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

Summer Sportcoats & Blazers - The Most Important Items in Your Wardrobe

The word blazer is one of the most incorrectly applied terms in men’s fashion. It is typically used as a general reference to describe almost any suit-type jacket, but a man's “blazer” has a more specific meaning. Both a blazer and a sport coat are casual jackets that are worn on their own rather than as a part of a complete suit. Although used interchangeably, the difference between the two has more to do with their fabrication and styling. A sport coat is traditionally made with an earthy fabric like tweed or houndstooth with three buttons, flap pockets and sometimes an extra ticket pocket on one side. As the name suggests, a sport coat was once meant to assist in the untimely demise of cute, harmless animals like deer or rabbit in the English countryside. Men's blazers, on the other hand, are made of a sturdier fabric than a suit, yet smoother fabric than a sport jacket. It is usually thought of as single-breasted, but it can also come in a double-breasted ahoy matey version. Blazers also have patch pockets as opposed to flaps, and in the single-breasted variety, it comes with two metallic buttons for closure.

To avoid confusing the two styles any further, learn more about the differences between a jacket and a blazer; this way, you’ll avert any unbecoming fashion blunders, like showing up to your formal business meeting in a heavily patterned sport jacket and flannel trousers.

Sport Jacket.

The sport jacket derives from the experimentation with sports clothes in the mid-nineteenth century. By the early twentieth century, men were seeking comfort and high fashion in their clothing, and turned to the ever-evolving sport jacket as a fashion-forward, casual answer to laidback social functions -- meaning, an afternoon at a stuffy gentleman’s club or while sitting on the sidelines of a tennis match.

Today’s sport jacket, however, has a very different meaning as it can also be dressed down with a pair of jeans or chinos for more casual functions.

The patterned sport jacket appeared after World War II to accommodate the business-casual lifestyle that men began leading. Incorporating bold patterns like Shetland stripes (seen on Ivy League campuses) and madras plaids (seen in colleges and country clubs), patterned sport jackets were a way for the fashion-conscious, modern man to avoid having his jacket embarrassingly mistaken for a suit jacket.

As always, there are a few things you need to consider when purchasing this particular style of jacket:

• Fit is King – as always, make sure it fits your properly! You want it hug your shoulders and follow the lines of your body all the way down to your waist. A good sports jacket should make you stand up straight and hold yourself differently. Most guys wear a size too big so always try the size down. You shouldn’t be able to throw a ball overarm in a properly fitting suit!
• What’s the plan? Think about what you’re buying this jacket for. Do you want it to serve multiple purposes at different events? Then stick to a neutral colour in a subtle stripe or check. If you have a particular event or setting in mind then there should be more room to get creative. Maybe something in pink or mint green in a bold stripe will do? Either way, planning is everything.
• Compliment, don’t match – You should think about what you will be wearing with the jacket as much as the jacket itself. Always try to compliment the jacket rather than wearing something in the same colour family. For example, if the jacket is in navy why not try burgundy or olive chinos? Or if you’re feeling really bold maybe something in yellow? If the jacket is in a less neutral colour such as red, stick to muted complimenting colours such as blues and greens.

The sports jacket is the most important item in your wardrobe this season in my opinion. Regardless of your personal style or take on fashion, I think every guy can benefit from at least one sports jacket. For guys who prefer casual comfort, it’s an easy way to dress up a look without feeling too formal and stuffy in a suit. The same goes for the suit and tie men out there, it’s the perfect weekend addition that allows your look be more relaxed and playful without reaching straight for the unstructured blazer.

There are countless ways to style it, whether you've got business to handle or you're simply hanging out. Just remember: It's called a sports jacket for a reason. You can dress it up, but it's meant to be played in. Hard. That means throwing it on the backseat of your car or cramming it in your backpack once you've peeled it off. It doesn't need an occasion, and it doesn't need to match anything. It just needs to be worn...and worn...and worn, until it fits you like a second skin.

If you’re looking to add some sport jacket to your wardrobe, this selection of sport jackets is the way to go. It’s perfect for pairing with denim or shorts for a refined casual look.

HERNO

ALICE SAN DIEGO

DOLCE &GABBANA

PATRIZIA PEPE

MAURO GRIFONI

KENZO

LOVE MOSCHINO

DSQUARED2

Blazer.

By 1938, blazers were the fashionable odd jacket of choice for style connoisseurs. Originally a part of the English cricket club scene, the blazer was often striped and in club colors. This look eventually evolved to include brass buttons, single and double-breasted models, and a club badge on the breast pocket. Blazers are offered in a variety of styles with different detail options, including flap or patch pockets and peak or notch lapels. Depending on your blazer style of choice and what you pair it with, blazers are easier to dress down than sport jackets.

Navy-colored blazers adorned with brass buttons were predominant throughout the 1920s, and made a stylish sports outfit when paired with white pants. And due to their lightweight fabric, these nautical-inspired blazers were summer fashion sensations.

Thanks to the British wave of fashion sweeping our North American streets, the traditional nautical blazer may still look trendy in the late spring or early summer.

Blazers rightfully got their name because they were “blazed” with more color and bolder patterns than the refined sport jacket. Blazers weren’t only striped, but they also came in a variety of bright colors, like powder blue and purple, and started making their way into men’s weekend-wear wardrobes.

The bold patterns and heavy tweed fabric of the sport jacket make it inappropriate for business or formal wear. Pair it with denim or corduroy for more casual outings. If you’re going to wear a blazer, keep the breast pocket bare; don’t adorn it with a badge unless you wear your blazer for club purposes.

Nowadays, traditional double-breasted, brass-buttoned nautical blazers are usually worn by older men (we’re talking the grandpa generation here). In other words: Don’t do it. Single-breasted blazers, whether navy or colored without the brass buttons, are modern and versatile as they can be dressed up with flannel trousers or dressed down with denim. And they can be accessorized with the most formal of ascots or the most basic of ties.

Your only choice when attending a formal event, such as a business meeting or a wedding, is to disregard both the jacket and the blazer and wear a suit.

Although often confused, the sport jacket and the blazer are two very different items of clothing. They each have their respective places in history, and each has its own distinctive method of being worn. So while they might both be jacket-like, sport jackets and blazers certainly aren’t cut from the same cloth.