A T-shirt for the office, what works

Short answer: A plain T-shirt in a dark or muted colour, with a fit that sits close without pulling, and no print. That is the whole recipe, and the rest is about keeping it neat through the week.

Plain and muted

Large prints and strong colours draw the eye away from what you are saying. Plain black, navy, grey or olive looks calm and fits in at most workplaces. A T-shirt without a logo or slogan also looks more considered under a jacket. See the colours in men's bestsellers, where the calm shades appear across several styles.

The fit has to be clean

A T-shirt that hangs off the shoulders or pulls across the stomach looks wrong whatever the colour. The shoulder seam should sit at the outer edge of the shoulder, and the fabric should fall straight without clinging. The sleeves can end around mid upper arm. See the fits in women's bestsellers, cut for a woman's body.

The fabric must hold its shape all day

A thin, limp fabric looks worn after three hours at a desk. So does fabric that creases every time you stand up. Bamboo viscose drapes softly and keeps its shape through a working day, so the T-shirt looks as neat at the afternoon meeting as it did in the morning. See the fabrics in the men's range.

Length decides whether to tuck it in

A T-shirt that ends at the hip bone can be worn untucked and looks relaxed but tidy. A longer style should either be tucked in or chosen in a cut made to hang loose. If it is too short, it rides up when you sit down, and that looks untidy as the day goes on.

A jacket or cardigan lifts it

If the T-shirt needs to look more formal, a layer on top is the easiest fix. A dark blazer, a thin cardigan or an overshirt makes the look more finished without being stiff. Keep the neckline round and close when you wear a jacket, and the whole outfit looks calm. You can take the jacket off after the meeting.

Keep it neat through the week

An office T-shirt should look new for a long time. Wash it inside out at 30 or 40 degrees and skip the tumble dryer, which wears the fabric and can cause shrinkage. Hang it to dry while damp and gently pull it into shape. That way you can skip ironing most days, and the neckline keeps its shape.

Keep a few in rotation

If you wear a T-shirt to the office several days a week, it makes sense to own three or four in the same calm colours. They wear more evenly, and you do not have to wash the same one every evening. It also makes mornings easier, because they all go with the same trousers and jackets.

When a T-shirt is not enough

There are still workplaces and situations where a T-shirt is too casual. That usually means client meetings, presentations and formal events. Look at what colleagues wear and match that level. If in doubt, keep a shirt or a knit at the office so you can change your look quickly if the day changes.

Frequently asked questions

Can you wear a T-shirt to meetings

At many workplaces yes, as long as it is plain and fits well. For important client meetings, a jacket on top can make the look more formal.

Which colour is safest

Navy or dark grey. Black looks sharp but can seem harsh in strong light, and white requires a fabric that is not see-through.

Should the T-shirt be tucked in

It depends on the length. A longer style looks best tucked in, while a shorter one that ends at the hip can be worn untucked.