Night Out

 

Austin held the crinkle shirt up to the light, its pale cream hue catching the sun's last rays spilling through his window. It wasn't designer, not by a long shot, but it had a certain air about it - a lightness, a vibrancy that resonated with the anticipation bubbling in his chest. Tonight, he was meeting Chloe, a friend from his college days, and something about this new shirt felt... lucky.

 He slipped it on, the fabric skimming his skin with a coolness that mirrored the nervous butterflies taking flight in his stomach. Chloe had always been more than just a friend - there was an unspoken spark between them, a playful dance they both enjoyed. But tonight, Austin hoped, things might be different. He wanted to show her a new side of himself, a bolder, braver Austin.

 The bar they chose was tucked away on a quiet side street, its warm amber glow spilling onto the cobblestones. As Austin pushed open the door, Chloe was already there, perched on a stool near the window. Her smile widened as she saw him, and Austin felt a warmth spread through him like sunshine.

 "That shirt!" she exclaimed, her eyes twinkling. "It's perfect. You look..." she paused, searching for the right word, "dapper."

 A blush crept up Austin's neck. "Dapper, huh?" he chuckled, pulling out a chair next to her. "Just trying something new."

 The night flowed like the smooth jazz playing in the background. They reminisced about college days, their laughter echoing in the dimly lit bar. Austin found himself talking with an ease he hadn't known he possessed, the new shirt a silent shield of confidence. He even dared to tell Chloe about his secret passion for writing, a dream he'd kept hidden even from her.

 To his surprise, her eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "You should totally do it, Austin," she said, her voice warm. "I always knew you had something special in you."

 As the night wore on, the line between friendship and something more blurred. A shared glance lingered a beat too long, a playful touch lingered on his arm. The new shirt, once a symbol of hope, now felt like a second skin, imbued with the warmth of their connection.

 Stepping out into the cool night air, Austin wasn't sure what the future held. But as he walked Chloe home, the moonlight illuminating the soft blue of his shirt, he knew one thing for sure - tonight, he hadn't just worn a new shirt, he'd donned a new version of himself. And he liked the way it felt.

This is a fictional story inspired by where you can wear this men's style.

Model: Austin (he/him/his) 

Photos: Alan Rust (he/him/his) @alanrrust

He is wearing the crinkle shirt from H&M and his own taupe pants. The shirt is layered over a ribbed tank.