When it comes to t-shirts and style, opinions often fall into two camps.
There are those men, the vast majority of them, who see tees as a wardrobe staple that is appropriate for nearly every occasion, and can be worn with little to no thought.
Then there are the traditionalists, small in number, but vocal, who feel t-shirts are utterly juvenile and sloppy-looking, and should never be worn outside a gym or away from the beach.
I’d like to suggest a middle path: t-shirts as a classic, versatile piece of clothing appropriate to wear on some occasions, but not others. Allow me also to suggest that even if t-shirts constitute a simple staple of one’s wardrobe, there are ways to wear them better, and worse.
This is not the best route to take. Paying careful attention to the style of your t-shirt is just as important as any other part of your wardrobe.
There are some factors that play into this.
Pay attention to these 5 aspects – fit, color, fabric, style, and function.
Here’s how to look amazing in everyone’s favorite piece of clothing, the T-shirt.
1. Get The FIT Right
Women agree that men are more attractive in a fitted white T-shirt. The shape of your top accentuates the typically masculine silhouette of broad shoulders and narrow waist.
So, no matter how you’re built, a t-shirt can make you look more masculine. However, there is a caveat – it has to fit perfectly and highlight the best attributes of your body without looking like a skin-tight workout top.
Here are some rules for the perfect fitting t-shirt:
Shoulders – The seams of the t-shirt should sit perfectly on the edge of your shoulders.
Sleeves – Fitted around the arms and not extending to your elbow. If you have big arms, look for slightly shorter sleeves or give the sleeves a couple of folds to show off your guns.
Length – Your top should be long enough for it to be tucked into your trousers, but not so long that it bunches at the waist. Ensure that it extends past your hip bone and covers the waistband of your pants. We’ll discuss tucking rules later in this article.
Stomach – Your top should conform slightly to the curve of your body. If it is too loose, you won’t see the shape of your body and if it is too tight, every detail of your stomach will be visible. A tapered cut that doesn’t drape your waistline is most flattering.
Neck – When you raise your arms, there shouldn’t be a big gap around the neck. It should also not be so tight that you can’t move around easily.
A well-fitting shirt is never restrictive and should allow for comfortable movement. Skin tight tops should only be worn for sport.
2. Choose The Right COLOR
You should own at least a few of the basics – white, black, gray and navy.
White – Complements all skin tones. The classic white t-shirt should be part of your wardrobe. Remember to always wash your white clothes together. Don’t mix with other colors.
Gray – A mixture of different shades – gray virtually enhances your body shape. Watch out for sweat marks which are easily visible on dark colors.
Black – Another versatile color option, black pairs well with most outfit combinations. However, the color tends to fade quickly and can be a little severe during the day.
Navy – A better choice than black that is more suitable during the day and great for creating tonal looks when combined with jeans.
Other Colors – A t-shirt is probably the easiest way to experiment with colors. Greens, reds, purples, and blues are great for creating a pop of color under a cardigan or worn on their own. Make sure the color of the t-shirt doesn’t clash with your skin tone.
3. Select The Right FABRIC
Quality is not related to the weight of the top. In fact, with t-shirts, the lighter materials tend to cost more.
100% cotton is the preferable choice, especially Egyptian or Pima cotton. They are made from long staple fibers that last longer, look thinner and feel lighter.
Cotton blends are also good options. A moderate amount of elastane (stretch fibers) helps to maintain the shape of your top, whereas cotton-polyester blends come in at a lower price point and offer easy maintenance because they crease less.
The label on the t-shirt gives you an idea of the composition of the fabric used to make the t-shirt. The most common options are:
Combed Cotton: A strong, soft and smooth fabric which has been brushed fine to straighten the fibers and remove short strands.
Organic Cotton: More expensive than treated cotton, this soft material is derived from cotton grown with minimal pesticides and fertilizers and pesticides.
Polyester: Light and quick-drying, but not breathable. Polyester maintains its shape well and resists wrinkles and shrinking.
4. STYLE
The first thing to pay attention to is the collar. You need to match your collars when layering. If you’re wearing a jacket with a collar, your t-shirt needs to feature the same shape.
Should you wear a crew or v-neck?
Crew necks are suitable for men with a small chest or sloped shoulders. They help in creating an illusion of broader shoulders, giving your body more proportion.
V-necks are perfect for shorter gents because they create an illusion of length and height, elongating the neck. They provide balance to men with long necks and narrow faces.
What about a deep V-neck, a scoop neck or a boat neck? My advice is to steer clear of these styles. They tend to be fashion trends that can only be worn tastefully by a select group of men.
5. What Is The FUNCTION Of The T-Shirt?
When is it appropriate to wear a t-shirt?
If you’re intending to make a great first impression, on a date or a party, a colored shirt is a better option.
Ask yourself what the rest of the people at the event are going to be wearing. If you are surrounded by a sea of t-shirts, feel free to dress down as well, but with a quality top.
Concerts, the local bar, beaches and casual parties with close friends are all acceptable occasions to dress for comfort in a t-shirt. Any activity that involves a lot of sweating, including sport requires a t-shirt.
Ensure you are wearing one that is designed as outerwear and not as an undershirt.
Maintain your t-shirts with proper care while cleaning them. They won’t have the same impact if they look like their best days are well in the past.
Aungcrown T-shirts are 100% cotton and tailored to hug your body perfectly without being too tight.