
Choosing a t-shirt colour is a fun but tricky part of the design process. The colour of your t-shirt can influence your overall appearance and evoke different emotions in those who see it. It's important to consider the occasion, your body type, and the message you want to convey when selecting a t-shirt colour. For example, if you're attending a casual summer event, a heather grey t-shirt can be a great choice, while a white t-shirt is a classic option that can be dressed up or down. Lighter colours like pastels, light blues, and soft pinks suit fair skin, while medium skin tones can handle a wider range of colours, and dark skin tones can pull off brighter shades.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Fabric | Cotton, cotton-poly blend, bamboo, merino, jersey, pima, linen blends, stretch fabrics |
Color | White, Black, Grey, Blue, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Purple, Pastel, Navy, Maroon, Beige, Light blue, Pink |
Style | V-neck, crew neck, boat neck, scoop neck, round neck, plunging V-neck |
Fit | Conforming to body shape, allowing freedom of movement, not causing discomfort, not too tight or loose |
Occasion | Casual, formal, business casual, business formal, gym, yard work |
What You'll Learn
Know your body type
Knowing your body type is crucial to choosing a T-shirt that fits well and looks good on you. While no two bodies are exactly alike, most people fall into one of five general categories: rectangle, triangle/pear, inverted triangle, oval/apple, and hourglass.
Rectangle Body Type
If your body is straight up and down, with little difference between your shoulder, waist, and hip measurements, you likely have a rectangle body type. The goal is to add some curves or dimensions with your T-shirt choice. Go for T-shirts with horizontal stripes or details like ruching to create the illusion of curves. A slightly fitted style will work wonders, and V-necks can help create the illusion of a more defined chest. Consider T-shirts with interesting details at the waist to add shape.
Triangle/Pear Body Type
If you have wider hips than shoulders, you fall into the triangle or pear-shaped category. The goal is to balance your proportions and draw the eye upward. Bright colours or bold patterns on top can help balance your hips, while a boat neck or wide V-neck will draw attention upwards. Avoid tight-fitting T-shirts that cling to your hips, and look for T-shirts with structured shoulders to balance your lower half.
Inverted Triangle Body Type
If you have broad shoulders and a narrower waist and hips, you're an inverted triangle. Opt for T-shirts that soften your shoulder line and enhance your lower body. Dark, solid colours on top can slim your shoulders, and a bit of flare at the bottom will balance your shape. V-necks elongate your upper body, while scoop necks should be avoided as they broaden an already broad chest.
Oval/Apple Body Type
If you carry weight around your middle, you're likely an oval or apple shape. Look for T-shirts that elongate your torso and create a more defined waist. Opt for vertical lines or V-necks to lengthen your torso, and a slight taper at the waist to define your shape. Avoid boxy cuts that add bulk to your midsection, and instead choose interesting necklines to draw the eye up.
Hourglass Body Type
If your shoulder and hip measurements are equal, with a narrower waist, you're an hourglass. Your goal is to highlight your natural curves. Fitted tees that follow your curves without squeezing are ideal, and stretchy materials that hug in the right places will flatter your figure. Avoid boxy cuts that hide your waist, and instead choose V-necks and scoop necks to accentuate your shape.
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Nail the fit
Fit is the most important part of the Style Pyramid. Everything else builds off of this. A good T-shirt fit requires two things: it must conform to your body shape and it mustn't cause discomfort or restrict freedom of movement. Clothes that fit correctly showcase your figure, while ill-fitting clothes hide it. Spend time finding a T-shirt brand that works for your body type.
- Does the T-shirt fit you closely without tightness around your chest and waist?
- Do the shoulder seams line up with the ends of your shoulders? The shirt may be too loose if the shoulder seams are low, or too tight if the seams are closer to your neck.
- Do the sleeves cover about 1/3 of your biceps? If the sleeves cover more than half of your biceps or touch your elbows, they're too long.
- Do the sleeves lightly hug your biceps? Loose sleeves flap around and sleeves that are too tight can cut off circulation.
- Does the T-shirt subtly drape over your chest and follow the curve of your torso? It shouldn't reveal the outline of your stomach too much.
- Does the T-shirt go a couple of inches below your belt line, slightly covering your waistband? Ideally, it should be long enough for you to raise your arms without exposing your midsection.
No item of clothing will ever fit you perfectly off-the-rack. This is where a good tailor comes in. Get a good-fitting T-shirt tailored and you will have a better fit than 99.99% of other men.
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V-neck or crew neck?
The choice between a V-neck or crew neck T-shirt is largely a matter of personal preference, but there are some stylistic considerations that may influence your decision.
V-neck T-shirts
V-necks have a V-shaped neckline that can make the wearer's face appear more slender and elongate the neck. This style is often chosen for its ability to subtly showcase the chest area and draw attention to the face. V-necks are a good option for those with rounder faces or broader necks. They are also a popular choice to be worn under an unbuttoned shirt. When wearing a V-neck, it's important to choose a depth that doesn't reveal too much of the chest—a comfortable middle ground that sits at the collarbone is often recommended.
Crew neck T-shirts
Crew necks, also known as round necks, feature a circular neckline that sits close to the base of the throat. They draw attention outwards towards the shoulders, creating a broader appearance, which can be beneficial for those with slender frames. Crew necks pair well with various outer layers such as cardigans, jackets, and sweaters, but they generally should not be layered with another crew neck shirt. Crew necks are perfect for casual occasions and can lend a more structured look to those with sloping shoulders. They are also a good option for individuals with long necks and slimmer faces, as they provide a sense of balance to the silhouette.
Occasions and Professional Settings
The choice between a V-neck or crew neck may also depend on the occasion or professional setting. V-necks are often chosen to add a touch of formality or style variation, while crew necks are widely favoured for casual settings. In a professional setting, a V-neck T-shirt can be layered over a shirt and paired with a tie, creating a more polished look. On the other hand, crew necks tend to give a more casual impression and are less suitable for formal occasions, especially when paired with a tie.
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Choose a colour that suits your skin tone
When it comes to choosing a T-shirt colour that suits your skin tone, it's important to determine whether your skin tone is warm, cool, or neutral. Warm skin tones tend to have yellow or peachy undertones, while cool skin tones have pink or blue undertones. If you can't discern whether your skin leans towards green, blue, yellow, or golden tones, you likely have a neutral skin tone.
- For warm skin tones, earth tones are an excellent choice. Colours like green, brown, mustard yellow, and warm reds will suit you well. You can also opt for peach, coral, amber, and gold shades. If you want to incorporate cooler colours, try olive, orchid, violet-red, or moss.
- Cool skin tones are complemented by colours on the cooler end of the colour spectrum. Emerald, deep purple, lavender, pink, ice blue, and bright blue are great choices. You can also try pale yellow, rose red, and ruby for a warmer touch. Neutral colours like bright white, grey, and navy will also work well.
- If you have a neutral skin tone, most colours will suit you! However, to make your skin tone stand out, opt for colours in the middle of the colour spectrum, such as jade green or light pink. Avoid brown shades that may blend into your skin tone, and minimise black and navy to make your wardrobe more unique.
- Some colours are universally flattering, regardless of skin tone. These include pale pink, bright red, teal, and dark purple.
- When choosing a T-shirt colour, consider the level of contrast with your skin tone. If you have lighter skin, opt for lower-contrast colours. Avoid high-contrast combinations like a black jacket with a white shirt, as they can be too stark. Instead, try a light blue shirt with a medium grey suit.
- For medium skin tones, avoid high-contrast outfits like black and white or navy and white. Pastel tones that are too close to your skin tone may also fade into the background. You can play with contrast by pairing a white shirt with a charcoal suit or a grey flannel suit.
- Darker skin tones can pull off high-contrast outfits like a navy suit and a white shirt. However, avoid low-contrast combinations like a light blue shirt with a light grey suit, as they may wash you out.
Remember, these are just guidelines! The most important thing is to wear colours that make you feel confident and comfortable. Don't be afraid to experiment and find the shades that work best for you.
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Opt for solid and neutral colours
Opting for solid and neutral colours when choosing a t-shirt is a great way to create a timeless and versatile look. Neutral colours are those without vibrant hues, such as black, white, grey, beige, brown, and navy. These colours offer a subtle and understated charm and can be paired with various shades and textures to create a unique and fashionable wardrobe.
When opting for solid and neutral colours, it's essential to consider the different shades available. For example, instead of plain white, you can choose ecru, ivory, or icy white for a fresh twist. You can also play with light and dark greys, infused with hints of blue, pink, or yellow. These subtle variations can add depth and interest to your wardrobe.
Neutral colours are an excellent base for building a capsule wardrobe, a collection of essential items that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. By choosing solid and neutral-coloured t-shirts, you can easily pair them with other pieces in your wardrobe, such as bottoms, jackets, and accessories. This allows you to create a variety of looks, from casual to formal, without needing a large number of items.
Additionally, solid and neutral colours can be more flattering than bright or vibrant hues, as they tend to create a soft and harmonious look. They can also be more versatile, as they can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. For example, a black or white t-shirt can be paired with jeans for a casual look or a blazer for a more formal event.
When choosing solid and neutral colours, it's also important to consider the lighting conditions in which you'll be wearing the t-shirt. Certain colours may appear different in natural light versus artificial light, so it's worth trying on the t-shirt in various lighting conditions to ensure you're happy with the colour.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have fair skin, stick to lighter colours like pastels, light blues, and soft pinks. Medium skin tones can pull off darker blues, greens, and purples, as well as bolder prints. Dark skin tones can go for bright and bold colours like reds, oranges, and yellows, as well as black and navy blue.
White, grey (especially heather grey), and navy blue are classic T-shirt colours that complement most complexions and outfit combinations.
To make your design pop, go for a strong contrast between the ink colour and the T-shirt fabric. For example, bright colour ink on white, or white ink on a dark shirt colour.
Opt for solid and neutral colours like white, grey, and navy. Avoid graphics or large logos, and make sure your T-shirt is pristine—no fading, stains, or holes.
White is the undisputed king of professionalism. Black, soft pastels, and subtle patterns like thin pinstripes are also good choices for a polished look.