Banana Republic Factory $35 $17.50
The graphic t-shirt can be the hardest purchase for a grown man. The selection out there ranges from product placement (Drink Coke!) to softcore porn (Boobs!). It’s a dangerous territory with all the advertising, booze affiliation, and female forms covering most graphic tees sold to men. Whenever I bring up a graphic t-shirt with my clients, I can see the fear or hesitation on their faces immediately. It is a well-earned fear. Graphic t-shirts for men typically suck.
Best Graphic Tees For Men, aka Graphic T-Shirts That Aren’t Dumb
When I am shopping for a male client in a physical store, I can never find more than one or two graphic t-shirts that don’t have all the aforementioned nonsense. Online shopping is the only way I can find plentiful graphic tees that are actually interesting, flattering, and suitable for an adult. And since online shopping is how we all shop now, this works out.
As I mentioned, a dumb graphic t-shirt tends to promote booze, outrageous brands, and half-naked women. I am also not a fan of all those skulls. As my clients already know, these types of graphics can make you look unsuccessful in life, personally and professionally. These immature t-shirts are so prevalent, many of my older clients don’t even realize an alternative exists. When I reveal that inoffensive graphic t-shirts do in fact exist, it’s like telling my clients black licorice is delicious. My clients trust me implicitly, but some of them give me a look like, “We’ll see.” Yes, you will! Just scroll down.
Best Graphic T-Shirt Brands
As I said above, online shopping is the way to go to find the best graphic tees for men. I’ve shared the best graphic tees I’ve found below, but in case you’re wanting to do any of your own browsing, these are some of my go-to brands and stores for cool graphic tees that are flattering and suitable for adults.
You’re Not Too Old For A Graphic T-Shirt
The other issue I run into when discussing graphic t-shirts with my male clients is the “too old” defense. They ask me, “Am I too old to wear a graphic t-shirt?” As long as there isn’t a childish graphic on your t-shirt, no, you are not too old to wear one. It’s not about age, it’s about the occasion. Should a 40-year-old man wear a graphic t-shirt to a nice restaurant? No. Neither should a 16-year-old boy. Can a 40-year-old man wear a graphic t-shirt to go axe-throwing? Absolutely. You can wear one to the gym, running errands, the beach, and lunch at casual venues. Your casual wardrobe will benefit from some fresh graphics. So at what age should you stop wearing graphic tees? Never! As long as you find the right ones. With that in mind, below are all the best graphic tees for men I’ve come across when shopping for my clients. I’ll continue to update this post with new favorites as I find them.
Banana Republic Factory Graphic T-Shirt
Available at Banana Republic Factory.
Sizing: XS-2XL, also available in tall sizes
Material: 60% cotton, 40% recycled polyester
Lucky Brand US Flag Graphic Tee in Grey
Lucky Brand $29.50
Available at Nordstrom, Zappos, Dillard’s, and Amazon.
Sizing: S-2XL
Material: 50% polyester, 37% cotton, 13% rayon
Johnny Bigg Big & Tall East Coast Crew Neck Tee
Johnny Bigg $49 $29.40
Available at Macy’s and Johnny Bigg.
Sizing: 1XL-8XL
Material: 100% cotton
Threads 4 Thought Bar Harbor Graphic T-Shirt
Available at Nordstrom and Threads 4 Thought.
Sizing: S-3XL
Material: 50% recycled polyester, 38% organic cotton, 12% rayon
BeCause Coastal Redwoods Heavyweight Tee
BeCause $37
Available at BeCause.
Sizing: S-2XL
Material: 100% certified organic ringspun cotton
Vineyard Vines Thimble Mainline Graphic T-Shirt
Vineyard Vines $49.50
Available at Nordstrom.
Sizing: XS-2XL
Material: 94% polyester, 6% spandex
Banana Republic Factory
Banana Republic Factory $35 $17.50
Available at Banana Republic Factory.
Sizing: XS-2XL, also available in tall sizes
Material: 60% cotton, 40% recycled polyester
Levi’s Classic Graphic T-Shirt
Levi’s $24.50
Available at Levi’s and Target.
Sizing: XS-3XL
Material: 100% cotton
J.Crew Vintage-Wash Graphic T-Shirt
J.Crew $45 $34.99
Available at J.Crew.
Sizing: XS-2XL
Material: 100% cotton
Lucky Brand USA Flag Graphic Tee in American Navy
Lucky Brand $34.45
Available at Zappos, Amazon, and Dillard’s.
Sizing: S-2XL
Material: 57% polyester, 43% cotton
San Diego Seed Company Straight Outta Compost T-Shirts
Available at San Diego Seed Company.
Sizing: S-XL
Material: 100% cotton
Best Graphic Tees For Men From Years Past
Banana Republic $35 $27.97
I originally wrote this post years ago and update it regularly due to its popularity. I’ve left these photos below for nostalgic purposes. Whenever I update older posts, I love to hold on to a collection of images as a bit of a time capsule so we can watch how our style evolves.
Prana Wolfpack Journeyman Tee
Prana $26.48 $25.09
prAna Men’s Tree Hugger Journeyman Graphic Tee
prAna $35
Tentree Vintage Sunset T-Shirt
Tentree $40 $24
This tee is available at Tentree and Buckle.
Banana Republic Globe Graphic T-Shirt
Marine Layer Sport Performance Sun Graphic Tee
Marine Layer $48
Banana Republic Graphic T-Shirt (Frosted Caramel)
Banana Republic $35 $17.50
Old Navy Soft-Washed Graphic T-Shirt for Men
Old Navy $14 $10
Banana Republic Graphic T-Shirt (Rich Earth)
Banana Republic $35 $17.50
REI Co-op Multi Print T-Shirt
REI $34.95 $24.93
Banana Republic Moon Sea Eco T-Shirt
Banana Republic $29.99 $11.99
Patagonia Live Simply Home Organic Cotton Graphic Tee
Patagonia $35
This t-shirt is available at Nordstrom and REI.
Banana Republic Sound Apparatus Graphic T-Shirt
Banana Republic $29.99 $23.98
Lucky Brand Gambling Skull Tee
Lucky Brand $29.50 $26.55
Lucky Brand Guinness Tee
Lucky Brand $39.50
1901 Surf Wave Graphic Tee
1901 $35
Linksoul LS798 The Local
Linksoul $34.95
tentree Nomad Short Sleeve Tee
tentree $36 $32.99
This t-shirt is available at Zappos and Backcountry.
Great roundup of graphic tees! I love how you highlighted options that balance style and personality without being over-the-top. Definitely adding a few of these to my wardrobe!