If you're an adult figuring out how to wear tie-dye [1] without looking like your adolescent self, I'm with you. And, because I love pushing myself outside my comfort zone when it come to fashion, I'm also here for you. When our team — and really, whole office — wondered how to wear the tie-dye trend IRL, you better believe I volunteered myself as tribute, Katniss-Everdeen-style.
While the trend seemed easy to wear on the runways of Calvin Klein Collection [2] (miss you already), Proenza Schouler, and R13, I quickly realized that it's a totally different ballgame to wear the trend out on the streets [3]. How could I actually pull off the cool trend without looking like I was counselor in charge of the friendship bracelet station at your local day camp?
Since the print is a bold one, it's easy to be afraid of falling off the wagon and ending up looking like a 10-year-old heading to camp, a year-round Summer festival attendee, or like you found a time machine and transported to us straight from Woodstock. With a little inspiration from celebrities like Beyoncé and Justin Bieber (Yep, the Biebs, surprisingly, has worn a ton of great outfits [4]!), I found four easy ways to wear tie-dye. The trick is to make the tie-dye pieces the center of your outfit and keep the rest of the styling contemporary (think: high-waist trouser denim versus light-wash distressed jeans).
Ahead, read on to see how I styled the print, and shop some of my favorite selects to get in on the trend.
Celeb Inspo: Kaia Gerber
Kaia walked down the R13 runway back [6] in September wearing a chic tie-dye look. She wore a top and blazer in the bold print but paired her look with distressed denim and edgy black boots.
IRL: Tie-Dye Top
Since this was the first tie-dye piece of clothing I had worn since hitting puberty, I decided it was best to ease into the trend. I wore a white and black tie-dye Shein top a try first, rather a super trippy color scheme. I styled my top with high-waist Self-Portrait x Lee jeans with black ankle boots. I like that the shirt's twist-front silhouette shows off just a touch of skin.
Celeb Inspo: Justin Bieber
Justin walked down the streets of London wearing a hypey RHUDE tie-dye sweater [7]. The pastel hues helped offset the bold pattern and he finished his look off with baggy shorts and white sneakers.
IRL: Tie-Dye Hoodie
Okay, day two and I think I'm finally getting the hang of this. I was way more open to trying out more vibrant tie-dye color schemes. I slipped into a purple and blue cropped Shein hoodie and styled it with white Cotton Citizen jeans to make the color pop even more. Unlike JB, I decided to keep my hair on the tamer side and tucked mine into the sweatshirt (a trick employed by countless street style stars).
Celeb Inspo: Beyoncé
Beyoncé let her colorful wrap minidress by MSGM [8] take center stage by keeping the rest of her accessories low-key.
IRL: Matching Set
Inspired by my fashion queen for life, Beyoncé, I opted for an easy one-and-done outfit: a wrap set by Shein. Sure, I'm not in Lake Como walking on a luxurious boat, but you better believe I felt like a million bucks in this colorful set which by, the way, only costs $18. Like Bey, I let my colorful outfit be the center of attention and styled it with a simple pair of white mules.
Another outfit idea? If you're not quite ready to dive in head first and wear the print head to toe, start with just one piece from the set. I tied my wrap top in the front to give it a different feel.
At this point, I've embraced the tie-dye life. There may be no tie-dye print too bold or colorful for me and I'm feeling all the '70s vibes. In fact, I ended up re-wearing the cropped sweatshirt to drinks with friends over the weekend. To make my look feel more modern, I finished my look off with a pair of dark, high-waist jeans that flared out at the bottom.
Shein Twist Tie Dye Tee
Shein Twist Tie Dye Tee [9] ($8, originally $21)
Shein Water Color Drawstring Crop Hoodie
Shein Water Color Drawstring Crop Hoodie [10] ($11, originally $19)
Shein Tie Dye Wrap Knot Waist Crop Top & Skirt Set
Shein Tie Dye Wrap Knot Waist Crop Top & Skirt Set [11] ($18)
Reformation Eddie Long Sleeve Tee
Reformation Eddie Long Sleeve Tee [12] ($48)
NAMJOSH Tie Dye Beaded Headband
NAMJOSH Tie Dye Beaded Headband [13] ($50)
Zara Tie-Dye Set
Zara TIE-DYE CROPPED TOP [14] ($30) and Zara TIE DYE SKIRT [15] ($40)
All Things Mochi Lana Tie-Dye Set
All Things Mochi Lana tie-dye Cropped Cotton Top [16] ($170) and All Things Mochi Mabel tie-dye Cotton Wrap Skirt [17] ($177)
Tanya Taylor Honor Dress
Tanya Taylor Honor Dress [18] ($645)
Vans Tie Dye Era
Vans Tie Dye Era [19] ($60)
Cotton Citizen Brisbane Tank
Cotton Citizen Brisbane Tank [20] ($80)
MSGM Tie Dye Crop Top
MSGM Tie Dye Crop Top [21] ($140)
Prada Pattina Tie-Dye Leather Shoulder Bag
Prada Pattina Tie-Dye Leather Shoulder Bag [22] ($3,360)
Mango Printed strap t-shirt
Mango Printed strap t-shirt [23] ($36)
3.1 Phillip Lim - Wool-trimmed tie-dye cotton-jersey T-shirt
3.1 Phillip Lim - Wool-trimmed tie-dye cotton-jersey T-shirt [24] ($250)
Target Plus Size Long Sleeve Cropped Crewneck Tie Dye Sweatshirt
Target Plus Size Long Sleeve Cropped Crewneck Tie Dye Sweatshirt [25] ($22)
Victoria, Victoria Beckham Oversized embroidered tie-dyed cotton-fleece sweatshirt
Victoria, Victoria Beckham Oversized embroidered tie-dyed cotton-fleece sweatshirt [26] ($210)
Raquel Allegra Boyfriend Tee in Gold Rainbow Tie Dye
Raquel Allegra Boyfriend Tee in Gold Rainbow Tie Dye [27] ($225)
Zara TIE DYE DRESS
Zara TIE DYE DRESS [28] ($30)
Raquel Allegra x Pedro Garcia Kaname Sandal in Sunset
Raquel Allegra x Pedro Garcia Kaname Sandal in Sunset [29] ($395)
Forever 21 Plus Size Boho Me Tie-Dye Drawstring Tunic
Forever 21 Plus Size Boho Me Tie-Dye Drawstring Tunic [30] ($48)
Michael Lauren Runner Dress in Galaxy Wash
Michael Lauren Runner Dress in Galaxy Wash [31] ($97)
LPA Lunetta Dress in Heidi Tie Dye
LPA Lunetta Dress in Heidi Tie Dye [32] ($198)
Paco Rabanne Knotted Tie-Dye Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
Paco Rabanne Knotted Tie-Dye Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt [33] ($230)
RE/DONE Originals Cropped Hoodie in Teal Tie Dye
RE/DONE Originals Cropped Hoodie in Teal Tie Dye [34] ($240)
Baja East Tie Dye Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Baja East Tie Dye Long Sleeve T-Shirt [35] ($295)
Rhode Nala Tie-Dye Mini Dress
Rhode Nala Tie-Dye Mini Dress [36] ($355)
Proenza Schouler Tie Dye Knit Dress
Proenza Schouler Tie Dye Knit Dress [37] ($990)
