Often, the first step in attempting anything new is the hardest. Like setting foot in a gym for the first time or speaking to that beautiful woman you keep running into, attempting to upgrade your style and become a more fashionable guy can prove to be a daunting task. But I’m here to tell you that we have a saviour. Enter: the plain white t-shirt.
The plain tee is a staple of any well put-together man’s wardrobe. It can be paired with literally anything, is easy to dress up or down and can be cheaply replaced (rejoice, my accident-prone friends). It looks right at home with a pair of jeans and sneakers as it does combined with a suit. Investing in a few well-fitting plain t-shirts should be the first step you take towards curating your wardrobe to become an all-round stylish guy.
More often than not, less is more when it comes to your outfit. Stop reaching for overbranded clothes or irrelevant graphic tees. There are many other ways to express your individual style or stand out (link here). For now, the good old plain t-shirt is where you should focus your attention. There are a variety of fits and cuts to choose from, but to make it easier, you should find a shirt that sits on you as follows:
The collar should be narrow around your neck, while still allowing you to move your head around comfortably (No ridiculous low cuts! Showing cleavage is strictly for women, gents).
The sleeves should come up to around the middle of your bicep and should hug your arm or be slightly loose, depending on the size of your arms and what you find comfortable.
At the bottom, your shirt should sit slightly below your waist. Not too short but also not as long to make it double as a parachute. 5-8cm below your hips is ideal.
Once you have found the brand and fit that works best for you, buy at least 2 t-shirts, so you’ll never be without a clean shirt that’s ready to go. If possible, look for shirts that are made from Supima cotton. This will ensure that your shirt stays soft and keeps to its color after it starts to gain some age. My pick is the 100% supima cotton crew-neck shirt from Uniqlo. For the quality and fit it’s an absolute steal. If that’s not accessible, regular cotton will do. Just never, ever buy a polycotton blend. You might as well wear a plastic bag for the amount of heat it will retain. As per the title of this post, white should be your first pick for color, but other monochrome shades such as black and grey are definitely worth investing in.
For a relaxed weekend look, combine your crispy new shirt with a pair of white leather sneakers and a black or faded blue denim, or dress it up by wearing it with a cropped pair of chinos and some casual dress shoes.
Now you’re ready to take on the day in your dashing new outfit.
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