In our advice column, Ask the Strategist, we take your most burning shopping questions and scour friends, call up experts, and draw from personal experience to answer them. As always, please comment with one of your own — we’re here to help.
Question: Looking for a men’s tank top. Something I could wear to yoga but also out in the NYC summer (i.e., not a “gym” tank). Loose, comfortable, fashionable, but not fashion-y. If Outdoor Voices made one, I’d probably buy it. I still own a few from Industry of All Nations, but now it seems like they only make a few with printed patterns, and I want something more basic. Looking at the American Apparel site, but not sure I’d trust it (though I guess the tri-blend tank gets closest to what I’m looking for). Like something Miles McMillan would be spotted wearing. Help!
To search for this rare specimen — a men’s tank that actually looks good and doesn’t shout “overeager bro at a music festival” — we heard from our in-house menswear expert. That’s Jason Chen, our deputy editor and all-around well-dressed man. His first suggestion: “I thought, for more of a city vibe, there’s this Saturdays tank, which is a bit more substantial.” I enjoy the scoop-neck cut on this one and it’s made out of pima cotton, a really soft material that sheets are often woven from.
I reached out to Miles McMillan’s agent to learn what he’s actually wearing in all of those pap shots, but we didn’t hear back in time for this post. Instead, Jason says, “I actually suspect that the tanks Miles wears are more like H&M things! A few of them have that shlubby thing going on.” Exhibit A.
Exhibit B, this time with a higher neckline, if you’re not as excited about your chest hair.
That was all from Jason (thank you, Jason!), but I dug around a bit more and it’s worth noting that there is literally one solid-color Industry of All Nations tank still available on Amazon. Don’t miss out!
If Anthony Thomas Melillo’s aptly named Model Tank is not what McMillan actually wears, it’s at least what menswear designers imagine he’s wearing.
Meanwhile, MPG’s tank has a similar, just a bit slimmer look for nearly half the price.
Native Youth’s Tidal Tank has a bit of a boxier cut, but I like the texture of the indigo pinstripe. Click on the link to get an up-close view.
This one’s a little long, but I think it’ll look great tucked in (like Miles does), and the pigment-dyed coloring is great for the summer. Pairs well with light-wash jeans.
And one last thing. Since you were wary of American Apparel, I reached out to Gildan, the clothing manufacturer that makes every blank T-shirt the world has ever screen-printed on, and that also purchased American Apparel last year. Gildan reopened the American Apparel website in August and brought back all of the basics. They’re made of the same materials, fabrics, colors, and cuts they’ve been designing with all along, but the only difference is that some products, including this tank, are now manufactured in China, not the USA.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission.
