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A Comprehensive Guide to Pocket Tees
By ShirtSpace | Jan 02, 2024 | Updated Mar 08, 2024Are you ready to pop, lock, and pocket? Pocket tees are more popular than ever. Not only a fashion staple, but they are also desired by workers in certain industries who need to carry small items such as pens, tape measures, sunglasses or business cards. Stick around to see our picks for the best pocket tees and pocket tee outfit ideas.
Hero Image credit: DONOT6 from Getty Images
The Basics of Pocket Tees
Pocket tees are a popular and versatile clothing item that can be a great addition to anyone’s wardrobe. They are appropriate for year-round wear, with short-sleeve pocket tees made for the warmer months and long-sleeve pocket tees for when it’s cold out. Available in men’s and unisex variations, adults of all walks of life can enjoy the benefits of a pocket t-shirt. When it comes to different styles, there are so many options at your fingertips, from fashion, athletic, American-made and many more!
Image credit: Taylor
Ways to Decorate a Pocket Tee
Pocket Tee Design Placement
Image credit: Bella+Canvas
Whether you prefer to print or embroider your design, placement is very important. Here are some popular places that you can decorate a pocket tee to highlight the pocket well:
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Above the pocket
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Inside the pocket
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On top of the pocket
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Completely covering the pocket
Or any combination of these locations!
On the Outside of the Pocket
Shirt Pictured: Port & Company PC55P Core Blend Pocket Tee in Ash
You can place any image on the outside of the pocket. This is a spot that will be most prominent, since it’s always visible in plain sight. Here is an example of our “Shirt on a Shirt Pocket Tee” that we made for our ShirtSpace Staff Store.
Above the Pocket
Image credit: Elisall
You can achieve this look a number of ways, through printing and embroidery. Plants such as flowers, tree and cacti are always a solid choice. You can also go with animals, people or fun illustrated characters. Let your imagination run wild!
All Over Pocket Print
Image credit: javi_indy
You can make this look happen using a variety of methods. With the right tee that has enough polyester, you could sublimate on the pocket area to dye the fibers in a new and interesting pattern. Or, if you don’t mind a print that sits on the fabric, you could screen print, DTG print or even use HTV to cover the pocket entirely. The final option is to use fabric. You can cover an existing pocket by sewing or using a no-sew method. Or create a new pocket on a normal t-shirt that did not have a pocket before.
Clever Pockets
Shirt Pictured on left: Port & Company PC54P, decorated with DTF print from Tulsa DTF Prints.
Image on right courtesy of: Pike Creek Cuts
Consider pocket tees that utilize a play on words, like our “pocket man” tee, or a “pocket full of sunshine. Or use the pocket shape as your inspiration to create your design. Go as wholesale or as out of pocket as you wish. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
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Make the pocket look like a fry sleeve and have french fries coming out the top.
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Place the print so it looks like a character is hiding inside and popping out (similar to “pocket man”, but extending deep within the pocket.
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You can always get creative and place legs coming out from below the pocket as well.
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Hide a surprise inside so that when you pull the pocket flap down, you get a peek of what is otherwise hidden.
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Use the pocket to host a joke or riddle. Place the joke visible to anyone looking at you wearing the shirt, and the punchline or answer inside the pocket, to be revealed at your discretion.
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Make a “pocket dial” tee, incorporating the image of a phone.
Faux Pockets
Image credit: Ksundria
You can also create a pocket tee look without a pocket. Simply print a pocket design in the same place that a pocket would go, for a fun fashion look. We love the combination of sequins and printed elements to create the tee shown above. Get creative with the many transfers on the market, or fun vinyls like puff, glitter or foil HTV products.
Dressing Up Your Pocket Tee
Image credit: mstandret
You can dress up your pocket tee in a number of ways! Dressing up a pocket tee can be as simple as printing, embroidering, painting, or embellishing your pocket to really stand out. Consider these design ideas to incorporate when decorating your own pocket tee:
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Monogrammed initials
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Business or organization logo
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Small branded label sewn over the top edge of the pocket flap or on the face of the pocket for a branded look
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Graphic image
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All-over print or color that differs from the body of the shirt
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Trim (think ribbons, tassels or pom-poms) added to the top hem of the pocket
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Embellishments such as appliques, rhinestones, sequins and more
Pocket Tee Outfit Ideas
Shirt Pictured: ComfortWash by Hanes GDH150 in Lavender
So, how exactly do you incorporate a pocket tee into your wardrobe? With these pocket tee outfit ideas, you will be inspired to work pocket tees into your wardrobe on the regular. Check out these versatile pocket tee outfits for everyday wear:
- Accessorize the neck: Add a touch of flair to your pocket tee outfit by tying a scarf or wearing a choker necklace around your neck.
- Pocket tee with jeans: A match made in heaven, pocket tees are so comfy and casual, just like a great pair of jeans! Tuck your tee in, leave it out, or go with something in the middle, like a French tuck.
- Oversized pocket tee: Another way to wear a pocket tee is to purchase it in a larger size for an oversized look. Wearing a t-shirt oversized is super trendy right now, for both men and women. Achieve an urban streetwear look, or females can even create a “shirt dress” if they size up enough. Leave it baggy, or cinch with a belt to accentuate the waist.
- Layering your pocket tee: For a layered look that is not only functional, but also stylish, try wearing a pocket tee over a long-sleeved t-shirt. This will not only give a fun color block look, but it will also keep you warm and cozy.
Pocket Tee Styling Tips:
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Pocket tees are more casual than a standard t-shirt. So, although we love the juxtaposition of a casual t-shirt paired with a nice suit jacket or flowy silk skirt, we suggest generally avoiding pairing pocket tees with super fancy attire.
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Rolling the sleeves is a fun way to create a laid-back retro look, reminiscent of the male characters in films like The Outsiders or Grease.
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Avoid long, dangly necklaces, as these accessories might compete with the pocket.
Casual Pocket Tee Looks
There are many ways to wear a pocket tee, but here are some of our favorite casual pocket tee looks that anybody can recreate:
Image credits listed from left to right: 1. Comfort Colors 6030CC in Ivory 2. Comfort Colors 6030CC in Orchid 3. Fruit of the Loom 3931P in Orange and J Navy 4. Comfort Colors C4410 in White
Our Favorite Pocket Tees
Shop our pocket tee wardrobe essentials to find the perfect pocket tee shirt for you! These are just some of our favorites, but you can shop our full selection of pocket tees if you want to see all of your options.
Best Heavyweight & Garment Dyed: Comfort Colors 6030CC
Shirt Pictured: Comfort Colors 6030CC in Grape, Butter and Celadon.
A 100% cotton t-shirt that is ringspun, preshrunk, soft washed and garment dyed – the Comfort Colors 6030CC pocket tee is of the highest quality. If you like to embroider, this is the heavyweight tee for you! A hefty 6.1 oz weight would leave you to believe that the fabric is thick and tough, but that is definitely not the case! One of the softest brands of shirts that we carry, Comfort Colors products are incredibly impressive, since heavyweight t-shirts can sometimes feel scratchy. Its versatility in sizing is unmatched, too. Get your usual size for a standard fit, or size up for the perfect oversized t-shirt look.
But that’s not even the best part! “Comfort” is only half of the equation, we also have the “Colors” aspect. There are an insane amount of colors offered – over 60! Popular colors like Blue Spruce, Chambray, Cumin, Island Reef, Melon and Watermelon will set you apart from everyday colors like black, white and royal.
Plus, Comfort Colors is sure to keep the environmental impact their business has in mind when creating their t-shirts. Created with sustainable and fair-grown USA cotton, you can feel good about your support of Comfort Colors.
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Best Workwear: Hanes W110
Shirt pictured: Hanes W110 in Safety Green.
Shirts pictured: Hanes W110 in Safety Green, Safety Orange and Safety Yellow.
Arguably the best pocket tee for workwear, the Hanes W110 Adult Workwear Pocket Tee has many features to love. Made from a blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton (besides the Light Steel color, which is a blend of 90% cotton and 10% polyester) this t-shirt is great for a number of printing methods, such as sublimation. The higher percentage of polyester means that you can sublimate on it, and it’s moisture-wicking – perfect for active job sites and high temps. But this isn’t just any moisture-wicking material. An X-Temp finish and Fresh IQ advanced odor protection technology ensures that you will stay cool, dry and comfortable through a long workday or strenuous activity.
Speaking of job sites, there are safety colors available, with Safety Green being ANSI/ISEA certified for trades that require high-vis apparel. A UPF rating of 50+ will protect against the sun’s harmful rays if you work in uncovered conditions. The Hanes W110 is also tagless, with a label printed right on the inside neckline of the shirt. Itchy tags, be gone!
The 5.3 oz weight means it’s right in the middle of the scale for t-shirt weight. Midweight tees tend to please a crowd well since they aren’t super thin or thick. When it comes to garment construction, an oversized pocket means you can fit all of your small items easily inside. The sleeves and body have some extra length, so you can bend down, lift your arms, and move about without worrying about coverage.
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Best 50/50 Blend: Port & Company PC55P
Shirts Pictured: Port & Company PC55P in Light Blue, Lime, Ash and Royal.
Want the best of both worlds when it comes to cotton and polyester? The Port & Company PC55P Core Blend Pocket Tee saves you from having to make a decision! This 50/50 cotton/poly blend pocket tee gives you the best of both worlds! A 5.5 oz weight, it’s the perfect midweight tee for those who like their shirts to be not too heavy, but not too light either. Available in high-vis safety colors, in addition to all the colors in the rainbow, there is just the color you need. And the cherry on top? Up to 5% of the polyester used for the PC55P was created using recycled water bottles. How cool is that?!
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Best Lightweight: District DT6000P Very Important Tee
Shirt Pictured: District DT6000P in Black, Charcoal, Heathered Navy, Heathered Royal, Light Heather Gray and White.
Be a V.I.P. with the V.I.T.! For those who prefer a light and breezy t-shirt, we recommend the District DT6000P Very Important Tee® with Pocket. At only 4.3 oz, and made from lightweight combed and ringspun cotton, it’s very comfortable and breezy. Plus, it’s unisex fit that comes in sizes XS – 4XL is a universal choice that everyone can enjoy. The slightly slimmer body and shorter sleeves provides a trendy, retail-worthy fit. The solid colors are made solely from cotton, and the heathers add polyester into the mix, so be aware of this when decorating and washing. Coming in a select color palette of all your classic favorites, the DT6000P is a staple tee that everyone should try!
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Best Fashion: Bella+Canvas 3021
Shirts Pictured: Bella+Canvas 3021
If you need a little color blocking in your life, the Bella+Canvas 3021 Men’s Jersey Short-Sleeve Pocket Tee is the perfect choice! Available in both monochromatic options where the pocket and tee are the same color, and color block options that add some extra variety, this is one of our favorite pocket tees. The solid colors are made from cotton, and the heathers a cotton/poly blend. Side seams and a retail fashion-forward fit are what you’ve known to love and expect from Bella+Canvas, and this shirt is no different! At only 4.2 oz, this lightweight tee will be comfortable, with just the right amount of flow to the fabric. For ideas on how to customize your Bella+Canvas pocket tee, check out their list of 3 Creative Pocket Tee Designs.
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Think Outside the Pocks
Pocket tee fashion trends will likely come and go, but pocket tees are here to stay! So wherever the fashion world goes, pocket tees will adapt, and new fads will arise. Keep on experimenting, and who knows, maybe you will be at the forefront of the newest popular pocket tee trends.
Sharing is caring, so tell us any pocket tee ideas we may have forgotten in the comments!
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