Before there were memes there were T-shirts. Even now that there are memes, there are still T-shirts. Are you one of those guys who has hundreds of T-shirts to your name, and even when you cull the herd every year, there are those that are just too near and dear to your heart that you can’t see yourself giving them to charity? That Rolling Stones concert T-shirt from the 70s might just sit in storage, but there’s no way that vintage tee is going to anyone else. Now that certain T-shirt companies are beginning to replicate the vintage look, it just confirms why you should have the real deal.
If you’re the kind of guy who always wears T-Shirts, no matter what, then maybe you’ve toyed with the possibility of learning how to make T-shirts yourself and opening an eCommerce store online. Whether the T-shirt is way-weathered (like Hannah’s boyfriend, Adam, on “Girls,” according to the Atlantic), or is brand-spankin’ new, you can get more clever than displaying images of the shirt by really showing your fellow dudes how to wear the tee that says a little bit about their personality.
Go-To Tees for Guys
- Simple Style
Some days call for T-shirts with a simple design, not an “in your face” graphic. And you’ll most likely sell to a lot of guys who prefer something more mainstream. Quite honestly, some guys just look better with a well-worn, simple T-shirt. So give them quality. If they want a basic graphic, give them modern art, spare and perfect. A good tee fits just below the waist. When you get a new tee, yank it around a bit at the neck so it looks casual, not conformed to an inhuman shape. Steve Jobs wore turtlenecks, but if he wore T-shirts, this would be his Bauhaus style. Simon Cowell wears these, too, that’s how versatile they are. Nowhere else will you see Steve Jobs and Simon Cowell agree on anything.
- Chillin’ West Coast Style
Everyone knows that you can go wherever you want on the West Coast in a T-shirt, shorts and flip flops. So, borrow from that style in the summertime and break out your inner Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. If you like slogans, keep them simple and arty.
- Old-School Style
Vintage T’s and vintage sayings are in. So, even if you don’t have a closet of those old T-shirts (or they don’t fit anymore) choose some high quality ones (you know, like the way they used to make them). Choose old school colors, or the well-worn look. “That ‘70s Show” made the bold, bright colors of that era come back in style. If you have the confidence and the attitude to pull it off, go for it. The key is make sure that the T-shirt is high quality. Look for those that are tagless, too.
- The Suit-Jacket Tee
This can be one of those tough categories to pull off, because some guys will just look stupid if they wear a T-shirt with their suit. So how do you pull this off? Try throwing on your vintage band tee, a pair of sneakers and a rockin’ suit. If you’ve nailed it, you’ll show the world you haven’t lost your edge and you’ll stand out in the crowd, according to GQ.
- The Perfect V-Neck
There are definitely two types of V-Necks. The perfect V hits well below your Adam’s apple, but not ridiculously low. It shows off your biceps. This is a great choice to wear if you have a great body.
The T-Shirts Guys Should Never Wear
- You know anything with bacon is funny, but do you really want it on your chest?
- Please, right next to short shorts, sandals with socks, Hawaiian shirts and speedos, no more “I’m with stupid T-shirts,” according to Lifestyle.
- No deep-neck tees, especially on a date, according to the Huffington Post.
- Do NOT have your white T-shirt poking out from underneath your button down shirt. Yes, you may have to wear a button down shirt to work, and yes that white tee prevents sweat throughs, but have some savvy and class, and a seamless grown up look.
- No homemade T-shirts that were once perfectly nice white tees and now have a Sharpied non-clever saying across it. Yuck.
- Don’t cut off the arms of your t-shirt. ‘Nuff said.
- Be aware if the saying on your shirt might have been modified by the angle you’re standing or any accessories (say, a backpack) could alter it. Can you guess what the word “canal” looks like when it’s abbreviated by the straps of a backpack?
