The easy-to-pair pattern adds interest and texture to any outfit
Lately, the weather is as indecisive as me picking a new show to watch. Will it be swelteringly hot outside? 60 degrees and raining? Should I start The Gentlemen now that it’s been renewed for another season? Impossible to say!
Which can only mean one thing: Transitional Outfit Season™ is upon us.
When it comes to building an outfit that accommodates Mother’s Nature’s fickle temper, it’s important to have a few hero pieces in your wardrobe – or hero patterns – that you can introduce to any outfit to make it more stylish.
Enter: stripes.
Stripes – in shirt form and beyond – offer up a simple, understated, and easy way to add texture, interest, and refinement to your outfit.
Throwing a simple striped button-down over a t-shirt and trousers adds polish…and an additional layer for cooling temps. Wearing funky striped shorts help you send off soupy hot days in style.
Let’s break down your options, and keep scrolling to shop #SGapproved styles to wear now, and later, too.
Get inspired with 8 men’s outfit ideas with stripes:
WEAR A STRIPED SHIRT OPEN OVER A TEE
Easy, simple, and refined. You really can’t go wrong throwing a poplin shirt over a simple solid tee.
WEAR STRIPES WITH LIGHT JEANS AND LOAFERS
When it comes time to throw on a long sleeve shirt, don’t just reach for any shirt – have fun choosing colorful button downs to pair with jeans or solid trousers. Because the stripe is such a simple pattern, it means you can go more colorful with your palette!
The look above has a ’90s feel I love. You know Team SG is all in on a man in a loafer, but this look would work with your favorite dad sneakers or a Chelsea boot, too.
GO FOR SAILOR VIBES WITH YOUR STRIPES
When wearing stripes, let the rest of your outfit play it cool.
Add a chore coat on top to tone the pattern down. Or, opt for wear army-green pants to keep the overall effect neutral.
WEAR STRIPED PANTS
Striped pants are an often underrated way to rock the pattern – the key is to keep it (relatively) simple and well tailored, like this navy and chalk stripe pair of pleated pants.
To finish the look? Mix in monochromatic solids. Think: a black or white tee, or a solid button down.
MIX STRIPES & SHORTS
For those days when it is still ungodly hot – striped shorts are a great way to play with pattern and show off those gams. You can go preppy with a pastel swim trunk for a day on the beach, or complement a pair of solid shorts with a button down over a tank or tee to dress them up a little.
A LONG-SLEEVE STRIPED SHIRT PLAYS WELL WITH SPORTY SHORTS
Dress down a button-down with your favorite athletic shorts and sneakers.
TAKE INSPIRATION FROM THE OLYMPICS AND DRESS LIKE A PARISIAN SAILOR
Now, I’m not suggesting you go full beret and cigarette, but the French are onto something with their classic Mariner style shirts.
Below, shop stylish stripes for guys:
Irish linen shirt in tan stripe, $168
towel terry crewneck, $98
All of these pieces can be easily added to your wardrobe right now – mixed in with jeans, other shirts, and more.
heavyweight cotton t-shirt, $58
boxy stripe Oxford shirt, $20 (on sale)
When it comes ot men’s outfit ideas with stripes, don’t sleep on vertical or horizontal stripes! The old rules about what looks good on who went out the window a long time ago.
stripe short sleeve shirt, $70
striped linen drawstring pants, $138
READ MORE MEN’S STYLE STORIES FROM SG HQ:
A Week of Outfits to Wear with Jeans
