Banana Republic $29.99 $11.99
The graphic t-shirt can be the hardest purchase for a grown man. The selection out there ranges from full-blown product placement (Drink Coke!) to softcore porn (Boobs!). It’s a dangerous territory with all the advertising, booze affiliation, and female forms covering most t-shirts 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 typically suck.
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 the only way to go right now, this actually 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 make you look immature, undateable, unsuccessful, and, well, dumb. These types of 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.
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 an immature 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.
Marine Layer Sport Performance Graphic Tee
Marine Layer $48
This graphic tee is available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Marine Layer.
Banana Republic Bike Sketch Eco T-Shirt
Banana Republic $29.99 $11.99
prAna Men’s Tree Hugger Journeyman Graphic Tee
prAna $35
This graphic tee is available at Nordstrom, prAna, Amazon, and Backcountry.
Banana Republic Elephant Logo Eco T-Shirt
Banana Republic $29.99 $11.99
Banana Republic Lighthouse Eco T-Shirt
Banana Republic $29.99 $11.99
Marine Layer Sport Performance Sun Graphic Tee
Marine Layer $48
Prana Wolf Pack Journeyman Tee
Prana $35 $24.50
This tee is available at Zappos, Prana, Amazon, and Backcountry.
Banana Republic Racing Graphic T-Shirt
Banana Republic $29.99 $23.98
Banana Republic Sound Apparatus Graphic T-Shirt
Banana Republic $29.99 $23.98
Kenzo Classic Tiger Graphic Tee
Kenzo $135
This graphic t-shirt is available at Nordstrom, Farfetch, and Kenzo.
Lucky Brand USA Flag Graphic Tee
Lucky Brand $29.50
This tee is available at Zappos, Lucky Brand, and Amazon.
Banana Republic Moon Sea Eco T-Shirt
Banana Republic $29.99 $11.99
1901 Surf Wave Graphic Tee
1901 $35
Travis Mathew Fire Trail Graphic Tee
Travis Mathew $39.95
This graphic tee is available at Nordstrom and Zappos.
Madewell Cactus Moon Graphic Allday Crewneck Tee
Madewell $35
Patagonia Live Simply Home Organic Cotton Graphic Tee
Patagonia $35
This t-shirt is available at Nordstrom and REI.
Buzzy Boutique Forest Tee
Buzzy Boutique $29.99 $15.99
Buzzy Boutique Night Sky Tee
Buzzy Boutique $29.99 $15.99
J.Crew Sailboat graphic tee
J.Crew $29.50 $11.50
J.Crew “Rock lobster” tee
J.Crew $29.50 $8.50
Rip Curl Windward Mens T-Shirt
Rip Curl $22.99
This graphic t-shirt is available at Tilly’s and Amazon.
Lucky Brand Guinness Tee
Lucky Brand $39.50
This graphic tee is available at Zappos and Macy’s.
Lucky Brand Gambling Skull Tee
Lucky Brand $29.50 $26.55
This shirt is available at Zappos and Amazon.
United By Blue High Gear Short Sleeve Graphic Tee
United by Blue $36 $32.99
tentree Vintage Sunset 3.25 Long Sleeve
tentree $42 $34.99
tentree Nomad Short Sleeve Tee
tentree $36 $32.99
This t-shirt is available at Zappos and Backcountry.
Linksoul LS798 The Local
Linksoul $34.95
RVCA Motors Short Sleeve
RVCA $24.95
Puma Slogan Tee
Puma $24.95
Smartwool Merino Sport 150 Mountain Ventures Tee
Smartwool $55 $44.99
This t-shirt is available at Zappos, Amazon, Backcountry, and Smartwool.
Sol Angeles Catamaran Cotton Graphic V-Neck Tee
Sol Angeles $58
Kid Dangerous Cotton NASA Logo Graphic Tee
Kid Dangerous $38 $22.80
Vestige Segment Cotton Graphic Tee
Vestige $48 $28.80
Ted Baker Herb Cotton Graphic Tee
Ted Baker $85 $50
REI Co-op Desert Sun Tech T-Shirt
REI $34.95
REI Co-op Force of Nature T-Shirt
REI $29.95
REI Co-op Westerlands Long-Sleeve Graphic T-Shirt
REI $39.95 $29.93
REI Co-op Multi Print T-Shirt
REI $34.95 $24.93
San Diego Seed Company Straight Outta Compost T-Shirts
Gap Graphic Tee
Gap $29.95
Beachwood ‘Skyline Spray’ Graphic T-Shirt
Beachwood $36
Hugo Boss Graphic T-Shirt
Hugo Boss $46.90
Gap Graphic Tee
Gap $34.95
Sol Angeles ‘SOS’ Pocket T-Shirt
Sol Angeles $68
John Varvatos Star USA ‘Skeleton’ T-Shirt
John Varvatos $58.96
