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The “average” American size t-shirt is not as average as we think, and most models flaunting outfits from big companies aren’t exactly “standard” sized men. We hear so much about body acceptance, but not all brands or companies have made the steps to truly be as inclusive as their marketing makes them out to be.
One of the more difficult body types to shop for is for those who tend to be on the slimmer side. We wanted to take the time to give you our choices for the best t-shirts for skinny guys, so you don’t have to do so much digging and worry about your clothes wearing you, rather than you wearing the clothes. We will give you some styling tips, the best type of wardrobe to wear, and some brands that hit the mark with more inclusive and diverse clothing and shirts for skinny guys.
How to Style Your Wardrobe with Shirts for Skinny Guys
First, let’s talk about how to style your wardrobe so you can look and feel your best. We want to accentuate the best features that slim men have to offer. We like going on forums and learning about different tips and tricks for better styling. You would be surprised how much a sleeve can change your appearance. Here's a separate guide to our recommended list of best dress shirts for tall skinny guys.
Some basics that you would want to incorporate into your clothing include crewneck cotton tees, dress shirts, slim fit flannel shirts, crew neck long sleeves, and some slim fitted chinos/pants. When you have each piece of clothing, you can mix and match your outfits so it looks like you are wearing something new every day. There are some things to consider when buying each article of clothing, including shirts for skinny men.
Buy Crewneck T-Shirts for Skinny Guys with Correct Seaming
If you are on the thinner side, crewneck t-shirts are more suitable for your body type. V-necks make your neck look thinner, longer, and show off a bit more chest. You typically want to make your neck look stronger and thicker, but you will get the opposite effect if you wear a v-neck. Crewneck t-shirts don't expose your neck and chest, so instead of showing your small chest, you get to accentuate your strong neck.
On that note, you also want to buy a shirt that has seams well on the shoulder. This little detail is important for your shoulder and arms. Shirts with seams that are closer to the neck and not parallel to the shoulders make the sleeves look short as if you are wearing a shirt that is too small. On the other hand, a shirt with seams that pass the shoulder makes it look like you are wearing an oversized tee. Go through your closet and check some of the seams on your shirts. Do they fit well, or do you need to make some adjustments to your wardrobe?
Buy Neutral Colored Clothes
If you like wearing crazy colors, then go for it, but it is hard to match a bright yellow sweater with the rest of your wardrobe. If you want the fullest value when it comes to buying new clothing, then color is a pretty important aspect. We would go for neutral and cooler colors such as: blue (shades varying from light to navy), black, white, gray, tan, etc. For flannels that blend various colors, it is also important to get a color that matches the rest of your wardrobe. For example, a white crewneck t-shirt with a black and white flannel and some khaki chino pants would be a casual, yet fashionable look for a nice date.
Mix and Match Your Wardrobe and Layer Up
Creating a layered look is quite simple when you have all the components and you can wear them at different times of the year. We gave you some helpful links, an example of how to wear an outfit, and stressed the importance of having neutral-colored clothing. It is just easier to mix and match when you have colors that work together. Now we will teach you how to layer up for different types of weather and for different types of occasions.
Warmer Weather - Casual and Business Attire
If you are going for a casual outfit, then a t-shirt, cardigan, and slim pants will do the trick. This model is wearing an affordable cardigan from the popular known retailer H&M, but we know not everyone is comfortable with this type of look. It is heavily inspired by European fashion trends and is best for Spring weather. If you don’t like cardigans, then a flannel or thin sweater will do, especially for those hot summer days.
You can also try out either navy or khaki chino shorts and a nice white tee for hot weather. If you are going for a business look, then one of my favorite looks includes light blue dress shirts with slim fit black pants. It looks a lot more comfortable and laid back for the warm weather.
Colder Weather - Casual and Business Attire
For those chilly Fall and Winter days, that is when you get to be more experimental with your outfits. We love layering up with a buttoned long-sleeve sweater, either a slim cardigan or jacket over, then a heavier sweater to top it off. We like this example from H&M which can look either casual or can even work in a business casual setting. For a more business look, we would swap the sweater with a dress shirt and the flannel with a black cardigan. Either way, warm nice clothes can look both casual and fashionable.
Clothing Texture
The last thing we want to talk about is the clothing texture. Of course, this depends on the weather, but if you can, “heavier” looking clothing with patterns and textures is great for skinny men. Knit sweaters and bomber jackets and a different dimension and creates a hefty look. An awesome example that works well for cold weather is this wool sweater that makes this model naturally look bigger. This is ideally meant for the cold weather where someone would want to wear wool, levis jackets, and windbreakers.
If you are adventurous, a nice turtleneck sweater is really nice. We tried one for the first time this year, and though it took some getting used to, we loved it.
Best Brands of Shirts for Skinny Men
We talked about some simple suggestions like how wearing a crewneck tee is more fitting for a slimmer guy, or buying neutral-colored clothing makes it easier to layer up, but let’s get more specific. Here is our choice of brands for you to shop for the best shirts for skinny guys.
Nimble Made - The #1 Brand with the Best Shirts for Skinny Guys
Nimble Made is your number one choice when it comes to clothing and shirts for skinny men. Founded by Wesley Kang and Tanya Zhang, they continuously strive to make fashion representative of all body types that are often ignored in mainstream media. It was created with the intention to create inclusive pieces that founder Wesley Kang noticed he couldn’t find himself. We love the mission and we love the clothes.
They have a handy tool that lets you input your height and weight measurement and gives you an idea of what size would fit you based on what other shoppers liked. This is great since their store is online and offers you an idea of what makes a good fit. Their clothes are also high quality and feel comfortable for everyday use. Though some clothes may be on the pricier side, they are sure to last. It is made from long-staple cotton, has a high thread count, and is “2-ply” layered meaning that they have tighter weaves and stretchier shirts.
H&M and UNIQLO - Affordable Choices for T-Shirts for Skinny Guys
We showed off some links from H&M and noticed just how affordable their clothes are. They range from streetwear to business casual, which in turn also makes them a very diverse choice.
We have personally shopped here in person and were impressed with their selection. With good care, these clothes could last you several years and they also offer some simple pieces that make it easy to mix and match with your regular wardrobe at home. They are widely accessible and have many stores open worldwide. It makes a fine choice for anyone shopping on a budget.
We could not forget about UNIQLO as they are starting to pop up everywhere we go. We went shopping here for the first time recently and were also impressed with their selection. They have a very different vibe than H&M where we find H&M to be more influenced by European styles and UNIQLO to be more inspired by east Asian fashion. We like navigating UNIQLO’s website because they show you the measurements of their models.
Most of the models are fairly tall, so if you are tall and skinny, you will probably have an easier time finding your ideal size. Though we wish for more diversity in the models, you can expect a small to be a standard fit if you are short. We must advise that we have never shopped at either store online, but we can guarantee that you will find something you like when you go in person. Both these stores are affordable, fashionable, and diverse.
Shop for the Best Shirts for Skinny Guys Today
Go ahead and check out some of these stores and find the best shirts for skinny guys! Hopefully, you feel more included and proud of your body. Everyone is different and it is important to accentuate the best features your body has to offer. Remember to keep some of these tips in mind and change up your wardrobe if you want to experiment with new looks. If you are on a budget, go for some basics at H&M or UNIQLO. If you want something long-lasting and of value, check out Nimble Made. We carry basics, flannels, amazing men’s slim fit dress shirts, and other accessories. Embrace your slimness and happy shopping.
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