They’re both ultra-casual items, but can they really be layered this way round? More specifically, can you wear a T-shirt over a hoodie?
For a casual, layered look, wear a T-shirt over your hoodie. Make sure that your T-shirt is oversized and your hoodie isn’t baggy to avoid it looking awkward. Contrast the colors of the garments and keep the hood outside your T-shirt rather than tucking it in.
However, that’s just the start; there’s much more to explore.
So, let’s dig deeper.
1. Go For An Oversized T-Shirt
Essential to wearing a T-shirt over a hoodie is getting the sizing of your T-shirt right.
If your T-shirt is too small to be worn as an overlayer, it’ll feel tight and uncomfortable.
As well as that, an undersized T-shirt will accentuate the baggier parts of your hoodie, making the overall look clumsy and not thought out.
The best way to wear a T-shirt over a hoodie without it looking this way is by putting on an oversized tee.
Here’s an example of an oversized tee on Amazon.
As you can see, “oversized” doesn’t necessarily just mean “too big for you”. A T-shirt that’s meant to be oversized will be cut and will drape in a specific way.
But to keep things simple, an oversized T-shirt could just be one that’s labeled as your size but is a little too baggy. However, many people opt for going to the next size up.
For example, if you’re usually a medium (commonly labeled “M”), go for a large (commonly labeled “L”) T-shirt to wear over your hoodie instead.
Doing so will give the hoodie plenty of room and will feel considerably more comfortable than wearing a T-shirt overlayer that’s too tight.
On top of being roomier and more comfortable, an oversized T-shirt will be much easier to put on over your hoodie.
Oversized or baggy T-shirts are very typical of ‘90s streetwear, and wearing one over a hoodie will contribute to this look.
2. Make Sure Your Hoodie Isn’t Baggy
The first step is related to the size of your T-shirt; however, ensuring your hoodie is the right size is just as important.
In contrast to ensuring your T-shirt is oversized, it’s best to go for a slim-fitting hoodie – one that isn’t baggy and, ideally, sits close to your body.
If your hoodie is too baggy, you’ll struggle to get your T-shirt to fit over the top of it.
Furthermore, if you do manage to put on your T-shirt, it’ll look awkward, as the hoodie’s sleeves will appear billowy.
A baggy hoodie with a T-shirt over the top will also feel incredibly uncomfortable.
On top of this, the hoodie’s outlines will be visible through the T-shirt. This isn’t an appealing look.
Therefore, your best bet is to avoid a baggy hoodie altogether. Instead, opt for one that’s slim-fitting and sits close to your body.
Doing so will ensure your T-shirt sits nicely over your hoodie, particularly if you go for an oversized tee, as is recommended.
While going up a size is possible for your T-shirt overlayer, going a size down for your hoodie isn’t advisable.
Going for a garment a size down from your usual is typically too uncomfortable and movement-restrictive to be a viable option.
3. Contrast The Garments
Poorly-matched layers detract from the layered effect and, instead, look stylistically clumsy.
It is, therefore, essential to pick your garments carefully, taking into account the color wheel.
When wearing a T-shirt over a hoodie, using contrast is crucial to looking good.
In fact, using colors that are too similar can make the outfit look off.
Complementary colors are your best bet for contrast. These are colors that are on opposite ends of the color wheel.
They’re considered opposite colors, yet work brilliantly together in outfits that need contrast. Red and green are examples of complementary colors.
While contrast is optimal, there are a few alternative ways to look good wearing a T-shirt over a hoodie.
One of these methods is choosing a bold color, such as red or orange, and pairing it with a neutral color.
Neutral colors are those that don’t appear on the color wheel. They’re renowned for their versatility and ability to match with most colors – including other neutral colors.
White is an example of a neutral color and one that works particularly well as an underlayer. Consider a white hoodie with an orange T-shirt over the top.
The other method is combining two neutral colors, so long as they aren’t too similar.
Similar colors include white, off-white, and light grey; you should avoid wearing these together with this outfit.
Instead, consider wearing a navy hoodie with a white T-shirt.
4. Keep The Hood Outside The T-Shirt
Hoodies are unusual in that – as the name suggests – they have a hood.
Most garments outside of coats and some jackets don’t have hoods.
This can make it hard to know what to do with them, especially when using them for layering.
The best way to wear a hoodie underneath a T-shirt is by making sure the hood is kept on the outside of the T-shirt.
Keeping it tucked into your T-shirt looks clumsy and feels uncomfortable.
Moreover, it’s impractical. Hoods are designed to protect you from the elements, keeping you warm or preventing you from getting wet when it rains.
Keeping your hood tucked into your T-shirt means it’s much less accessible, and if you need to use it, it’s not as easy to do so.
For the sake of comfort, practicality, and appearance, ensuring your hood is outside of your T-shirt overlayer (and not tucked in) is highly recommended.
5. It Looks Great With Jeans
Denim is a staple of casual wear. Layering is typical of ‘90s street and casual wear.
Combining the two allows you to take some of the most iconic elements of streetwear and casual wear and put them together in one fantastic, casual outfit.
Black jeans are usually more smart-casual than blue jeans, so it’s best to opt for the latter.
When going for blue jeans, remember that, as a general rule, the lighter the jeans, the more casual the look.
Therefore, this outfit works best with light blue jeans due to its incredibly casual nature and connotations.
To further enhance the streetwise look of the outfit, consider going for jeans with distressing.
Distressed jeans are iconic ‘90s wear and are still in fashion to this day.
When wearing a T-shirt over a hoodie, distressed, light blue jeans add a touch of vintage style to the outfit.
Because you’ll be wearing an oversized T-shirt, baggy jeans can work too.
That being said, it’s important to get the balance right and not go too overboard with your baggy garments.
6. Consider Tucking In Your Hoodie
When wearing a T-shirt over your hoodie, it’s optimal if the bottom of your hoodie isn’t visible underneath your T-shirt; it simply looks better.
A simple way around this is tucking in your hoodie, despite it not exactly being conventional.
Tuck in your hoodie all the way around your waistline (this is called the full tuck) so that the bottom of it can’t be seen when wearing your T-shirt over the top.
Remember that tucking in your hoodie isn’t a necessity with this outfit, particularly as your baggy shirt will usually mean your hoodie isn’t visible anyway.
7. Keep It Casual
Finally, it’s vital you remember that this outfit is strictly casual. There are no exceptions.
While you may be able to wear T-shirts smart-casually on occasion and when layered with more formal garments, when wearing a T-shirt over a hoodie, this isn’t the case.
Similarly, hoodies are incredibly casual garments and should always be worn as such.
Layering two casual garments unsurprisingly makes the outfit casual.
In fact, layering them makes the outfit even more casual than the items of clothing are, individually.
Contrasting colors also aren’t usually recommended for formal situations (other than, of course, the classic black and white).
Therefore, this outfit is never appropriate for anything other than very casual occasions.
