How to choose a basic t-shirt?

The usual things, time-tested, without which it is impossible to do, are called basic, and their verified set is called a basic wardrobe. A knitted sweater with short sleeves, called a T-shirt, is one of such basic items. It is in every men's and women's wardrobe. It is worn to the gym, to the office and even to a party. A T-shirt looks stylish, pleases with comfort and does not require serious expenses when buying.

It is easy to distinguish a basic T-shirt: it has a round neckline, medium length, a very simple cut and design, and the fabric is made entirely of cotton or cotton-based with a small amount of elastane so that the T-shirt does not deform after several washes. It can rightfully be called one of the main basic items. It is enough to have 2-3 models, so that wide opportunities for stylish combinations open up before you. The main thing is to choose the right basic T-shirt. And we will tell you how to do this now.

1. Composition, density and texture of the material.
2. T-shirt silhouette.
3. Product length.
4. Sleeves.
5. Color

1. Composition, density and texture of the material, or why fabric matters

T-shirts come in a variety of fabrics, but cotton is still the gold standard. The composition can be 100% cotton or cotton-based. Why is this important? Because natural cotton:

• breathes well;
• effectively retains heat;
• soft, durable and long-lasting;
• highly hygroscopic;
• not susceptible to organic solvents, which makes it easy to remove difficult stains;
• inexpensive to produce.

However, there is something to be said in defense of blended T-shirts. Cotton-polyester products have the best properties of cotton and polyester. They are lightweight, retain their shape for a long time, are easy to wash and do not shrink, do not wrinkle, and do not require ironing after washing. Products with a predominance of synthetics are able to quickly remove moisture and heat from the body during very high activity. But in everyday use, this property will become a disadvantage rather than an advantage.

A good alternative to cotton T-shirts are linen T-shirts made from the best natural fibers. They are lightweight, hygienic, absorb moisture well, durable and breathable. They look great both in an elegant classic outfit and in casual looks, but are not very popular because they are expensive, wrinkle quickly and have a rough texture.

If you want to choose a versatile T-shirt, pay attention to the transparency of the fabric. Not very dense material - it is translucent. There is nothing wrong with this if you are creating a relaxed image for relaxation, a walk or a party. For more formal outfits, for example for the office with a pantsuit, choose a denser texture of fabric made of cotton, linen or a blend.

2. Silhouette of a basic T-shirt

Ideally, a T-shirt should fit the figure, but not too tightly. Too tight is no longer stylish and not relevant. If the T-shirt you have chosen has tension on the chest or folds from the armhole to the chest, then this is not your product - try on a product of a slightly larger size. When choosing a T-shirt, do not chase the numbers on the size, but pay attention to your feelings and the fit.

In general, it is better to choose a slightly loose silhouette. Why? Firstly, such a T-shirt can be worn on its own, simply with jeans, shorts, a skirt or trousers. And secondly, it can also be worn with a suit or jacket. A loose silhouette is a truly universal item. T-shirts that are too tight are now commonly worn as the first layer under a shirt, cardigan, jacket, or jumpsuit, provided that you don't take off the second layer.

3. Length of the basic T-shirt

The products are available in short, classic and long styles. Which one is better to choose depends on many factors, for example: how you like to dress most often, how you look, what size you are now, what type of figure you have, what you want to show off with your new outfit. However, if we are talking about the most universal length, then this is a mid-thigh T-shirt.

It will allow you to get several different stylish looks.

• It can be worn over jeans, skirts and trousers;
• Tuck it inside the same skirt, trousers and jeans, and it will not come out even with your arms raised.
• It can be worn in several ways: tied in a knot or partially tucked in

If you choose a short T-shirt, you can tuck it only into a skirt, trousers or jeans with a high waistline, or not tuck it in at all. In the latter case, you must have a perfect figure and a firm tummy.

Very long T-shirts cannot be tucked in at all - they are loose clothing. If you do not want to draw attention to your hips - this is a great format. They go well with straight-cut skirts, fashionable jeans or skinny. But the most common outfit is an ensemble of an elongated T-shirt and leggings.

4. Sleeves of a basic T-shirt

Like the length of T-shirts, sleeves come in different shapes and lengths. If you have massive arms and want to correct them, do not choose T-shirts with tight sleeves. The latter will not only emphasize the fullness of your arms, but also visually increase their volume. Also, do not choose a T-shirt with a diagonal sleeve shape. They greatly increase the size of the shoulders and reveal areas that need to be corrected.

The ideal option would be looser sleeves that reach mid-shoulder - they will make your hands look neater and more delicate. But even if your hands are not massive, still do not choose a T-shirt with tight sleeves - always leave air and freedom between your body and the T-shirt. By the way, sleeves that are too long can be rolled up – this will make your arms look even thinner and you look slimmer. If the T-shirt does not hold the cuffs, they can be fixed with one stitch.

5. Basic T-shirt color

If we are talking about universal T-shirts that will match the maximum number of things in the wardrobe, then these are, of course, plain T-shirts, but not necessarily white.

• Firstly, they don't get boring like printed items.
• Secondly, plain T-shirts are easier to combine with clothes of other colors and shades.

Basic color T-shirts.
We recommend having plain T-shirts in basic colors in your wardrobe - gray, white, black. It can also be blue, beige, khaki. These are the most universal colors that you can successfully combine with things of a different palette. This doesn't mean that your t-shirt set can't have a yellow, red or neon t-shirt. But as practice shows, you'll most often wear the "neutral" basic options because they fit best into stylish sets.

Printed T-shirts.
As for prints, they can also be on basic T-shirts. They make the items less boring and add an accent to the look. Choose options with a small inscription or logo - they are trendy now. By "small" we mean a print whose size is proportional to your size. Both the length of the inscription and the font size are important here. Everything should look proportional and not "argue".

Let's sum it up

You shouldn't skimp on basic items - they are 99% of the success of your stylish and practical looks. But there is no point in overpaying either, especially when it comes to basic T-shirts. They have always been "consumables". Their lifespan, as a rule, does not exceed one year. Items often get washed, darken under the arms, wear out. But this does not mean that you should close your eyes to the quality and comfort of the products.

• A basic T-shirt should be made of high-quality, dense cotton jersey. Carefully examine the neckline, sleeves, and hem - they should be finished properly. Loose threads, asymmetrical sleeves, flimsy (translucent) fabric - all this will kill your image.
• The T-shirt should not be tight or hang. The ideal option is a fit with a certain amount of freedom (but not oversized), without wrinkles and folds. Products in basic colors (black, gray, white) can be easily combined with most items in your wardrobe. Such T-shirts are indispensable in multi-layered looks. They also perfectly reduce the degree of formality of jackets and suits.
• Save multicolor, funny pictures and prints for home or outdoor trips. For stylish looks, choose T-shirts in pastel or neutral shades. And if you really want to add an accent to the monotony, then choose T-shirts with simple, laconic inscriptions, logo or color block, but only in the highest quality.