The manliest Top of them all

[Duke Santos]

I must also strenuously insist that the skulls of your enemies be considered as a serious contender.

That's more in the barware than clothing category.

 

[BPL Esq]

I must also strenuously insist that the skulls of your enemies be considered as a serious contender.

SS21 is all about the lamentation of their women.

 

[Nobilis Animus]

Styleforum in 2021: Can I wear this bear pelt to the local dive-bar? Or should I just go with wolf like all my friends?

Also Styleforum: Why did my girlfriend run away crying? And what does 'get away, you freak!' really mean?

 

[Duke Santos]

 

[Chaconne]

This thread should be in the SWD section. So please keep it right where it is.

 

[GaiusM]

the basic rules

Be muscular, or at least toned. They look bad on jelly rolls and skellies.

 

[michael1121]

This is actually something I've been looking into recently. I definitely agree that muscles play a big role, but it's worth considering the tank top itself.

The best I've found so far is by Tom Ford- it's in a noticeable rib knit which keeps it from looking like you're wearing a women's tank. Tank tops without the rib knit (Sunspel, other CM brands) are often in the uncanny valley between a t-shirt and a tighter rib knit, and the lack of shape doesn't flatter any body type. The collar and the "shoulders" are probably the next most important aspect in my opinion- a high or narrow neckline looks a bit afraid, which is why I prefer the scoop of the Tom Ford. Too thick on the shoulder straps and you look like you're wearing weird suspenders; too thin and you're back in women's territory.

I avoid white and its wife-beater connotations though. Rather difficult to find ribbed tank tops of reasonable quality rather than screen-printing material or drop shipped stuff with gym logos.

 

[Chaconne]

This is actually something I've been looking into recently. I definitely agree that muscles play a big role, but it's worth considering the tank top itself.

The best I've found so far is by Tom Ford- it's in a noticeable rib knit which keeps it from looking like you're wearing a women's tank. Tank tops without the rib knit (Sunspel, other CM brands) are often in the uncanny valley between a t-shirt and a tighter rib knit, and the lack of shape doesn't flatter any body type. The collar and the "shoulders" are probably the next most important aspect in my opinion- a high or narrow neckline looks a bit afraid, which is why I prefer the scoop of the Tom Ford. Too thick on the shoulder straps and you look like you're wearing weird suspenders; too thin and you're back in women's territory.

I avoid white and its wife-beater connotations though. Rather difficult to find ribbed tank tops of reasonable quality rather than screen-printing material or drop shipped stuff with gym logos.

This is interesting. The Tom Ford looks nice. I usually am wary of rib knit since I do wear white ones and don’t want it to look like Hanes (unless I’m wearing Hanes which I have been while searching for nicer ones)

 

[mhip]

I'm sorry, but everyone knows that the manliest top of them all is some form of pelt.

No need to choose either/or...

 

[Spinster Jones]

it's in a noticeable rib knit which keeps it from looking like you're wearing a women's tank.

I'm with you on the ribbed aspect, as companies usually don't make them thick enough otherwise. Can't be worn underneath an open shirt if it's seethrough.

The collar and the "shoulders" are probably the next most important aspect in my opinion- a high or narrow neckline looks a bit afraid...

Agreed, the posted pictures try to illustrate this.

Rather difficult to find ribbed tank tops of reasonable quality rather than screen-printing material or drop shipped stuff with gym logos.

It is. Which is why I wanted to gather some resourced minds. Someone must surely have found something wearable.

 

[Spinster Jones]

No need to choose either/or...
View attachment 1623518

 

[Sam H]

Every example photo is just a muscular and attractive guy who is showing a lot of arm; the tank top seems incidental. That’s what tank tops are good for, it’s fun to get in shape and wear one in an extremely casual environment, but I’d never worry too much about quality. I had some Guess ones that looked cool, some Abercrombie or Hollister one, some random beach store one, you can get an idea of my age at the time of purchase and the “look” goal I had in mind from the brands I’m listing. Many of them are now just shredded from excessive loungewear use in my apartment at this point.

It’s going to be hard to wear any out because a lot of doors still have zero tolerance for men with exposed arms.

 

[SixOhNine]

1) Be good looking
2) Be in shape
3) Don't stink of stale lager

Tank top rules, not life rules.

In this instance, they are equally applicable.