T-shirts are the base of almost every outfit. You can wear them anywhere and on different occasions. Hitting the gym? Wear a T-shirt. Going on a date? Pick a shirt. Are you attending an event? Choose comfort with a shirt. Women are always on the hunt for different types of t-shirts, so ensuring your brand has them is essential.
But because of the wide array of choices, it’s hard to know which ones to sell for a starting brand. Should it be basic tees or more stylish-looking ones? Which types of t-shirts are for you?
If you’re building up your brand, knowing how shirts are styled and accentuate a body will help you get started.
If you are looking for ideas on how to create unique t-shirt designs, it’s your lucky day because we have a list of the types of t-shirts for women you can choose to design your brand.
Different types of T-shirts for women
There are more t-shirt types to choose from than many think. If you’re stuck on where to start, knowing their differences will go a long way. Here’s a list of the most common shirts you will stumble upon:
1. Round Neck T-Shirt
The first shirts introduced were mostly round-neck shirts. But believe it or not, t-shirts were only an undergarment for men before the 1940s.
They also weren’t unisex before there was progress in women’s societal roles, and women worked men’s jobs. Aside from this, what pushed it to fame for women was when ‘The Sears’ catalog introduced t-shirts for women.
Today, we see round-neck shirts worn by everyone. This isn’t surprising given that they suit most types of face shapes. This type of shirt also emphasizes the cheekbones and chin because of its rounded neckline.
Additionally, because it’s already a classic piece, you can wear it with denim jeans or layer it with a jacket, and you’re ready to go. You can also choose to accessorize it, but you will still look good even if you don’t.
2. Crew Neck Shirt
Crew neck t-shirts are commonly mistaken for round-neck shirts. But they aren’t the same kind of tee. Crewneck shirts have rounded necklines, like round-neck shirts. But they’re higher and closer around the neck.
Sailors of the US Navy used crew neck shirts to cover chest hair and give warmth during a sea voyage in 1913. Fast forward to today, when crew necks are commonly seen as a fashion staple.
You can opt to wear it casually with your boyfriend’s jeans. But for a more dressy feel, wear it with your favorite skirt, as long as the colors complement each other.
3. V-Neck Shirt
V-neck shirts, as the name suggests, have a V-shaped neckline. Boxy-fit shirts were all the rage after shirts became outerwear. However, trends changed after WWII and urged the fashion industry to make v-neck shirts.
Shirts were not limited to uniform-like designs anymore. Instead, the newly introduced v-neck tee helped create a more casual look.
Today, people wear v-neck shirts for their breathability during the hot weather. Because of this, they’re also better suited for sporting events than other types of t-shirts.
But if it’s not too hot in your area, you can layer it with more clothes for a different look. It’s better to wear it with blazers than other types of shirts because, even though your shoulders are covered, it still shows off your neck.
4. Raglan or Baseball Tee
Raglan t-shirts are known as baseball tees because baseball teams mostly wear them during games. This type of shirt enabled the players to move more freely. But before baseball teams popularized them, Lord Raglan’s tailor invented the raglan sleeve after the lord’s right arm was amputated. Today, people outside the baseball community also wear them.
Raglan tees are famous for their sleeves, which are different colors and go to the collar and neckline. Raglan shirts fit anything, from jeans for a relaxed style to skater skirts for a more sporty look. If you want to show off the sleeves, avoid wearing it with a coat.
5. Henley Shirt or Henley Collar T-Shirt
Men used henley shirts as an undergarment back in the 1900s. This kind of t-shirt has a banded collar with two or more buttons running along the neckline to the chest. The shirt’s name comes from the town of Henley, where the largest rowing race in England occurs. In this race, the rowers traditionally wore henley shirts as rowing uniforms.
Today, henley shirts are more accessible to the public. It comes in several styles. Some have plaids, embroidery, or ruffles, so you have unlimited ways to style them.
If you want to look more fun, you can embrace its vintage look by pairing it with a flowy skirt and sandals. But you can also play it safe and clean with fitted jeans and heels.
6. Scoop Neck Shirt
Like round-neck and crew-neck shirts, a scoop neck’s neckline is round. But, similar to the v-neck shirt, it’s more breathable than other shirts because it hangs loosely on the neck. It can also accentuate the neck and collarbones and look flattering on people with toned arms.
Do you have a statement necklace you want to show off? If yes, this type of t-shirt style can showcase your unique jewelry or pendant. As for your bottoms, you can wear anything—trousers, jeans, skirts—you name it.
7. Crop T-Shirt
Cropped tops have been long popular in the East in countries like India and Egypt, where some garments show women’s midriffs. However, it wasn’t as well known in the West because of the colder climate.
It wasn’t until belly dancers from Egypt wore bedlah at the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1893 that the concept of cropped tops was introduced.
But this type of t-shirt took several decades before becoming mainstream in the West. Now, crop shirts are arguably the most popular type of t-shirt most women wear.
Understandably, crop t-shirts are trendy because they’re easy to move in. They also elevate your look, even when they’re just paired with baggy or skinny jeans. But, if you prefer, you can also wear exquisite coats or jackets with them, such as a leather jacket or a cardigan.
8. Jewel Neck Tee
If you want to highlight your bejeweled neck, this is the most suitable option. This type of shirt has a basic, rounded neckline that extends above the collarbones. Because of its cut, it draws the eye immediately to the necklace you’re wearing.
Although the scoop neck shirt also serves a similar purpose, jewel neck shirts offer a more conservative look.
Jewel neck shirts look great with short skirts if you want to balance out the look without looking too modest. But if you prefer to stay within the lane of modesty, you can still wear it with pants and some heels for a more classic vibe.
9. Square Neck Shirt
From its name, this shirt has a square neckline that exposes a bit of the shoulder, unlike other types of t-shirts. It can also be cut wider and lower in the neckline than is typically done to give it more edge.
The square neck concept first appeared after the English adopted Danish fashion. In the past, we usually only saw square necks in dresses, but now we can see them in blouses and shirts.
You can wear square neck shirts to dress up or down. If you want to dress down but still look exquisite, you can wear it with some high-waisted pants. Meanwhile, if you’re attending a more formal event, you could wear it with a flowy or fitted skirt.
10. Draped T-Shirt
If you’re unfamiliar with draped shirts, they’re garments with a fabric that hangs loosely like curtains. Big fashion houses and designers typically use draping for styling. But draped garments have existed since 3500 BCE, as seen in Roman, Egyptian, and Greek paintings and sculptures.
Today, draped shirts are available on the market. Because they look different than other types of t-shirts, they can appeal to customers.
Aside from this, they also look more intricate and stylish, so they don’t require much effort in styling. But you can also wear a sleeveless top under the shirt if it has a see-through design.
11. Pocket Tee
Pocket t-shirts are exactly as they sound; they have one pocket on the top left or right corner. However, chest pockets were only introduced in the 1950s and 1960s, when shirts became popular outerwear.
In today’s fashion industry, pocket shirts are available for both men and women. However, women’s pocket tees are smaller than men’s and are not as functional.
You can’t go into full dressy mode when styling them because it doesn’t fit the style. Instead, you can highlight its edginess with ripped jeans or some shorts.
12. Muscle T-Shirt
Muscle tees are more on the casual side and don’t have sleeves. People mostly wear it when hitting the gym because it’s comfortable and exposes some muscles.
They became popular during the 1980s when they became associated with bodybuilders. But today, women also wear them.
This type of t-shirt is most suitable for the gym for a workout, so it’s best paired with yoga pants. But you can also wear it as your typical daytime outfit with shorts or your favorite jeans.
13. Curved Hem T-Shirt
At first glance, curved hem shirts may seem like other types of t-shirts. But the key to recognizing which shirt has a curved hem is looking at the folded edge of the garment. As its name implies, this kind of tee has its front and back hems curved like a semi-circle.
Because curved-hem t-shirts show more of your torso, they create the illusion of having longer legs.
Unlike other types of t-shirts, you don’t have to tuck in your curved hem tee on high-waisted jeans. Instead, you should put its unique hem on display paired with a mini-skirt to elongate your legs even more.
14. Hoodie T-Shirt
Generations after generation, hoodies have been a fashion staple since they first graced people’s wardrobes in the 1930s, introduced by what we know today as Champion Athletic Apparel.
Originally, athletes and workers wore hoodies during cold weather until they became signature hip-hop clothing and became mainstream. Now, hoodie shirts are a must-have for everyone, especially during the rainy season.
If you’re only out for a run to a convenience store, a hoodie shirt will be enough. But to elevate its look, layering is essential.
Many will say that hoodies only offer a street-style feel. But that’s not the case because you can make it chic by wearing it under a blazer or your favorite coat.
15. Sleeveless T-Shirt
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In the past, displaying your bare arms was not as common as it is today. So you can just imagine how much uproar there was when a women’s Olympic swim team did it in a competition.
These women are to be thanked for the sleeveless top trend that we have today. Not only are these shirts suitable to help keep us cool during the summer, but they’re also easy to style.
Sleeveless shirts have different strap thicknesses and necklines, but they all fit any pants or skirt. If you have one with a sweetheart neckline, you can wear it over a plain white shirt to step up your style game.
16. Baby Doll T-Shirt
Imagine if a puffy dress had a mini version that only touched up to your waist. That’s what a baby doll shirt is.
Though people wear them outside these days, they were once only worn to bed. People wore the first forms of baby doll tops as nighties.
Today, people also wear baby doll shirts during the daytime. It gives a mix of cute and sexy looks, so it’s no wonder it’s coming back in style with different t-shirt styles
You can wear them with some pants as long as they’re not baggy. Baby doll tops are already flowy as they are, so you can never pair them with something similar. To add to their cute vibes, you can also wear them with some shorts.
17. Cap Sleeve T-Shirt
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Cap-sleeve shirts have shorter and more fitted sleeves around the arm than other kinds of shirts. Tennis players back in the 1920s wore them because their short sleeves made it easier to move in.
Then, artists like Picasso wore them for their short sleeves because the sleeves made it easy to avoid getting the garment dirty while painting.
Though cap-sleeve t-shirts were primarily known for the usefulness of their short sleeves, that’s not the only reason for their popularity today. Another factor is that you can wear them with anything. They’re also best paired with high-waisted jeans to achieve a hip look.
18. Tie Hem Shirt
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Just like crop shirts, a tie hem shirt shows the midriff. But with a twist. This type of shirt allows you to tie its hem up to your navel, which takes your look to the next level.
It’s unknown how this design has flourished, but most love it so much that they even cut their plain hemmed shirts to tie them in knots.
Even when a shirt’s design is plain, if its hem is tied, it takes its attractiveness level up a notch. It’s nuts how a small knot on the hem can do so much that you can just wear it with plain pants and still turn heads. But if you want to go full-on fashionista, pair it with a fitted skirt in the same color.
19. Boat Neck T-Shirt
People don’t hear much about boatneck shirts, but that doesn’t mean they’ve never seen them. Icons like Audrey Hepburn often wore it, which is why it’s often also called the Sabrina neckline.
This kind of shirt has a high and somehow curved neckline, like the base of a boat. The French Navy used them as uniforms in 1958, but after Coco Chanel popularized them, they began dominating the trends.
Boat neck t-shirts are known for the elegant look they give. They’re one of the most timeless pieces a woman could have. They’re also best styled tucked into high-waisted trousers and paired with heels to emphasize their classiness.
20. Off-Shoulder Shirt
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The off-the-shoulder dress’s fame peaked during the mid-1800s when Empress Eugenie wore one in 1855. But this trend continued to be revived decades later. Now, they’re not only limited to dresses but to shirts too.
Off-shoulder tees show off the shoulders, giving you a sexier vibe than other types of t-shirts. Because their cut is already unique, you don’t have to put much effort into styling them.
You can pair them with pants if you want to go simple. But if you want to turn heads with your style, you can wear a skirt of the same color or pattern and accessorize it with some jewelry.
21. Ringer T-Shirt
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It’s easy to distinguish which tees are ringers because their collars and sleeves have ribbing of a different color.
First introduced during the 1950s in the United States, ringer tees became a popular staple in rock-n-roll culture. But, in today’s fashion scene, ringers are not exclusive to bands and artists. You can wear them anywhere, especially if you’re going to a concert.
When styling them, you have to highlight their edgy look. To do so, you can wear it with ripped or baggy jeans and a denim jacket.
22. Turtleneck T-Shirt
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Turtlenecks first became known in the Middle Ages. Originally, knights wore them as a form of protection for the neck. But during that time, turtlenecks were made of heavy metal. They only became more functional and wearable clothing during the 1600s. Today, turtlenecks are more than just protection. They’re a fashion statement.
This type of t-shirt has a more formal look than other t-shirt types. That’s why you’ll often find people wearing them to work with their blazers and coats. But if you want to wear them for brunch or more casual events, you can also do so and pair them with jeans.
23. Longline T-Shirt
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Longline shirts are just like other kinds of tees, except that they’re longer. Most men wear this type of clothing, especially those in hip-hop culture. But women also often wear them these days for their comfort.
If you’re into long shirts that almost look like dresses, don’t wait anymore and get your longline shirt. The possibilities are endless for this shirt.
You can make it look street-style with some baggy jeans. But you can also dress them up by pairing them with shorts, so they look more like dresses. Then, get your belt or corset top to snatch your waist and look like a fashion icon.
24. Split Hem T-Shirt
Imagine slits but in shirts instead of dresses. That is what a split-hem shirt is. For this kind of shirt, the split hem can accommodate more space for the stomach and is easier to move in.
You can wear this kind of shirt in two ways. You can leave its hems as they are to display it or tuck the front part of the shirt in. You can also wear them with any type of bottom, as long as it compliments the color of your shirt.
25. ¾ Sleeve T-Shirt
A three-quarter-sleeve shirt looks exactly like it sounds. Its sleeves reach above the elbow, giving warmth but still giving you more freedom to move.
Because it exposes the forearms and wrists, you can wear some bracelets. If you wish to achieve a laid-back style, wear the ¾ sleeve tee with boyfriend jeans and sneakers. But to glam it up, you can swap the sneakers for heels and add jewelry.
26. Long Sleeve T-Shirt
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During cold weather, long sleeve t-shirts are the best choice among different types of t-shirts to get more warmth. As their name suggests, their sleeves extend from the arm to the wrists. Aside from that, it’s also comfortable to wear.
Long sleeve tees give you a casual look, especially with jeans. But if you strive for something different, you can wear a collared shirt under and have the collars pop out of your long sleeve shirt for a more formal feel.
27. Color Block T-Shirt
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A color block shirt has two or more colors, giving it a more vibrant and bold look, unlike other t-shirt types. You’re probably seeing color-block shirts everywhere. Yves Saint Laurent is to thank for this trend because color block clothing first appeared during his show.
Now, fashionistas wear color block shirts everywhere, lighting up the streets with their bold color choices.
Because color block shirts have different colors, it may seem challenging to style them.
But the trick is picking one color from the T-shirt and finding pants or skirts with the same color. As long as you do this, your outfit will look coherent.
28. U-Neck
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At first glance, a U-neck shirt may seem like a scoop-neck t-shirt. Well, it’s not entirely wrong to say so, but they’re not the same. Though a U-neck tee is a variation of a scoop neck shirt, it has a sharper neckline and goes deeper down the bust.
You can wear a necklace with a U-neck shirt. If it goes too low on the bust, you may also want to wear an undershirt of a different color to cover the chest area. Another choice would be to wear it with an overall for a cuter style.
Conclusion
Not having several types of t-shirts to offer customers is a disservice to clothing brands. Tees are a necessity in a woman’s closet.
They may seem basic, but they are the most popular and sold items by most clothing brands. People also buy different types of T-shirts regularly. They are also inexpensive to produce and purchase, so their market is expected to grow steadily.
Shoppers are always on the lookout for different t-shirts for women. That’s why knowing which tees to offer customers while staying true to your brand’s aesthetic is essential.
If you would like to know more about getting any of the above t-shirt designs made for your brand, please get in touch with us here!
