# Male Dopers: Do You Wear Undershirts When Wearing Suits? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 24, 2013, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041 "2013-08-24T07:37:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/61 "2013-08-27T00:54:29Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:58, topic:667041”] My strong opinion is only about what _I_ wear. I really could not care less what _you_ wear. \*\*There is no such rule. There is no right or wrong answer. \*\*We’re talking about fashion here, where everything is arbitrary anyway. Nobody is going to send you home for wearing (or not wearing) an undershirt. [/QUOTE] Agreed. Personally I think the undershirt under a business or formal shirt looks stupid and tacky, besides isn’t wearing an “undershirt” very much a US thing anyway? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/62 "2013-08-27T02:50:56Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Those afraid of your nipples showing: > Do you dudes have hideous, misshapen, scared nipples or is it just a general preference they not be viewed? Cause I get compliments regarding my nips most days. See, that’s just the point - when you’re doing business in your business wear, do you want the target audience listening to what you’re saying, or ogling your awesome nipples? Eyes up _here_, please! ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/63 "2013-08-28T19:35:18Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:58, topic:667041”] My strong opinion is only about what _I_ wear. I really could not care less what _you_ wear. There is no such rule. There is no right or wrong answer. We’re talking about fashion here, where everything is arbitrary anyway. Nobody is going to send you home for wearing (or not wearing) an undershirt. [/QUOTE] Not true. One of my team managers sent one of her sales reps home for wearing a too-sheer blouse with neither slip nor bra underneath. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/64 "2013-08-28T19:46:22Z")
Yes, I do. I wear an undershirt any time I wear a collared shirt and sometimes under a graphic tee depending on the temp and my needs. It’s your choice to wear an undershirt or not but it is more noticeable than you might think and usually makes an otherwise smart outfit look slightly schlumpy. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/65 "2013-08-28T21:04:17Z")
[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:53, topic:667041”] So your philosophy is that hot conditions may make you sweat, so you’ll add another layer of clothing (which makes you hotter and sweatier)? And as for offending others, why is a sweaty undershirt less offensive than a sweaty shirt? [/QUOTE] A sweaty undershirt is less offensive to others when worn under a shirt and suit because it is one more layer removed from the public. One more layer = less offensive. Not that hard to figure out. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/66 "2013-08-28T21:07:35Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Yes, I do. I wear an undershirt any time I wear a collared shirt and sometimes under a graphic tee depending on the temp and my needs. > > It’s your choice to wear an undershirt or not but it is more noticeable than you might think and usually makes an otherwise smart outfit look slightly schlumpy. Since this thread has started, I’ve been looking at my colleagues in suits. Even some Mormons. I can’t, for the life of me, tell who is wearing undershirts and who isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/67 "2013-08-28T21:14:47Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Of course I wear an undershirt. Are we barbarians? Well, yes: of course we are. But there’s nothing that says we need be poorly dressed barbarians. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/68 "2013-08-28T21:32:01Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Since this thread has started, I’ve been looking at my colleagues in suits. Even some Mormons. I can’t, for the life of me, tell who is wearing undershirts and who isn’t. I’m not going to say that I am infallible at determining underclothing. But it is often clear that some men think they are getting away with going undershirtless when they are not. Shirts they think are opaque are not, nipples they think are smoothed out are not and pit stains they think are not visible are. If they’re wearing a blazer or suitjacket, yeah, it’s not noticeable, but just a light colored shirt? Yeah, it’s usually pretty obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2013, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/69 "2013-08-28T21:47:12Z")
I always wear an undershirt under a dress (i.e. long sleeve button-down) shirt, regardless of the formality the situation. It’s my normal work attire (no tie/coat), but I do the same in a suit and tie. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/70 "2013-08-29T00:05:45Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Since this thread has started, I’ve been looking at my colleagues in suits. Even some Mormons. I can’t, for the life of me, tell who is wearing undershirts and who isn’t. “Psst, Jimmy…keep an eye on Procrustus. I swear I’ve noticed him staring at my nipples! Seriously!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/71 "2013-08-29T03:19:01Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Since this thread has started, I’ve been looking at my colleagues in suits. Even some Mormons. I can’t, for the life of me, tell who is wearing undershirts and who isn’t. That may be an indication that all of them are. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![DataX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/72 "2013-08-29T03:58:04Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Since this thread has started, I’ve been looking at my colleagues in suits. Even some Mormons. I can’t, for the life of me, tell who is wearing undershirts and who isn’t. That’s why it’s magical. I think ideally you shouldn’t be able to tell. I don’t like shirt fabric thin enough where you can clearly see the underwear underneath, but I’d much rather that - than my nipple and body hair showing through. Back to the rest of it… I know people are entrenched in their positions, but I think nipples just don’t go with a tie. If you are hiding your shirt buttons with a tie - hide your nipples with an undershirt. I’m not traumatized by the sight of your nipples - it just takes away from the sleekness of a dress shirt - or really any shirt for that matter. I don’t get the temperature argument either. To me - there is a fine line between comfortable - and too hot. The undershirt doesn’t make much of a diff. Under 72 or so - comfortable with two layers - no problem. I’d take suit jacket off when outdoors/driving. Over 80 - probably going to be hot no matter what - especially in a suit. Having an undershirt doesn’t really take away from this - it evaporates little beads of sweat so they don’t show through on the dress shirt. Larger pools of sweat - it isn’t going to help. I don’t recall ever thinking - gosh it’s hot - if I just got rid of this undershirt I’d be much cooler. I do buy linen/cotton blended shirts for hotter days - cause they make me feel cooler, but I still wear an undershirt. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/73 "2013-08-29T04:55:29Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’m frequently in court, dressed formally. Never wear an undershirt. Never been a problem. Never noticed if others do or not. I’m also in court regularly. Since I’m already wearing three layers (wing shirt with tabs; sleeved waistcoat over the shirt; gown over the waistcoat), I don’t think there’s going to be any visible nipple action if I don’t wear an undershirt. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![indyvet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b77776/32.png) [@indyvet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/indyvet)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/74 "2013-08-29T14:48:35Z")
I wear a sleeveless undershirt every day, regardless of the over shirt. Exceptions for working in the yard or the shop, in which case I only wear the sleeveless shirt, with no over shirt. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/75 "2013-08-29T15:40:37Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Since this thread has started, I’ve been looking at my colleagues in suits. Even some Mormons. I can’t, for the life of me, tell who is wearing undershirts and who isn’t. [It’s likely safe to assume that the Mormons are.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment) ---
**Author:** ![Alba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea666f/32.png) [@Alba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alba)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/76 "2013-08-30T10:47:17Z")
I wear a suit and tie for work every day and I never put on an under-shirt. I have quality shirts that don’t show nipples or skin even though some are made from very thin fabric. If I get pit stains I buy new shirts. I was told you never wear an under-shirt. Plus I prefer it. So don’t buy under-shirts and spend the money to buy quality shirts. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/77 "2013-08-30T12:09:37Z")
> [@Alba](#): > > If I get pit stains I buy new shirts. … So don’t buy under-shirts and spend the money to buy quality shirts. Undershirts are a lot cheaper and easier to clean that good dress shirts. And what happens when you get those pit stains out in public? It’s much better to have the undershirt catch it than let it show through to your shirt. > [@](#): > > I was told you never wear an under-shirt. You were told? By whom? ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/78 "2013-08-30T22:04:02Z")
> [@Alba](#): > > If I get pit stains I buy new shirts. I was told you never wear an under-shirt. Plus I prefer it. > > So don’t buy under-shirts and spend the money to buy quality shirts. So you can afford to keep replacing your quality dress shirts, but $5 for a 3-pack of undershirts at Target would break you? Even though the chief impact of the purchase would be you’d _stop_ ruining your more expensive dress shirts with sweat stains, which is the purpose of undershirts in the first place? Well, it makes as much sense as anything else in this thread… ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2013, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/79 "2013-08-30T22:35:15Z")
The purpose of wearing an undershirt is to avoid ruining more expensive dress shits with sweat stains? That’s news to me. So, if I don’t ruin my dress shirts, or if I buy new ones every week, then I’m not committing a fashion felony? ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041/80 "2013-08-31T00:24:50Z")
Other; I’m intensely allergic to suits/formalwear/anything with a hangman’s noose, err, neckwear Haven’t worn a suit or tie for at least 25 years, have no plans to start ever again [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-dopers-do-you-wear-undershirts-when-wearing-suits/667041.md?page=5)