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05.27.09

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Phaedra

EXPOSURE: American Apparel was perhaps the first company to spearhead the deep V-neck look for men, as illustrated in this acid wash jersey short sleeve summer T-shirt.

Style

Showing Off

By Jessica Fromm


WOMEN'S FASHION has been flirting with the sharp lines of men's suiting for decades, but men's couture has always shied away from the revealing cuts of feminine styles. Things have been slowly changing, though. Enter the deep V-neck men's T-shirt trend.

Perhaps with the rise of the metrosexual in the earlier part of this decade, male fashion consumers have moved beyond the idea that a pinstripe suit and tie are the only expression of a confident, well-dressed man. The new trend toward torso bearing continues to blur the lines between women's and men's wear.

The popularity of the deep V-neck line has been building slowly since 2007, originally kicked off by the American Apparel–clad hipster set. The sternum-exposing style really gained mainstream momentum this season when Calvin Klein, Salvatore Ferragamo and Burberry featured the cut heavily in their spring 2009 menswear lines.

The style looks bests on young, slender men with waspy chests, serving as a way to show off their fit frames, jutting clavicles and—considering the rising popularity of chest tattoos—a little body art too. Men should definitely consider how much chest hair they are willing to expose.

To successfully pull off this look, the wearer must choose one of two directions: rock & roll sex god or European vibe. For the rock & roll route, British comedian Russell Brand (the eyeliner and teased hair is optional) offers a hint by pairing the T with a tight blazer, thin-legged trousers and layers of pendant necklaces. For the European look, it's best to wear the deep-V-neck underneath a dark, tailored suit for a casual but put-together appearance.

Fashion-conscious males can ease into the trend simply by wearing a crew-neck undershirt under a deep V-neck T-shirt.


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