Undershirt for a Suit – Why It Makes Sense

Short answer: An undershirt under your suit protects the shirt from sweat, keeps you at an even temperature and makes the shirt hang better. Choose a thin undershirt in bamboo viscose so it cannot be seen through the shirt and does not build up heat.

What does the undershirt do for your suit?

The shirt is the visible layer, but the undershirt does the hard work: it absorbs sweat before it reaches the shirt, so you avoid wet patches and shirts that need washing after just a few hours of wear. At the same time the shirt glides better over an undershirt and therefore sits more neatly. Find thin styles under bamboo undershirts for men.

Choose the right style

For suits there are two rules: the undershirt has to be close-fitting, and the neckline has to be deep enough that it does not show in an open shirt collar. A V-neck or a bamboo tank top is therefore usually the best choice. When it comes to colour, grey or skin tone is the least visible under white shirts, while white can shine through.

Why bamboo rather than cotton?

Cotton soaks up sweat but holds on to the moisture, so the undershirt feels clammy. Bamboo viscose moves the moisture on and dries faster, and the material regulates temperature, so you neither freeze in the meeting room nor sweat on the bike. Read more in the guide to the bamboo undershirt as a base layer, and see the shirt selection under bamboo shirts for men.

Frequently asked questions

Should you wear an undershirt under a suit?

It is not a requirement, but it is practical. The undershirt protects the shirt from sweat, keeps your temperature even and makes the shirt hang better.

Which undershirt does not show through the shirt?

A close-fitting style with a deep V-neck or a tank top in grey or skin tone shows as little as possible, even with an open shirt collar.

Why choose an undershirt in bamboo?

Bamboo viscose moves sweat away and dries faster than cotton, so you avoid that clammy feeling under your shirt.