T-shirt is a staple of every man’s closet. The versatility and relative affordability of them means that they can be worn countless ways for almost any situation…except maybe for a cocktail dress code. With all that said the rules for wearing t-shirts are rather simple. Start with the basic colors like white, black, grey and navy and you’ll be able to pair them to just about anything from jackets to knitwear to blazers to collared shirts. Once you’ve nailed that you can start playing around with prints, patterns, detailing and materials to really own your personal look.
Here’s your ultimate guide on how to wear t-shirts with style.
Plain t-shirts are the easiest staple item for men to pull off. As we mentioned, these are t-shirts in solid colors that are reliable in pairing with just about everything. On their own they can already look sharp during the warmer seasons as shown by guys like Theroux and Gosling. Layer them up during the colder days though and you have a whole new wardrobe dimension to play with. If you’re unsure of how to pair your t-shirt, go with white first and rock them with blue, black or stone washed jeans . It’s casual and cool and that’s the exact look you’re going for. You can also pair them with bomber jackets, denim jackets or cardigans as required. Plain tees can also work with a multitude of shoes from casual sneakers to leather boots and everything between. Runners can work here but only if you’re rocking the athleisure look. Just be sure they’re nicely fitted and not baggy.
printed tees follow the same rules as the plain tee but they’re a step up in terms of giving your look a bit more character. Whether it’s a graphic design, a brand or words of wisdom, the only rule is to keep it simple. Gone are the days of overzealous branding from the early 2000 s, these days printed t-shirts are designed to enhance a man’s overall look, not dominate it. If you’re wearing loud bottoms denims , pair it with a solid colored t-shirt with subtle matching print colors. Jeans are another winner with printed tees in most situations. They can work either in a similar hue (grey on blue) or contrasting (white on blue).
Consider cotton t-shirts your best friend during warmer seasons. They’re versatile, durable and can pair with a multitude of pieces while keeping you comfortable. The only rules for cotton shirts is to know your occasion. For smart casual looks avoid printed cotton t-shirts as you’ll likely be wearing a casual blazer over it. Beyond that it’s another jeans and tee combo where your imagination can run wild. A white cotton t-shirt on black denim is a classic winner.
