Tee shirts are low-cost, all-purpose outfits worn casually or semi-formally. Tee shirts, initially worn as undergarments, have become popular as an article of daily clothing. The casual use of these shirts can be traced back to the 1951 Marlon Brando film Streetcar Named Desire. This famous movie inspired men and generations of clothing trends to wear tee shirts for everyday purposes. With two billion tee shirts sold yearly, they are becoming a staple item in every man’s wardrobe.
Nowadays, you can purchase any style, size, and design anywhere. You can even prefer bulk order screen printing if you want a customized design for your tees or pick ones with either buttons or pockets. For any tee shirt need, here’s a compact guide for you when choosing a men’s tee.
Types Of Tee Shirt
Choosing a tee shirt type that fits your needs is essential. It would be best if you considered several factors depending on the purpose of your tee shirt and your body type and design preference. Many guides on the internet can help you with this. Some of the common tee shirt types are:
1. Basic Half-Sleeve Tee Shirts
You’ll find this the most preferred type, with a crew neckline that sits along the base of the neck. Depending on your preference, these can come in fit, oversized, or a torso fit.
2. Polo Collar Tee Shirts
The polo collar tee is similar to the basic tee but with a polo collar on the neckline. Also referred to as a polo shirt, this tee is a crossover of polo clothing and a tee shirt. Polo tee shirts create a more elegant look than the basic tee shirt but keep the casual and relaxed vibe.
3. V-Neck Tee Shirts
V-neck shirts have a V-shaped (sometimes referred to as U-shaped) neckline but are similar to the basic tee. Many people prefer this because it emphasizes one’s look with the right proportions. This feature can also make your neck appear longer and accentuate your chest subtly.
4. Scoop-Neck Tee Shirts
Scoop-neck shirts have a lower dip than traditional crewneck shirts but still have a rounded shape. If you’re wearing a necklace or want to emphasize a more significant part of your chest, a scoop-neck tee can work for you.
5. Henley Collar Tee Shirts
A Henley shirt is a collarless tee shirt with two to five buttons on the neckline. It is essentially the collarless equivalent of a polo shirt. Henley can add sophistication to your basic tee and is suitable for emphasizing your chest and arms.
6. Raglan Sleeve Tee Shirts
Raglan sleeve shirts are similar to what baseball players usually wear, with diagonal seams from the neckline to the underarm area, resulting in a long, continuous sleeve from collarbone to hem. These are suitable for those with broad shoulders who want to make them look smaller, as the cut softens sharp edges. People with larger upper arms also benefit from raglan sleeves as these have larger spaces to move compared to basic tees.
7. Turtleneck Tee Shirts
These tees have a raised turtleneck design in the neckline, making it handy for colder seasons. It can also give a more formal look but can still be casual. For people with longer necks, turtleneck tees can make your neck look more proportional to other body parts.
8. Ringer Tee Shirts
Ringer shirts are similar to basic tees but with a contrast band on the neckline and the sleeve hems. This tee was widely popular in the 1970s, but the resurgence of this trend is slowly seen nowadays on social media. Ringer shirts can accentuate your arms and necklines due to their contrasting color bands if you want the focus to shift from the center of your shirt to your arms and neck.
9. Pocket Tee Shirts
Pocket tee shirts are also similar to the basic tee, only with an addition of a small pocket on the chest that can either be functional or for decorative purposes. A pocket tee shirt is perfect for those who prefer to add something subtle more than just a plain tee.
Types Of Fabric Used For Tee Shirts
Aside from the type of tee shirt, you should also consider the type of fabric used. The following are some examples of standard tee shirt fabrics:
- Cotton
Cotton is the most used fabric for most tee shirts as it is soft, breathable, lightweight, and costs less. These are also comfortable to be worn in both warm and cool temperatures, making them a perfect fabric for casual wear. Cotton comes in many variations, such as organic and combed cotton, depending on the purpose and the manufacturer. However, one disadvantage of cotton is the possibility of shrinking after the first warm wash.
- Linen
In warm weather, linen can be the ideal fabric for your tee because it has good ventilation, breathability, comfort, and the ability to absorb moisture while retaining heat. It also dries quickly after washing and is lightweight. Linen is rougher because it is made from the flax plant, making it less common for tee shirts than cotton. However, linen tends to wrinkle easily.
- Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic fiber popular with sports clothing due to its breathable and quick-drying properties. It is known to hold its shape after washing. This fiber’s composition is made from purified terephthalic acid and mono-ethylene glycol. The downside of polyester tee shirts is being less comfortable than cotton or linen tee shirts, making them more ideal for athletic wear.
- Lycra
Lycra is another synthetic fiber used for tee shirts suitable for sportswear. It is a synthetic fiber that is stronger and more durable than natural rubber. Because it is a polyester-polyurethane copolymer, it is stretchy. This property allows for more excellent motion and flexibility in your tee shirt, as well as fewer wrinkles while allowing sweat to evaporate through the pores of the fiber. You can wear tee shirts made of lycra in any weather, but they are best suited to cool temperatures.
- Poly/Cotton Blend
The polyester-to-cotton ratio varies depending on the manufacturer. Poly/cotton blends are commonly used for tee shirts because they both have good qualities and are less expensive than cotton. It keeps cotton’s lightweight and breathable qualities while maintaining the shape of polyester tee shirts. It shrinks, wrinkles less, and wicks moisture away better than pure fibers.
Aside from the ones listed here, you can find other blends of different fabrics in the market used in manufacturing tee shirts depending on your needs and preferences.
Choosing The Right Color
The last thing to consider when wearing a tee shirt is finding the suitable color for you. Contrast will always be a key factor when considering one’s skin tone. Avoid colors that are too close to your skin tone. Thus, go for dark-colored tees if your skin tone is in the light/pale range and a lighter-colored tee if your skin tone is in the darker range. For those who have olive skin or are in the middle range, virtually any color can suit you.
Aside from skin tone, you can also consider eye color when choosing your tee shirt. Take a quick look at the color wheel and determine which color is close to the color of your eyes. However, choosing a complementary color can also be an excellent choice, depending on the mixing and matching of your whole outfit.
Conclusion
If the right type, fabric, and color are chosen, wearing basic tee shirts for men can be stylish and make any outfit look casually excellent. If you want to find more inspiration for your tee shirt and its pairs, search the internet for celebrity outfits and influencers. Moreover, remember to prioritize comfort, suitability, and style the next time you shop for a new shirt.