is wearing a shirt without an undershirt improper for the golden era?

[tealseal]

Good question. My personal quest for the perfect T-shirt has been not so successful. I need a long model. I want a neck that lasts more than three wearings, and it has to be cotton with no tags. I've gone through about every brand I can find in the US. I've got to the point where I might have to try some of the expensive imported stuff.

Though I've usually bought the tagless Hanes at Target (the ones that come 4/bag for something like $15), I've been picking up these at 1 or 2 a month. Might not work for you due to your cotton criterion, however they are brilliantly comfortable; I doubt I'll go back to cotton.

 

[DoubleXX]

Personal choice, again. I can't imagine anything viler than going out in the heat and having a shirt sticking to me for want of an underlayer.

-You needn't fret about that with a vintage rayon aloha shirt.....the rayon used in the 40/50 "silkies" (and modern Sun Surf ones) actually feels cool and smooth in the summer heat. Wearing an undershirt with one is redundant and quite frankly, nerdish. You might as well tuck your shirts in and wear sandals w/knee-high black socks to complete the look.

 

[Rathdown]

I prefer V or U front t-shirts pretty much year around as they do not show when one's collar is open, and wick moisture away from one's body in hot weather.

 

[Edward]

-You needn't fret about that with a vintage rayon aloha shirt.....the rayon used in the 40/50 "silkies" (and modern Sun Surf ones) actually feels cool and smooth in the summer heat. Wearing an undershirt with one is redundant and quite frankly, nerdish. You might as well tuck your shirts in and wear sandals w/knee-high black socks to complete the look.

Never had the pleasure of finding an affordable vintage one I'd be comfortable wearing out. Nerdish is, again, a matter of personal taste.... and I wouldn't be seen dead in either sandals or any form of trouser short enough to reveal the length of my socks.

 

[Chasseur]

I have actually been thinking about this very topic over the past couple of weeks. It's been so warm here this summer and I have become very aware of sweating through dress shirts. Now the tough question: who makes a good mid-weight undershirt that doesn't look, feel and wear like a cheap dust rag in waiting? I am looking for 100% cotton with a collar that does not streatch-out or roll?

This might sound odd, but I've had some really good luck with those value packs of undershirts at Costco. Really good quality that stand up to sweat and many washings.

 

[DoubleXX]

Never had the pleasure of finding an affordable vintage one I'd be comfortable wearing out. Nerdish is, again, a matter of personal taste.... and I wouldn't be seen dead in either sandals or any form of trouser short enough to reveal the length of my socks.

-You ought to check out Sun Surf (Japan) shirts....easily the best repro aloha shirts made today, and quite affordable at around USD$100 & up:


http://www.sunsurf.jp/index.html

You can find them new and used on ebay as well.

 

[MikePotts]

This might sound odd, but I've had some really good luck with those value packs of undershirts at Costco. Really good quality that stand up to sweat and many washings.

Also check out:

http://www.511tactical.com/All-Products/Shirts/T-Shirts/Utili-T-Crew-Three-Pack.html

All cotton, minimal shrinkage, thin material, excellent collars.

 

[Hal]

...I've been wearing short sleeve three button henleys...

See the thread "Depression Era Clothing" for extensive information on henleys. The style is very old-fashioned, but perhaps none the worse for that.

 

[jamespowers]

No undershirt here---ever. I got tired of wearing them when I was eight and haven't worn one since. Then again, I don't sweat much at all. It has to be blazing hot for me to sweat so it works out fine for me.
I never wear really thin dress shirts anyway so you can't see through them and a t-shirt just feels too confining to me.[huh]

 

[samtemporary]

I always wear an undershirt. In South Florida, it's typically over 85 year-round. The cotton undershirt keeps my dress shirt from sticking to my sweaty (although handsome) body. Avoids embarrassing underarm stains, too. In my opinion, there's nothing more distasteful than seeing a man's sweaty, hairy chest through his dress shirt.

 

[jamespowers]

I always wear an undershirt. In South Florida, it's typically over 85 year-round. The cotton undershirt keeps my dress shirt from sticking to my sweaty (although handsome) body. Avoids embarrassing underarm stains, too. In my opinion, there's nothing more distasteful than seeing a man's sweaty, hairy chest through his dress shirt.

You sweat far too easily.
I don't have the whole hairy like a monkey problem either. lol lol

 

[ButteMT61]

Henleys are fine with a casual shirt, but not a dress shirt (for me).
Still looking for that perfect Tee...

 

[green papaya]

-Indeed...few things look more ridiculous than an undershirt worn with an aloha shirt.

that makes sense, it would look silly wearing a loose fitting Aloha / Tommy Bahama shirt with a white under shirt

I think a tank top type undershirt or wife beater would look OK for wearing inside a aloha style shirt and you could also wear the shirt unbuttoned

 

[Tango Yankee]

Henleys are fine with a casual shirt, but not a dress shirt (for me).
Still looking for that perfect Tee...

I wear long V-neck undershirts from Jockey. I've never found them in the store; had to do a search online to find what I wanted. I found them here and buy them directly from Jockey. A bit pricey, but I've found them worth the cost.

Hope this helps!

Tom

 

[ButteMT61]

I wear long V-neck undershirts from Jockey. I've never found them in the store; had to do a search online to find what I wanted. I found them here and buy them directly from Jockey. A bit pricey, but I've found them worth the cost.Hope this helps!Tom

Thanks Tom! Appreciate it.

 

[Doublegun]

Just ordered a couple of packs from 511. Review to follow.

 

[samtemporary]

My drill instructor also beat it into us that a Marine always wore an undershirt (although not technically required by the uniform regs). Let's just say he was a very persuasive individual.

 

[TomS]

Semper Fi, Devil Dog! Third Marines here!!!

 

[Edward]

I think a tank top type undershirt or wife beater would look OK for wearing inside a aloha style shirt and you could also wear the shirt unbuttoned

I've seen that look done a lot on the jive scene over here. Makes a lot of sense in that context. Had I never experienced it myself I'd have found it hard to believe how sweaty a dance floor can get - despite my younger days as an habitual fixture in various moshpit / slam / stage diving environments.

-You ought to check out Sun Surf (Japan) shirts....easily the best repro aloha shirts made today, and quite affordable at around USD$100 & up:


http://www.sunsurf.jp/index.html

You can find them new and used on ebay as well.

Fair bit more than I'd normally spend on a casual shirt, but I'll certainly look into it. Going to the Rhythm Riot for the first time this year, and I gather one night there is, traditionally, Eloha night.Thanks.

 

[Jimmy Vickers]

For me it is based upon several things. If the weather is hot, then no t-shirt. But if a man sweats profusely, then it might be appropriate. In Winter, I wear them routinely. The thing I hate to see is a shirt with thin fabric and the undershirt showing through...much like see a man's shorts through light colored trousers (or for that matter a woman's drawers!) Also dark skinned people should consider wearing darker undergarments to minimize the contrast in these situations. The bottom line for me is that I hate seeing people's underwear through their clothing.