HOW TO STYLE A GRAPHIC T-SHIRT

Fashion is undeniably cyclical—a fact that might earn a Liz Lemon-style eye roll from some—but it’s true: trends often bring us back to pieces from our past. Case in point: the graphic t-shirt. This humble wardrobe staple is effortlessly cool and could be just what you need to elevate your style with ease and confidence. But forget the tissue-thin tees with quirky sayings from your high school days (remember Live. Laugh. Love.?) paired with low-rise jeans. Today’s graphic tee has found its home in the balance of high-low styling.

Think of a graphic tee as a stylish substitute for a classic white t-shirt. It’s the perfect way to add personality to a blazer-and-trousers ensemble or a playful touch to a mini skirt. Whether it’s a vintage band tee or a bold graphic design, this piece can infuse any outfit with a laid-back yet fashion-forward vibe that says you’re in tune with what’s trending. It’s the ultimate way to make a statement without reverting to a basic blouse.

Ahead, discover 10 fresh and modern ways to style a graphic t-shirt.

1 OF 10: MIXING PATTERNS

A graphic t-shirt can serve as a neutral base for anyone who loves bold colors and mixed patterns. Opt for a tee in black or white to anchor the look and create balance amidst the chaos of prints. Use this styling opportunity to experiment with unexpected combinations that showcase your creative flair.

Pro Tip: Pair a tee with a smaller graphic when wearing large-scale prints, and vice versa for outfits with smaller patterns.

02 OF 10: WITH AN OVERSIZED SUIT

One of the most effortless ways to style a graphic tee is by pairing it with a matching oversized suit. This look is versatile enough for the office, an evening out, or even a gallery opening. The tee adds a touch of casual ease to the suit while keeping the overall vibe polished and put-together.

03 OF 10: WITH A MINI-SKIRT AND MEN’S JACKET

Pairing a graphic band tee with a mini-skirt strikes the perfect balance between playful and polished. Add a worn-in tee for extra character and top it off with a structured men’s evening jacket to create a look that’s sharp yet approachable.

04 OF 10: WITH A SOPHISTICATED SILK SKIRT

Style a cheeky graphic tee with a jewel-toned silk midi skirt for an effortlessly chic ensemble. Tall boots and a brightly colored tee elevate this mix of edgy and elegant, ensuring you’ll turn heads wherever you go.

05 OF 10: OVER A LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT

The early 2000s are calling, and layering a graphic tee over a long-sleeved shirt is back with a grown-up twist. For a fresh, laid-back take, opt for an oversized tee paired with a loose-fitting long-sleeve and boyfriend jeans.

06 OF 10: WITH A SWEATER SET

Transform a classic twin set by layering it with a graphic tee. For a modern monochromatic look, choose a tee in similar tones with subtle text. Feeling bold? Go for a brightly colored graphic to add a fun, contemporary edge.

07 OF 10: WITH A LEATHER JACKET

Channel your inner rockstar by styling a distressed leather biker jacket with a band tee. This punk-inspired combo is effortlessly edgy. Pair it with a maxi denim skirt and sneakers for a softer, feminine touch.

08 OF 10: WITH A CANADIAN TUXEDO

Elevate the classic denim-on-denim outfit with a bold graphic tee that adds a pop of color and personality. Break up the monochrome denim with this playful addition, and finish the look with a pair of stylish heels.

09 OF 10: WITH TAILORED SHORTS

Tailored shorts get an edgy upgrade when paired with a vintage-inspired graphic tee. Add a blazer to keep things polished, then finish the look with combat boots for a cool, casual vibe that’s perfect for summer.

10 OF 10: WITH A MONOCHROME LOOK

Bright monochromatic outfits make the perfect canvas for a graphic tee. A black-and-white design adds just the right amount of contrast between vibrant hues, like a pink knit jacket and bubblegum-colored pants. Complete the look with accessories in complementary tones for a cohesive yet striking outfit.

EBOY STYLE: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE & OUTFIT INSPIRATION

You may be familiar with emos and f-boys, who were significant trends in their time. Following them came the e-shays and adlays, leading to the emergence of Eboys—pioneers of the Eboy style, a major fashion trend that has gained immense popularity, largely thanks to TikTok.

The Eboy style has made its way into the wardrobes of many celebrities, including Billie Eilish, Grimes, and Doja Cat, all known for their bold fashion choices and dedicated fanbases. This style presents a darker aesthetic compared to the softer vibes of the softboy look. Read on to discover everything you need to know about Eboy fashion!

LET’S LOOK AT SOME OF THE TRENDING EBOY STYLES

EBOY STYLE 1

One of the signature Eboy outfits features a puffy jacket paired with a plain T-shirt, jeans, and Vans. To enhance the look, consider adding a chain wallet or belt, white tube socks, and a classic pair of checkerboard or black-and-white Vans. This combination captures the quintessential Eboy aesthetic perfectly!

EBOY STYLE 2

Another popular Eboy outfit includes a baggy jumper, a T-shirt, black jeans, and Converse shoes. For a quick, cold-weather look, try layering a collared button-up shirt under a crewneck sweatshirt. Pair it with cuffed trousers and finish the ensemble with black sneakers or oxfords, along with white tube socks for an added touch of style.

EBOY STYLE 3

Eboy fashion is heavily influenced by streetwear and skatewear brands. A typical outfit might include an oversized T-shirt layered over a long T-shirt, paired with blue jeans and Vans. Many Eboys gravitate towards brands like Thrasher, Nike, Off-White, and Rick Owens. They often find unique and rare pieces at thrift stores and vintage shops, adding their personal flair through DIY touches like distressing or bleach-dyeing their clothing for a customized look.

EBOY STYLE 4

Timothée Chalamet is a prime example of celebrity Eboy style, both on and off-screen. His signature floppy curls and bold red carpet looks have garnered the attention of millions on social media. He often sports a striped T-shirt, black jeans, and Vans, embodying the Eboy aesthetic effortlessly. You can even catch glimpses of his Eboy style in his leading role in Beautiful Boy, where his fashion choices reflect this trend.

EBOY STYLE 5

One of the most popular Eboy outfits features oversized T-shirts, black pants, boots or Converse, and a jean chain. To elevate this look, consider adding a vertically-striped collared shirt over a white T-shirt, paired with black trousers. Complete the outfit with layered jewelry and a chain belt for an extra touch of style.

What is an Eboy?

The Eboy subculture is a youth movement that has gained popularity among young men, characterized by a stylishly chic aesthetic inspired by anime, goth, and semi-emo fashion. This look first emerged online in 2018, and by 2019, it had captured widespread attention on TikTok, a platform that resonates with Gen Z audiences.

While trends on TikTok often come and go, the Eboy style has proven to be a lasting phenomenon. The term “Eboy” can be interpreted as “electronic boy,” and the fashion choices associated with this aesthetic often reflect a progressive take on gender politics and masculinity.

Eboys frequently express fluidity in sexuality and gender, embracing a more feminine appearance. They often wear makeup and maintain less facial hair to soften their look. As societal standards of male attractiveness have shifted from traditional masculinity to a more effeminate style, Eboys embrace their vulnerability and showcase these fashion choices on social media.

True Eboy style encompasses more than just clothing; it’s a lifestyle. You’ll often see Eboys sporting long, flowy hairstyles, influenced by K-Pop trends, and many choose to bleach or color their hair as part of their unique identity.

What Exactly is Eboy Style?

Eboy outfits and fashion draw inspiration from a variety of preceding subcultures and trends, including emo, scene, goth, skater culture, hip-hop, anime, BDSM, and late ’90s to early 2000s fashion.

Key attributes of this style include loose-fitting thrifted clothing, such as oversized jumpers, monochromatic pieces, and band or graphic merchandise layered over long-sleeved striped shirts. Accessories play a significant role, with chain necklaces, wallet chains, and dangling earrings commonly worn.

Some Eboys embrace makeup to emulate anime characters, using fake freckles, eyeliner, light contouring, and nail polish as part of their look. Eboy outfits typically blend casual and formal elements, featuring oversized jumpers, tops, and cuffed pants as staples.

To complete their outfits, Eboys often opt for worn-out Vans or Converse, usually paired with white tube socks, which are a signature aspect of the aesthetic. Doc Martens and black leather oxfords also fit well within this style.

The clothing items of an Eboy’s wardrobe

  • Oversized T-shirts
  • Long-sleeve striped T-shirts
  • Crewneck jumpers
  • Slim denim jeans
  • Black joggers
  • White tube socks
  • Checkered/ black Vans shoes
  • Chain wallet
  • Leather Belt

Other alternative Eboy outfits can include trendier items like

  • Gothic cargo pants
  • Padlock necklaces
  • Chipped black nail polish
  • Striped long-sleeved shirts
  • Loose-legged pants being an Eboy staple

Jewelry for Eboys

Dressing like an Eboy involves incorporating chain belts, chunky rings, and pierced ears into your look. Eboys often embrace trendier pieces such as gothic cargo pants, padlock necklaces, and chipped black nail polish. Some even add unique touches like drawing a teardrop on their cheek with eyeliner for an edgier aesthetic.

Hairstyles for Eboys

It’s important to remember that the essence of the Eboy aesthetic is about embracing your true self, starting from the top. While adding color can enhance the style, it’s not a requirement. What truly matters is emphasizing the pattern and texture of your hair, allowing your individuality to shine through in your look.

Famous Eboys


Most Eboys are closely associated with “Sad Boy” music, a genre characterized by musicians who draw inspiration from their experiences with depression and emotional struggles, often overlapping with emo rap.

Key figures in the Eboy scene include the late Lil Peep, Yungblud, Timothée Chalamet, Chase Hudson, Bryce Hall, and Josh Richards.

Fun Fact: The Eboy style gained significant attention following the untimely death of rapper Lil Peep, who played a pivotal role in shaping this subculture. Timothée Chalamet exemplifies the Eboy aesthetic both on and off-screen, with his oversized T-shirts, cuffed pants, signature floppy curls, and attention-grabbing red carpet looks, which have captivated millions of fans on social media.

CONCLUSION

You can easily recognize an Eboy by their distinctive style and fashion choices. Although TikTok is facing bans in some countries, like India, that doesn’t spell the end for the Eboy aesthetic. The Eboy style is here to stay. While it may evolve and adopt a more modern, simplified approach over time, and some elements might fade away, many of its core concepts are timeless and will continue to resonate for years to come.