From vintage to funny: A guide to men’s t-shirts

When you think of one of the most accessible, comfortable, timeless, affordable, and iconic articles of clothing, the T-shirt tops the list. As an article of clothing, the T-shirt has been around since the days of ancient Egypt, and was said to be adopted among Americans during World War II when U.S. soldiers in hot wool took notice of the Europeans who were sporting light weight cotton undershirts. But how do you pick the right one for you?

Types of T-shirts

T-shirts come in many colors, patterns, textures, fabrics, and sleeve lengths. Traditional T-shirts have a crew neck, but the choices in men’s necklines have really opened up in recent years to include the V-neck, scoop neck, boat neck and square neck for those that like their tees a bit more fashion-forward (check out American Apparel if you’d like to try a more daring neckline). A T-shirt can be worn for many occasions, from very casual (think Sunday morning at your local diner) to semi-formal (hitting a party or event in a tee, blazer and designer jeans), so intended function is important when determining what kind you will ultimately purchase.

Plain T-shirts

Typically, department stores offer plain t-shirts in the undergarment or men’s furnishings sections. They will generally come in packs of 2 or more, ranging in price from $10.00 to $30.00 (though it is possible to find a plain white t-shirt for as little as a dollar) ,and are usually made out of cotton or a cotton blend. These T-shirts are very comfortable and somewhat fitted to the body, as they are meant to be worn underneath your clothes. They are great for a casual classic look and also work well for sleepwear. Popular brands include BVD, Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, and Calvin Klein to name a few. Look for a well-made, reinforced neckline that will hold its shape.

Screenprinted T-shirts

Screen printed tees are a great, comfortable every day item that can really show off your personal style. With brands that offer images, writings, and even personalization, the options are really endless.

“Sneakerheads,” or guys that like to collect streetwear-inspired shoes and clothes, have driven the popularity of many brands with cult followings. These brands include Obey, Crooks and Castles, Bape’s, RVCA, LRG, and Billionaire Boys Club. These T-shirts can run around $20 for an Obey T-shirt to more than $100 for something from the Billionaire Boys Club. These T-shirts usually invoke a street edge and feature lots of colors. Obey, in particular, has been known to push the envelope with their messages, often about political and relevant issues.

Obey T-Shirts

Another big trend in brands is shirts inspired by a bit of rock star edge, made from fabrics that have been put through distressing treatments or riveted with embellishments to have that quality. Some of these brands include Ed Hardy, Christian Audigier, Salvage, Smet, Monarchy, and True Love False Idols. Monarchy has been a pioneer with the washes and distressing of T-shirts to make them look tattered, worn and sexy. Ed Hardy was actually a tattoo artist who took his designs and transferred them to his clothing. His T-shirts are often very detailed and embody the tattoo’s image.

Ed Hardy T-Shirts

High-end designer T-Shirts

The same designers whose wares are displayed on runways, on the red carpet and in magazines often make T-shirts as well. Some brands in this category include: DSquared, Dolce and Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Dior, and Fendi. These T-shirts often include brand images and innovative designs and patterns. High-end T-shirts are made with finer (think embellishments in gold) materials and lengthier production processes (like specialty stitching), which is why they are more expensive. The name of the brand can also be taken into consideration for the higher price, along with the satisfaction of owning one.

Dsquared T-Shirts

Vintage T-Shirts

There are many stores where you can find vintage clothing from all of the categories listed above. From thrift stores where you can pick up T-shirts for the amount on change found in your pocket, to high-end designer vintage or consignment stres stores that can be very expensive.

Other things to consider when buying a T-Shirt

The length of time you can wear a shirt is something to think about. If you’re the kind of person who likes to be on the cutting-edge, you might favor slogan tees that feature or parody the latest news headlines, catchphrases or pop culture happenings. (We like CafePress or BustedTees for unusual slogan shirts). Just be aware you might be relegating them to your “only at the gym” pile in just a few months, so if you’re working on a limited budget, it’s probably best to stick to the classics.

Another important thing to consider when buying a shirt is how appropriate the shirt is in comparison to your age. For example, if a seventy-year-old man walked past you wearing a Volcom shirt, you might do a double-take, seeing that the elderly are traditionally not associated with extreme sports. Keep brand context in mind to ensure you don’t look like you’re trying too hard.

Finally, pay close attention to fit — certain brands run smaller than others — and quality. If the shirt has a decal, is the decal firmly impressed upon the shirt? If the shirt has a sewn on logo, is the logo firmly attached to the shirt?

With all of the variations and uses of the T-shirt it’s a no brainer why they have and always will be around. With style and comfort, this classic will always a great choice. Good luck hunting!

Now that you’re covered on t-shirts, check out our guide on men’s dress shirts.