How to Style Men’s Tank Tops During Every Season

You are never too old or too young to don a tank top as a man. Tank tops for men come in a few different variations— athletic, basic white, cut-outs, muscle tank, designer, artsy, v-neck— for different reasons. There are countless ways to style them.

Back in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s tank tops were popularly seen on men in American cinema (do you recall Marlon Brando, back in his heyday?). They were associated with the bad boy image of rebellion and machismo. Take that cinematic influence over, tank tops on men carried their weight in pop culture with the rise of other movies such as the iconic looks of Sylvester Stallone in Rambo, Bruce Willis in Die Hard, Will Smith in Bad Boys, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Robert De Niro in Raging Bull, and Freddie Mercury’s center-stage classic look. But it didn’t stop there. Those influences carried over off-screen, and off stage, into mainstream culture and everyday looks. They rose in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, and haven’t stopped since.

Men have been rocking tank tops for decades and doing it in fashion. Now, it’s your turn. Here’s how to style men’s tank tops during every season.

Winter

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean the tank top needs to be stored away. On the contrary, designer tanks are big in winter, with metallic hues and thicker materials. This season, layers are key! They’re worn underneath plaids and flannels, sweaters, and low-cutting sweatshirts. You can style a basic tank top for comfort or show off your personality with a special canvas print. All of these options go great with relaxed-fit sweatpants, dark denim, or if you’re going with a thicker material overcoat, even a plaid or corduroy pant, and a sharp-looking belt.

Spring

Spring is the season of vibrant hues. Here you can move away from traditional white and instead opt for tanks that showcase passion through color. Get an artsy-looking canvas tank and be bold and throw a scarf around your neck for added flair. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, spring is also the perfect time to go for a loose-fitted basic with a flattering pair of jeans or skinny pants. It’s a classic look—think of Calvin Klein designer advertisements and massive billboards— that can easily be complemented with a baggy-fitting sweatshirt or patterned-style open jacket. 

Another option is V-necks. These are a tailored tank look that can transition from day to night without much thought at all and go great with statement jewelry pieces—think bold necklaces, brass rings, bracelets, and even an earring. V-necks show off your arms and neck in a way that’s both flattering and metrosexual. It allows you to be more you than you’ve been before.

Summer

Summer is all about self-expression. Go with neon prints and tanks with sayings for added fun. You can pair these show-off styles with a killer board short or just shorts in general to beat the heat. 

Another option is to show off that designer tank with a Navaho or American-Western-style jacket at night. When the nights get cooler a designer tank is the best transition, and nothing looks better than a pop of color.

If you love the athletic fit, athletic tanks are perfect for a hot day because they’re made for the heat, and sweat, and are typically made to breathe (letting the hot air out and cooler air in). But you can take these out of the gym and into your everyday summer socials. Style it with a strong pair of sunglasses and killer kicks to rock any event you show up to.

If you need inspiration for a nighttime look and aren’t feeling the western vibe, for the nighttime throw on a sports coat to make the tank go from casual to classy in an instant. Suddenly fine-dining in style got a whole lot easier to prepare for.

Fall

Nothing says fall like layers with a tank top. Layers like a blazer or open flannel, or even a v-neck pullover go great with any type of tank. There’s also the hooded tank, which is both for athletic wear and casual wear. The hooded tank has an edgy style that makes it appear a bit more masculine than the average tank while still maintaining a laid-back attitude.

Tank tops for men can be worn year-round, in all variations of weather. All it takes is a little stylistic vision to transform a seemingly casual look into a look that’s both fashionable and makes a statement. All that’s left is to choose the style tank that fits your personality and occasion and get to styling.