JJ Maybank dresses like someone who owns about six things and wears them until they fade: loose sleeveless tops, shorts with pockets, shoes that can get wet, a backward cap and a pile of cord and bead jewelry. That's what makes the look so easy to copy for a beach trip. The trick is to keep it comfortable and slightly worn, never matched or brand new. Washed colors, surf graphics, cargo pockets and scuffed accessories do most of the work. For women, I adapt his loose shapes with cropped tanks, high-rise bottoms or a fitted layer underneath, depending on how much ease you like. The 20 tank outfits below cover the beach, a vacation, an ordinary weekend or an Outer Banks-inspired event, with notes on fit and what to pack.
Pogue Details That Do Most of the Work
When I build a JJ-style outfit for a trip, I think in layers of signals. The tank sets the base, but on its own a plain tank just looks like a gym top. The look becomes recognizable once you add three or four of these:
- a cap worn backward, faded rather than new
- cord, leather or bead jewelry stacked at the wrist and neck
- shorts or pants with real pockets: cargos, utility or board shorts
- shoes that look like they've been on sand: scuffed canvas, sport sandals, worn boots
- color that has clearly met the sun, not a shop-fresh dye
Pick the ones you like and skip the rest. A woman in a cropped tank, cutoffs and a cord bracelet reads as Pogue just as clearly as someone in the full costume.
What to wear under a deep-armhole tank
JJ-style tanks are cut for men, with armholes that drop well below the bust. On a woman, that means the side of whatever is underneath will show every time you move your arms. I treat that layer as part of the outfit: a plain sports bra or bralette in black, gray or a color that matches the shorts looks deliberate, while a lace bra in a contrasting shade looks like a mistake. A swim top works too on beach days. If you want no layer showing at all, buy a women's cut tank with a higher armhole and get the loose feel from sizing up instead.
1. Black JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Cargo Shorts
If you only copy one look, make it this one. A black graphic tank with dropped armholes or an easy oversized cut, faded olive cargo shorts, and black high-tops or beaten-up combat boots is about as close to JJ as it gets. The cap goes on backward, burgundy if you have it, with braided bracelets, a cord necklace and a canvas crossbody. Black cotton fades to charcoal fast in sun and salt, which is exactly the color you want here, so don't fight it. Women can half-tuck the front or knot the hem loosely at the side. I'd wear it for sightseeing and outdoor festivals.
2. White JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Denim Shorts
White ribbed cotton and faded denim are the coastal pair I pack first. Pick a white ribbed tank, fitted or relaxed, and distressed blue shorts in a high rise or a loose boyfriend shape. Worn white canvas sneakers handle a boardwalk, and a brown woven belt adds texture. Finish with a navy backward cap, layered cords, simple rings and a light canvas backpack. A faded plaid shirt tied at the waist is your cover-up for later. Rib knit clings more than plain jersey, so if you want a looser JJ feel, size up one. Leave crisp, pressed pieces at home; this look needs soft fabric and frayed edges.
3. Gray JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Camo Shorts
Camo is about as close to JJ's practical streak as clothes get. Try a washed gray tank and camouflage shorts, the tank with a faded print, roomy armholes or lightly frayed edges, and the shorts in a relaxed leg so air moves on hot days. Charcoal lace-up boots with crew socks give it weight. A backward black cap, stacked leather bracelets and a small utility backpack finish the kit. For more shape, tuck the tank into high-waisted shorts with a slim belt. One caution I always mention: leather bracelets darken and stiffen if they keep getting soaked, so take them off before swimming. Good for concerts, themed gatherings and breezy evenings outside.
4. Blue JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Board Shorts
A faded blue surf tank with board shorts is the Outer Banks mood in two pieces. Look for a small wave, island or old surf-shop graphic, and pair it with green, navy or tropical board shorts that stop at the upper thigh or the knee. Sport sandals are the practical shoe around water, plus waterproof bracelets and a cord necklace. Aviators, a weathered cap and a drawstring beach bag finish it. Women can choose fitted board shorts or layer the tank over a swimsuit for the shoreline. Board shorts dry quickly; a cotton tank doesn't, so for boating or paddleboarding I'd bring a second tank for the ride home.
5. Olive JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Carpenter Pants
Carpenter pants take the JJ look off the sand. An olive tank keeps the heavier canvas wearable on warm days, and cream, tan or faded brown pants with a relaxed straight leg and loop pockets keep the palette earthy. Black canvas high-tops or scuffed work boots, depending on how rugged you want it. A stone pendant, a leather cuff, a canvas belt and a neutral backward cap finish it. Women can go with a cropped olive tank and high-rise carpenters, which keeps the wide pant from making the whole body look boxy. Roll the hems once or twice to show the shoe. This is my travel-day outfit: pockets for everything, nothing that wrinkles badly.
6. Burgundy JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Black Shorts
Burgundy gives the usual sun-bleached palette some depth. Wear a burgundy graphic tank with loose black utility shorts, the kind with deep pockets and a drawstring in sturdy cotton, and you have something you'll repeat all summer. Gray high-tops with slouched white crew socks, a black backward cap, silver rings, braided bracelets and a small canvas messenger bag carry the rest. Pack a light gray hoodie for when it cools and wear it open so the tank still shows. Women can do a slim front tuck for shape. Deep reds do bleed in the first few washes, so wash this tank alone or with darks until the water runs clear.
7. Navy JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Khaki Shorts
Navy and khaki are the tidiest pairing on this list without losing the laid-back attitude. Start with a navy tank with a faded beach, fishing or surf graphic, then tan khaki shorts in a relaxed cut with the hems rolled. Brown lace-up boots make it rugged; low canvas sneakers make it lighter. A faded red backward cap adds contrast, and the bracelet stack and cord necklace keep it from looking too neat. Carry a canvas backpack or a beaten crossbody, never a structured bag. Women can wear high-waisted shorts with a cropped tank to show the waist. I'd take this one on a road trip, since it looks fine at a lunch stop as well as on the beach.
8. Striped JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Denim Cutoffs
Stripes nod to boats without turning the outfit into a sailor costume, as long as they look faded. Go for navy and white, rust and cream, or muted blue stripes rather than crisp high-contrast ones, and pair the tank with distressed cutoffs in a medium or light wash. Brown sport sandals, a woven belt, layered bracelets, a backward canvas cap, simple sunglasses and a slouchy tote are enough. A fitted striped tank over looser shorts gives the contrast between top and bottom that I like. Horizontal stripes do widen, so if that bothers you, choose a narrow stripe and a looser cut. Tie a light sweatshirt at the hips for cooler evenings at the marina.
9. Charcoal JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Black Cargo Pants
For a darker take, put a washed charcoal tank with black cargo pants. Two near-blacks can look flat, so the distressing and the slightly different fades are what keep it interesting. Choose pants with a relaxed fit, adjustable hems and side pockets, then faded gray sneakers or lace-up boots for long walks. Silver rings, a dark cord necklace and a black backward cap round it out. A faded denim shirt tied at the waist adds a layer without crowding the outfit. Women can pick a fitted racerback tank with high-rise cargos for a defined shape. Black pants in full sun get hot, so I save this for summer nights, concerts and city days.
10. Cream JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Brown Work Pants
Cream and brown look sun-faded even when they're new, which is why I like this pairing for someone who hates the distressed look. Choose a cream tank with a small vintage graphic or island print and relaxed brown work pants in lightweight cotton or canvas. Roll the cuffs and add off-white high-tops. A tan cap, a simple pendant, a canvas belt and woven bracelets keep the color story to two shades. Women can tuck the tank fully into high-waisted pants and throw on a cropped overshirt for coverage. Leave the fabrics a bit rumpled. Cream does show sunscreen marks at the neckline, so apply it and let it dry before you dress.
11. Red JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Distressed Jeans
Red gets the loudest of the bunch, so keep it faded: brick, rust or washed crimson, not a bright formal red. Pair it with light-wash distressed jeans in a loose straight leg or boyfriend cut, scuffed canvas sneakers, a neutral backward cap and a plain leather belt. Layered cord necklaces and mixed bracelets make it look collected over time. Cuff the jeans above the ankle, or knot the tank gently at the waist. A canvas backpack keeps it practical. This is the one for days when shorts feel too casual or the wind picks up, like travel days and early fall afternoons.
12. Teal JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Swim Shorts
Teal is the color of the water in half the show, and it reads as beach immediately. Pair a teal surf tank with black, gray or blue swim shorts with a drawstring waist and water-friendly slides or strapped sport sandals. Sunglasses, a cord necklace, waterproof bracelets and a light backpack for sunscreen cover the rest, with a faded cap for shade. Women can wear the tank loose over a one-piece or tucked into fitted swim shorts. If you'll be in and out of the water, choose a polyester or blend tank over plain cotton; cotton holds water and gets heavy and cold once the sun drops. Beach trips, lake weekends and boat rides all suit it.
13. Sand JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Linen Shirt
An open linen shirt over a sand-colored tank is the softer version I'd pack for a nicer dinner. Keep the tank relaxed and choose a white, pale blue or weathered beige button-down on top, with olive cargo shorts or faded khakis underneath. Brown sandals or low canvas sneakers complete the base, plus a pendant under the open shirt, stacked bracelets, sunglasses and a neutral cap. Women can pair a cropped tank with an oversized linen shirt so one fitted piece balances one loose piece. Roll the sleeves to the elbow. The shirt doubles as sun cover for shoulders, which is the part of a tank outfit that burns first.
14. White JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Plaid Shirt
A plaid shirt over a white tank is my answer to coastal weather that swings from warm to windy. Choose a faded green, brown, navy or rust plaid in soft flannel or light cotton and wear it unbuttoned over a ribbed or graphic tank. Worn jeans or cutoffs, depending on the temperature, with brown boots, canvas high-tops or plain sneakers. A backward cap, cord necklace, silver rings and woven bracelets bring the Pogue details. When it heats up, the shirt goes around your waist. Flannel is heavy in a suitcase, so for a trip I'd pack a light cotton plaid instead. It suits travel, outdoor events and evenings near the water.
15. Black JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Gray Hoodie
Cool beach mornings call for a hoodie that still lets the tank show. Start with a black graphic or plain tank and an unzipped gray hoodie with a washed finish and little or no branding. Add tan cargo shorts for contrast, or black utility shorts for a darker palette. Worn white sneakers, a burgundy backward cap and a canvas backpack finish the base, with a pendant and a few braided bracelets peeking out from the sleeves. Women can choose a cropped hoodie with high-rise shorts or keep both layers oversized. A zip hoodie beats a pullover here, because you can open it as the sun warms up without pulling it over your head and losing the cap.
16. Orange JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Utility Shorts
Orange looks sun-washed only when it's muted. Look for clay, burnt orange or dusty coral, never neon, and pair it with charcoal or olive utility shorts that have secure pockets and a relaxed fit. Black sport sandals or gray canvas sneakers ground it. A dark backward cap, woven bracelets, a stone pendant and a small crossbody utility bag are plenty, because the tank already brings the color. Women can choose a fitted orange tank with high-rise shorts or an oversized one with a loose front tuck. Warm oranges also flatter tanned skin late in a vacation, which is when I'd pull this one out for hikes and festivals.
17. Seafoam JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Relaxed Jeans
Seafoam is the gentle option, a green that looks like the shallow end of the ocean. Choose a faded tank with a small surf graphic, a wide neckline or relaxed armholes, and pair it with medium-wash straight jeans that sit loose through the hip and thigh. White canvas sneakers keep it light, and a tan woven belt adds definition. A navy backward cap, layered necklaces, a bracelet stack and a canvas tote finish it. Women can crop or half-tuck the tank to show a high-rise waistband. Cuff the jeans so the ankle shows; full-length denim with pale shoes can look heavy at the bottom. Cooler beach days and shopping trips suit it.
18. Yellow JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Olive Shorts
Yellow only works in this look once it's washed out. Mustard, faded gold or sun-bleached yellow with olive cargo shorts makes an earthy pair that doesn't shout. Brown low-tops or rugged sandals, a faded navy cap, a small pendant, woven bracelets and a canvas backpack keep it outdoorsy. Women can tuck a fitted tank into high-waisted shorts, or wear a loose muscle tank over a sporty bralette. Skip shiny accessories; matte, weathered textures suit it far better than polished gold. Pale yellow is a shade that turns see-through when wet, so this is a picnic and market outfit more than a swim one.
19. Burgundy JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Tan Cargo Pants
Burgundy and tan carry the look into the start of fall. Choose a washed burgundy tank with a small vintage or coastal graphic, and tan cargo pants with a relaxed straight leg and side pockets. Dark brown boots give a sturdy finish, and a black or faded red backward cap keeps the JJ attitude. Layered cord necklaces, mixed rings and a leather bracelet do the rest, with a light plaid shirt tied at the waist or carried for later. Women can wear a fitted tank with high-rise cargos to balance the volume below. Since cargo pants already add bulk at the thigh, I keep the shirt tied at the waist rather than the hips.
20. Oversized JJ Outer Banks Tank Top With Board Shorts
This is the most relaxed outfit here, and the one I'd wear on a boat. Choose a white, gray or faded black tank with deep armholes and a vintage surf-inspired graphic, then blue or green board shorts that peek out just below the tank's hem. Sport sandals, canvas slip-ons or worn sneakers keep it functional, with a backward cap, sunglasses, layered bracelets and a roomy drawstring bag. Women can wear a fitted sports top underneath for coverage or knot one side of the tank. Deep armholes show a lot of side, so the layer underneath should be something you're happy to have seen.
Fading a New Tank So It Looks Lived-In
Most new tanks look too crisp for this look. You can soften one at home without wrecking it, as long as you go gently and leave the graphic alone.
- Wash it several times on warm with a load of towels. Friction and repeated washing break down the surface of cotton and lift some dye, which is how real fade happens.
- Dry it outside in direct sun, inside out first, then the right side out for a final dry. Sunlight fades cotton dye slowly and fairly evenly.
- For worn edges, rub fine sandpaper lightly along the hem and armhole bindings only. Stop as soon as the color lightens; go further and you'll open a hole.
- Keep sandpaper and heat away from screen prints. Plastisol graphics crack in a hot dryer, and sanding them just looks damaged.
I'd skip chlorine bleach on dark tanks. It rarely fades evenly and tends to leave orange or pink blotches on black and navy cotton.
Beach Day Laundry for Cotton Tanks
A week at the coast is hard on a cotton tank. Salt water dries stiff, sand works into the seams, and sunscreen leaves yellowish marks along the neckline and armholes. Some sunscreen ingredients react with minerals in tap water and turn orange in the wash, and chlorine bleach makes those stains worse, not better.
My routine on a trip is simple: shake the tank out well, rinse it in fresh water the same day, and treat any sunscreen marks with a little dish soap before it goes in a proper wash. Hang it to dry rather than leaving it balled in a beach bag, where damp cotton starts to smell within a day. Pack one more tank than you think you need; with all that rinsing, there's always one still drying.
A Washed Tank, a Backward Cap and Shoes That Can Get Wet
One plain sleeveless top can carry a whole summer of these outfits. The convincing ones share the same few things: faded color, practical bottoms, shoes you can walk all day in, and jewelry that looks gathered over time rather than bought as a set. Cargo shorts, board shorts, distressed jeans, work pants, open shirts and worn hoodies all fit the Pogue mood. Copy JJ's loose shapes closely or adapt them with cropped tanks and high-rise bottoms, whichever you'll actually move in. If I were packing for a coast trip, I'd take two tanks, one pair of cargo shorts, one pair of jeans and an open shirt, and rotate them.
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