Summer Essential - Men's Statement T-Shirts

The common t-shirt is a bold garment with a prestigious, though relatively short, history. From its early beginnings as an undergarment to its various satirical and political incarnations of today’s generations, the t-shirt has become a major player in modern fashion.

The t-shirt as we know it was born out of military tradition. It first emerged around the time of WWI as an undergarment.  The inexpensive cotton and easy to clean garment became the shirt of choice by mothers for their sons as outerwear for chores and play. By the 1920′s “T-shirt” became an official American-English word in the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary. About a decade later the US Navy had created a T-shaped flannel pullover that became popular among sailors and later with marines. The US Army followed suit and developed their own version of the Navy’s T-shaped shirt, but they went one step further with the development of the sleeveless ‘tank top.’ By the time the Pacific theater was in full tilt, the US Army had officially introduced what they called a “quarter-sleeve undershirt.” This garment had the basic form of the modern American T-shirt.

The earliest printed shirt was perhaps the Air Corps Gunnery School T-shirt featured on the July 13th, 1942  cover of LIFE magazine. Mickey Mouse would follow suit a few years later as an exclusively licensed print for Tropix Togs, a company founded by Sam Kantor in Miami, Florida. Following the war, returning veterans would wear their service trousers with their quarter-sleeve undershirts as casual wear. The look became commonplace in the 1950s. Aside from veterans and blue collar workers, the popularity of the T-shirt skyrocketed to even greater heights when Marlon Brando wore one in A Streetcar Named Desire. It became fashionably cool to wear as an outer garment.

In the late 1960s, the T-shirt became a means of self expression as wearable art as well as to convey commercial advertising, souvenir messages, and protests. Psychedelic artist Warren Dayton pioneered several political, and pop-culture art T-shirts featuring images of Cesar Chavez, political cartoons, and other cultural icons of that era. The designs produced in the 1970′s are just as popular today as they were then, if not perhaps more so. Some of the more notable shirt designs over the decades include the yellow happy face T-shirts, The Rolling Stones’ “tongue and lips” logo, “Kiss me, I’m Irish” St. Patrick’s Day slogan, and the legendary “I ♥ N Y”.

In the 1980s, the subject of this article “statement” t-shirt became popular. It was originally popularized by the “Frankie Says Relax” shirt, taken from the 80s hit “Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Several takeoffs of this shirt became popular and it eventually expanded to include several other statements, including WHAM!’s famous concert shirt bearing the saying “Choose Life” originally as a protest against drugs and overdose.

We have often stressed the value of plain, neutral crew neck t-shirts; their innate versatility allows them to be integrated into smart or casual outfits effortlessly, they can help anchor bold colors/prints when you want to experiment, and they can even hold their own when teamed individually with a pair of your best jeans. The plain tee will always be considered an essential, nigh a necessity, for the modern male.

As you will know, however, exceptions prove the rule. The subject of this article is the use of ‘look-at-me’ T-shirts – the type that come complete with brave bold prints, large logos or a nontraditional color finish. I will hereby humbly label these, ‘statement tees’.

Statement tees have been featured as part of a number of designer collections for the current spring/summer season. They are an excellent option to help breathe life into your current wardrobe, offering something of a quick and easy fix that will help revive your everyday look.

Here are the 3 main options and types you can consider adding to your wardrobe this year:

Option 1. Graphics T-Shirts

Graphic tees have long become a stalwart of the modern male’s wardrobe. The ability to create a statement or striking visual through one piece alone has helped them become a key player in a spring/summer wardrobe, where the temperature can often make it uncomfortable to wear more than one layer.

Nearly every retailer and brand is producing their own take on the graphic tee these days, so it really is a matter of personal preference. However, there are a few key underlying themes that are on trend right now:

• Dark and Edgy: Traditional associated with rocker and indie types, these t-shirts usually come in black and feature distressed prints or Gothic influences. Think All Saints signature graphic tee range or Alexander McQueen’s iconic skull print (and all the other imitations now on the market). These styles are begging to be worn with other rock ‘n’ roll inspired attire such as black distressed  jeans, military boots and leather bracelets.
• Animal Motifs: A trend that is set to become a major player during AW12, the market is already releasing a variety of versions for those early adopters. Above you can see everything from bears to dogs – which all happen to have snarling faces, creating a more masculine aesthetic.
• Tribute Tees: Retro brands, logos and bands have become a huge influence within recent t-shirt collections. Everyone from MTV to 7UP to Led Zeppelin can be found on tees that are often a throwback to the 80s and 90s. As we know, the 90s have helped shape men’s fashion during SS12, so these could prove to be a great addition to your casual wardrobe. If you are going for vintage prints, make sure the t-shirt is congruent – look for faded colors and soft cottons that provide a lived in effect.
• Repeated Prints: This type of print has soared in popularity due to the current fascination with patterns. Typically involves a smaller print being utilized all over the t-shirt (whether symmetrical or not), in order to create the effect of a repeat pattern.

Option 2. Patterns T-Shirts

The industry is obsessed with patterns at the moment, but they just so happen to be the best way of making a real statement via your t-shirt. There is a pattern to suit every personal style, taste and existing wardrobe on the market at the moment, so make the most of it.

Whether you opt for a more masculine camo print, a Rockabilly inspired animal print, or a striking Aztec pattern, each and every one will inject new life into your current every day looks.

Option 3. Bold Colors T-Shirts

Finally, something for those who still aren’t convinced about the prints and patterns trend. You might be a slightly older male or simply prefer a refined style – either way, how do you go about standing out? Well, a bold colored t-shirt is a great place to start.

Whether you opt for the brightest shade of pink you can find, a pastel yellow to give a nod to the big color trend of the season, or simply a slightly bolder shade of your signature blue, these striking tees will hold their own during the summer whilst injecting a much needed shot of color into a tired autumn/winter outfit.

With most printed designs almost bordering on kitsch, statement T-shirts beg to be complemented with simple monochromatic pieces and go particularly well with black attire. Black has always had a special place within the world of fashion, often favored by fashion designers themselves for its elegance and understatement.

It is precisely these 2 qualities that make black the perfect companion to a statement tee. Paired with slim black jeans or shorts, it will help achieve a perfectly balanced look that does not lack the ability to draw attention.

The most important element to consider when accessorizing this look is your choice of shoes. Once again, opting for less color over more is strongly recommended here. The character and purpose of a statement tee is to draw attention, such that the rest of your outfit should stay monochromatic at best.

Simple black or white leather trainers are one option that requires neither thought nor explanation. Alternatively, show some confidence and reach for a pair of black/brown tassel loafers. Apart from being on-trend, tassels offer a slightly more classical touch (often associated with America preppy style and the likes of Ralph Lauren), so when utilized in combination with your ‘shout-out-loud’ t-shirt it provides a provocative clash of styles whilst adding a hint of elegance and sophistication