Short Summer Shirts

  Variety in a wardrobe is always essential, and sometimes in the summer, tees and shorts just aren’t enough. The tee shirt conveniently matches up with the short sleeve woven shirt to create stylish attire. In place of the over heating long sleeve shirt, you can wear a cool looking short sleeve shirt. There are many styles out there from the hip to the more formal.

  Western inspired short sleeve shirts came into fashion a few years ago and the style is still going strong. There is a basic western and a patterned western. The basic western is a solid color while the patterned western is usually a plaid. Right now, the plaid westerns are very popular. These can be bought in a wide range of colors, which all look good. However, it’s always important to remember that some colors just don’t look good in plaid. For example, black and red, or purple and green, just don’t mix. Let’s just say if it blinds you by color, it is probably not a good choice. Monarchy makes a great western style shirt. They put a lot of detail in it on the front as well as the back. Detail is very important….details make you stand out with your outfit from any other “Joe Shmoe” on the street. Urban Outfitters also carries a line by the name of Taos that is excusive at their stores. They have a wide variety of styles and colors from basic to more eccentric.

  The next style of the short sleeve shirt is a non-western. Again these can be in basic materials or patterns. Unlike westerns, all patterns here are used as they add to the style and variety. Paul Frank shows this perfectly in his “Jason short sleeve shirt.” Here he takes a striped pattern and places the pockets reverse and diagonal to create a hip style. The Scotch and Soda short sleeve shirt takes a more military approach. Everyone knows that a man in uniform is a lot sexier, so I think that says it for the military style! In either style of the non-western shirt, the main focus is that style matches your personality. If you are more of a chill and earthy guy, then military is probably your pick. If you are a city boy then the striped patterns are probably more your style. It is all about personal preference.

  Last is the more formal short sleeve basic shirt. This shirt is the very basic one that can be worn to a nice high-end event in place of the long sleeve shirt; that you would be sweating away in. Ben Sherman makes a great selection of these stylish shirts. They come in a variety of sizes and colors. I would suggest the “anchor mod fit”. It has a cool turn up cuff on the edge of the sleeve to add a bit to it. Just remember, if the place you are going to is formal, then this is the optimal replacement. I still wouldn’t suggest wearing it to a wedding!

  Short sleeve shirts are a great alternative for the summer. They keep you cool and fresh feeling as well as looking. With the western and non-western style shirts out in stores to choose from, it is almost impossible to not find one that fits you and your personality. This summer you can go out looking sharp and hip all in one!

About the author:

  Rochel Friedlander has spent her last five years working in men’s fashion in New York City. Now living in Los Angeles, she continues to move forward in the fashion industry. During her sales experience, she has guided such retailers as Macys, Urban Outfitters, Atrium, E street denim, and National Jean Company to hit the right trends in the marketplace. Her knowledge of men’s fashion comes from her experience and extensive travel of the world. She has spent years living in London, England and toured through France, Australia, Greece, Italy, and many more countries. This has helped her understanding of European trends and how they are transposed into the North American market.