We will cover more specifics, but as a general rule of thumb for formal environments, if it's extremely hot outside you can skip the undershirt, but otherwise wear it. Just make sure you don't show it. Showing an undershirt is akin to showing your underwear.
When wearing a dress shirt, it is imperative that you also have an undershirt if you want your dress shirt to last longer. As mentioned, undershirts are a protective layer against sweat, stains, and odors. A V-neck undershirt gives you that sweat protection while remaining unseen even when the top button is undone.
Undershirts Make You Look Better
If you don't wear an undershirt under it, it won't look so crisp. That's because the stark white of that dress shirt is probably getting muted by your skin.
It's not necessarily unprofessional to go without an undershirt, as long as your dress shirt is not see-through and you are comfortable. However, bear in mind that an undershirt can prevent sweat stains on your outer shirt.
Without an undershirt, your body's perspiration will absorb into your dress shirt and suit, making you feel clammy and uncomfortable. However, if you wear a moisture-wicking undershirt, this won't happen.
Men sometimes wear an undershirt and sometimes don't. Whether you should wear one depends on the weather, the button down shirt, and your personal preferences.
As well, undershirts are important in maintaining a professional appearance. Light materials and light-colored dress shirts can become see-through in some lighting. Wearing an undershirt helps to avoid embarrassment, while still looking professional and stylish.
Reduces Fabric Wear
You want your clothes to last as long as possible, but without an undershirt, your garments may wear and tear sooner rather than later.
An undershirt may be worn to protect the body from stiff or otherwise uncomfortable fabric. It also makes dress shirts less transparent, to reduce the amount of sweat absorbed by the shirt's fabric. It can be worn during winter months as an extra layer of warmth, and reduces wear on the upper layers of clothing.
The term wife-beater reportedly became synonymous for an undershirt after a 1947 criminal case where a Detroit man was arrested for beating his wife to death, and newspapers printed a photo of the "wife beater" wearing a stained undershirt.
Yep! You sure can. Just as you can wear an overcoat casually or wear dress pants casually, so too can dress shirts be worn casually. Think about it like this: while the dress shirt itself may be more of a formal garment, it is just one of the many components of your outfit.
Never wear an undershirt when wearing a polo shirt because they do not mix well together. The undershirt could slide out or slip out from the sleeve and that is not going to look good on you. There are frequent instances that the slipping out part of the undershirt could show some crumpled areas.
The best dress shirts fit comfortably around the chest, under the armpits, and across the upper back, giving you a full range of motion. A fitted shirt will feel snug, but not too tight. Your chest should "fill out" the shirt in a way where your body is discernible under the fabric.
The basic purpose of an undershirt is to absorb your sweat. It's there to provide a defensive layer between your body and your more expensive clothing. A good undershirt can also provide insulation when needed, and some are worn to “compress” the figure in a slimming attempt.
Think Thick, Not Thin (Shirts, That Is)
If your nipples tend to be more prominent, wear a dress shirt that's made from a thicker material and is darker in color. Thin, light colored shirts will naturally appear more translucent, and will show off what you'd rather hide.
Undershirts do not make you sweat more. In fact, they absorb the sweat before it can reach your outer clothing. The space between clothing layers allows for air circulation, allowing the sweat to evaporate before either shirt gets too wet.
Premium undershirts are often made with materials much more breathable than cotton. Micro modal is a common premium fabric that's silky soft while also delivering maximum breathability to keep you cool.
It is clear that a good mens undershirt is a wardrobe essential for any man who wants to stay comfortable, look great, and protect his clothing. Some of the best things about undershirts are that they absorb sweat, provide support, keep you warm in winter, hide body hair, and help with body odor.
As you may have guessed, this category of clothing should be washed after each use. "You should always wash undershirts, underwear, and socks after every use because these pieces of clothing are in very close contact with your skin and sweat," says Dr.
If your shirt doesn't have visible tails, there's more leeway on whether you should leave it tucked or untucked: Undershirts — These can always be tucked, and absolutely should be if there's any chance of them poking out from beneath your other layers.
The dress shirt collar should fit comfortably without being too loose. As tight or snug as possible without being uncomfortable. You should be able to fit 1-2 fingers between the collar and your neck when it is buttoned. You should not have a large gap showing between the collar and neck.
The buttons should not be pulling across your chest or rib cage, not even a little. Remember, when you sit down, they will pull even more, so you'll want to leave a little room to grow here. If the shirt is too big, you will see excess fabric building up around the sides of your waist.
You don't want it to be too tight as you will feel constricted. You also don't want it to be too loose as that will cause excessive bunching, making you look sloppy. An undershirt should fit snug enough like a glove, and with small armholes. It should also be long enough to stay tucked in.
How many undershirts should a guy have? It really depends on your lifestyle. If you wear a suit and tie every day, you should have at least two weeks worth of undershirts. This will cover you for travel or lags in your weekly laundry.