Men's T-shirts

A well-chosen men’s T-shirt can completely transform an outfit. A straight-cut T-shirt with a ribbed crew neck pairs perfectly under a navy blue blazer. An oversized cut with dropped shoulders adds volume over straight-leg jeans paired with white sneakers. The same garment can thus create two very different looks. Before considering the color, look at the drape, the shoulder line, and the placement of the logo or graphic. These details determine the style.

Men’s T-shirts can be worn on their own in the summer, under an overshirt in the transitional seasons, or under a jacket at the office. These three ways of wearing them influence the cut, fabric, and sleeve length. SERGE BLANCO, the brand founded around the legacy of France’s No. 15 rugby player, designs its collections in Toulouse, within a sporty-chic aesthetic where rugby remains a presence without taking center stage. This heritage is reflected in an embroidered patch on the chest, a nod to the values of the game on the back, or a capsule collection created in collaboration with a local club.

In our men’s T-shirt collection, two lines complement each other. The SERGE BLANCO line offers premium pieces that are comfortable, easy to wear, and easy to pair—from the city to the great outdoors. For example, it features a classic straight cut, a ribbed crew neck, and an embroidered logo on the chest, for everyday comfort. The SBPLAY line reinterprets this DNA with a more contemporary energy, focused on movement, sports lifestyle, and urban travel. It notably features loose fits, baseball-style raglan T-shirts, and bold typography.

How do you choose a men's T-shirt based on the fabric and fit?

When choosing a men’s T-shirt, start by considering the comfort and fit you’re looking for: a straight cut for a clean, tailored look that can be worn on its own or under a jacket, or a loose fit for a more relaxed silhouette. Next, check the fabric composition, the knit construction, and the thickness, then consider the sleeve length based on the season.

How can you tell the difference between cotton, jersey, and thick fabric?

Cotton or jersey? This question comes up often, but it actually refers to two different things. Cotton is a fiber. Jersey is a way of knitting that fiber. “Cotton jersey” therefore refers to this fiber knitted in a jersey stitch: a smooth, supple knit on the right side that moves with the body. It’s the most common construction for a T-shirt, and the one used in many of our 100% cotton pieces.

Even with the same composition, the feel changes depending on the thickness. A lightweight jersey drapes fluidly and remains comfortable in warm weather. A thick jersey offers more structure: it holds its shape on the shoulders and has a more defined drape, which works well for loose-fitting styles. This thickness is expressed in weight per square meter, or grams per square meter of fabric. For example, one of our 100% cotton crew-neck T-shirts is rated at 160 g/m². This figure serves as a benchmark for comparing two items, not as a measure of quality.

Some variations play on texture. Slub jersey, knitted with a slightly irregular yarn, features small, visible variations that add dimension to a solid-colored garment. Pique knit, commonly used for polo shirts, forms small cells and gives certain T-shirts a more textured look.

Our tip: Take a look at the neckline, too. A ribbed finish—also known as a ribbed edge—neatly frames the neckline and follows the curve of your neck. It’s a detail you’ll notice as soon as you wear the piece on its own.

How do you choose between a straight cut and an oversized cut?

Straight cut or oversized? It all depends on how much volume you want around the bust and shoulders. The straight cut, often called a regular fit, falls straight from the armpits to the hem without cinching at the waist. The shoulder seam falls on the shoulder, and the edges remain straight. A regular-fit style can be worn on its own, tucked into pants, or under a jacket. In fact, one of our straight-cut styles has been redesigned with a slightly roomier silhouette to offer more comfort without changing its overall look.

A loose fit takes on a different shape. On an SBPLAY style like this, the shoulders extend down to the upper arm, and the fabric falls lower. The volume is intentional from the design stage: this isn’t a classic cut taken two sizes larger. The result—more relaxed and modern—follows an urban trend and offers a drape that moves with the body.

A straight cut offers comfort and suits all body types. As for volume, choose it based on the style it creates and the silhouette you want to achieve. Choosing a cut doesn’t replace choosing a size: depending on the item, our size chart ranges from S to 6XL, with plus sizes from XXL to 6XL available on certain items, and availability may vary from one item to another. To find your size, check out our size guide.

When should you choose short sleeves or long sleeves?

Short sleeves or long sleeves? The answer depends on the temperature and what you’re wearing over it. Short sleeves leave your forearms exposed: they’re perfect for warm days, whether you’re wearing the T-shirt on its own or under an open overshirt. You can compare styles and colors from our selection of short-sleeve T-shirts.

A long-sleeved T-shirt covers your arms when the weather turns cooler. You can wear it on its own with chinos and sneakers, or as a base layer under an open cardigan or a light jacket. A clean crew neck is all you need—the rest of the outfit can stay simple.

Some pieces feature a raglan construction. The seam starts at the neckline and runs diagonally down to the underarm, rather than stopping at the shoulder. This construction creates a relaxed fit around the shoulders and gives the garment a sporty look, especially when the sleeves are a different color from the body, as in a version featuring off-white and royal blue.

A helpful tip: If you often wear a jacket over it, the length of the sleeves matters less than the thinness of the jersey. A soft jersey slips more easily under an extra layer.

How should you wear a T-shirt at the office, on the weekend, or on vacation?

T-shirts can transition from the office to the weekend depending on what you pair them with. With a blazer, chinos, and loafers, they’re perfect for an office with a casual dress code. Paired with straight-leg jeans and sneakers, they take on a different vibe for the weekend. On vacation, a pair of canvas Bermuda shorts and boat shoes are all you need.

How do you pair a T-shirt with a blazer at the office?

Can you wear a T-shirt to the office? Yes, in workplaces that allow casual attire, as long as you pair it with more formal pieces. The simplest look: a plain white T-shirt with a straight cut, a navy blue blazer, beige chinos, and brown loafers. The T-shirt offers the comfort of soft knit fabric. The blazer defines the shoulders and creates a more polished silhouette.

For this type of outfit, we recommend a solid-color piece or one featuring a simple tone-on-tone logo on the chest. The ribbed crew neck remains clearly visible beneath the jacket lapels. Good news for fans of bold designs: a large pattern on the back disappears under the blazer. You can save a graphic piece for the evening and maintain a understated look during the day.

Also keep the length in mind. A straight-cut style can be tucked into chinos or worn over them, as long as the hem doesn’t stick out too far from the jacket. When it comes to jackets, our blazers made of cotton, wool, or a linen blend come in a variety of styles, from navy blue to brown.

What if you’re torn between a polo shirt and a dress shirt? The latter remains the most formal option, for occasions where a collar matters. The polo shirt falls somewhere in between: it has a collar but the flexibility of knit fabric. A T-shirt under a blazer, on the other hand, is perfect for days when you want a comfortable top without giving up the jacket.

How should you wear prints or loose-fitting styles on the weekend?

On the weekend, prints and loose-fitting styles take center stage. It all comes down to a simple balance: just one bold pattern per outfit, with the rest kept more understated.

The placement of the print changes how the piece is worn. A print on the front draws the eye to the bust: pair it with straight-leg raw denim and white sneakers, without any other patterns. A large graphic on the back keeps the front almost solid, with just an embroidered patch on the chest. This placement allows you to wear it under an open overshirt: from the front, the look remains understated, and the graphic appears when you take off the outer layer.

Graphic designs often tell a story. In the SERGE BLANCO line, they evoke the values of rugby—such as a stylized rose on the back—Basque cuisine, as seen in a vintage sardine can design, or Toulouse soccer, with the FORZA TOLOSA capsule collection created in collaboration with the Toulouse Football Club. The SBPLAY line features bolder typefaces, sometimes with an appliqué patch on the left chest, and loose-fitting cuts, in a sporty, lifestyle, and urban style.

For a loose fit, keep the bottom half straight so the volume stays concentrated on the bust. Straight-leg pants or solid-color sweatpants with white sneakers work very well. The T-shirt is best worn on top—it’s the way it drapes that makes the look.

Also, be sure to choose the color of the design to match your bottoms. A navy blue design on a light background pairs easily with blue jeans.

How do you pair colors with jeans or Bermuda shorts?

What colors go with what? White, black, and navy blue go with almost any bottom. Light shades create bright, airy outfits that are perfect for summer. Black deserves a special mention: worn under a blazer, like on the weekend, this dark color gives you a sharp look. Our selection of black T-shirts ranges from solid colors to club-inspired prints.

The same principle applies to all colors. The greater the contrast between the top and bottom, the more casual the look appears. A tone-on-tone look or a subtle contrast, such as navy blue and sand, creates a calmer look. On vacation, a pair of sand-colored canvas Bermuda shorts, a navy blue T-shirt, and boat shoes are all you need for a day in the city or an evening on a terrace.

How can you incorporate a T-shirt into your wardrobe and take care of it?

To incorporate T-shirts into your wardrobe, start with the pants and jackets you already wear, then add colors that go well with them. When it comes to care, follow the instructions on each garment’s label: on many of our 100% cotton T-shirts, the label recommends washing at 30 °C, without bleach or tumble drying.

How many should you have in your closet?

How many T-shirts do you need? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right number depends on two things: how many days a week you choose a T-shirt over one of your other tops, and how often you do laundry. Count the number of days you wear a T-shirt between laundry loads, then add one or two extra T-shirts to account for the unexpected. That will give you a baseline tailored to your routine.

If you’re starting from scratch, we recommend beginning with three pieces that serve very distinct purposes. A plain, light-colored, straight-cut T-shirt to wear to the office under a blazer. A dark T-shirt—navy or black—for the weekend with jeans. A third one for variety: a printed T-shirt if you like patterns, or a long-sleeved version if your arms often get cold. This trio isn’t a rule. It’s a starting point: your personal selection will then evolve based on what you actually wear.

Pay attention to the seasons, too. In the height of summer, the styles you wear on their own get worn out faster, so it’s worth having one or two extra. During the transitional seasons, long-sleeved versions take over—worn on their own or under a shirt.

How should I mix and match individual pieces and printed items?

Solid-color or printed pieces? The two complement each other. A solid-color T-shirt serves as a staple: it pairs well with all your bottoms and jackets, and stays on-trend year after year. Printed T-shirts and patterns make a bold style statement, but call for a more understated bottom. A simple approach is to stick with mostly solid-color pieces, then add one or two prints that you really love.

Start with your bottoms—they’ll guide your choice. If you mostly wear denim, any shade works, including contrasting colors. If you often wear light-colored chinos, go for navy blue or a light shade that contrasts well—the combination comes together effortlessly. With gray pants, light shades and navy blue are the easiest choices.

Next, think about the occasions you’ll be wearing them for: the more jackets you wear, the more you’ll get use out of solid colors; the more casual your weekends are, the more a printed design or a loose fit will work. On vacation, light shades, like sand, pair easily with canvas Bermuda shorts and boat shoes.

Finally, maintain the same ease of fit from one piece to the next if you like to layer. Two T-shirts with similar cuts can be worn interchangeably under the same overshirt or jacket. If you’re looking for a large size—XXL and up—check the size chart for each item in the collection: some go up to 6XL.

How do you wash, dry, and iron a cotton T-shirt?

Where to start? With the label: that’s what sets the standard for each item. On many of our T-shirts, the label lists the same care instructions: Wash at 30 °C. Do not bleach. Do not tumble dry. Iron on low heat. Dry cleaning allowed, without trichloroethylene.

A few simple steps round out these instructions. Turn the garment inside out before washing, especially if it has a print or an embroidered patch: this way, the visible side rubs less against the rest of the laundry. Wash with clothes of similar colors, placing light colors on one side and dark colors on the other.

Since the label says not to tumble dry, air-dry the garment. A T-shirt hung on a hanger or laid flat will better retain the shape of the collar and shoulders. Smooth it out with your hands while it’s still damp—you’ll have fewer wrinkles to iron out.

When ironing, set the iron to a low temperature and iron on the reverse side. If you iron a print directly, it may stick to the soleplate; if you iron on the reverse side, it will remain intact. For thick jersey, a light pass of the iron over the collar and hem is often enough to restore its neat appearance.