A white t-shirt transcends fashion trends. It can function as foundation for your outfit, and, just as easily, the statement piece. The idea that a wardrobe could exist without a white tee is almost more elusive than a real-life unicorn.
THE WHITE TEE: JAMES PERSE, $60
Below, five ways to wear a white t-shirt this summer:
MONDAY
blazer: Lardini, $1,280 (less $$) | pants: Suitsupply, $149 | loafers: Edward Green, $580
watch: Shinola, $750 | sunglasses: Steven Alan, $88 | bag: similar
SG Says: Dress your tee up with suiting separates in desert shades for a relaxed, elevated look.
TUESDAY
windbreaker: similar | chinos: Gant, $94 | sneakers: Vince, $195
cap: Wood Wood, $44| backpack: Fjallraven, $166 | notepad: Appointed, $14
jacket: Whistles, $140 | jeans: Simon Miller, $265 | sneakers: similar
sunglasses: Ray-ban, $150 | wallet: Paul Smith, $195
fragrance: West Third Brand, $18 | pomade: Baxter of California, $22
SG Says: There’s no greater canvas for statement pieces than dark jeans and a white tee.
THURSDAY
shorts: similar| sweatshirt: (available in blue) Saturdays NYC, $115
boat shoes: Sperry, $85 | watch: Tommy Hilfiger, $163
sunglasses: Garrett Leight, $340 | growler: Filson, $100
tote: Apolis, $98
SG Says: Pair pastels with dark leather for perfect picnic apparel.
FRIDAY
shirt: Norse Projects, $104 | shorts: sold out! (similar) | espadrilles: Brooks Brothers, $58
tote: Everlane, $60 | fragrance: Malin + Goetz, $165
SG Says: Keep the shirt unbuttoned as a substitute for your standard light jacket.
TELL ME:
WHAT’S THE MOST YOU’VE EVER PAID FOR A T-SHIRT (NO JUDGMENT!)?
Want to see more ways to wear your favorite pieces? See 5 ways to wear a crewneck sweatshirt, denim jacket and minimal sneaker.
I’m partial to the advice I read from Dan Trepanier on his site that you should stretch out the collar on your tees to make them look less undershirt-y. Or go for more of a boat neck collar. But yeah, great looks.
Great tip, Erik! I love more of a boatneck style on a breton shirt, or on my tees, but I can’t remember ever seeing one on a guy in the wild.
Cool tip! That’s exactly what I was thinking when I saw the white shirt; undershirt. I typically stick to white henleys or polos for exactly that reason.
I’m partial to the advice I read from Dan Trepanier on his site that you should stretch out the collar on your tees to make them look less undershirt-y. Or go for more of a boat neck collar. But yeah, great looks.
In my case, a v-neck or a henley tee works great for me. As it is, crewnecks don’t do much favors in slimming down the face and when they’re peeking out of a shirt, looks rather “off.” It’d be interesting though if there were scoop neck collars available.
LURVE the Wednesday outfit. Very James Dean-ish! Or if you like a more modern version, look at the lead singer from The Vamps’ “Can We Dance.” Very Brad Simpson-ish!
A modern James Dean is totally what I was shooting for with Wednesday – good eye!
Do you guys go budget or high end for your tees? I’m trying to find the sweet spot for mine. I normally get them as a multi buy as it’s pretty easy to go through white tees quickly.
A white tee undershirt I just buy ultra soft Hanes and get new ones every year while discarding the old ones. For colored shirts I’ve been splurging more for merino wool from Outlier, Wool and Prince, and Oliver Peoples. They look great, don’t wrinkle as much, and resist odor compared to their cotton counterparts.
Do you guys go budget or high end for your tees? I’m trying to find the sweet spot for mine. I normally get them as a multi buy as it’s pretty easy to go through white tees quickly.
if you go super cheap like H&M your white tee will bobble and shrink
I’ve had nothing but great tshirts from uniqlo and I think I’ll probably get mine from J Crew Factory from now on.
Love Uniqlo’s tees for guys..will need to check out J.Crew Factory on that front!
I’ve found Old Navy’s and Banana Republic’s solid tshirts to be the sweet spot for me. Often you can get them for under $10. Perfect fit for me and the quality is solid enough to last a good while before replacing.
Love it! What shades do you get them in? Just white or do you go for the full color spectrum?
I get an array of neutral schemes. Variations of white, grey, navy, black, and olive. They usually have a great selection of solids and heathered versions.
White tees are definitely my go-to this time of year! Time to round up a few new ones it sounds like.
Never a bad time to stock up on the essentials!
Back when I smoked I’d do the 50s greaser thing and roll up my pack in my sleeve. Sadly while it looked cool, it’s probably best I stopped. Loving that J. Crew popover; I love the pockets making it an alternative to the more autumnal shacket.
Did you really smoke or was it just for the look?
Oh, I did. I quit in grad school. Poor, misguided youth.
Great job with the accessories in this post GABI! Very cool visually and I’m sure just as fun to use or wear. I’m a fan of Thursday. I probably wouldn’t have picked that color scheme out for myself, but would love to try it all together.
I thought the same thing about Thursday’s look! I’m searching my closet tonight for something in that lemon yellow shade..so good!