Suitable
What do you wear under a shirt, jumper or overshirt?
Before you choose an undershirt, first decide whether it may be seen. That depends on what you wear on top:
| Invisible | Visible | |
|---|---|---|
| Worn under | Shirt and polo | Jumper, cardigan, overshirt, gilet, etc. |
| Role of your undershirt | Absorbs sweat and deodorant. | A layer of your outfit. |
| What you see | Nothing, not at the neckline or through the fabric. | An edge at the neckline or the entire shirt. |
| Choose based on | Invisibility and comfort. | Colour, neckline and look. |
Step 1: Choose the colour
Under a white shirt, choose a beige basic T-shirt or a shade that is as close as possible to your skin tone. It sounds contradictory, but a white undershirt contrasts with your skin and therefore shows through the fabric. These are the most popular combinations:
- Under a light blue or striped shirt, beige works just as well.
- Under a black or navy shirt, a black or navy undershirt is the least noticeable.
- Under a jumper, overshirt or gilet, your basic T-shirt can be seen. White adds a fresh accent, navy and black are more subdued and tone-on-tone looks polished.
Step 2: Choose the neckline
The neckline you choose depends on what shows above the collar. Under a shirt, the rule is: the more buttons open, the deeper the neckline. Under a jumper, simply follow its neckline. These are the most stylish combinations:
| Top | Suitable neckline | Best Suitable undershirt |
|---|---|---|
| Shirt with tie | High crew neck | Obra |
| Shirt with top button open | Wide crew neck | Obra |
| Shirt with two buttons open | V-neck | Vitasu |
| Shirt with deep collar | Deep V-neck | Vitaru |
| Crew neck jumper | Crew neck, a narrow edge may show. | Obra or Ota |
| V-neck jumper | V-neck, make sure no edge is visible. | Vitasu |
| Roll neck jumper | Doesn't matter, just keep it thin. | Any basic T-shirt |
Step 3: Choose the sleeves
For most men, an undershirt with short sleeves is the best choice. The sleeves absorb sweat under your armpits, exactly where most sweat stains appear in your shirt or jumper.
A sleeveless undershirt, such as the Viless, is lighter and cooler. It works well under a short-sleeved shirt or polo, because no sleeves peek out underneath. It does not protect against sweat, and the edges can show through a white or thin shirt.
Step 4: Choose the material
The best material depends on the weather, the occasion and how many layers your outfit has:
- Cotton is soft, breathable and easy to care for. It absorbs moisture well, but dries more slowly. Choose T-shirts made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and you know the cotton has been grown and processed under certified organic conditions.
- Bamboo feels soft and cool and fits smoothly to your body. That makes it comfortable under a tailored shirt. Read why more and more men are wearing bamboo or browse our collection of bamboo T-shirts.
- Stretch (elastane) keeps your undershirt in shape and lets it move with you.
Step 5: Mind the fit and length
A good undershirt fits neatly without being tight and stays in place all day. Pay attention to the following:
- A size too big quickly creates folds under your shirt or fine-knit jumper. You notice it straight away, especially with a tailored fit.
- Make sure the sleeves don't peek out from under your shirt sleeves and don't create hard lines on your upper arm.
- A long undershirt won't ride up out of your trousers when you sit down or stretch your arms. Choose our extra long T-shirts for this.
- Wearing your basic T-shirt under an overshirt? Then choose a slightly sturdier cotton quality. It drapes more neatly and keeps its shape longer.
Which undershirt under which garment?
All steps summarised in one overview:
| Top layer | Colour | Neckline | Sleeves |
|---|---|---|---|
| White or light blue shirt | Beige or close to your skin tone | Depends on the number of open buttons | Short sleeves |
| Black or navy shirt | Black or navy | Depends on the number of open buttons | Short sleeves |
| Polo or short-sleeved shirt | Beige or the colour of the polo | V-neck | Sleeveless |
| Crew neck jumper | White, navy or tone-on-tone | Crew neck | Short sleeves |
| V-neck jumper | Tone-on-tone | V-neck | Short sleeves |
| Roll neck jumper or cardigan | Free choice | Free choice | Free choice |
| Overshirt or gilet | White, black, navy or beige | Crew neck | Short sleeves |
Should you always wear an undershirt?
No, but under a dress shirt it is recommended. Without an undershirt, sweat goes straight into your shirt and your skin shows through thin white fabric. On very hot days, or under an airy linen shirt that you wear open, you can easily leave the basic T-shirt out.
