Stripes and Fashionable Clutches for Fashion Hacks

Nothing is simpler, more basic, and more foundation than a plain, white tee. And while it's something that exists in most people's closets, it's a piece that doesn't come without its own annoyances: It never stays that white for long; it gets stained easily; and any rip, tear, or fray just makes it look more "meh."

But here's a secret that a lot of practical-minded fashion people already know: Just wear a striped tee instead. Not only does it have all the benefits of a white tee (it's neutral, season less, and versatile), but it's also a little more durable. Basically: Go eat that chocolate ice cream cone that's dripping everywhere. Your shirt can handle it.

The best part about the striped tee is that it truly does go with everything. You could essentially wear a striped top a different way every single day, and honestly, that's fine. To prove it to you, we’ve put together five easy outfits around the same striped shirt. The secret to that is “How you accessorize it further?” You can wear it a cool cap, or a totally fashionable chick clutch. Depends what look you are aiming for. You can buy clutches online at Bling Station.

Olivia Palermo hit Fall Fashion Party in New York wearing an outfit we all want to copy. The blogger-slash-designer took the classic striped-shirt-and-denim combo and completely turned it on its head. She also managed to mix preppy, ladylike Clutch into one seamless look.  You can buy clutches of the similar kind only at Bling Station.

Palermo flipped the script on a striped button-down by opting for an off-the-shoulder blouse in an almost architectural silhouette by Johanna Ortiz. Then, she cropped her dark wash skinny jeans by rolling one thick, but streamlined cuff (no chunky action). Instead of high-heel pumps, she wore colorful, floral, pointy-toe flats to coordinate with the laid-back vibe of the denim. She continued brightening up the outfit with her demure color-blocked python clutch bag and black-tie-ready statement jewelry. You can buy fashion accessories and similar statement jewelry at Bling Station.

The basic in question? Horizontal stripes, with the employment of the 90/10 ratio to clinch the outfit. Let Jenna Lyons be your standing testament to what 90% light and 10% dark looks like IRL. We're pretty positive she didn't have any of those does-this-shirt-make-me-look-bloated conundrums — seeing as she basically runs a multi-billion-dollar fashion company and all — but her coat and knee-length skirt are great ideas if you're looking in the mirror and still can't see the signs. The coat stops the stripes from running off left and right while the skirt adds some vertical length to balance out both dimensions.

Keep this ratio in mind when it comes to the T-shirts, dresses, and button-ups you reach for when versatility is the word of the day. After all, thinking outside the box (or stripe) is par for the course.

I'll refrain from commenting on society's fear of gaining weight (whether it be from a 10-pound-adding camera or a stressful week and a full refrigerator), because that's an entirely different article. But, it's time to stop blaming the clothes. Do not to diminish how you feel in your clothes — because it's a valid, legitimate thing to feel like your clothes aren't doing you a service. But let me help you think about stripes (and especially striped shirts) differently, because that could be a step to getting over your fears.

The first time the modern striped shirt appeared as a fashion trend was in 1917, when Coco Chanel debuted them in Paris as a response to fashion's heavily-corseted approach after a trip to France's Southern coast. Her shirts were inspired by the Parisian fisherman she saw working the docks, and she admired how utilitarian and hardy they looked. It was one of the first times women's fashion took elements from men's clothing, and we've always considered them to be a feminist statement. They've also been the uniform of generations of counter-cultureless and rebels, from Pablo Picasso and Ralph "Sonny" Barger, the founder of the Hell's Angels, to the Beat Generation and Warhol's Factory guests. A nearly 100-year history as varied as that can only mean one thing: horizontal stripes make you look cool, so who cares if they make you look "wider."

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