How to Wear a Tunic

Co-authored by Kalee Hewlett and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: December 10, 2023 References

In the fashion world, tunics don’t make you choose between style and comfort—instead, they offer the best of both worlds. This garment is a stylish and easy addition to your wardrobe, regardless of your body shape. Take a peek at these outfit ideas and see if any of them appeal to you!

1

Skinny Jeans

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Layer a tunic over skinny jeans for an easy, casual outfit. Pick out a pair of distressed jeans for an extra relaxed look, or wear an undistressed pair for a sleek, polished look. ^{[1]
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Expert Interview. 20 April 2021.} ^{[2]
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- Create a vibrant look by layering a colorful, patterned top over a pair of jeans.
- Play around with neutral tones for a more subtle outfit.

2

Leggings

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Wear a tunic with leggings for a chic, comfortable look. Tunics don’t offer a lot of coverage on their own. Instead, layer the tunic over a nice pair of leggings to create a stylish, well-rounded outfit. ^{[3]
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Kalee Hewlett
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Expert Interview. 20 April 2021.} ^{[4]
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- You can finish off your look with a nice, professional set of shoes, like a pair of flats.
- For a casual, edgier look, wear leather leggings instead. ^{[5]
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3

Shorts

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Shorts and tunics go great together—you just want your shorts to be visible beneath your tunic. Before heading out, check that the bottom of your shorts are longer than the bottom hem of your tunic. ^{[6]
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4

Dress

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Slip your tunic over a sleeveless dress. If you can, choose a dress color that contrasts nicely with your tunic—this will create a stylish, dynamic outfit. In this ensemble, your tunic will act as the sleeves of your dress.
- You might layer a bold, solid-colored tunic over a neutral-toned dress.

5

Solid Colors

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Pick out a solid-colored tunic for a classic look. Solid colors blend well with the rest of your outfit, creating a stylish and streamlined look. Keep things subtle with neutral tones, or create a bolder ensemble with more dramatic tones. ^{[7]
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- A cream or light-brown colored tunic can create a subtle, stylish look, while a brighter tunic creates a more eye-catching outfit.

6

Patterns

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Jazz up your outfit with a patterned tunic. Choose a tunic with an eye-catching pattern to serve as the focal point for your outfit. Pick out a unique, eclectic pattern for a really eye-catching look, or play around with a simpler pattern for a less dramatic outfit. ^{[8]
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- A tunic patterned with bugs and birds creates a fun, eye-catching look, while a striped tunic is a lot more subtle.

7

Sweater Tunic

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Bundle up with a sweater tunic. Sweater tunics offer the comfort and flexibility of a tunic with soft, insulated material of a sweater. Layer your tunic over a pair of long pants, jeans, or leggings, along with a comfortable pair of shoes. ^{[9]
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- For instance, you might layer a sweater tunic over a pair of jeans, along with a pair of boots.
- Scarves and winter hats are also great additions to this outfit.

8

Cropped Jacket

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Layer a cropped jacket over your tunic. Pick a jacket that contrasts nicely with your tunic, and creates a dynamic, eye-catching look. Feel free to jazz this look up with other accessories too, like a belt or thick necklace. ^{[10]
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- For instance, you might match a light-colored jacket with a dark, solid-colored tunic.

9

Boots

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Dress down in a pair of knee-high boots. Knee-high boots are a great way to prioritize comfort while still looking stylish. Pick out a long pair of pants, like leggings or skinny jeans, and then layer your boots over top. ^{[11]
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- Neutral-toned boots go with a variety of outfits.

10

High Heels

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Tunics are very versatile, and go with a variety of different shoes. Play around with high heels, pumps, and strappy sandals until you find a look you really like! ^{[12]
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11

Belts

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Define your waist with a belt. Wide, waist-flattering belts are universally stylish with tunics. Skinny belts are another stylish option that help add an extra dimension to your outfit. ^{[13]
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- If your tunic is straight, style your outfit with a braided belt that sits around the middle of your waist.

12

Scarves

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Grab a decorative scarf as a finishing touch to your outfit. Get dressed in your outfit of choice. Before heading out, wrap a scarf around your neck as a stylish accent. As an extra touch, pick out a scarf that meshes well with your tunic’s color scheme. ^{[14]
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- For example, you might wear a paisley blue scarf with a blue top.

13

Chunky Necklace

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Chunky jewelry adds a lot of depth and style to your outfit, and contrasts nicely with a tunic. Pick out jewelry in a color that meshes with your outfit, like neutral tones. ^{[15]
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14

Hats

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Slip on a brimmed hat before heading out. Brimmed hats go well with both long-sleeved and sleeveless tunics, creating a balanced, timeless look in your outfit. Play around with solid tones to create a balanced look throughout your outfit. ^{[16]
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- You might wear a solid-colored hat with a neutral-toned tunic. Or, you could contrast a darker hat with a lighter tunic.

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What kind of pants do I wear with tunic tops?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Pair your tunic with something form-fitting, such as skinny jeans or leggings.

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What kind of jacket, sweater or coat to wear with tunics?

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Cropped jackets look really cute with tunics.

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Can I wear a tunic with a long skirt?

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I wouldn't. This tends to look too "heavy" - like there's too much going on. A top that falls just below the waistline would look better.

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Tucking in a tunic isn’t taboo! It’s perfectly fine to tuck in your garment if that feels more comfortable for you. ^{[17]
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How to Wear a Tunic

Steps

Skinny Jeans

Leggings

Shorts

Dress

Solid Colors

Patterns

Sweater Tunic

Cropped Jacket

Boots

High Heels

Belts

Scarves

Chunky Necklace

Hats

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

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References

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