How to Style a T-Shirt

The t-shirt is a classic and versatile shirt that you have, and may not know how to look good in it. Learn how to properly style a t-shirt.

History of the t-shirt

The t-shirt began as an undershirt. During the 19th century, many workers used the t-shirt to form a two-piece suit to wear underneath uniforms or with trousers. During this time, the U.S. military also adopted the cotton t-shirt as the official undershirt. In 1942, the cover of LIFE magazine shared one of the first photos of a printed t-shirt.

Man wearing a t-shirt on Life Magazine's cover. — LIFE Magazine July 13, 1942

The tee shirt or t-shirt is named after the T shape. It’s a functional shirt style to wear in the warmer months, such as spring and summer, because it helps keep you cool.

Different types

Not all t-shirts are short-sleeve crew necks. The following are the different types of t-shirts:

The crew neck

A grey short-sleeve t-shirt and a black long-sleeve t-shirt. — Photo courtesy of Everlane.

The crew neck t-shirt is a versatile and classic t-shirt style that most men have. The neckline is round and fits snug around the base of your neck.

Crew neck t-shirts are great to wear alone or as a base layer. You can wear a button-down shirt unbuttoned with a t-shirt underneath or a nice white crew neck undershirt with a dress shirt. Many options make the crew neck t-shirt a favorite among many men.

The v-neck

Navy blue v-neck t-shirt. — Photo courtesy of Nordstrom.

The V-neck t-shirt is made in both short and long sleeve shirts. Compared to the crewneck, the V-neck style has a more casual feel. It also draws a person’s eyes towards your midsection, so if you’re a bit heavier, it would be best to wear a crew neck or Henley.

V-neck t-shirts work well when you wear button-ups with a couple of buttons unbuttoned. This will ensure that you hide the undershirt when the first few buttons are undone.

The henley

Grey long sleeve henley and black short sleeve henley. — Photo courtesy of Nordstrom.

The Henley is a hybrid between a classic t-shirt and a polo. They’re distinguished by their buttons, which are often worn with a few undone. Henley t-shirts look best when they’re simple and without any prints. They’re perfect for a casual day, and if you want to swap out your classic crew neck t-shirt.

The polo T-shirt

A short-sleeve Henley looks like a polo T-shirt without the collar. The Henley is more casual, while the polo T-shirt has a collar and is dressier.

You should also have a polo T-shirt in your closet because it gives you a neat appearance in warmer weather. It’s an easy way to up-level your summer outfits. You can wear a polo T-shirt with jeans, chinos, or dress shorts.

How it fits

A well-fitting t-shirt will not only feel better, but you’ll also look better. Before considering how to style a t-shirt, you need a t-shirt that fits well. The key to achieving the perfect fit is to focus on accentuating certain body parts without feeling suffocated. The following are tips for getting the perfect fit:

Size

The perfect t-shirt should have a snug fit. It shouldn’t be too baggy or too tight because you’ll look unflattering. You should be able to move comfortably and without restrictions.

Neck

Your t-shirt’s neckline should fit snugly without being too tight. On the flip side, if there’s a large gap around your neck when you lift your arms, it’s too big.

Shoulders

The key to nailing your fit is to ensure the seams of the t-shirt line up with your shoulder line. If it goes past the edge of your shoulders, it’ll be too baggy. If it doesn’t reach your shoulders, it’s too small.

Arms

Your t-shirt sleeves should be fitted around your arms, and the length should end halfway down your biceps. If you have a muscular build, the sleeves will naturally fit more on the tighter side, and it may help to look for slightly shorter sleeves.

Stomach

Nailing the fit around your stomach can be difficult. Most guys opt for a larger size to make sure that their stomach isn’t popping through the shirt. However, it’s important to wear a t-shirt that conforms to the natural shape of your body. By doing so, you’ll look your best.

Length

Length can vary depending on the purpose of your t-shirt. If you’re wearing an undershirt, it should be long enough to be tucked in. If you want to wear a t-shirt casually, the length should end right above your belt line.

Best colors

Neutral-colored t-shirts are basics that you need to have. They’re traditional and classic colors that’ll pair well with many outfit combinations. The essential colors are: white, black, grey, and navy blue.

What makes the t-shirt great is that it’s a classic staple and pairs easily with different outfits. It’s definitely a casual piece of clothing, but can be paired with other items to dress it up a bit. The following is your complete guide on how to style a t-shirt, broken down by color.

White t-shirt outfits

The white tee was made popular by pioneers like James Dean, Marlon Brando, and Steve McQueen. All three men wore the simple white t-shirt well.

The best part about the white tee is that it looks great with all skin tones.

A collage of James Dean, Marlon Brando, and Steve McQueen. — Left to right: James Dean, Marlon Brando, and Steve McQueen

The following is an example outfit showing a white t-shirt with trousers:

Collection of a white t-shirt, navy trousers, and white sneaker. — Photo courtesy of Everlane and Nordstrom.

The following is an example outfit showing a white V-neck t-shirt with jeans:

Collection of a white v-neck t-shirt, blue jeans, and a Nike sneaker. — Photo courtesy of Vince and Nordstrom.

The following is an example outfit showing a white henley with jeans:

Collection of a beige henley t-shirt, blue jeans, and beige suede Chelsea boots. — Photo courtesy of Theory and Nordstrom.

Black t-shirt outfits

Black is seen as sleek and modern. Wearing a black t-shirt can take a casual tee up a notch. The only downside to a black t-shirt is that the color fades faster than the other colors.

The following is an example outfit showing a black t-shirt with white jeans:

Collection of a black t-shirt, white jeans, and black leather Chukka boot. — Photo courtesy of Nordstrom.

The following is an example outfit showing a black V-neck with blue jeans:

Collection of a black v-neck t-shirt, blue jeans, and white sneaker with a gum sole. — Photo courtesy of Nordstrom.

The following is an example outfit showing a black Henley with black jeans:

Collection of a black henley t-shirt, black jeans, and black leather Chelsea boots. — Photo courtesy of Nordstrom and Johnston & Murphy.

Grey t-shirt outfits

Grey t-shirts come in many shades. Overall, grey is a flattering color to wear and can enhance the natural shape of your body. Be cautious of sweat marks because they’re easily visible on grey t-shirts.

The following is an example outfit showing a grey t-shirt with black jeans:

Collection of a grey t-shirt, black jeans, and a tan suede Chelsea boot. — Photo courtesy of Everlane and Nordstrom.

The following is an example outfit showing a grey v-neck with blue jeans:

Collection of a grey v-neck t-shirt, blue jeans, and a white sneaker. — Photo courtesy of Nordstrom.

The following is an example outfit showing a grey henley with blue jeans:

Collection of a grey henley t-shirt, blue jeans, and a black sneaker. — Photo courtesy of Nordstrom and Levi’s.

Navy t-shirt outfits

Navy isn’t as bold as black, but it always looks good. Wearing a navy t-shirt will make you look sharp when you pair it with a nice pair of jeans, chinos, or khakis.

The following is an example outfit showing a navy t-shirt with khaki pants:

Collection of a navy blue t-shirt, khaki chinos, and navy suede loafers. — Photo courtesy of Everlane, Nordstrom, and Salvatore Ferragamo.

The following is an example outfit showing a navy V-neck with grey jeans:

Collection of a navy blue v-neck, grey jeans, and black sneaker. — Photo courtesy of Vince, Nordstrom, and Vans.

The following is an example outfit showing a navy henley with black jeans:

Collection of a navy blue henley, black jeans, and black suede Chelsea boots. — Photo courtesy of Amazon and Nordstrom.

Different functions

Not all t-shirts are made equal. Some t-shirts are created to be worn by themselves, while others are used as undershirts. Make sure you aren’t wearing a t-shirt as an undershirt and vice versa.

Conclusion

T-shirts are a classic staple that has become popular among every man. The humble tee is versatile, and having a well-fitted t-shirt can uplevel your style. By focusing on the perfect fit and color, you’ll feel and look great wearing it.

David Em

Founding Editor

David Em is the Founding Editor of Next Level Gents, a men’s lifestyle blog. Since 2018, David’s mission has been about helping men build confidence through style, fitness, and grooming. He lives in Kansas City with his wife and daughter. He’s passionate about men’s fashion, cycling, and cooking.
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