CEBU, Philippines - The t-shirt, while most practical and comfortable, is often sneered at as without style. True, most people that wear t-shirts look very casual and even carefree. But it is not to say that the t-shirt can never be stylish.
Antonio Centeno, CEO of www.realmenrealstyle.com, admits that he himself loves t-shirts. He considers t-shirt a classic piece for a man’s wardrobe. And he swears can wear a t-shirt and be incredibly stylish.
It all comes down to a few key elements, Centeno explains. He says that it doesn’t take wearing a suit and tie every day to be stylish. He shares ways one can dress up a t-shirt and look awesome.
Nail the fit.
Wearing a shirt is like making a cake – an exact amount of sugar is needed so it tastes just right. For t-shirts, it’s all about getting the right fit. A shirt that’s too big makes the fabric “bunch up” and the sleeves and waist look sloppy. A shirt that’s too small can make the wearer look and feel constricted. The key to avoiding both issues is to know one’s body type.
A perfect fitting t-shirt will conform to the wearer’s body, while still giving comfort and freedom of movement. There are certain things to consider:
? The t-shirt is long enough that it can be tucked it into the pants. It extends past the hipbone and covers the waistband slightly.
? Sleeves are fitted around your arms and don’t flare out. Ideally, these don’t extend to the elbows (if the arms are muscular, slightly shorter sleeves are ideal or these can be folded up).
? The t-shirt slightly follows the curve of the torso (but not too tight since this can make the stomach more visible).
? Seams lie perfectly on the edges of the shoulders.
? With the arms raised, there shouldn’t be a big gap around the neck area.
Choose a good fabric.
Even if one like to have several pieces of t-shirt, these may be of assorted types of good quality. Even t-shirts of the same color and design but of different fabrics, the results could be different. Fabric affects overall performance. So it’s a good habit to read the label on a t-shirt not just for the price, but also to find out how the shirt was made.
Some fabric materials might work better for one personal style:
? Organic Cotton. It’s a soft material from cotton that was grown with minimal pesticides and fertilizers, and more expensive than treated cotton.
? Pima. It’s the highest grade of cotton which has extra long fibers; it resists stretching, pilling, fading – and gets softer with every wear.
? Merino. This is a special wool. A shirt made of 100-percent Merino can be worn for one week before it starts to smell, so it’s an excellent choice for traveling. It’s used for some of the more expensive shirts.
? Bamboo. A soft, breathable material that gives the shirt a nice sheen, it’s used for higher-end clothing.
? Polyester. It’s a fabric material that’s light and quick-drying but not very breathable; it maintains its shape well and resists shrinkage or wrinkling.
? Jersey. It’s a comfortable and flexible material that’s typically made of a cotton and synthetic blend.
Make it a V-neck.
The cardinal rule to rocking a t-shirt is to make sure it does not resemble an undershirt. That’s why the V-neck – with a neckline that doesn’t overexpose the chest – is such an effective style. V-necks aren’t just unique t-shirts; these are made to “add” height and width to your overall appearance. Unlike typical crew necks, these shirt styles expose your neck more and make it look bigger. They balance out any disproportions you may have, such as a narrow face or a shorter neck.
Caution: One should be careful with the cut of the neckline, particularly boat necks and scoop necks – as only a select group of fashionable men can pull off those styles.
Go for a classic color.
One can’t go wrong with the basics – black, gray and navy. These colors have done wonders for men’s style throughout time. Take note: White isn’t included since most undershirts come in that color. It’s better not to risk looking underdressed, unless it’s a white V-neck.
? Gray. It comes in different shades, which makes it flexible for both darker and brighter outfits. A gray shirt also enhances your body shape.
? Black. Black is another versatile option that matches up well with most clothing combinations. The only problem is this shirt color tends to fade quickly.
? Navy. In the daytime, it’s better to go with navy than black. This color also works well for tonal looks when the shirt is combined with jeans (meaning the clothes “unite” and don’t clash).
Put a vest or sports jacket on.
Wearing a vest is a good way to add maturity to one’s look. People tend to associate vests with older men who are wealthy or have good taste.
On the other hand, a good-quality sports jacket can add more ruggedness to the look. Features like the ticket pockets, arm patches, and pleats can make it look very stylish and accentuate masculinity.
Wear dark wash, well-fitted jeans.
Denim has this uncanny ability to make the whole outfit sexier – including the shirt one is wearing. So it’s good to wear jeans that complement one’s body type. Dark blue is good, because it’s the most versatile, and the pants can be used to dress up or down based on the occasion. One may take his style a step further by turning the jeans into a dark wash pair. A darker hue and pattern in vintage wash, stone wash or acid wash prevents the jeans from looking too faded – which is good for men who wear them regularly. (FREEMAN)