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lightning // the tee i never meant to wear

Megan Nielsen lightning tee

Let’s just file this under: Things I Never Thought I’d Wear Out the House.

So here is the back story. Last year our kids school had their annual fundraiser night, and all the parents had to dress up to a “Glam Rock” theme. I wasn’t sure exactly what to do about that, and after a lot of stressing decided to go simple.

Megan Nielsen lightning tee
Megan Nielsen lightning tee

I found a long sleeved swingy tee that I had made when I was pregnant with Birdie, but hadn’t worn, as I was pregnant over summer and actually needed SUMMER clothing (please don’t judge my stupid pregnant brain). I quickly used some painters tape to mark out a lightning bolt and then painted it with gold fabric paint. It is not my best work, but for a one night thing it worked. I paired it with sparkly silver leggings, giant platform shoes, my hair teased to giant proportions and some very glittery makeup. No pictures will be shown as i looked ridiculous. When we got home that night, I went to check on the kids after the babysitter left and found Birdie had been sick everywhere. Turns out, she was really quite sick, and spent the rest of the night and next day constantly being sick. And yes i was still wearing crazy hair, sparkly makeup, tight silver pants and the lightning tee. Sometimes parenting can be really funny… and gross.

Megan Nielsen lightning tee
Megan Nielsen lightning tee
Megan Nielsen lightning tee

After that night (and a good washing) the lightning tee was hung in my wardrobe. And then a weird thing happened. One day, I had no clean shirts (yes I suck at getting laundry done) and found myself putting this tee on. And then the next week when it entered the wardrobe again i found myself wearing it again… and before i knew it, this stupid lightning bolt tee had become one of my staple winter tees. Worn like this, with my jeans and some sneakers.

HOW did this happen?! I actually still can’t figure that out. If you asked me, i would say this isn’t my style at all. I also would never buy this tee. And yet here I stand, with a tee i swear i don’t really like and made just for a silly dress up night, and have somehow worn once a week the whole winter. So obviously i really DO like it.

Megan Nielsen lightning tee

Honestly at this point i don’t even feel like i can explain my brain anymore. I give up. Lightning tee: you win, welcome to my wardrobe. 

About Author

Meg is the Founder and Creative Director of Megan Nielsen Patterns, and is constantly dreaming up ideas for new sewing patterns and ways to make your sewing journey more enjoyable! She gets really excited about design details and is always trying to add way too many variations to our patterns.

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carlalissa
6 years ago

I think is not because you like it or not. It looks very comfy and flowy and that beats the looks.

Marial Shea
6 years ago

Is it possible this tee knows something about you that you don’t yet know? It’s so wild and sexy and fluid, and a little cheeky, and I love that it resulted from a spontaneous act of creativity free of perfectionism. You inspire me to do more work that’s “not my best.”

PsychicSewerKathleen
PsychicSewerKathleen
6 years ago

I like your Tee! I think it expresses you very well – that “bolt” of inspiration and “fast” wit. I too have been observing so many these swingy Tee’s online (then Closet Case Heather Lou released a pattern for one which was the push I definitely needed) that I’ve found myself entertaining one and it’s NOT at all something I think I would suit either but they look so comfortable and there is a silhouette with skinny jeans (like yours!) that is just the right amount of movement and fit in the RIGHT places. It’s like a sexy dress that doesn’t actually reveal any skin at all :)

Lori
Lori
6 years ago

I think it’s awesome and you look terrific in it.

Dara Harper
Dara Harper
6 years ago

Actually Megan, you look like a “COOL” Mom!!

Tasha
Tasha
6 years ago

I think it is the colours that work really well on you. By itself, the grey would have been very dull, but the unique gold lighting shape seem to elevate it and just work.

Freya
Freya
6 years ago

I had a tee like that. My Dad bought it for me on accident (not a savvy internet shopper that one :-)) and it was a forest green t-shirt with a huge white eagle swooping down after some people running. Everytime I wore it people asked me “what band is that?” Ha! Anyway, it was such an easy go-to and so so soft we have puctures of me wearing after having given birth to 2 of our kiddos! Ha. It eventually ended up being thrown in the rag bag after getting badly stained.

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