A Guide to T-Shirt Necklines

Who would have thought there was so much to know about the humble tee shirt? These are the most common men?s tee shirt necklines you will come across, and what each is good for.

Crew neck

A crew neck is probably the type of neckline you are most familiar with; it is a round, high neckline without a collar. Crew neck tee shirts were originally designed as undergarments, and they still look like an undergarment despite the enthusiastic adoption of crew necks as outerwear by many men. You will often find promotional tee shirts (such as band tees and work uniform tees) in this unflattering shape. You should know what a crew neck is, for the purposes of avoiding them. Unless you are at the gym or sleeping, there is no excuse to be wearing a crew neck.

V-neck

V-neck collars, as the name suggest, converge into a V shape. Some V-neck tees only have a shallow V; these are best as undershirts. However, when the vee goes below your collarbone, you are getting into outerwear territory. Extra deep V-necks are an option to show off your body if you are exceptionally fit; but even if you are on the tubby side, a regular V-neck can flatter your shape. Hairy-chested guys have a judgment call to make when it comes to low-cut tee shirts; as hair poking out can be attractive but it can also be disgusting. If you are exceptionally hairy, it is best to go with a shallow neckline so you do not have too much chest hair exposed.

Scoop neck

A scoop neck is round, but unlike a crew neck, it is deep, showing off your chest. Scoop necks can go quite low, exposing the top of the pectoral muscles. You need to be in good shape to carry off this look. Scoop necks can also look tragic if you are too old, although it is difficult to get away with wearing any type of tee shirt once you are the wrong end of thirty. Scoop necks are favoured by the boys of One Direction- and don?t let that put you off. Whether you can stomach their music or not, you have to admit they are a stylish bunch of young men.

Henley neck

A Henley-style shirt has about four inches of buttons down the centre, beneath the neckline. It does not have a collar. As a result, the neckline shape is elongated as compared to a regular crew neck. The buttons are often ornamental rather than functional. As far as tee shirts go, a Henley shirt is the most stylish type. If the shirt has working buttons, you can leave them undone for a cheeky look. Henley shirts are prone to look like pyjamas, particularly if made from a thick material. Make sure the rest of your outfit is stylish enough that your shirt will not be mistaken for a pyjama top. Unlike V-neck and scoops necks, Henley shirts suit all body types.