The best men's tank tops for a stylish, sleeveless summer
The sleeveless summer essential gets a bad rap, but as brands render the tank top for men altogether more appealing, we've put together the best of the vest
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Men’s tank tops (AKA vests) are not without their hang-ups. The bad rap dates back to the 1920s, when the sleeveless undershirt was commonly worn by abusive men in silent movies. In more modern times, their adoption by “Beefa”-bound party boys has not done them any huge favours in the fashion stakes either.
But as with many things of late, everything you once knew about tank tops for men has been turned on its head. Plainer undergarments once considered slobbish have been reimagined in more premium materials and flattering cuts and they are now the stylish man’s summer T-shirt of choice when tucked into a chic pair of wide-legged trousers à la Shawn Mendes, Lil Nas X or Olly Alexander. And as for those more offensive palm tree-embellished, slogan-printed men's tank tops that once made up half the suitcase contents of a summer stag do, they’re very much on their way out, as designers such as Daniel W Fletcher, Nicholas Daley and Saint Laurent give precedence to much more refined interpretations.
Of course, there are other pros to men incorporating more tank tops into their summer wardrobes. A good cut will show off any hard-earned results from shoulder and biceps workouts for one and all while staving off the threat of underarm sweat patches. To be sure that you’re not falling into those negative associations of old, we’ve rolled up our figurative sleeves to bring you the very best men's tank tops to invest in.
1/10Nicholas Daley
A red carpet look to be reckoned with factors in this outstanding Nicholas Daley knit vest with some pristine beige tailoring, sunglasses and plenty of gold jewellery. And once the paps are quite finished with you, it will transition nicely into your beach-bound wardrobe with shorts and sandals. If this isn't in your basket by now, why are you even here? £310. At ssense.com
2/10Stefan Cooke
A statement vest without a whiff of brash “Beefa” vibes, straight from the standout Central Saint Martins graduate that is Stefan Cooke. A bold mix of patterns, panels and pleats, when this vest hit the sale rack we got an endorphin boost no amount of exercise could equal. We're thinking wide black Bermuda shorts and our chunkiest black shoes. £290. At matchesfashion.com
3/10Daniel W Fletcher
The latest from Daniel W Fletcher is giving off so many British seaside vibes that the Next In Fashion runner-up and creative director of Fiorucci has even opened a bricks-and-mortar store in sunny Margate. We're especially fond of the SS21 rib racer vests, with their slim fit and contrast binding lending them a chic, preppy edge. £70. danielwfletcher.com
4/10Balenciaga
No one does referential fashion quite like Balenciaga. Case in point: this collegiate-style tank top, which boasts all the charm of that needle-in-a-haystack vintage store find but with that luxury fashion edge, embroidered in the house's own football-inspired emblem. £395. At mrporter.com
5/10Jaded London
When it comes to summertime statements, few brands are offering quite as much bang for your buck as Jaded London. Going hard on 1970s vibes, its Peach Paradise vest is made to be worn with bleached denim flares and the most retro sunglasses shape you can pull off. £22. jadedldn.com
6/10Saint Laurent
In keeping with that oh-so distinctive SLP aesthetic, this slinky tank top boasts refined rockabilly style in spades. There's no better way to wear this than with skinny black jeans, Chelsea boots with as high a heel as possible and lots of gold jewellery. If you thought you were wearing too many chains, it's still not enough. £265. At mrporter.com
7/10Homme Plissé Issey Miyake
Pleats are not just for suiting and this Issey Miyake vest top is all the proof we need. Slick and minimalist (as with everything this label puts out there), this tank is the perfect high-fashion accompaniment to a coordinating pleated suit, but will equally set fashionistas heart's racing with some tailored black trousers. £155. At ssense.com
8/10Liam Hodges
A tank top you'd be more likely to see in a Globe production of A Midsummer Night's Dream than most men's wardrobes and we're very here for that. This super-textural vest is hand-crocheted with distressing and raw edges for that coveted thrifty feel, with a red check pattern for some picnic blanket chic. £745. At ssense.com
9/10Rick Owens
From the brand that just quite literally changed the shape of Converse, the vest top is nothing new for the avant-garde stylings of fashion's dark daddy Rick Owens. Cut long from a semi-sheer cotton jersey and with a pinched seam for some added texture, this is textbook Owens and should thus only ever be worn with a monochrome palette. £185. At ssense.com
10/10Organic Basics
The eco-friendly wood pulp fibre increasingly used for tactile, breathable loungewear, Tencel, is fast becoming our summer-friendly fabric of choice. It's soft as silk and smoother than cotton, and though the slimmer, lighter feeling of the material makes it particularly well suited to base layers and underwear, you won't regret leaving the house in an Organic Basics tank top on those stuffier July days. £35. uk.organicbasics.com
