~ Chapter 12 ~ The basic T shirt (Men’s Edition)

In the darkness, goths rule the nightworld so it’s time to shine some light on the newest trends and dust the webs off our inner goths. In this series of chapters, I will be exploring the emergence of the latest trends in fashion’s underworld.

I’ve always wanted to dress in a gothic wardrobe fulltime but as I grow older the demands of the workplace require a much more modest approach to fashion and everyday life just doesn’t allow it as often.

So here’s my approach to the latest gothic trends that you can wear at work, in public, and even abroad. Dress how you want to dress. Gothic trends are emerging more elegant and mysterious than before and it’s time to add some new styles into the mix.

Back to Basics in Black

A basic T shirt for men’s fashion is the greatest place to start building your wardrobe from the ground up, but don’t think you can’t make mistakes in buying the wrong one because you can! T-shirts are great for making your look crisp, casual, and attractive. Even though its such a simple fashion I absolutely love seeing it on men so here are a few tips on what to look for when buying and what to avoid.

Too Baggy Too Tight

Finding the right size shirt won’t be too hard but try not to stray into the two categories of too big or too tight. While a big baggy T shirt can be a great fashion statement it can also be a “gang” style because they wear them often to steal merchandise and hide it under the bulk. It can also make your body seem shorter, smaller and skinnier so keep that in mind if its not your intention. They are a youthful fashion and looks best on teenagers to early 20’s men. The opposite of a too fitted shirt can expose unwanted bulge rising up over the stomach or fit snuggly across unfit areas to highlight them. Not to mention sweat marks during the hot or nervous times (yes even in black shirts) they can also be uncomfortable cutting into your armpits, digging into your neck or gathering in strange places. Comfort is very important in choosing the right shirt that is both functional and fashionable and choosing the right fit to give yourself a well groomed look.

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V Neck vs. Scoop Neck

My next big tip in choosing the right T shirt is the collar line. Maybe you know of the circle/scoop neck and V neck styles already. Both styles are very attractive but be careful with the collar’s depth. If they are too low it looks unprofessional and actually quite strange even on the most handsome of men. A modest neck line that doesn’t reach past the armpits is a safe choice when trying this style. One more important tip to keeping you shirts clean and well groomed is if the neck shows any kind of buckling from being over stretched, throw it away it’s time to buy a new one.

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Logos, Prints, Concert T’s

While large prints and concert T’s may be popular on the fashion market, if your goal is to look more sophisticated or professional in your style, then it’s best to choose either ones that are small or none at all. If the logo is not chosen because of the design of the shirt but rather the idea of broadcasting how much the shirt costs its seen as rather cheap or perhaps even fake. People pay a lot of money for the brand and not the actual shirt itself. The material is exactly the same as a regular T shirt. They are both made of cotton and there is no special cotton plant out there that is better than the other. Save money by buying a shirt for its design, shape, and feel not because of the expensive logo attached to it. As for large prints and concert type shirts, these are fine for a casual day out or great for working in the yard, but as a polished fashion piece they tend to look immature mostly worn by teenagers and on college campus. So on a date, bring out the solid shirts for a more put together fashionable look.

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Materials of Choice

There are usually two common types of material in T shirts. These are made from cotton and polyester/spandex. 100% percent cotton shirts come with a lot of demands. They absorb odors and sweat, mold and mildew can easily grow, it can shrink when washed, the colors fade easily, and it can become bleached in the sun if exposed to the outside for too long. People tend to buy cotton because the feel is softer and the colors are stronger when first purchased. If you buy 100% cotton be sure to treat it with extra care and remember it will shrink at least and inch maybe two from the length and shoulders so buy a size up if its already snug. A 100% polyester T shirt may have a slight shiny look which is why people tend to buy the cotton ones and because they don’t absorb sweat as easily and show the dreaded sweat lines more than cotton. A half polyester and half cotton blend is the best. The more polyester the more durable the shirt is and less it will shrink or bleach in the sunlight if you hang it outside to dry. A half and half blend will allow the shirt to absorb the sweat but protect it from odors and mold. If it contains spandex that just means the shirt has some stretch to it and will be more flexible when moving around. Another thing to note about cotton is that once the material stretches it will not go back to its original shape especially in the collar area which is pulled every time you put it on. Keeping these things in mind will help you shop for the right material you are looking for to make your T shirt last for a long time.

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The Immortal Shirt

And most important is how to care for your T shirts to make them last. If you have a bleaching accident, the shirt is badly sun bleached, or the black is faded but the shirt’s condition is still good there is a way to save it! At your local store you can easily find fabric dyes to bring back the color or try a DIY bleaching style to create a new look from your shirt. You can keep the dye for your next shirts using it over and over again for a more eco friendly approach or just do what my family does. If the shirt is no longer good to use then use it as a cleaning rag. If it has holes, RIP to the shirt and buy a new one. Holes are just not appropriate for any occasion.

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Choosing the right T shirt can be overwhelming at first, but once you find the right one you’ll have no problem finding it again and again. Remember these points while shopping for your black T shirt and try out the various styles that are offered to fit your unique tastes. A black T shirt is simple and easy to style making it a great basic for your gothic wardrobe.

• Keep the fit just right, not too baggy or tight
• Choose a higher V or Circle collar neck line, and throw away ones with stretched necklines
• Stay away from logos and concert type shirts or large prints to keep your style clean and professional
• Look for a 50/50 blend of cotton and polyester T shirts to make it last longer
• Give your old shirts an upgrade if the shirt is still in good shape

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