The muscle tee is the fresh, exciting tee shape this season! I’m a proponent of investing in your wardrobe’s most “important” pieces. But, freshening up a seemingly less significant category every couple of years, helps keep you looking sharp. Summer tees in fresh shapes, colors, and styles will make your wardrobe feel new and exciting with a minor investment.
I am currently obsessed with muscle tees, as is the rest of the fashion industry!
Happy shopping!
Without Padded Shoulders
You’re probably thinking, “Wait, what do you mean without padded shoulders?” Hang on, we’ll get there next!
Start your muscle tee collection with this basic shape. It’s versatile and easy to pair with a range of items. A client turned us on to the Uincloset Summer Basic Sleeveless Tank Top, which comes in a ton of great colors. I’m also an owner of the Hount Women’s High Neck Tank Top in black.
Uincloset Summer Basic Sleeveless Tank Top, $18.98
Hount Women’s High Neck Tank Top, $19.99
Rag and Bone Gaia Muscle Tank, $95
Majestic Filatures French Terry Semi-Relaxed T-Shirt, $145
H&M Jersey Sleeveless Top, $7.99
Mango V-Neck Cotton T-Shirt, $15.99
With Padded Shoulders
My personal muscle tee obsession began while shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. I had a client purchase the Iro Loud Sleeveless T-Shirt in black. It looked amazing with a black cape-blazer, jeans, and designer sneakers! Kyle has already ordered the Exaggerated Shoulder Tank Top from A New Day at Target. After getting over my initial disappointment at the black being sold out, I may or may not have just ordered it in three colors for myself…
Target A New Day Exaggerated Shoulder Tank Top, $10
AFRM Billie Side Ruched Tank, $48
Frame Shoulder Pad T-Shirt, $138
Sanctuary Shoulder Pad Tee, $42
Iro Loud Sleeveless T-Shirt, $170
Alice and Olivia Braxton Sleeveless T-Shirt, $195
With A Twist
Looking to make the muscle tee trend your own with a twist? How about a Faux Leather Bodysuit or a Ruffle sleeve? Go ahead, buy the one you love!
Good American Strong Shoulder Faux Leather Bodysuit, $115
Citizens Of Humanity Jordana Roll Sleeve Tee, $118
Aware by Vero Moda Delia Cap Sleeve Top, $55
AllSaints Lara Ruffle Top, $70
What do you think of the muscle tee trend? Yay or nay? Let us know in the comments!
Real Life Style is a style consulting firm that teaches busy women to wear their power so they can live their lives fully and confidently. Lani Inlander and Kyle Dunphy are based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and serve clients across the country. We offer personal styling services, an on-demand e-course, corporate services, and training to become a personal stylist.
Once in a while, you can find Lani Inlander and Real Life Style on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Mostly, they are happily busy serving their fabulous clients, not hanging out online!
I LOVE muscle tees! Have forever. This is a great trend.
That may be because you have always had great arms 🙂
I agree – Muscle tees are great! So versatile. A great layer!
I’ve read about this a few times but your review convinced me to buy one. Finally something fresh after a long dry spell. Thank you!
So glad to hear! Thanks for sharing!
A reader just sent me a link to a padded muscle tee from Mango that is now on super sale! It is a dead ringer for the IRO tee I love and they have black in stock. I will compare the Mango and Target versions I ordered and get back to you! Here is the link to the Mango version that I just ordered
https://bit.ly/2S1SHMQ.