What To Wear Under a Dress Shirt — Our Guide to Undershirts
Is wearing an undershirt under your dress shirt really necessary? It might seem counterintuitive, especially when the mercury rises. But trust us, there’s more to this style essential than meets the eye.
We teamed up with Leigh McKenzie, the Owner of UnderFit.com, for his thoughts on this question. McKenzie emphasizes, “A quality undershirt is the unsung hero of a man’s wardrobe. It’s not just about tradition—it’s about comfort, protection, and looking your absolute best.”
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover:
- Why undershirts are crucial (even in 2024)
- How these hidden heroes can dramatically improve your look and comfort
- Expert tips on choosing the perfect undershirt for any occasion
- Our top undershirt picks for every budget and preference
Let’s dive into the world of undershirts and uncover why they’re the secret weapon in every well-dressed man’s arsenal.
The Undershirt Dilemma
For many men today, undershirts might seem like a relic of the past, something their grandfathers wore but that’s no longer relevant. After all, why add an extra layer, especially when it’s sweltering outside?
But here’s the truth: Undershirts are more relevant than ever in 2024. They’re the unsung heroes of a well-dressed man’s wardrobe, playing a crucial role that goes far beyond mere tradition.
Why Undershirts Matter
1. Sweat Management: Your Personal Climate Control
Job number one for an undershirt? Sweat management. Think of an undershirt as your personal towel boy, constantly working to keep you dry and comfortable.
Here’s how undershirts tackle the sweat problem:
- Absorption: They soak up sweat before it reaches your dress shirt.
- Wicking: Quality undershirts pull moisture away from your skin, allowing it to evaporate faster.
- Protection: They create a barrier between your body and your dress shirt, preserving the life of your finer garments.
The result? No more embarrassing sweat stains, no river running down your back, and no damp, clingy dress shirts. You stay cool, dry, and confident all day long.
Pro Tip: In cooler months, undershirts pull double duty. They add an extra layer of warmth without bulking up your look with heavy outer layers.
2. The “Crisp Shirt” Effect: Elevating Your Style Game
Ever wonder why some men always look impeccably put-together, even in a simple white dress shirt? The secret often lies in what you can’t see – a well-chosen undershirt.
Here’s how undershirts enhance your appearance:
- Smoothing: Creates a sleek base layer, eliminating lumps and bumps for a more polished silhouette.
- Brightening: A white undershirt can make your white dress shirts appear even crisper and brighter.
- Concealing: Hides chest hair, back hair, or tattoos for a more professional look when needed.
- Preventing Show-Through: Adds an extra layer of opacity, especially crucial with lighter colored dress shirts.
Choosing the Right Undershirt: A Step-by-Step Guide
Selecting the perfect undershirt isn’t rocket science, but there are a few key factors to consider:
1. Fabric Matters
Different materials offer different benefits:
- Cotton: Classic comfort and breathability, but tends to retain moisture.
- Synthetic Blends: Superior moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties.
- Modal: Ultra-soft feel with good moisture management.
- Bamboo: Eco-friendly option with natural odor-resistant properties.
2. Fit is King
The right fit can make or break your undershirt experience:
- Aim for a snug but not restrictive fit.
- Avoid excess fabric that can bunch up under your dress shirt.
- Consider length – you want an undershirt that stays tucked in throughout the day.
3. Neckline Navigation
Choose your neckline based on how you’ll wear your dress shirt:
- V-neck: Ideal for open collar shirts or when you want to keep your undershirt hidden.
- Crew neck: Best for ties and fully buttoned-up looks.
- Tank top: Maximum ventilation, but risky with light-colored or thin dress shirts.
4. Color Considerations
While white is the classic choice, don’t discount other options:
- White: Versatile, works under most shirts, enhances brightness of white dress shirts.
- Grey or Nude: Can be less visible under light-colored shirts than white.
- Black or Navy: Good choices for darker dress shirts.
Our Top Picks for 2024
We’ve done the legwork to bring you the best undershirt options for every preference and budget:
1. Best Overall: UnderFit
- Price: $34 (or 3 for $87)
- Why we love it: Combines comfort, performance, and invisibility for the ultimate undershirt experience.
- Details:
- Options available in v-neck and crew neck styles
- 57% TENCEL™ Modal / 38% Lyocell / 5% Lycra (Spandex) blend
- Excellent moisture-wicking properties
- Moisture-wicking and odor-resistant properties
- Slim fit design contours to your body without being restrictive
2. Best Performance Option: Mack Weldon Undershirt
- Price: $38.00
- Why we love it: High-tech fabric blend that offers stretch without shrinkage and excellent sweat-wicking.
- Details:
- Available in crew neck and v-neck styles
- 50% Polyamide / 33% Polyester / 17% Elastane
- Stays tucked and retains shape wear after wear
3. Best Value Option: UNIQLO AIRISM $14.90
- Price: $9.90
- Why we love it: Affordable yet high-performing, with innovative cooling technology and an ultra-thin material.
- Details:
- Available in crew neck, v-neck, and tank styles
- 89% polyester, 11% spandex blend
- Excellent moisture-wicking properties
- AIRism technology for superior breathability
The Undershirt Faux Pas: What to Avoid
While we’re singing the praises of undershirts, it’s worth noting a few pitfalls to avoid:
- The Visible Undershirt: If you’re wearing an open-neck dress shirt, make sure your undershirt isn’t peeking out. Opt for a v-neck to stay incognito.
- The Compression Shirt Trap: While some men turn to compression shirts or “mirdles” for a slimming effect, we advise against this. Not only can overly tight garments pose health risks, but they’re also no substitute for well-fitted clothing.
- The Baggy Undershirt: An ill-fitting, loose undershirt can bunch up under your dress shirt, creating unsightly lumps and bumps. Always aim for a snug, smooth fit.
The Bottom Line: Undershirts Are Your Style Foundation
Investing in quality undershirts is like building a strong foundation for a house. It might not be immediately visible, but it makes everything else look and feel better.
Remember:
- Choose the right fabric for your needs and the weather
- Nail the fit – snug but not restrictive
- Match the neckline to your shirt style and how you plan to wear it
- Don’t shy away from trying different colors beyond classic white
By mastering the art of the undershirt, you’ll join the ranks of well-dressed men who understand that true style starts from the inside out. It’s a small detail that can make a big difference in how you look and feel throughout the day.
Now it’s your turn: What’s your go-to undershirt brand? Have you experienced the difference a good undershirt can make? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
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Hi there,
I love your style ideas as they are practical while keeping the classic rules at the same time.
But here is one riddle to decipher.
My style is smart casual and I like to wear casual vests.
Now there is a tendency in Europe to use a skin tone undershirt
to avoid the white transparent undershirt to be visible on the upper arm as currently
it is considered embarassing when you wear a waistcoat. I myself hate when the tone of the undeshirt
changes that of the dress shirt, even colored ones.
On the other hand is it unstylish to let the undershirt be seen when wearing a vest?
Looking for your idea on that.
Does anyone have any suggestions for acquiring quality undershirts in Canada? Would a three pack from Wal-Mart be worth acquiring? This article has really sold me on the topic, but unfortunately none of the suggestions are available in Canada (at least without paying truly exorbitant shipping).
Where’s RibbedTee? 😉
Another contender arises!
Here’s a link for those who are curious.
I’m a fan of RibbedTee personally. They are a little more expensive side in my opinion for undershirts, but their customer service was great when one started to come apart they sent me two more for free without any questions. Can’t beat that!
Sucks that it started to come apart, but glad to see it was handled well, Jason. Count another one in the Ribbed Tee camp.
One disagreement: crew neck. Seeing a white crew neck t-shirt peak out of the top of a dress shirt like a gopher out of a hole, or Mr. Wilson from Home Improvement peering over the fence, reminds me of socks with birkenstocks. Awful look. Either go V neck or button up all the way.
I wear Hanes tagless slim fit V-necks. Fit like a glove and last a long time. Also, Michael Jordan personally rips the tag off each of them (see commercials). 3 packs are $12 or so.
We’re on the same page about a crew neck under an open-collared shirt, Brian (see the end of Paradox #2). The undershirt should truly be a “stealth” fighter. But for those who wear ties more often than not, a crew neck covers the top of the chest nicely.
As for MJ personally ripping off the tags, that’s some serious customer service, right there!
I share your frustration Ricardo! I too hate that my undershirts can be too short for tucking after the first wash. But all in all, I love the article and is something the younger gents need to get behind. I was especially impressed to hear the part about wearing v-necks with open collared button downs. I’ve been doing this for a few years now thinking it looked good; who knew it was also functional! Besides, I wear an undershirt under my t-shirts for crying out loud!
Undershirts under T-shirts! LOL. What’s next undershirts under your undershirts? (We kid, but it’s all love, Eric.)
Sounds like you’ve been with the program on undershirts from day one. Hopefully we gave you a few things to think about when it comes to fit and fabric. Let us know if you give any of the above a try.
How to avoid stains coming from deodorants?
Two words, Christian (well…one word and one syllable): Deo-go. Your undershirts will protect your dress shirts and Deo-go will protect your undershirts.
Thanks for the advice, i’ve switched to gray or black undershirts due to underarm stains but now i’ll give a try to Deo-go.
Any advice for non-white undershirts?
Sure thing, Christian.
The Mr. Davis shirt comes in a “Tone” color that works well for the guy who wants the undershirt to look more like his skin. Of course, if you’re dark-skinned or pale this option may not work for you, but it’ll likely be closer to your skin tone than white.
I just got the Mr. Davis V-Neck in Tone (2 for $36) and it does not show under your lighter dress shirts which is nice. The v-neck is deep enough that it does not show when your shirt is unbuttoned.
I also have some Tommy John undershirts. Both brands are long, fit well, do not bunch and do not come untucked.
If the Mr. Davis hold up in the wash, they will be my go to undershirt.
I have never tried Deo-go, but OxiClean Gel Sticks always works for me.
Glad we could help, David. No fabric muffin tops for you!
And thanks for the rec. on the OxiClean. We’ll check out the sticks.
I was excited when I saw this in my email, but I need a muscle shirt style undershirt (not a WB). The sleeves on a short sleeve undershirt ride up on me to the shoulders. I am a 6′ tall and 189 lb avid mtn and road biker. I sweat a lot and have to wear an undershirt. Was hoping you would offer that style.
As their name suggests, muscle shirts are for showing off muscles at the gym. We don’t recommend wearing them as undershirts. If sleeve length is a problem that’s a sign of a poor fit. Sizing up may help, though it may cause other problems (like too much fabric at the waist causing a muffin top).
The Mack Weldon shirt we showed above has a longer sleeve and a slim mid-section that might be just what the doctor ordered.
OK… so I hate most undershirts because:
a) They’re too freakin’ short. This drives me INSANE. NUCLEAR INSANE!
b) They start long enough, but after shrinking, end up at (a).
c) They’re too baggy. So I buy a size under to get a tight fit, and then (b) and (a) happen.
d) They stick to the outer clothes, bunching them up. Looks better without them.
Of course, I’ve never tried a premium undershirt, but I need to wear one. Too sweaty to get away with it.
Out of the ones above… which are the best for the situations about?
Another thing… tank tops. I know it’s a no-no for a white shirt, but for a dark shirt or a polo they work well. Sometimes I find v-necks still show if the collar is undone, as I don’t always wear a tie. This is the case for polo’s mostly. While I’ve found tank-tops to be a better fit than most V/Crew necks (length-wise), I find the ribs and the material also bunch up shirts.
So what’s the perfect freaking shirt?
a) Long enough to cover my knees (this is frustration speaking, not seriously that long)
b) Won’t shrink (actually, I don’t care if it shrinks horizontally, just not VERTICALLY)
c) Won’t stick to the outer clothes
d) Has a tight fit so I don’t have lumps and bags under my shirt.
Kind of sounds like the Mack’s above would be like this… but I’d want to know before spending $32 a shirt to have to chuck them.
Great points Ricardo. You’re right, the Mack Weldon undershirts should fit you nicely:
a) Longer length, so they stay tucked in
b) Minimal shrinkage – They call it “18-hour Jersey” because the fabric sits unrolled for 18 hours before it’s cut. This way it can naturally expand and breathe before it’s cut into the shirt, instead of changing shape after.
c) Slim fit – designed to fit close, but not tight.
d) The cotton + modal blend keeps these smooth for months of constant wear
I’ve had a dozen for 18 months and they hold up very well.
Brian’s points about the Mack Weldon shirt are all good ones. We can attest to them all. It is an investment in your style, but it’s not a risky investment. We say go for it.
As for the V-neck thing, the Mr. Davis shirt has a deeper V-neck than others. So if that’s an issue for you, you may want to deprive a few pandas of a meal (they’re all pretty fat anyway) and get a bamboo undershirt from Mr. Davis.