There are many different types of t-shirts for men, and you may not be aware of all of them. T-shirts are the quintessential wardrobe staple, and every man should have a collection of different ones to wear on different occasions.
Different types of T-shirts exist, and some are more appropriate than others depending on the situation.
In this guide, we’ll look at several different kinds of t-shirts types and what makes them unique and special enough to add to your wardrobe.
Knowing the right type of t-shirt to wear can make all the difference when it comes to style and comfort in your daily life!
How many different types of T-shirts are there?
There are various different types of t-shirts available, and each type has its own unique characteristics that make it unique in relation to the others. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common types of t-shirts so you can pick the one that best suits your needs and style.
Different Types Of T-Shirts Neck or Collar
There’s a special kind of torture in finding a t-shirt with a neck that fits just right, isn’t there? Thankfully, there are tons of options for different neck sizes. The most common styles for men include v-necks and crew necks. Here’s a quick overview of some common necks used in T-shirt design.
1. Round or Crew Neck T-Shirt
A crew neck t-shirt is a classic that never goes out of style. It’s simple, but stylish and will go with anything in your closet. You can choose from a variety of different fabrics, such as cotton or a more athletic fabric like spandex. Each fabric has its own look and feel, so you’ll have to make sure you choose one that will be right for you.
2. V Neck T-shirt
A V-neck t-shirt is usually one of two things: a classic tee with a very low neckline or a crew neck that drops down deeper than expected. V necks are more casual and can be worn either alone or layered under something else. They’re great for hot weather, but it’s best to avoid them if you have any lumps or bumps you want to cover up.
3. Henley T-Shirt
The Henley full sleeve t-shirt is a classic design that can easily be dressed up or down. Wear it with dress pants and a blazer to make an impression in your 9 to 5, or rock it under your motorcycle jacket when you’re taking a ride on your bike. You can even wear it at home as loungewear; either way, these t-shirts are incredibly versatile.
4. Collar or Polo T-shirt
Polo shirts were originally used as a type of athletic shirt, and they were popularised by tennis star René Lacoste. In 1936, he entered into a heated competition with his friend and rival, American Bobby Riggs. To distinguish themselves on the court, both men wore tennis shirts—an item which Lacoste would go on to develop into its own line of formal clothing after retiring from sports.
5. Hooded T-shirt
A hooded t-shirt is a heavy-weight cotton or cotton blend shirt with a hood. They’re great for layering over your favorite tee or as an additional layer on cool days. You can dress them up or down, and they come in a wide variety of colors and styles.
A lot of people say they like to wear a hooded t-shirt, but what exactly is it? A hooded t-shirt is a top made up of a long-sleeved t-shirt that has an extra piece sewn onto it. That extra piece is called a hood, and it covers your head and hair. If you’re looking for something to keep your body warm in cold weather, look no further than a hooded t-shirt.
6. Turtleneck T-shirt
The turtleneck is one of those cool and trendy garments that you probably don’t wear as often as you should. This garment has so many different styles, textures, and cuts to choose from. From brightly colored ones to others that are more muted, in general these shirts can be a great layering piece during colder weather. Also, they look great when worn with a pair of khakis or denim jeans!
7. Scoop Neck T-shirt
A scoop neck t-shirt is a must in any man’s wardrobe. It is perfect for wearing with jeans and pants and is appropriate for all occasions including dressy events. The scoop neck t-shirt can be made from cotton or silk, but it is important to find one that has been well made because you want it to fit your body as close as possible.
Different Types Of T-shirts Sleeves
1. Half-Sleeves T-shirt
A half-sleeve tee shirt is not actually a half-sleeve. It goes from your shoulders to about an inch or two below your elbow. This is a great style for both casual and formal occasions because it looks dressy, but allows you to still show off your favorite sports team or brand. The only drawback is that some people don’t like showing their arms, which isn’t exactly a problem for me.
2. Full-Sleeves Or Long Sleeves T-shirt
A full sleeve T-shirt is a long-sleeved t-shirt that covers your forearm and most of your upper arm. Full sleeve t-shirts are great for layering, as they can be worn over other clothing items like jackets or hoodies. Full sleeve t-shirts are especially ideal for men who want to protect their arms from UV rays or cold weather.
3. Raglan Sleeves T-shirt
The raglan tee is a classic look for any season. The reason for its popularity is that it’s comfortable and versatile. For those who don’t know, raglan sleeves don’t connect from one shoulder to another. This makes them lighter and cooler than typical long-sleeved tees (which can feel stuffy in warm weather). Instead, a raglan tee has sleeves that run from one collar bone to another without touching your shoulders.
4. Three Quarter Sleeves T-shirt
Three-quarter sleeves are short and leave a small part of your arm exposed. Perfect for both men and women, three-quarter sleeves can add a little extra style to your outfit without having to wear an entire long sleeve shirt. Three-quarter sleeves also allow you more freedom in movement than regular long sleeves, which is especially important when you’re running around playing sports or doing chores.
5. Cap Sleeves T-shirt
These T-shirts offer a different cut. Instead of short sleeves, they cover only half of your upper arm. The entire arm is covered with fabric except for a small strip down each side where there is no fabric and you can show off your tattoos.
The cap sleeve T-shirt is very popular, especially in summer. This tee has short sleeves (usually above elbow length) and no shoulder seams. The shoulder caps measure about 3/4th to 1 wide. Some cap sleeve tees have a round neckline and some have V necklines.
6. Sleeveless T-shirt
A sleeveless t-shirt is great for showing off your arms. If you’re a guy who likes to show off some muscle or who has toned arms and wants to show them off, then it makes sense to wear a sleeveless t-shirt.
Different Types Of T-Shirts Styles
1. Striped T-shirt
If you’re looking for a fun and playful shirt, then a striped t-shirt is what you should be shopping for. An ideal t-shirt to wear when going on a date or getting together with friends, striped tees are great if you want to feel comfortable in whatever setting you’re in. There are many different patterns that come with stripes (from thin ones to bold and wide ones), so there’s an option that fits your personal taste as well.
2. Graphic or Printed T-shirt
A graphic t-shirt is an excellent way to make a statement and add character to your look. But you should be aware that not all graphics are appropriate for work. A lot of people still tend to view graphic tees as strictly casual wear, but if you pick out a nice design and pair it with a well-fitted suit, you’ll be okay (as long as it fits in with your company dress code).
3. Pocket T-shirt
It’s a classic. It doesn’t matter what type of pocket tee you have, they are all perfect for casual wear and a wide variety of occasions. The great thing about these tees is that you can pick them up from virtually any shop.
4. Solid T-shirt
A solid color, short or long sleeve t-shirt. A classic style for men and women. Solid tees can be worn for just about any occasion or activity. The primary benefit to a solid tee is its versatility; these shirts can be worn with any outfit and look good when paired with a variety of accessories. If you want to invest in one type of shirt, make it a solid tee!
Different Types Of T-Shirts Fabric
While most people think about cotton when it comes to T-shirts, there are many other options available. Some are more expensive than others, but all with different qualities and textures. Here’s a quick overview of some common fabrics used in T-shirt design
Cotton
Cotton T-shirts offer a soft, breathable feel and a classic look. They can be worn in many situations because of their versatility and comfort.
However, cotton tends to wrinkle more easily than other materials, it becomes stiffer when wet and holds odors better than other fabrics. Cotton is also not easy to care for, requiring you to launder it frequently—and most likely wash it by hand.
Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic fiber that’s long been used to make clothing. It’s generally considered less comfortable than cotton, but it does have its benefits—namely, it doesn’t wrinkle easily, it keeps you cool in warm weather, and can be dyed in any color imaginable.
The biggest downside is that if you spill anything on polyester, your shirt will be ruined forever.
Rayon
In its most basic form, a rayon t-shirt is nothing more than fabric spun from wood pulp and dyed. This type of tee is typically a little bit smoother to touch than 100% cotton and tends to be cooler to wear during warmer months.
You’ll find that most athletic apparel brands utilize rayon in their t-shirts because it works well at wicking moisture away from your body. When mixed with cotton, however, it can pill over time if not taken care of properly.
Tri-Blends
Tri-blends, or 50/50 cotton/polyester/rayon blends, have been a popular choice among T-shirt manufacturers for some time now. These t-shirts give you all the benefits of cotton in durability and breathability but with a bit more stretch.
Tri-blends are also mostly wrinkle resistant which makes them great for those on the go. The extra weight that comes from these shirts makes them great in cooler temperatures to keep you warm without feeling too hot and heavy at any temperature.
Poly-Cotton
Poly/cotton blend t-shirts are easy to care for and tend to wrinkle less than 100% cotton t-shirts. They often come in a wider variety of patterns, colors, and styles than 100% cotton t-shirts.
They can be somewhat thin and tend to shrink over time so they may not be a good choice if you don’t have an iron at home or plan on drying them in a dryer.
Lycra
A Lycra T-shirt is designed to hug your body as closely as possible. These t-shirts cling to every curve and keep their form even after many uses.
They’re usually made from polyester or nylon blends that shrink slightly when you wash them. The sizing on these t-shirts runs small, so if you want to wear it casually with jeans, opt for a larger size than usual.
