Tunic Shirts

"Look Chic-Smart in a Tunic Shirt"

Tunic shirts make it simple for you to look smart yet chic. They're a fabulous alternative to regular dress shirts and can be worn to casual office settings.

What I really like about them is that they're versatile to wear throughout the season. For the warm summer months - drop the pants and wear it as a tunic dress, or pair it with mini or capri shorts. When winter is approaching - combine it with your jeans, wool tights or denim leggings - and of course, layer it with a knit cardigan.

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Light pink tunic shirt
Courtesy of New York & Company

You can find tunic shirts in a variety of styles - from sophisticated button-downs to boho floral prints, rustic plaids to the classy belted shirt. I personally like shirts that nip at the waist because the looser ones tend to make me look pregnant. Now here are some tips on how to buy the right shirt for your body shape:

How to Look Smart & Stylish in Tunic Shirts

What bottoms to pair the shirt with?

Rihanna wearing a white tunic shirt
Rihanna via celebutopia

Since the shirt is long - usually around hip or thigh length - I advise you to pair it with slim and fitted around the legs such as leggings, straight or skinny jeans.

Bootcut and flare jeans can also work - but there's a big BUT. You need to be taller than 5'4 or add heels or select a bottom that is fitted around the hips and thighs - to avoid looking frumpy.

Adding a belt also adjusts the baggy look of the shirt.

More ideas:

Knee or above the knee denim skirts (preferably pencil)
Slim-fitted khaki pants
Slim bermuda shorts

A long shirt will make your torso longer and legs shorter, so I also suggest to work on elongating your bottom with a pair of heels or shoes that blend with the color of the bottom, hosiery or your skin tone.

How to chic up the shirt

Grey tunic shirt with a skinny belt
Courtesy of Monolook.net

Look extra pretty by following some of these styling tips:

Does the garment look a little loose or boxy? Shapeless waists can make you shorter and wider - so solve that with a wide or skinny belt wrapped around the thinnest part of your waist. Or if you have long legs, wear it slung around your hips.
Show some skin.. on top. Don't button it all way to the collar - leave at least 2 buttons open. If you feel exposed, wear a nude camisole underneath it

If you have curves

If you're bottom-heavy the downside is that long shirts can draw attention to your curves and make you look wider at the bottom. So if you have a Pear body shape or prominent butt - balance it out with:

A dark bottom
A bottom that flares slightly at the hemline
A tunic shirt that blends with the color of the bottom

We basically want to de-emphasize your lower body. If you're wearing a tunic with short skirts or shorts, opt for basic shoes to avoid shortening your legs.

More fashion advice on Tops:

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