Streetwear Shirts

HOW TO CHOOSE A STREETWEAR T-SHIRT?

We like to dress like everyone else, and you'll often hear us talk about the virtues of a perfectly tailored suit. But, let's face it, the basic outfit for a man and even a woman is a T-shirt and jeans. That's what you wear at home, at the weekend, at the stadium and with the kids. You probably spend more of your life in a T-shirt than in any other garment. (Especially if you sleep in a T-shirt).

Perhaps because it's such an everyday thing, the T-shirt doesn't get much attention. Most of us think that a T-shirt is just a T-shirt. But let's think again. How to choose a streetwear t-shirt is a question that comes up a lot because a quality choice for your t-shirt is crucial.

Some streetwear T-shirts are better than others. Here's why the best T-shirts work so well and how to find them.

SHAPE IS THE CORNERSTONE OF GOOD STYLE

But while we often think of this dimension for clothes like suits and shirts, it's important that your streetwear T-shirts also fit well.

SIZE/TIGHTNESS

A streetwear t-shirt should not be too big or too tight. If you are fit and well-built, you can lean towards the tighter rather than the looser fit. If you're carrying extra weight, lean towards a looser fit - but don't go too far, as too much extra fabric will only make you look bigger rather than smaller.

SHOULDER SEAMS

The seams where the sleeves attach to the body should ideally line up exactly with where your shoulder ends rather than dropping down your arm or towards your neck.

THE SLEEVES

The sleeves of a streetwear shirt should reach halfway up your arm. Sleeves that extend a little further down can look proportional if you are very tall.

LENGTH

The bottom of the streetwear shirt should not extend past the hips, cover at least the waist and ideally extend a few inches below. Any shorter and you're heading for belly terror and risk showing your back, butt or stomach when you bend over. Any longer than that and the shirt starts to turn into a nightgown.

THE SHAPE

Avoid boxy streetwear shirts that are worn like a sandwich board with sleeves. You want the shirt to be cut to fit your body a bit no matter if you are a man or a woman.

COLLAR/NECKLINE

T-shirts have two main types of neckline: the round neck and the V-neck. Each is more suited to the look you are going for, as well as your face and body proportions.

CREW NECK

This is the most classic option and offers a timeless look. It is best suited to men with a slight build and good bone structure, as the collar draws the eye of the beholder, widening the neckline and creating the appearance of squarer shoulders. The crew neck is also a good choice for men with longer necks and narrower faces, as it balances and adds proportion to these features.

THE V-NECK

The V-neck looks a little less formal than the crew neck, and adds a little more visual interest and style to the streetwear shirt. It works well for the shorter man, as it gives the impression of being less boxy and adds a little height to the look. It also complements men with a rounder and/or wider face. However, I would not recommend a V-neck for those who are taller, as the V tends to draw the eye down to the stomach.

There are other types of t-shirt necklines - such as scoop or boat necklines - but they are rarely a good look for men and are more suited to women.

HOW TO WEAR A STREETWEAR T-SHIRT ?

The humble streetwear t-shirt is a staple in every man and woman's wardrobe. Its versatility and relatively affordable price means that it can be worn in countless ways in almost any situation...except perhaps for a cocktail dress code. That said, the rules for wearing streetwear t-shirts are fairly simple. Start with basic colours like white, black, grey and navy and you can pair them with almost anything, from jackets and knitwear to blazers and collared shirts. Once you've got it right, you can start to play with prints, patterns, details and materials to give you a truly personal look.

Discover also our Streetwear Crop Top to go further in your outfits!