Guys dress shirt etiquette?

[lucille]

My hubby has needed to increase his wardrobe has he has been crawling up the career ladder (more formal clothes). He asked me this question and I honestly do not know the answer.

If your wearing a nice white dress shirt do you need to wear an undershirt or not? Tank style or t-shirt? Are there rules of when you would or would not wear said undershirt?

I really was clueless and I don't think I have ever seen the issue addressed on any of the makeover or style articles.

[Megan]

I asked around and got some varying answers from coworkers. The main point I got from people was that it's always better to wear an undershirt, because if the shirt is a bit sheer, it can be unattractive, and the undershirt absorbs sweat and protects the shirt. Which is never a bad idea, in my mind, as t-shirts are cheap and dress shirts are less cheap.

To that end, I was told that shirts with sleeves are better, because you do see the shirt underneath and the tank top style tends to look like something "an 80 year old would wear" (their words, not mine). V-neck is ideal, because then if the shirt is worn with the top unbuttoned, the collar doesn't show.

Of course, this could all just be opinion and completely not proper style!

[DistilledRose]

I'm with Megan. My husband always wears t-shirts under his dress shirts.

[Looby]

Yep t-shirts under shirts are de rigueur amongst the doctors that I work with. The tank top can look a little creepy.
I've noticed that most seem to wear round neck t-shirts to show the neckline when they undo their top button- I think it looks nice and casual as an after work look.

[amyschiff]

I agree with all of the above. Round neck short sleeve t-shirt is the way to go. The t-shirts also help with sweat--they're like an extra barrier that prevents you from seeing sweat on the nice dress shirt.

[bishop]

By all means, yes, wear an undershirt. Two reasons, both of which were mentioned above: white dress shirts look awful without them and they absorb sweat.

Don't buy anything other than crew-neck t-shirts. V-necks or "wife beaters" (what's the real name for those? I hate that name) look terrible underneath.

If your husband is probably going to spend most of his time with tie loosened and the collar undone, get dress shirts with buttondown collars. To me, the collar keeps its structure and doesn't go everywhere with the top button undone. With point or spread collars, the top button pretty much has to be buttoned for it to look right.

[Jason830]

I always wear a tshirt under my dress shirt...You are supposed to.

[purplefdu]

A white round collar undershirt is appropriate and proper (after all thats what they issue in the military only in camo colors ). The wife-beater is generally called an A-frame in its proper name. While it may be more comfortable its not appropriate in the least. My dad had to go through the same when he retired from the military.

[kav122]

Button down collars are more casual than the point collars. So along the same lines as what bishop said, if he is going to have the top button undone, then wear the button down collars. Also there are some really great wrinkle-free options that look great all day. I would also mention that although I love a guy who isn't afraid to "not be masculine" all the time, I do not think that pink or purple shirts are appropriate at work. Go to a good menswear store and you will find lots of options besides blue and white. Also, short sleeves are never appropriate in my opinion. They look goofy! That said, I agree with those above in that crew neck T-shirt is the best option underneath.

[gt0163c]

Originally Posted by kav122

I would also mention that although I love a guy who isn't afraid to "not be masculine" all the time, I do not think that pink or purple shirts are appropriate at work. Go to a good menswear store and you will find lots of options besides blue and white. Also, short sleeves are never appropriate in my opinion. They look goofy! That said, I agree with those above in that crew neck T-shirt is the best option underneath.

I don't know that I agree with the pink or purple shirts not being appropriate for work. I think a lot of it depends upon the work environment and the individual. I work with mostly men and in a fairly casual environment (aerospace engineering, dress is business casual which is anything from jeans and nice t-shirt to slacks and a button down dress shirt. Anyone wearing a tie gets sympathy as it probably means they're going to a funeral sometime during the day), but some at my church tend to dress more formal and I know a number of men who work in more formal offices and, for some, wearing pink or purple is just fine. Again, it's not for everyone (I look silly in pink and I'm a girl), but I wouldn't completely rule it out.

As for short sleeve dress shirts, again, it depends on the person and the environment. Before the culture of my work went business casual, my now boss wore white short sleeve work shirts every day and it was fine (he actually work the same "uniform" every day. Black pants, socks, shoes and tie, white short sleeve dress shirt.). I've known a number of men who, again, dress more formally who wear short sleeve dress shirts in the summer. But, I also currently live in Texas where it's regularly over 100 outside, so wearing long sleeves is akin to torture at times.