Bamboo tops under a shirt and what does not show through

Short answer: A top under a light shirt shows if it is white or dark. A top in a colour close to your skin shows least, however light the shirt is, and that is the simplest advice to follow.

Skin tone beats white

White fabric reflects light and stands out under a light shirt. A skin tone top disappears, because it is close to the colour of your skin. That surprises many who have always chosen white under white. Try it in front of a mirror in daylight and you will see the difference at once. See bamboo tops for women.

Dark tops

A black or dark top shows clearly under a light shirt, because the contrast is high. Under a dark shirt, however, a dark top is the best choice. Think of the top as something that should suit the shirt over it, not something that has to match the rest of your clothes.

Thin rather than thick

A thin top creates fewer edges under the shirt. A thick top shows at the straps and seams, and those edges are most visible when the light comes from behind. A thin fabric also sits closer to the body and makes the shirt less tight. See more in bamboo T-shirts for women.

Strap width

Thin straps show less under a thin shirt. Wide straps create a clear line over the shoulder that shows through anything thinner than a winter shirt. If you need a top with sleeves, short sleeves without visible seams are better than a top with wide, thick straps.

The neckline

The neckline of the top should sit lower than the opening of the shirt, so it does not peek out. A round, deep neckline works under most shirts. A high neck can show if you leave a few buttons undone. Check before you leave, especially if you usually wear the shirt open at the neck.

Seams and edges

Seams at the sides and along the bottom edge can show through a thin shirt. A top with flat seams or cut edges lies smoother. It should also be long enough to stay tucked into trousers or a skirt, so it does not ride up and create a visible edge across the stomach.

The shirt itself

A more tightly woven shirt hides more, and a thinner shirt shows more. Light shirts in a fine fabric are the hardest to wear anything under. If you choose a shirt in a slightly thicker fabric, you have more freedom in choosing a top. See bamboo shirts for women.

The fabric of the top

Bamboo viscose is thin, soft and smooth, so the shirt glides over the top instead of catching. It feels cool and does not pull the shirt in against the body. A top with a little elastane holds its shape and sits close without squeezing, which makes it less visible under the shirt.

Washing and care

Wash the top at 30 to 40 degrees and skip fabric softener. Wash skin tone and light tops separately so they do not pick up colour from dark clothes and turn grey. Hang them to dry so straps and edges keep their shape and the top keeps lying flat under the shirt.