T-shirts, generally, are supposed to blend in. That’s their whole thing. They’re there to underpin outfits, not make them. After all, they started life as undergarments, designed to lay the foundation and let prettier pieces do the talking. But in summer, with fewer options for putting your stamp on a look, it might be a good time to reevaluate the humble T-shirt’s role within your wardrobe.
There are T-shirts, and then there are statement T-shirts. These garments aren’t supposed to sit back and do their job – they’re there to make a mark, to be noticed. They’re not there to help draw attention to a focal point; they are the focal point. That means you can throw one on with even the most basic of outfits, and it will bring them to life. Think of it as a handy summer-style cheat code… but one it’s all too easy to get catastrophically wrong.
See, there are good and bad statement T-shirts. Unfortunately, the vast majority fall into the latter category. Of course, there’s an element of subjectivity at play whenever it comes to anything style-related, but it’s our job to help guide you in the right direction.
So, without further ado, here are our top statement T-shirt picks for putting your stamp on summer 2024.
Bold Stripe
Even the most unadventurous of dressers can generally get on board with stripes. This makes them a nice, accessible option for jazzing outfits up, adding a bit of personality and introducing some colour.
There are countless variations, but bold is the way to go if you want to make a statement. Pick a nice high-contrast colour combo with big chunky stripes (horizontal for the slim guys and vertical for the big lads) and wear it with some simple straight-leg jeans in a light wash, an olive overshirt and a pair of loafers or canvas sneakers.
Tie Dye
From one end of the statement T-shirt spectrum to the other. Tie-dye is admittedly a rather bold look, and it’s certainly not for everyone. However, we’re talking statement T-shirts here, and if you want to spice an outfit up, this is a surefire way to do so.
To nail it, we’d suggest sticking to single colours rather than anything too rainbow-esque and keeping the rest of your outfit very muted.
Oversized
Making a statement doesn’t have to mean resorting to wacky patterns and bright colours. You can utilise off-kilter fits to get the job done instead.
Anything a little out of the ordinary will work, but we’re fans of oversized, boxy cuts. Especially in the summer months when they can help to get that air circulating and keep you cool.
Look for nice heavyweight tees with dropped shoulders and a deliberately oversized shape rather than just buying a regular T-shirt a few sizes too big. This way, you can be sure it will still be the right length for your body so that it looks deliberate instead of just looking like you don’t know how things are supposed to fit.
Big Logo
OK, divisive one. However you feel about big, bold branding, there’s no denying it can bring some colour and punchiness to the table. It allows you to breathe some life into simple outfits without leaning too heavily on patterns, and it can even be a conversation starter with like-minded people if you’re into your niche, esoteric labels.
That said, if you’re not careful, it can get cheap and tacky real quick, so our advice would be to steer clear of the overdone luxury brands and stick to smaller independent labels instead. It’s always good practice to operate a one big logo per outfit policy.
Knitted
Knitted? T-shirt? Two words seldom found side by side, sure. But hear us out. These short-sleeve sweaters can provide a touch of elegance to your summer outfits, bringing a touch of texture and class to the table.
They’re great for smarter summer settings, as they’re easy to dress up, particularly if you go for a fine-gauge knit. For an added dose of texture, go for a low-gauge crochet-style version instead.
Graphic
Going for a graphic tee is the streetwear way to brighten up your summer wardrobe. These eye-catching tees have been a cornerstone of the scene since the very beginning, and they’re still being made by any brand worth its salt today.
Check out labels like Stussy (the graphic T-shirt OG) and Carhartt WIP for classic styles, or check out forward-thinking streetwear brands like Brain Dead and Neighbourhood for something a little bit different.
Distressed
There are those who will scoff at the idea of spending money on an artificially distressed tee. We get it. But if you’re not fundamentally opposed to the concept, it can be a cool way to add a bit of character to your everyday looks and achieve a lived-in look right off the peg.
Parisian running brand Satisfy makes artificially moth-bitten T-shirts that are supposed to aid breathability. But the designs work just as well for casual wear as they do for sports.
Acid Wash
An acid-wash T-shirt is a solid option if you want to be subtle about your statement-making. The distinctive faded effect caused by the chemical washing process gives the garment some personality and texture, but not so much that it steals the show and draws attention away from the rest of the outfit.
Acne Studios has some nice versions, or for a cheaper alternative, check out COS.
Vintage Merch
Whether it’s an obscure band you grew up listening to, a cult horror movie from the 80s or a marathon from decades gone by, old-school merch tees look cool and they allow you to let others know what you’re all about before you even open your mouth.
Be warned, though – if you buy the real deal, they can be seriously expensive. It’s common for vintage band tees to run well into triple figures, sometimes more. But if you’re happy to settle for imitations, then there are plenty of online retailers ready to take your money.
