Comfort Wear?
Or THE CENTERPIECE TO YOUR NEXT KICK-ASS OUTFIT
T-shirts. The one article of clothing in almost every man’s wardrobe. It is also the one piece that can make or break your outfit.
Personally, I love t-shirts. I’ve donned them since my childhood, and it’s been hard to leave them as they are the most comfortable and casual wear in my closet.
The thing about t-shirts is that they are not particularly “dressy” by nature. So if you’re trying to create an image that “peacocks” or stands out above the rest of the bland universe, you’re better off staying away from t-shirts. Or so I thought…
Where guys go wrong
I see a lot of guys going out with regular white t-shirts, or a bland t-shirt from Hollister or Abercrombie, thinking they can impress a girl with their “style.” Please. You’ve maintained the status quo—congratulations.
Don’t get me wrong. If your aim is comfort wear around your friends, wear whatever you want. But if you’re trying to ATTRACT some women, then save the plain t-shirt for lounging around at home or playing football with the guys.
Time to look GOOD.
Style & Fit
Fit is one of the most important elements when choosing a t-shirt. I understand that some guys like to rock the urban, “hip hop” image. If that’s you, by all means, continue to wear shirts 3-4 sizes too large. I’ve had lengthy discussions about urban culture and dress (with both guys and girls), and I’ve come to the conclusion that the only types of girls you will be attracting will mainly be of that same culture. I can’t cover all different styles in this single entry, so I’ll cover the image that seems to attract the most women.
This style is what is “in” for men’s shirts passed down from the top designers. If you walk into store like Dolce, Diesel, or a couture boutique, you will see styles similar to what I’m going to show you. And these “graphic tees” are meant to be worn fitted. I’ve asked many women this and they tend to agree that oversized t-shirts on men do not look as good as a well-fitted one.
Design
Sometimes, all it takes is a well-fitted t-shirt and a nice pair of jeans. However, if you want to STAND OUT, you’re going to have to take it one step further and pick tees with design personality. Here’s an example from Express. Notice the unique use of additional fabrics pinned onto the shirt, with the graphic printed on top.
I’ve seen a lot of guys who wear their favorite Star Wars or Simpsons t-shirts when they’re out. If you want to “peacock” as a “stylish” guy, I’ve found it’s better to keep this stuff as leisure wear.
However, if you decide to wear a very cartoon-y shirt while out meeting women, wear one that is new and crisp, and try complimenting it with a simple blazer and some nice jeans. This kind of image conveys that you are playful, and maybe even a bit rebellious, while being fashionable.
Some Examples:
Once again, the styles I am showing you is just a example. Play with your own styles, but be completely aware of the overall image you are conveying and make sure your entire outfit is congruent. I see a lot of guys mix-n-matching baggy urban jeans with tight diesel shirts. Girls pick up on this kind of fashion faux pas.
I’ve included some designer shirts from a couture site, and also some from two of my personal favorite stores — with styles VERY similar, but cheaper (Guess & Express). Get familiar with the styles & brands and feel free to search out better deals.
Salvage Black Keys Tee
I love Salvage because they really take the current rockstar style to another levels with their layering of fabrics/prints and sewing patterns. A look like this is not for the faint of heart, and it comes at a price. Match a tee like this with a stylish pair of jeans and you’re sure to turn heads. (credit ninjasdf from our forums for the link)
Salvage Lord of Vengeance
Another great example from Salvage of playing with multiple layers of fabric and dyes.
Guess Royal Blood Tee
“Royal Blood” - love it. This a lot tamer (both price & design) than the Salvage shirts pictured above, but sometimes a simpler design works better with outwear such as a blazer. This brown also works seamlessly with dark jeans and some brown diesel sneakers.
Guess With Honor
The placement of the graphic in the upper-left gives this tee a unique and stylish look.
Roar Shoulder Crest
Roar is another great company that uses high-quality fabrics and eye-catching designs.
All-Over Stripe Tee
Bold, yet stylish.
Affliction Reaping Moss
Affliction is tends to be on the more edgier, or “hardcore,” side of couture shirts. Great for conveying a “bad-ass” look.
Kowboys Farm
I love the color and subtle dye pattern of this shirt. Try pairing this one with the Diesel Mosleys pictured in the previous Sneakers entry.
Doctrine Rising
Notice how the t-shirts I’ve been posting defy the conventional styles of center placement of design. Instead, notice how the graphics fly liberally across the shirt, ignoring symmetry, and falling on top of one shoulder/sleeve. This style is “in” right now, and definitely eye-catching against the traditional, safer designs.
Rass Studded Cross
I included this shirt because studded designs on tees are in right now. Also check out www.expressfashion.com for a nice selection of studded shirts.
Ed Hardy is also “in” right now, but it’s one of those designer labels that is taking on mainstream popularity. So although you may get some attention, you might want to stay away if you want to keep a head above the rest.
Creating an Outfit
Personally, I like to compliment my graphic t-shirts with a pair of designer jeans (diesel, antiks, etc.), a bold matching belt, and some stylish sneakers like the ones shown in Jae’s previous entry.
One outfit combination that I wear for the clubs in NYC quite often, is the graphic t-shirt + blazer + designer jeans + dress shoes. If you really want to stand out, go with a daring color like pink. There will be an entry on KICKASS blazers (and exactly where to find them) that you won’t see at your average local mall or department store, so expect more on the topic.
Another look you might want to try is a stylish button down shirt with the buttons (some or all) open to your graphic tee.
Adding complimentary outerwear to a graphic tee is a great way to work with your body frame and form. For example, I have a pretty heavy friend who doesn’t look too flattering with just a tee, but when he puts on a nice velvet blazer to match, he turns into a smooth rebel-millionaire-gone-player.
Remember there are so many awesome outfits that you can work out with a nice graphic t-shirt so play around with different outerwear (zip downs, vests, etc.) Just remember this tip: If your t-shirt has a lot of complicated designs, try to avoid other loud articles of clothing as it clashes and comes off as “try hard” or “too much.” Keep the rest simple as to balance and accentuate the bold design or color of the t-shirt.
Just don’t expect the shirt to do all the work. Work towards creating a COMPLETE look–making sure the rest of your outfit is up to par. I’ll write more on the topic of creating a “COMPLETE look” in a coming entry.
Vegas & Final Words
Last winter, I flew to Vegas on a whim with a bunch of friends. I noticed that most of my buddies didn’t think twice when they packed their bland wardrobe, but I remember making an extra effort to pack my best clothing for this weekend trip. I can’t tell you how much of a difference it made. From the moment I arrived, albeit looking a little overdressed, my friends’ girlfriends were complimenting me on how stylish I looked. I remember one occasion at this high-caliber Vegas club when this gorgeous Japanese chick appeared out of nowhere and began to ask me where I got my green t-shirt (much like the ones pictured above), gushing about how she just loved it. I ended up closing the deal with her, but mind you, my shirt opened her! : ) My friends were just stunned and bantered all night about how I was a chick magnet. That is how truly powerful your dress (matched with good game) can be.
I know that I didn’t get a chance to explore every style in this entry, but it’s what has worked extremely well for me personally. Some guys like to go crazier, others tamer. Use these styles as a guideline, or adopt them as your own, but remember the point is to convey the best style that works for YOU.
That’s it for our graphic tees entry. I hope you guys gained some insight. Jae will be posting a loaded new entry very soon, but until then, join our forums! Post pictures of your current look and we’ll be happy to give you a full critique.
