The Great (and dumb) Undershirt Debate

This is by far the strangest blog post yet but in an attempt to share more of my strange world with you I thought I would let you in on a conversation/debate I am having with my friend who shall remain nameless (we will call her Andrea) about the proper usage of undershirts for men.   Please give your two cents and leave a comment.  I don't care if you use a fake name to protect your identity....just play along!

I happen to think that it is really gross when men wear nice button up shirts open halfway down their chest and no shirt underneath, which is very common here in South Florida I have noticed.   Now guys, don't get offended if you do this.  This is just a personal opinion!!
 
I happen to think that if a guy is going to wear a nice shirt somewhat open, then he has to have a shirt underneath; otherwise its sleazy looking.  My friend "Andrea" thinks that is it old fashioned to wear undershirts.  And it is too hot to wear undershirts in SoFlo and in Latin America in general.  

I think that undershirts are not old fashioned, they are necessary and typify a classy guy who knows how to dress. 

What do you think?  Are they necessary?  Are they old fashioned?  Are they classy?  Are they for wife-beaters?  Does it need to be the tank top kind or the t-shirt kind?  Are they all goofy?  Is it ever ok to wear just an undershirt? 

I know that in the end none of it matters, but I love a good debate between friends so I'm keeping it going.   Bring it on!!

Comments

[Janie Mehaffey]

Undershirt all the way, sister! And as far as SoFlo being too hot ... all the more reason for one. It soaks up the sweat and slows down the "pitting out" look.

[Jenn]

They HAVE to wear an undershirt. That is just gross if they don't...especially if they have a hairy chest. Gross. Maybe it's just the southern girl in me but I agree with you.

[Lori]

hmmm - I dunno. Here's what I think. If he is gonna wear the shirt open with an undershirt - it should be unbuttoned all the way down with the cuffs rolled up. Otherwise, leave it buttoned. Or take it off all together. I don't like seeing the undershirt with the collar open. (at least I don't think I do)

All I know about what's proper is that you do not wear white shoes before Easter or after Labor Day. THAT is southern for sure.

[Lori]

hmmm - I dunno. Here's what I think. If he is gonna wear the shirt open with an undershirt - it should be unbuttoned all the way down with the cuffs rolled up. Otherwise, leave it buttoned. Or take it off all together. I don't like seeing the undershirt with the collar open. (at least I don't think I do)

All I know about what's proper is that you do not wear white shoes before Easter or after Labor Day. THAT is southern for sure.

[Jenn]

I agree with you.
Erin...have you ever got this many comments from one blog. :)

[Jennifer Emrich Howell]

Per your Facebook request:
Undershirts are totally necessary...especially if your husband has a hairy chest (I'm speaking of my own hubby here, of course). Think Magnum PI: now that is definitely a look that is out of date!

[Jason]

Erin,
I think generally your right. As a hairy chested guy, I learned quickly that an undershirt is important. Lori's comment has generally been the rule I've followed here. However Latin americans don't usually wear undershirts period. They also have a completely different understanding of shirt or no shirt. Many of them consider removing the shirt completely the equivalent of a man unbottoning his shirt half-way. In other words the sleazy guy takes off his shirt while the respectable man unbottons it. I think the misfortune of the 70s is why we view partially buttoned the way we do. I've also found that when I wear "A styke undershirts versus a whole t shirt that some women blatantly stare at my chest (for better or worse I don't know). I think chest hair is a bit like cleavage. It can be sexy or it can be really inappropriate or a distraction. When I travel to Latin america I tend to show more chest hair b/c its acceptable though rarely at church. Wow, weird topic. I think in Miami you have a blend of Western and Latin culture. If you watch carefully though I'll bet you see the guys that have to be proffesionally dressed for work showing less even if they are Latino.

[Tug]

Hi Erin,

If you think this topic is weird, you should visit my site :)

First off, I think that undershirts have their place and purpose. Which basically means, sometimes you wear them, sometimes you don't.

I agree with Lori here. When wearing any kind of undershirt (tank or regular), keep your shirt buttoned up, unbuttoned all the way down, or take off the undershirt.

While I don't do it myself, I can also live with shirts being unbutton half-way down when there's no chest hair (naturally or naired/shaved). The sleaziness factor is truly dependent on the wearer :)

Take care,
Tug (the undershirt guy)

[Melinda]

I'm a fan of undershirts myself. Also, I like the t-shirt kind versus the tank/wife beater kind.

[Jose Lopez]

I wear undershirts, especially in the summer to help with the sweat. My family in Mexico split about 50/50, some went without, some went with. While I don't like the no shirt look, it's really what the wearer decides they want to do.

[GN]

I never used to wear undershirts at all, until I started a job where wearing one was mandatory as part of the uniform. At first I hated it, and could wait for the day to end to take it off. Gradually I got used to it, to the point of wearing one and forgetting I had it on. Now I wear one everyday no matter what kind of main/outer shirt I am wearing. If my laundry has fallen behind, I feel naked, kind of like going "commando". I have a drawer full of T-shirt and A-shirt styles, what ever I happen to grab in the morning is what I wear, no hard fast rule as to which style...

[Thomas]

Do both! The JT from Collected Threads (collectedthreads.com) will satisfy Andrea because the ultra low neck will be invisible. And, you can sweat it up because it still has sleeves!

[Brooke]

Erin! I personally like the look of a bare chest unless, of course, it looks more like a halloween horror flick starring the werewolf...but i do see the necessity in hot weather to, as previous bloggers posted, 'soak up' the sweat! Ha ha. Can't wait to see you tonight!

[Rob]

Undershirts suck. I love wearing my white dress shirt fully unbuttoned and pulled free (not tucked in) on a hot summer day. The breeze on my chest/stomach is a nice feeling.

[Modern stay at home Mom]

I don't let my husband leave the house without wearing an appropriate undershirt. If he is wearing a shirt with an open collar, a V neck T shirt type undershirt. If he is buttoned up with a tie, a crew neck T shirt undershirt. In all cases, it must be white and snug fitting - when I buy him some new ones I wash in hot water, dry at high to pre-shrink them. A true undershirt should be nice and long to have enough tuck in. Should be tucked in to his underwear bottoms too, to keep it from bunching and give a smooth look.

I insist on my DH wearing undershirts for a couple reasons - well dressed men always wear them and he looks so sexy in them when he gets dressed in the morning or when I undress him at the end of the day!

Samantha in Canada

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