Photo: Splash News
The short sleeve button-up is a marvel of sartorial breeding that will keep you cool in every sense of the word. It’s a tough one to tame, though. So often they can leave you looking like a token nerd from a teen movie. We don’t want you to look like a token anything, so follow these guidelines and you’ll find yourself on the right side of the nerd line.
Sleeves Make the Shirt
The biggest problem faced searching for a short sleeve shirt is the sleeves themselves. This is where the neediness factor can really come into play. So often you’ll find sleeves that jut out from your arms, like they’re petrified of your skin or something. They’ll be boxy, and rolling them won’t help (we’ll get to that in a minute). You should search for a shirt that gives your biceps a little room to breathe. If you fully flex your arms and the shirt is snug (not super-tight) against your muscles, you’re in the clear. As a reminder, a well-guided tailor can fix anything.
Roll With Care
Rolling your sleeves up is a go-to move for quick ’50s cool, but it shouldn’t be a universal practice. If you’re wearing a solid shirt, give it two quick rolls and you’ll be fine. Check out Gosling up there--he looks perfect and crisp with a slim silhouette. If you’re wearing a printed shirt, you have to be a little more careful. Exposing the underside of the fabric will break up the print and may look more unkempt than you want. And when you are rolling, two quick turns should be enough. You don’t want to turn it into an almost-tank-top. Keep it casual, too. Pristine rolls can seem too try-hard.
You Can Tuck, or Not
Tucking comes down to necessity or personal preference. If you feel like your shirt is a little too boxy for your taste, a quick tuck can fix that. Be sure you’re wearing a slim cut pair of chinos when you do (jeans will make you look like an extra from Saved by the Bell). If your shirt is more tailored at the bottom, feel free to let it fly. And never wear an undershirt.
The Button Rules Do Not Change
You may be tempted to let a few buttons fly now that it’s warm, and since it’s a summer shirt, but stay that hand! The rules remain unchanged. Never go south of two buttons. It’s women-proven, therefore it is law. Just because your shirt has a collar doesn’t give you license to show off your bellybutton.
Yes, You Can Wear Them Under a Suit
It makes us uncomfortable to even think about heading to the office, a summer wedding, or a anywhere in the dead of summer wearing a suit with a thick oord underneath. If you have the same fear pangs, rest easy. You can certainly wear a short sleeve shirt underneath your favorite jacket. If anybody calls you out, just remember that they’re a total dick and you’re easy breezy.
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