Making the T-Shirt Work with the Long Sleeve Tee
The long sleeve tee with a T-shirt over it was a classic '90s look, worn by skaters and rock stars like Kurt Cobain alike. And like most things from the '90s it's never really gone away. But after Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory wore an ill-fitting version of the tee-shirt-over-long-sleeve look almost exclusively throughout the show, it's worth asking: can you still make it work? Should you still layer that T-shirt over the long sleeve?
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The short answer is that you should do what you feel. Wear the T-shirt over the long sleeve if it's chilly out and you want to. Or don't.
The long answer is like the short answer, but longer.
The Enduring Appeal of the Long-Sleeve Tee
It keeps you warm without keeping you too warm. A long sleeve tee shirt is ideal for foggy mornings at the beach or the ride to the early-morning workout. You can be active in a long sleeve tee without feeling like you're melting inside your clothes.
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And the long sleeve tee is definitely a classic look in certain subcultures, from skater culture to hardcore. The right long sleeve tee helps you stay true to yourself and your values. And if your values include diving, surfing, or open-water swimming, then do we have the long sleeve tee for you.
Styling the Long Sleeve Tee with the T-shirt on Top
Throwing the T-shirt over the long sleeve "can instantly add depth to an outfit" according to GQ. So there's that.
The key to making this work is color pairing and the shape and fit of the respective shirts. Contrasting bright and neutral colors, such as a red or orange shirt over a white or black long-sleeve, can go well together. We're even in favor of the black-on-black, black T-shirt on the black long sleeve look. But bright colors that clash? Green on yellow, for example? Well, you better know what you're doing.
The other key is the fit. Long sleeve tees should fit close to the body. A T-shirt over the top should fit a little looser so the long sleeve has room to breathe. If the T-shirt is tighter to the body than the long sleeve tee, you're in trouble. Unless you like a puffy-sleeve look.
Is the T-Shirt over a Long Sleeve Tee too '90s?
No? If you look good and you're representing what you love, you can pull off any look, including the classic T-shirt over the long sleeve tee.
If you're feeling the long sleeve tee look, shop our bestselling long sleeve tees today.