T-shirts are our go to article of clothing for everything from lounging around the house to speaking in front of thousands gathered for a start-up convention. There’s hardly a comparison for a piece of clothing that is so versatile and widely accepted not to mention comfortable! Within this guide we’re going to attempt to cover all types of tees to help you narrow down the best options as far as purpose, fit, and comfort.
First let’s take a look at the back story of our most beloved piece of clothing. T-shirts started being manufactured way back in the late 1800’s as a replacement for buttoned and collared shirts for bachelors with no sewing skills. Sailors in the Navy then started cutting their union suits in two to wear the top portion all the time. When these men returned to Civilian life they were not keen on giving up the comfort they were used to so the t-shirt spread its way into the mainstream society. So beyond thanking our military for service in protecting our country and interests, you can also be thankful for the t-shirt. The military was also one of the first to commence the decoration of t-shirts with printed imagery.
How t-shirts are defined is typically by their neckline since they have no real collar, just hems. You have crewnecks and v-necks but there are also long-sleeved variations of these. Additionally you have types of t-shirts that are defined by their material content like 50/50 or polyblends and specialty t-shirts known as performance wear. How do you figure out which is best for you?
Crew necks were aptly named, again hearkening back to the Navy days when oarsmen who wore these were known as the “crew.” Crewnecks feature a ribbed raised neckline in a circular shape and are especially flattering on people with long necks and thinner builds. If you really prefer a v-neck but have a long neck, there are some options for v-necks that have a shortened v-shape.
V-necks can be worn by anyone but the extremely deep v-neck should be avoided because it’s a fashion phase and you’re going to regret those Instagram pictures in a year or two. Not to mention, you have less room for a t-shirt design!
How should a t-shirt fit? In almost any case, a t-shirt should lightly hug your body. The t-shirt tent is not a good look on anybody. The exception of course if you’re wearing an oversized t-shirt around the house to lounge in or do work. Then of course you can wear a tent t-shirt.
For most people sleeves will also define whether you’re wearing a well-fitting or ill-fitting tee. Too much flare in the sleeves and you’ll look like cadet from a space voyage show, too tight…well too tight just not alright. If you have muscles, wearing a bicep strangler isn’t going to make you look beefier but it might make you look like you’re trying too hard. Generally a sleeve should fall around midbicep and lightly hug your arm, the same as the rest of the tee. If you have a t-shirt that fits you in an odd way or you have an unusual shape, sometimes getting them professionally altered could be the answer, especially if you love the t-shirt design.
If you’re a little on the fluffy side, we recommend still wearing a t-shirt that only has a few inches of give on either side. If you’re uncomfortable with this, you could add layers like a light cardigan to offset attention to areas you’re not confident with. But stick with the slight body hug if you do this.
The length of a t-shirt varies depending on gender. Men should always wear t-shirts that rest about mid crotch level. If the hem of the t-shirt rests higher than that you may leave yourself vulnerable to exposing your stomach which should be avoided in professional settings. If you’re a very tall person, resist the temptation to wear oversized tees in an attempt to make up for length. Our Hanes Beef T offers selections for extra tall people in checkout. Women have a little more versatility in this arena but the same recommendation goes for professional settings.
The weight of a t-shirt is an important aspect to consider. We all like to be comfortable when wearing a t-shirt so the concept of thin material is often attractive especially in the summer. However nipple protrusions are never acceptable especially at work for both men and women. Fortunately, we don’t carry any t-shirt product that would land you in hot water at work. If you prefer a heavier t-shirt, our Hanes Beefy T will ensure you’re in full compliance whether at work or at play.
As far as colors are concerned, we have found that our most popular colors are shades of blue, white, shades of gray, and black. These colors should be a staple in your wardrobe because they can easily gp with lots of different outfits. This is particularly true for grey, it’s considered neutral and can be worn with almost any other color or pattern.
What to wear with a t-shirt? Just about anything! T-shirts are great with khakis, jeans, corduroys, shorts, skirts, leggings, under blazers, sweaters, and jackets. You can dress them up or down with accessories like scarves, shawls, hats, and jewelry. It’s not weird to wear heels with a t-shirt ensemble and they look just as good with sneakers, sandals, boots, and dress shoes.