Looking for t shirt cutting ideas that go beyond a cropped hem? Think little side ties, a heart-shaped back or a whole panel of crisscrossed strips.
These pictures include finished looks plus a few shirts shown before their makeover, so you can pick the details you like.
You can keep things simple or go all out. I especially love the bow-like cutouts and bright red heart border.
Use these as design inspiration rather than complete cutting instructions, particularly for looks with added trim or hardware.
T-shirt cutouts and shapes worth saving
woven back strips
We’re starting off strong with this crisscrossed back. I love how the wide gray strips overlap to leave little rectangular openings.
There’s so much detail without adding another color.
If you want to try a similar look, keep the sleeves plain so the woven section gets all the attention.
pink graphic tee
How cute is this pink tee with its red and blue graphic? This is a starting-point shot, with the shirt still on its hanger and scissors held beside it. The finished cut isn’t shown.
For your own version, I’d keep that large illustration intact and consider a small hem change instead.
one shoulder and side knots
I am obsessed with this one-shoulder shape. The diagonal neckline leads into a big side knot, with more ties and little openings running down the same side.
The long hanging ends are worth keeping if you like this look. A simple pendant necklace is a pretty addition too.
red collar and tiny stripes
The bright red collar and sleeve edges are so cute against these narrow stripes. Here, the shirt is being held up rather than shown as a finished cutout look.
Read also: 20 Outfit Ideas for Styling a Blazer in Your Midsize Wardrobe
If you’re using a similar top for a makeover, I’d leave the red details alone and focus any changes on the lower hem.
simple black tank
If you are looking for something simple, this one is for you. The black sleeveless top keeps its round neckline and wide shoulders, with no extra cutout pattern.
I love it tucked into blue jeans with a dark belt. Add a short gold-tone necklace if you want to follow the styling here.
split sleeves with rings
These sleeves may just be my favorite detail so far. Long openings run down the arms, with silver-tone rings connecting the edges.
The gathered sides and dangling ties make the black top even more interesting.
Read also: 19 Dress and Outfit Ideas for Women in Their Late 30s
This is more than a scissors-only idea, so save it for the shape and hardware details rather than treating it as a simple slit tutorial.
orange tee and dark shorts
Love a bright graphic tee? This orange one is shown with dark fitted shorts, with its long hem still visible.
The scissors are out, but the final alteration isn’t shown here.
Read also: 20 Midi Skirt Outfit Ideas to Try If You’re Petite
For a similar shirt, you could plan a shorter hem below the graphic without cutting into the design.
green tee neckline inspiration
Don’t want to go all out with side cutouts? A neckline change is another direction to consider.
This green graphic tee is shown before the advertised V-neck makeover, still with its round collar.
I’d choose a shallow V for my own version and leave plenty of space above the print.
burgundy open back
How pretty is this open-back top? The burgundy sides meet in a knot at the lower back, with long ends hanging over the white pants.
I love the cropped shape with those wide-leg bottoms. Keep the back knot visible if you want to borrow this outfit idea.
Read also: How to Style Baggy Tshirt Outfit Ideas Right - 10+ Fav Ways
heart cutout with red trim
OMG, how adorable is this heart-shaped back? I am obsessed with the wavy red border against the plain white tee.
The loose sleeves and long hem stay simple around that big opening. A red bag like this one is such a cute way to repeat the trim color.
Read also: 20 Dress and Outfit Ideas for an Inverted Triangle Body Shape
open sides and little chains
If you are looking for a graphic tee with a little extra edge, then this one is for you. The sleeveless black top has a deep side opening crossed by short silver-tone chains.
I love that the large guitar graphic stays intact. The chains attach through small eyelets, so there’s more involved here than just cutting away the sides.
white tee with a center tie
This is such a pretty way to change a plain white tee. A long vertical opening ends at a low knot, with two pointed tails hanging beneath it.
The wide neckline and loose sleeves keep the rest simple. If you’d rather have more coverage, try a contrasting tank underneath your version.
slits beside a rose graphic
The graphic tee fans are going to love this! A column of narrow horizontal cuts sits beside the rose design, with hands working on one of the strips.
This is an in-progress view rather than a finished outfit. I’d keep the cuts beside the illustration like this instead of carrying them through the flower.
turquoise bow-like cutouts
I am obsessed with these little bow-like shapes. Narrow turquoise strips gather at the center between larger openings, making a pattern all the way down the shirt.
There are cutouts on the sleeves too. You could leave your sleeves plain if you want a less detailed version.
olive strapless top
Don’t want sleeves or shoulder straps? This olive graphic top takes things in a different direction with a straight strapless neckline.
I love the small black bow at the center and its long hanging cords. The gathered shape looks cute with the dark jeans shown here.
gray tee with hip ties
This is another side-tied idea, but it’s a little different from the one-shoulder look above. The gray tee keeps both sleeves and a wide rounded neckline, with small knots gathered around the hips.
Those little openings are my favorite part. Choose this direction if you want the detail lower down rather than across your shoulders.
ladder back and shoulder openings
If you are looking for a back with lots of cutout detail, then this one is for you. A narrow ladder-like pattern runs down the center, with two much larger openings near the shoulders.
I love how the smaller cuts continue around the top. The plain lower hem gives the pattern a clear stopping point.
cropped top with looped sleeves
There is so much going on with this gray top! Wide openings sit above the chest graphic, while long rows of loops run down the sleeves.
The cropped hem makes it different from the longer tees here. If you want to borrow just one detail, I’d choose the sleeves and leave the chest of your own top uncut.
band tee over patterned sleeves
I love this dark graphic tee layered over black openwork sleeves. The red tongue graphic, star pendant and stacked bracelets make the outfit feel anything but plain.
Read also: 20 Concert Outfit Ideas With Sneakers and Looks to Adapt
The overlay covers part of the shirt, so the exact cuts aren’t clear. Save this one for styling a sleeveless or short-sleeved tee over a patterned long-sleeve top.
red off-shoulder neckline
Last but definitely not least, we have this bright red off-shoulder look. I love the wide neckline and oversized sleeves!
This example uses a sweatshirt-style top rather than a short-sleeved tee. You could borrow the neckline idea for a T-shirt while keeping the same loose shape through the body.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Giulia