A white undershirt under a white shirt is a mistake

Short answer: Two white layers have different densities, so the undershirt shows clearly. A skin toned undershirt disappears instead.

Why it shows

Light passes through the thin shirt and hits a denser white layer beneath. The contrast between the two whites makes the edge and neckline visible. That is why white under white is the most visible combination there is.

Skin tone works better

An undershirt in a tone close to your skin reflects light roughly the way skin does. That is why no edge and no shadow show through the shirt. It applies to light and darker skin alike. See bamboo undershirts for men.

The cut matters too

A v neck stays below the top button, and a close fitting style does not fold under the shirt. Combine skin tone, v neck and close fit and it will not show. See bamboo underwear for men and bamboo shirts for men.

Frequently asked questions

Why do most people still choose white

Because it seems logical under a white shirt. Optically it does the opposite.

Is skin tone available for all skin tones

The range varies, but choose the tone closest to your own.

Does the same apply to women

Yes. A skin toned top under a light blouse is far less visible than a white one.