Life's too short for a wardrobe full of grey t-shirts

3 hours ago

5 min read

Let's begin by saying there is absolutely nothing wrong with a grey t-shirt. The same goes for black, white and navy.

They're easy to wear. They go with almost everything. They don't need much thought first thing in the morning and they rarely result in someone asking "are you sure about that colour?".

They're the reliable members of the wardrobe. The ones that quietly get on with the job without demanding too much attention. But every now and again, it might be worth giving them the day off.

Men and colour

A lot of men seem to have an unwritten clothing rule: if it isn't black, white, grey or navy, approach with extreme caution. Sometimes a dark green is allowed in, provided that it promises not to cause a fuss.

Anything brighter tends to be held up at arm's length, examined suspiciously and returned to the rail with the words:

I couldn't get away with that

We hear this quite often at Hamiedog. The strange thing is that the people saying it usually look absolutely fine when they eventually try the colour on.

The problem is rarely the colour itself - it's simply that they are not used to seeing themselves wearing it.

You don't need to dress like a highlighter

Adding colour to your wardrobe doesn't mean suddenly turning up in luminous orange trousers and a fluorescent pink jacket. It can be as simple as swapping a black t-shirt for:

Burgundy
Mustard
Forest Green
Rust
Petrol Blue
Teal
Dusty Pink
Sage
Stone
A brighter shade of Blue

These colours still work with the jeans, shorts, trainers and jackets you already own. They just add a little more interest. You don't need to change your entire style.

You're still you. You're simply wearing something that can be seen from slightly farther away.

Start with the colours you already wear

If your wardrobe is almost entirely neutral, have a look at the other things you already own.

Do you have a green jacket? A burgundy hoodie? Blue trainers? A checked shirt with rust or mustard running through it?

Those colours are a good place to start because you already know you're comfortable wearing them. Choose a t-shirt in a similar shade and pair it with something familiar. For example:

A burgundy tee with dark denim
A forest-green tee with black jeans
A mustard tee with navy shorts
A dusty pink tee with grey trousers
A teal tee with a denim jacket
A rust-coloured tee with stone chinos

None of these combinations are particularly outrageous and they simply offer something different from another black top.

Colour doesn't have to be bright

One reason that some men avoid colour is that the word itself creates visions of something extremely loud. But colour can be muted, washed, faded or earthy.

A washed green t-shirt feels completely different from a vivid lime one. A dusty pink is much easier to wear than neon fuchsia. A burnt orange can work almost like a neutral shade when it's paired with denim or navy.

If you're nervous about brighter colours, look for:

Garment-dyed finishes
Vintage washes
Muted shades
Earth tones
Faded colours
Small coloured graphics on neutral fabric

These are easy ways to introduce colour without looking like you've lost a bet.

Pink isn't a personality test

We should probably address pink. Some guys will happily wear it. Others react as though you've asked them to perform on stage while wearing a feather boa.

The reality is that pink is simply a colour. A pale, dusty or washed pink t-shirt can look excellent with navy, grey, stone or denim. It can also be far more flattering than a very stark white tee.

Wearing pink doesn't say anything about you other than:

Today, I decided not to wear grey

That's as complicated as it needs to be.

Think about your skin tone, but don't overthink it

Certain colours will naturally suit more people than others, but this doesn't need to become a scientific investigation involving colour charts and specialist lighting.

A useful starting point is to hold the t-shirt near your face in natural light. Does it make you look brighter and healthier? Or does it make you look as though you've not slept since Tuesday?

If it works, try it on! If it doesn't, choose another shade.

There are usually several versions of the same colour. One green might do absolutely nothing for you, while another looks completely right. The fitting room remains considerably more useful than an online quiz claiming to understand your entire wardrobe from three questions.

Let one thing do the work

If you're wearing a colourful t-shirt, the rest of the outfit can remain simple. Try:

Coloured tee with dark jeans
Coloured tee beneath an open neutral shirt
Coloured tee with plain shorts
Coloured tee under a navy or black jacket
Neutral tee with a colourful graphic

You don't need to match the t-shirt with equally colourful trousers, shoes, socks and a hat. One strong colour is usually enough.

The aim is to add interest, not to dress like the lost property cupboard at a music festival.

Your favourite graphic might look better in colour

Graphic t-shirts are often printed on black or white because those backgrounds are dependable. But the same design can feel completely different on another colour.

A retro print might look better on mustard or rust. A coastal design could work beautifully on washed blue or sea green. A simple white graphic can stand out far more against burgundy, tea or forest green.

Sometimes the colour of the garment becomes part of the design rather than merely sitting behind it.

That's one reason we like offering familiar designs in less predictable shades. It gives customers the chance to wear something recognisably Hamiedog without choosing exactly the same colour as everybody else.

Give it a proper try

If you pick up a coloured t-shirt and immediately think:

That's not me

Try it on anyway. You lose nothing by spending thirty seconds looking in the mirror.

Your first reaction might simply be surprise because you're accustomed to seeing yourself in dark colours. Give your eyes a moment to adjust. Try it beneath a jacket. Pair it with the jeans you arrived in. Step away from the mirror rather than inspecting the fabric from six inches away.

You may still decide it isn't for you, which is completely fine. But you might also discover that the colour you've avoided for years actually really suits you.

Have a look at our size guide here.

Keep the reliable ones

This isn't an argument for throwing away every black, white and grey t-shirt you own. Those colours remain useful for a reason.

A good wardrobe needs dependable basics, but it doesn't need to look as though every item was selected during a power cut. Add one or two different shades and see how often you reach for them.

You might find that a green, burgundy or dusty pink t-shirt becomes just as easy to wear as the black one you've owned for years. And if it doesn't? The black t-shirt will still be there tomorrow.

Over to you

Next time you're about to reach for another black or grey t-shirt, pause for a second and try something different. It doesn't have to be loud, bright or dramatic. Sometimes all it takes is a little colour to make an outfit feel fresh again.

Which colour do you wear most often? And which colour have you always avoided because you're convinced you couldn't get away with it?

Let us know in the comments, send us a message or pop into the shop and let us find something that might change your mind.