The right to bare arms

C. Benjamin

It seems that for many of us states side, Mother Nature skipped over spring and kicked summer into full thrust. Usually when summer hits, guys get lazy and tend to wear shorts and t-shirts… and that’s cool if you are just lounging at home watching baseball. Should you need to venture into public to meet with friends, however, it’s time to put on some real clothes. A get together at a bar for happy hour can easily lead to a night on the town, and shorts and a tee just aren’t going to cut it. Polo shirts are one alternative, but another is the short sleeve button down shirt. Like polo shirts, the short sleeve button down has caught a lot of flack over the years. When done poorly, you either look like a NASA control room technician from the 60′s or a Mormon missionary… and that’s cool if you are indeed one of those two groups of people. When executed properly, however, you have a sleek look that is seasonally appropriate. Let’s go through the basics.

Keep It Slim

 

Tommy Short Sleeves The right to bare arms

Similar to a polo shirt, a short sleeve button down should fit close to the body and the arms. The shoulder seams should not extend past the beginnings of your shoulder and the sleeves should hit mid-bicep. If the sleeves are a tad long, roll them like Tommy here.

Short Sleeves Means Short Tails

 

Dan Short Sleeves The right to bare arms

I am not the most strict when it comes to fashion rules, but there is one that I ALWAYS abide by: never leave shirts with long tails untucked. So many guys think that they can just untuck a dress shirt and make it casual. They generally look like they are wearing shirt dresses and jeans. When it comes to short sleeve button downs, look for shorter shirts. If the shirt comes past your crotch, it needs to be tucked. If it falls just past your belt, then leave it untucked. It’s as simple as that.

There’s More Than Just White and Blue

LL Bean Signature Short Sleeves The right to bare armsNiclas Short Sleeves The right to bare arms

Go for some color.  Madras is a staple for the season, and a shirt like the one above is easily paired with jeans and white sneakers. Over the past year or so, patterned blocked shirts known as “fun shirts” have been increasing in popularity. They feature a different pattern or color on each part of the shirt and are a cool change of pace from your standard shirt.  A tie with a short sleeve button down can look cool on some and affected on others so tread cautiously there.

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