Every man runs into the same dilemma at some point: whether to wear a t-shirt under his shirt while still meeting the rules of men's elegance and the balance between style and practicality. Even though, strictly speaking, the rules of elegance say to wear nothing underneath, it's sometimes necessary. LE CHEMISEUR® clears up the question once and for all so you can avoid any fashion missteps. We answer the questions you're asking so you can choose the perfect men's shirt.

Why wear a tank top or t-shirt under a shirt?

Once you put a t-shirt or tank top on under your shirt, it's a matter of function, not style. First, this extra layer hides the see-through effect that some white, blue and pink shirts can have. You'll find all our tips on choosing a white shirt here. You can also wear a long-sleeved t-shirt, especially in winter.

Thanks to its absorbency, a t-shirt or tank top lets you sprint to catch the bus on your way to work while still looking impeccable. The undershirt also extends the life of your shirts: since your shirt isn't in direct contact with your skin, it stays cleaner for longer, needs washing less often, and wears out more slowly.

The benefits of a t-shirt under a shirt

The advantage of a t-shirt worn underneath is that you can then leave your shirt open. Note that this only works with casual shirt fabrics: flannel, velvet, chambray... In that case, always choose a crew-neck t-shirt in tones matching the rest of the outfit for a truly polished look. Outfit idea: our velvet shirt in khaki, worn open over a grey t-shirt, with a navy knit cardigan, jeans and trainers.

For formal shirts buttoned all the way up, go for a crew neck t-shirt; if you leave the top two buttons undone, a V-neck with flat seams is the better choice.

The worst style mistake is letting the t-shirt show, or its seams print through your shirt — Americans are notorious for this! When it comes to fit, make sure the t-shirt is well-fitted, not too thick, and has narrow armholes, otherwise it can restrict your movement. On the plus side, layering can also make you look more toned, so if you fancy a little cheat, now you know how!

Tank top under a shirt

The tank top, sometimes called a vest or singlet, is the second undergarment option worn under a shirt. It also absorbs sweat, though less than a t-shirt, thanks to its lightness and lack of sleeves. When close-fitting, a tank top helps the shirt sit perfectly on the body: fewer creases, a better fit, and a sleeker silhouette.

The right colour to wear under a shirt

You might think white is the go-to colour under a blue, white or pink shirt. Think again!

The golden rule is to keep the t-shirt from showing through, and white will always stand out against your skin. Steer clear of black or printed t-shirts too. The closer the t-shirt colour is to your skin tone, the better: fair skin tones should lean towards light grey or beige (admittedly a bit harder to find), while brown, dark grey or black work better for darker skin tones.

White t-shirts also have another downside: they wear out faster, especially from sweat marks. Of course, if you're wearing a dark shirt, you're free to choose whichever colour you like! For a look built around our white shirt, try a grey V-neck t-shirt with raw denim, brown suede shoes and a blue blazer.

LE CHEMISEUR® tip

Off-the-shelf t-shirts and tank tops are usually designed to be worn on their own. For a simpler solution, you could turn to thermal base layers designed to keep you warm or wick away moisture without adding bulk. And if none of that convinces you, focus on what you're wearing on top instead — not underneath!