6 Ways To Wear A T-Shirt

Like a pair of jeans, the humble T-shirt is the go-to item of a man’s wardrobe; they are the building blocks that you can take in any direction you please, dressing them up or down depending on the occasion. Of course, when it comes to T-shirts, what’s in vogue changes on a regular basis. This means that while some pieces in this category are classics, others are more transient, shifting in popularity according to the fashion zeitgeist. Whether they’re timeless or trendy, to find out which T-shirts should be in your wardrobe right now read on.


1. The polo T-shirt
Once upon a time, polo shirts were the domain of golfers and prepsters. Everything changed when successful advertising campaigns by companies like Ralph Lauren and Lacoste made us all realize how incredibly versatile this piece was. Nowadays, everyone owns -- or ought to own -- a polo. No matter what your style, a polo will be a useful addition to your wardrobe that you’ll be able to adapt to your unique look. During the summer months, try it in a playful, ultra bright shade like this multi-striped version from Lacoste. The only thing you need to remember is that while preppy equals polished, you want to avoid wearing it head to toe.
Wear it with: White trousers in the summer and your own accessories.

2. The nautical tee

Beloved from New England to Europe, the nautical tee successfully combines fashion with function. Whether you’re down at the docks or chilling on a yacht, a nautical tee will stand you in good stead. Like this long-sleeved model from Ralph Lauren, you’ll want to get yours in lightweight cotton, which can be thrown straight into the wash in order to maximize its usage. Even if you don’t have a perfect physique, don’t be put off by wearing horizontal stripes as these are some of the most flattering lines you’ll ever come across. There’s only one caveat: This shirt is the definition of easy summer living, so don’t even think about wearing it in the winter.

Wear it with: It’s stunning with white, so dress it up with a white blazer or keep it casual with cotton shorts.

3. The graphic T-shirt
Having made a major impact on the T-shirt market when it first appeared, the graphic tee remains a wardrobe must-have for stylish men from Johannesburg to Jacksonville. To be able to wear your graphic T-shirt with practically everything in your wardrobe, you’ll want to stick to a reasonably abstract pattern such as this ship mast image on Toddland’s super soft cotton crew neck.

Wear it with: Make a graphic statement by mixing this T-shirt with gray jeans or corduroys, and throw on a blazer for funky, fuss-free style on a wild night out.



4. The sports T-shirt

While you can’t get away with wearing your favorite player’s jersey on a regular basis as it’s neither acceptable office wear nor particularly stylish, you can show your love for the game at work by playing with a carefully chosen sports tee. Retro Sport is one label that makes fantastic vintage-inspired T-shirts featuring logos from old-school sporting teams. Football fans can pledge their allegiance to the sport without compromising their style with this T-shirt from the Los Angeles bulldogs, who competed from 1936 to 1948.

Wear it with: Slim fitting jeans and canvas sneakers.

5. The deep V-neck T-shirt

While a V-shaped neckline is never really outdated, you can increase the style quotient of your ensemble by choosing a tee with a deep V-neck rather than the standard collarbone length style. This 50% cotton and 50% modal version from Daftbird is seasonless and will slim a less-than-ideal shape, making it appear more masculine. At the same time, the neckline isn’t so low that you’ll feel cheesy in it or like you’re contemplating entering a cleavage competition.

Wear it with: Blazers make it smarter, cuffed denim keeps it casual and layering a cardigan over it takes it into fall.

6. The granddad T-shirt


Essentially a short-sleeve Henley, the granddad tee is reminiscent of those long-sleeve thermals your old man’s old man wore. Thankfully, this time around they have been updated with a more flattering fit and you won’t be restricted to wearing them exclusively as an undergarment. This dark-navy option from G-Star is cut to skim the body and show off a gym-toned physique to its full advantage without being skin tight.

Wear it with: Denim or pressed cotton pants. In colder months, layer it underneath a plaid shirt to try out the American revival trend.

BUILDING BLOCKS
You probably wear them so often you barely think about them, but the introduction of the T-shirt initiated a style revolution -- just think about what it did for stars like James Dean and Steve McQueen and its power will become crystal clear. Universally appealing thanks to their relatively low cost, high comfort and sheer versatility, T-shirts can be worn in an endless number of ways and are the perfect budget-conscious way to revitalize your wardrobe this season and the next.