coastal and office with nothing more than a change of shoes. For curvy women, the old warning that horizontal stripes add width is mostly about the wrong stripe in the wrong fabric, not stripes themselves. The outfits below pair a striped tee with wide-leg jeans, trousers, midi skirts, shorts, jackets and comfortable shoes. Treat stripes as a neutral and they go with nearly everything you own.
Stripe Width and Where the Lines Fall
Stripes don't widen a body as much as the old rule suggests, but scale and placement still matter. When I'm choosing a striped tee with someone, I hold it up and look at three things.
- Width of the stripe compared with the gap. Medium stripes with equal spacing, the classic Breton, look calm on most figures. Very thin stripes can shimmer on camera; very wide bold stripes become the focus of the whole outfit.
- Where a stripe crosses the bust. A dark stripe right across the fullest point draws a line there. Shifting the tee slightly or choosing a different spacing helps more than you'd think.
- The side seams. On a good tee the stripes meet at the seams. Mismatched stripes at the sides make a top look cheaper and draw the eye to the hips.
Tees with stripes only across the chest and a plain lower body, or stripes that stop above the hem, are another option if you prefer the pattern higher up.
1. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Wide Leg Jeans
Wide-leg jeans are where I'd start with a striped tee, since the leg's volume cancels any width the stripes suggest up top. Keep the tee slightly fitted, or loosely tucked at the front, so there's a clear waist between the two. Light wash looks daytime, dark wash looks sharper. Platform sneakers, a crossbody and hoops for the weekend. If the tee is long, a front tuck beats a full tuck; a full tuck in thick jersey bunches above the waistband.
2. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Black Trousers
Stripes and black trousers are one of my quiet office favorites. Choose trousers with a comfortable waistband and a straight or wide leg that skims rather than grips. A full tuck reads sharp, a loose front tuck gives ease around the midsection. Black pairs best with black-and-white or navy-and-white stripes; brown or red stripes can look off against pure black. Loafers, ballet flats or low block heels, a structured tote and a watch.
3. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Denim Skirt
A striped tee and denim skirt is about as easy as dressing gets. A midi denim skirt looks current and goes with sneakers, flat sandals or ankle boots. High-rise and tucked shows the waist; untucked over the waistband with a cropped jacket is softer. I'd avoid a stiff denim mini with a boxy tee, since the two square shapes together flatten the figure. A canvas tote keeps it practical for warm days when jeans feel too heavy.
4. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Linen Pants
Linen trousers make a striped tee feel like a holiday. Pick white, beige, olive, navy or black linen to match one color in the stripe. A small front tuck keeps it breezy but shaped. If the pants are very loose, the tee should follow your body rather than hang; two oversized pieces lose the waist. Cotton stripes with linen also means two fabrics that wrinkle differently, so iron the tee even if the pants stay rumpled. Flat leather sandals, a straw tote.
5. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Blazer
A blazer over a striped tee is my fastest route from casual to meeting-ready. Navy, black, tan or cream, with straight-leg jeans or trousers. The tee keeps it relaxed and the jacket gives structure at the shoulders. Open, the lapels create a vertical frame that cuts across the horizontal stripes, which is exactly why this pairing flatters. Button it for more waist definition. Loafers, sleek sneakers or pointed flats.
6. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Cargo Pants
Do you like practical clothes that still look current? Cargo pants with a striped tee gets you there. Olive, khaki, black or soft beige cargos with neutral stripes. A semi-tuck keeps the top from adding bulk over large pockets, and pockets set lower on the thigh sit flatter on a full hip. Chunky sneakers, a belt bag and sunglasses, plus a denim jacket when it cools. It handles markets, travel and long days on your feet.
7. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With White Jeans
White jeans make stripes look crisp and nautical. Navy-and-white, black-and-white, red-and-white or green-and-white all work. Straight or wide-leg white jeans need enough weight to stay opaque; thin white stretch denim shows pockets and seams. Tuck the tee or knot it slightly at the side. Tan sandals, white sneakers or espadrilles, a beige tote. It carries into early fall with a trench or denim jacket on top.
8. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Maxi Skirt
With a maxi skirt, I keep the skirt solid so the stripes are the only pattern. Black, denim blue, olive, cream or rust all suit a classic striped tee. Tuck it in or tie it gently at the waist so the long skirt has a clear starting point. A tee left loose over a full maxi makes the body read as one long shape with no waist. Flat sandals, sneakers or low wedges, and a crossbody.
9. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Overalls
Overalls and stripes have a playful, almost workwear feel. Denim overalls are classic; black, olive or cream look more modern. A fitted tee underneath matters because overalls already add volume. The fit check I always do is torso length: if the bib pulls down at the front or the crotch sits low, they're too short in the body, which is common on curvy frames. Roll the hems, add sneakers or clogs.
10. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Paperbag Pants
Paperbag pants put the gathered waist front and center, so the tee should be smooth and tucked flat. A striped t shirt tucked into paperbag pants works best in a thin jersey, since thick cotton adds more bulk to an already ruffled waistband. Black, camel, olive or soft gray pants. If you carry weight in the midsection, check the paperbag ruffle in profile; a short ruffle sits flatter than a deep one. Block-heel sandals or loafers.
11. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Bike Shorts
Bike shorts and a striped tee make a hot-day outfit that's sporty without looking sloppy. A longer tee gives coverage over the seat, or a boxy tee with high-rise bike shorts looks cleaner. Look for bike shorts with a wide waistband and a leg that's long enough not to ride up; anti-chafe is the whole point. White sneakers, crew socks, a cap and a belt bag across the chest. An open denim shirt adds structure.
12. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Pleated Skirt
A pleated skirt brings movement that balances a plain striped tee. Midi is the most wearable length; it goes with sneakers, sandals or ballet flats. Tuck the tee and add a thin belt if you want it more finished. Solid skirts in black, navy, cream, blush or olive look best with stripes, and a skirt in one of the stripe's colors makes the outfit look planned. Pleats stitched down at the hip sit flatter than pleats opening straight from the waistband.
13. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Joggers
Joggers and a striped tee is the comfortable outfit that still looks like a decision. Pick a tapered leg in a smooth knit rather than heavy fleece sweatpants. A front tuck over a drawstring waist marks the waist. Sleek sneakers and a structured crossbody help it look intentional. A denim jacket or bomber jacket gives shape on cooler days. Good for school pickup, travel and working from home.
14. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Straight Leg Jeans
Straight-leg jeans with a striped tee is the outfit most people already own and underrate. Medium wash, a black-and-white striped tee, white sneakers and a leather belt is my everyday version. Swap in loafers and a structured bag to sharpen it. Watch where the jeans hit: if the hem breaks awkwardly at the ankle, a single neat roll or a quick hem fixes it. Repeat it endlessly; it looks current in any season.
15. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Utility Jacket
A utility jacket gives a striped tee structure and a little warmth. Olive is classic; tan, navy or black also work. Jeans, black pants or casual trousers underneath. Keep the jacket open to draw a vertical line down the front, which breaks up horizontal stripes and keeps the outfit from looking boxy. A drawstring at the jacket waist gives more shape than a straight hem. Sneakers, ankle boots or loafers.
16. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Leather Pants
Leather or faux leather pants feel more everyday with a striped tee on top. Straight or wide-leg faux leather is more comfortable than skinny; look for a waistband with stretch. Black-and-white stripes are the easy pairing, though cream, navy or red stripes look sharp too. Faux leather doesn't breathe, so I'd keep it for cooler days. Loafers, platform sneakers or ankle boots, a shoulder bag and small hoops.
17. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Tailored Shorts
Tailored shorts look more finished than denim shorts with a striped tee. High-rise with a relaxed leg opening, so they skim instead of grip the thigh. Beige, black, navy or white. Tuck the shirt in, add a belt, then flat sandals, loafers or clean sneakers. Length matters on shorts: just above the knee is usually the most flattering. A light blazer or open button-down if you want another layer for a city walk.
18. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Slip Skirt
A slip skirt brings shine to a casual striped tee and the tee keeps the skirt from looking like nightwear. A midi slip in black, champagne, chocolate, olive or navy. Tuck loosely or tie a small knot at the waist if the jersey allows. Thin satin shows every line underneath, so choose a slip with a little weight or wear seam-free underwear. Strappy flat sandals, ballet flats or low block heels, and a small shoulder bag.
19. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Cardigan
A cardigan over a striped tee is the practical choice when the weather keeps changing. Choose a length that ends at the hip or below, depending on what's underneath: with wide-leg pants I prefer the hip, with leggings longer. Straight jeans or a simple midi skirt work too. Leave the cardigan open so the stripes show at the neckline. Chunky knits over a tee add bulk at the arms; a fine-gauge knit lies smoother. Sneakers or loafers, a soft tote.
20. Plus Size Striped T Shirt With Denim Jacket
Denim jacket and striped tee is a pairing that works in almost any season. Wear the tee with black jeans, white jeans, a midi skirt or relaxed trousers, and layer the jacket on top. Cropped jackets show the waist; longer ones give coverage. Check the jacket buttoned before you buy, even if you'll wear it open, since a denim jacket that won't close across the bust hangs back off the shoulders. Sneakers, ankle boots or flat sandals, a crossbody and sunglasses.
Telling a Well-Made Striped Tee From a Flimsy One
Striped tees wear out in predictable ways, and most of it shows in the shop if you know where to look.
- Woven-in stripes versus printed. Yarn-dyed stripes are knitted into the fabric and look the same on the inside. Printed stripes sit on the surface, show white at the inside, and can crack or fade at stretch points.
- Fabric weight. Hold it to the light. A thin jersey clings to every curve and shows bra lines, while a heavier cotton skims.
- Side seam twist. Cheap jersey can twist after washing, so the side seams wander toward the front and the stripes slant. If the stripes already run slightly diagonal in the shop, they'll get worse.
Keeping the Whites White
Navy or black stripes can bleed into the white stripes in a hot wash, especially in the first few washes. Wash striped tees cold, inside out, with similar colors, and skip the tumble dryer, which also shrinks cotton jersey in length. Dry them flat or over a rail so the shoulders don't stretch.
Stripes Are Easier to Wear Than You Were Told
None of these outfits is about hiding your shape. They're complete looks where the stripe, the fit and the proportions work together. Jeans, skirts, trousers, shorts and jackets all take a striped tee once the fit is right. Start with what's already in your closet, then let shoes, bags and layers change the mood. Find one well-cut striped tee and it becomes one of the most useful pieces in a plus size wardrobe.
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