The humble short-sleeve shirt is easily one of the most versatile clothing items a man can own. If you have never bought one before, or you aren’t sure how to style it, here are a few tips to leave you looking your best.
Casual
Men’s short-sleeve shirts are fairly easy to wear casually, but here are a couple of suggestions if you still aren’t sure how to pull them off.
Shirt
For the shirt, you can go a bit wild. You can opt for neutrals, bright colors, or prints, and you can express your taste easily. Still, choose a shirt that fits well to ensure your outfit looks throughout and not lazy.
Bottoms
For bottoms, opt for a pair of fitted and tailored shorts. They don’t have to be skin-tight, but the fitted look will give you a hint of sophistication. For color, choose a complementary neutral; for example, beige shorts with a blue shirt are always a winning combo.
Shoes
The shoes you choose will depend on the situation, but keep them stylish and comfortable. Sneakers are great for a lunch date or a night out, while sandals are perfect for a day at the beach, a pool party, etc.
Accessories
Accessories will completely depend on your tastes, but for casual looks, you can opt for a baseball cap, a casual watch, or a pair of sunglasses to give you a chic, yet simple look that is at home both by the pool, or on a date.
Semi-Formal/Formal
Don’t be fooled into thinking a short-sleeve isn’t or can’t be formal, as that is the furthest thing from the truth; here are a few ways to make it happen.
Shirt
For the shirt, opt for one that is neutral, but fits well. You are looking for one that has a relatively stiff collar, and one that isn’t baggy. For color, stick to simple color tones such as greys, black, beige, off-white, etc.
Bottoms
For a formal look, there is really only one or two options when it comes to bottoms. A pair of tailored work slacks or chinos are an easy choice, and will give your outfit the more formal balance it may need to not make the short-sleeve look too casual.
Shoes
For shoes, this will also depend on your particular situation. If you need to be formal in your workplace, opt for leather lace-ups or loafers, but if you can be a bit more casual, a pair of smart sneakers is another winner.
Accessories
When it comes to formal accessories, opt for a belt with your shirt tucked in for a sleek finish. You can never go wrong with a watch either, but keep it simple, as men’s outfits always look their best when you do away with all the frills and fuss.
Choosing a Short-Sleeve Shirt
Now that you know how to style your short-sleeve shirt, here are a few tips for choosing the right one for you.
The Fit
While the fit of your shirt can differ on your needs and how you want the shirt to look, a great baseline to work from is choosing one that fits slim, but not tight. A size or two bigger will give you the silhouette you are looking for, but not be uncomfortable, and it will still be possible to wear it both casually and formally.
Color
The color you choose will mainly depend on how many shirts you are planning to buy. If you are buying multiple, you can get both neutrals and colorful shirts, but if you are only buying one, stick to a neutral such as black, grey, off-white, etc. These colors are versatile and can be worn in all settings.
If you are still unsure what does and doesn’t match, or you want to experiment with different shades, the color wheel is a great tool to use. This is because colors on opposite sides are complementary, and can help steer you in the right direction.
Prints
A short-sleeve shirt with prints should be considered if you are going to wear it casually. More often than not, a printer short-sleeve can look a bit too casual, and it’s very tricky to make that look super-formal. However, with the right bottoms and shoes, you can make it a great semi-formal option.
The Details
Considering short-sleeve shirts are very simple by design, take note of the details. Choose a shirt with a great hem, buttons, a stiff but comfortable collar, etc. The finer details are the things that will make or break a short-sleeve shirt.
Silhouette
Finally, try all the shirts you like on and analyze the silhouette. Men always look best when their shoulders are accentuated, and the fit allows for the appearance of a broader back. If the shirt you choose doesn’t offer this, it is most likely not the one you should choose.
In conclusion, styling a short-sleeve shirt isn’t too difficult when you know where to start and what you are looking for. Also, don’t be scared to experiment a bit, fashion rules are guides, and you can easily find a unique look that is incredible just by thinking outside the box.
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