styleground: How To: Cut Oversized Tees

Hey guys, Raghda here!

If you're anything like me, you love band tee's but you hate the standard crew neck and sleeves of AA t-shirts? Love that grungy loose fitted DIY looking spring/summer shirt trend?

Well now you have the freedom of buying an inexpensive oversized shirt with an image you love, and recreating this style yourself! I cannot begin to tell you about the amount of shirts in my wardrobe that I've cut in this style. Not only is the larger neckline more comfortable, but the lack of sleeves also makes it less bulky when you pair it with a cute cardi or button up. With these easy to follow steps, you'll be cutting up your shirts in no time!

You Will Need:

Shirt (at least 2 sizes too big)

Scissors, preferably fabric shears

Bandeau (to wear underneath, large armhole will expose bra!)

Step 1: Lay your shirt out onto a (relatively) flat surface and try to smooth it out and get the seams on both sides lined up and even.

Step 2: First we will be cutting off the sleeves. You'll want to cut on the side of the seam closer to the shirt.

Step 3: Cut the collar along the inside of the seam as well. Use the front collar as a guide.

Step 4: Now you'll want to cut a little (roughly an inch) along the shoulder seam from the collar you've created, and down along the front of the shirt creating a larger neckline. It is important to only cut the neckline of the front of the shirt first because it will be much lower and wider then the back.

When you cut the neckline of the back, instead of enlarging it, you'll want to cut off the extra piece of fabric now at the shoulder seam and smooth it out into the back neckline.

You can always go back and cut a little more if you like, but you can never add fabric!! Go a little at a time

Step 5: Almost done! Now we're just going to cut off the bottom hem. At this point you can decide the length of the shirt (when cutting a cropped top, cut a little at a time and keep trying it on), I'm just keeping it fairly long. Keep in mind that this step is optional. If you do decide to cut the hem, the next step and any washing after will cause the hem to roll up a little.

Step 6: Stretch. Just tug at the neckline, armholes and bottom of shirt, this helps the edges look a little less raw.

Step 7: Try it on and enjoy!

If you feel the need to make the armholes a little longer, cut more of the shoulder to give it a tank top look, or make the neckline a little wider, this is the time to adjust.