What Are All The Different T-Shirt Styles in 2024?
Originally seen in the early 1800s for hard work, the T-shirt has come a long way since then and taken on many forms in luxury fashion. It's now much more than the staple workwear item it was originally designed for. Instead, men and women wear T-shirts for special occasions, dates, parties, the workplace, and much more. Far from only being worn with jeans and a pair of sneakers, this versatile garment can be styled in countless ways to create the perfect look.
T-shirts open up a wide array of possibilities to be creative and think outside of the box. You can go online to find T-shirts that fit your style, body, structure, and size.
T-shirts are offered with neckline, fit, design, and pattern variations to help you pinpoint the right garment for your ensemble.
Related: The Story of a Classic T-Shirt .
Crewneck or Classic T-Shirt
The most famous of T-shirts styles are crew necks, also known as classic T-shirts. These are T-shirts with a round circular neck. They provide excellent flexibility, and fit comfortably on your body giving you a toned appearance. They work well if you’ve got a long and narrow face with slightly sloped shoulders. It’s an easy-to-wear T-shirt that can work well with many different outfits. If you’re wearing a high quality T-shirt, that means it's made of organic cotton fabric which performs well as a protective undergarment because it controls moisture and temperature better than cheaper fabrics .
Related: Classic T-Shirts to Wear With Jeans
V-Neck
V-necks are T-shirts where the neck is shaped like the letter V. These T-shirts work well to slim down your physique, and is also a popular choice for people with rounder face shapes. It’s common to see V-necks paired with an unbuttoned shirt so that the neckline isn’t visible. The classic V-neck has become a staple T-shirt for men, and is often worn as an undergarment as well as a standalone.
In women's clothing, V-neck T-shirts can be dressed up or down. For a night out, V-neck tees look great with a blazer and skirt. Alternatively, they can be a staple of your athleisure collection for day-time comfort.
Not sure about pulling off a V-neck? If you’re worried about the depth of the V, try wearing a cami or vest top beneath.
Even though V-necks slim down your figure, you don't want them to feel too tight. When it comes to high quality t-shirts, the softer they are the better. Your V-neck should feel flexible and not rigid. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re dealing with high quality T-shirts so that what you wear fits right and feels good.
DEEP V-NECK
The deep V-neck T-shirt has the most plunge in the neckline, yet still retains a classy and timeless style. Wear your deep V tee on its own, or beneath a jacket for a perfect layered look. Due to the depth of the V-neck, a plunge or multiway bra is a good option if you want to make sure your lingerie remains tucked away.
Y-neck or Henley
Y-necks are more commonly known as Henley T-shirts , and they’re a mix of crew neck and V-neck designs often found in men’s closets. The Henley name comes from the fact that these shirts were the traditional uniforms of rowers from an English town called Henley-on-Thames. Most Y-necks will come with buttons that run down the ‘V’ area of the T-shirt. Henleys usually have around 2-5 buttons, and you can wear them as short or long sleeves.
According to Cassandra Campa, founder of Next Level Wardrobe , the Henley complements well to any body type and can accentuate features to make you appear more toned and slimmer. If you’re looking for something casual but sleek at the same time, then the Y-neck is a solid option for you.
Related: The Evolution of the Classic T-Shirt
POLOS
A polo shirt has a stand-up collar and button placket, and its design is virtually the same for both men and women. Some might say polo T-shirts are the answer to T-Shirts sometimes being a bit too casual--they’re often worn for warm-weather and/or semi-formal occasions.
Athletes like tennis players and golfers often wear polos to have a more sophisticated but comfortable outfit for games, and if you’re thinking of doing the same, it can’t hurt to think about wearing a thin, comfortable, cotton T-shirt underneath to protect your polo from sweat.
SCOOP NECK
Scoop necks are similar to crew neck T-shirts, where the round neckline is bigger and hangs slightly below the collarbone. The scoop neck can be tricky because wearing the wrong size can lead to a fashion disaster.
If you’re considering a scoop neck T-shirt, be sure to take your measurements properly and pick the right size.. If worn correctly, a scoop neck gives off a more casual and rugged look compared to other necklines.
RAGLAN SLEEVE
Raglan sleeves can also be categorized as long sleeve T-shirts, and are sometimes known as baseball players T-shirts. The sleeves are attached to the T- Shirt using a diagonal seam rather than the more traditional up and down the straight seam, giving the Raglan T-shirt the look that it’s known for.
The Raglan T-shirt style is named after British Army Officer Lord Raglan, who wore a coat with a sleeve cut so that he could have a greater range of arm movement to use his sword in battle. Sadly, Lord Raglan lost his arm in the battle of Waterloo, but he was known for wearing a stylish coat with long, angle-cut sleeves, which have since inspired the creation of the Raglan sleeve shirt.
Today, Raglan styles are especially popular in sweatshirts , which are made softer with organic cotton and keep you cozy in any environment.
Related: Are expensive luxury T-shirts really worth it?
SLEEVELESS
Sleeveless T-shirts, also known as tank tops, are especially popular when it’s hot. You’ve seen them on athletes, bodybuilders, and anyone who loves getting some sun. Sleeveless T-shirts go well with joggers , rugged jeans, cargo shorts or athletic shorts for an athletic and adventurous appearance.
In womenswear, sleeveless T-shirts look great with loose suit pants or a long flowing skirt. Style with a belt to achieve a stylish and breezy look.
There’s also plenty of ways to layer with sleeveless shirts for all genders. Try any sleeveless shirt with a pair of black joggers!
CAP SLEEVES
Cap sleeves are almost like regular crew neck T-shirts but have their sleeves extending just below the shoulder. It can help create a more V-shaped silhouette for the wearer and is a popular T-shirt seen in streetwear fashion. If you have toned biceps and triceps that you want to show off then cap sleeves can help accentuate those features.
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LONG SLEEVE
Long sleeve T-shirts are as the name suggests,T-shirts with their sleeves extended to cover the entire arm up to the wrist. These shirts combine the casual and comfortable feel of a T-shirt with the full covering of a business/dress shirt. You see these shirts more often in the Fall and Winter as temperatures drop, but high quality T-shirts made of cotton are also a great way to beat the heat in the summer (find out how.) .
Men and women can wear long sleeve T-shirts for casual, dating, and even professional occasions. When it gets especially cold, long sleeve T-shirts are great for layering beneath knitwear, a sweater, jacket or bodywarmer.
3/4 SLEEVE BOAT NECK
3/4 sleeves offer the perfect compromise and an easy style to go from day to night. As the name suggests, the sleeves go beneath the elbow but not as far as the wrist, providing the perfect amount of coverage–neither too much, nor too little. Coupled with a wide boat neckline, running straight from shoulder to shoulder, the 3/4 sleeve T-shirt is a flattering design that no woman’s wardrobe can miss.
SLIM FIT
With T-shirts, the cut and fit can result in a drastically different style. That’s where slim fit T-shirts come in. This style is made for the T-shirt to hug your body, and flatter our figure. Slim fit T-shirts are also often used as undershirts due to their clingy nature, so work well beneath jackets or pullovers.This is definitely a great T-shirt to wear under professional attire, so that everything you wear on top of it fits well to your body instead of your undergarments. As a standalone piece, slim fit T-shirts accentuate your frame to give you a very sharp and confident look.
CURVED HEM
Curved hem T-shirts deviate from a standard cut hemline. This gives a slightly longer shape, but still offers plenty of access to jeans or pants pockets. The curved hem, also known as a scallop hem is synonymous with Hip Hop, and is often worn as part of a layering look. They look great beneath a sweatshirt or hoodie, or can be worn on their own. The Classic T-shirt Company offers both short sleeve curved hem and short sleeve Henley curved hem tees.
LONGLINE T-SHIRT
Longline T-shirts gained popularity from skate brands and slowly made its way into modern streetwear from there. It’s a crewneck T-shirt with a long hemline that stretches to slightly above the knees and rests on the lower thighs. For style, longline T-shirts are typically worn with baggy jeans, baseball cap, and sneakers. Wearing a longline T-shirt would probably not be your best look for a date or professional setting, but it can be a comfortable T-shirt to wear around the house.
Related: Why Wear Organic Cotton T-Shirts?
HOODED T-SHIRT
Hooded T-shirts are common with athleisure outfits, and are perfect for the gym, to wear as pajamas, or to travel in. They can give off a sophisticated but casual look if worn with the right pants. A hooded T-shirt is great during the fall and winter seasons. It will keep you comfortable and it’s easy to layer with other clothes.
GRAPHIC T-SHIRT
Graphic T- shirts come in many shapes and sizes, including all of the aforementioned necklines. Any T-shirt with a graphic print on it is considered a graphic T-shirt. The graphic T-shirt was first used in the original Wizard of Oz movie. They are great for showing off your personality and interests, and can be a great conversion-starter. They’re best worn in very casual settings.
Related: 8 Reasons Why a Classic T-Shirt Will Be Your New Favorite Shirt
POCKET T-SHIRT
Pocket T-shirts live up to their name; typically featuring a single pocket on the left breast. They started to gain popularity in World War II and usually come in simple, unicolor designs, or in styles where the pocket itself is a different color or pattern from the rest of the T-shirt. Some like pocket T-shirts for utility, others for style.
HOW TO WEAR A T-SHIRT WITH JOGGERS
A T-shirt and joggers combination is a chilled and comfortable look. And it can be as casual or as dressy as you want it to be. If you're a fan of the classic jeans and T-shirt look, then you'll feel just as comfortable in joggers. But how should you style them?
Try wearing a printed T-shirt with a pair of solid color joggers . You can add some interest to your outfit by choosing a T-shirt with a graphic print or bold colors. If you want to create a more put-together look, try wearing a button-down shirt or polo shirt with your joggers, or tuck in your shirt to give the outfit more of a polished appearance.
Accessorizing your T-shirt and joggers look is a great way to add your own personal touch. Consider adding a baseball cap, sunglasses, or a statement necklace. A more dressed-up ensemble can be created by adding a blazer or cardigan. Why not experiment with different shoe choices, such as sneakers, loafers, or sandals too?
HOW TO LAYER A T-SHIRT WITH A FRENCH TERRY SWEATSHIRT
Layering your T-shirt allows you to wear it all year-round, and a French Terry sweatshirt is one of the best ways to maximize your wardrobe. French Terry is a looped fabric that's great at wicking moisture away, making it perfect for both warm and cold weather.
You can style your T-shirt and French Terry sweatshirt combo by choosing colors that complement each other; alternatively, you can wear the same block shade and pair with matching joggers or pants. Accessories are key when it comes to styling your T-shirt and sweatshirt. A pair of sneakers will complete the look and can be worn with both athleisure and more casual outfits.
WHICH STYLES ARE RIGHT FOR YOU?
There are a lot of different types of T-shirts to choose from, but we’d be happy to narrow it down to the two most versatile and stylish types: the crew neck and V-neck T-shirts. These T-shirts are great to wear as undergarments, layering pieces, or as standalone pieces that make you look your best.
Related: Premium T-Shirts — Back to Basics .
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