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Men’s tank tops get a bad rap. Scrawny dudes who wear them are labeled scrubby or douchey, which is partly why I’ve always been afraid to give them a try. Men with the muscles to actually pull them off are deemed beefy meatheads. Anyone in between looks like they’re trying to be Eminem in 8 Mile. You just can’t win! And yet, the fall menswear runways are aiming to infuse the sleeveless top with a new adjective all together: chic.
Designers reworked tanks this season in luxe fabrics that made them feel less like an undergarment, and instead, rather fancy. At Palomo Spain, they were trimmed with lace; at Dion Lee, they came in a graphic tie-dye; at Ludovic de Saint Sernin, they were finished in dainty silks . Riffing off fashion’s increasingly freer approach to gender, the message seemed to be that men can expose their arms and clavicle area in a tasteful way too.
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Thus, I was instantly inspired to try the look. A few months ago, I ordered a few cheap white and black tanks and began wearing them almost every day underneath shirts or jackets. It’s a subtle change, but incorporating the tanks infused my outfits with a cooler finish than your standard white tee. A little more sleazy-chic, if you will. Soon after, I found myself lusting over more fashion-forward tanks to wear on their own: a ruched, bandana-printed style from Dion Lee is currently calling my name for the summer months. (No more farmer tans in my future.)
Once I gained the confidence to wear these body-skimming tanks, however, I was still faced with one key issue: the “skin is in” memo doesn’t necessarily translate to the workplace, where professionalism is key. I started pairing them with blazers, seeing if I could bring the barely there top to the office; after which, I found that the casualness of the tank dresses down my more buttoned-up pieces overtop. They give my suit coats a more youthful feel. Still corporate, mind you, but with a dash of rebellion. Sticking it to the man! So, gents, join me in tossing aside your stiff button-up shirts for the moment, because the tank top is your suit’s spiffy new best friend.
Below, shop the best way to wear the trend.
