Wearing an undershirt and therefore an extra layer of clothing in summer is inconceivable for some people; after all, high temperatures are hard on the body and take a toll on morale. And yet, if you wear the right undershirt on hot summer days, you might just feel better – especially if you have to go to the office or a meeting and can’t afford to. wear your lightest dresses or T-shirts.
In this article, Anvisha will find out what both men and women should pay attention to when choosing undershirts for the summer.
An undershirt in summer and winter: Yes or no?
The undershirt is a staple in every fall and winter wardrobe. Thermal underwear covering the kidneys benefits women in particular, as it protects them from possible cystitis. As for men, they also wear undershirts, mainly under their suit shirts which are often not warm enough for the cold season and which are also not very pleasant to wear next to the skin.
So there’s a lot of evidence in favour of wearing undershirts in winter – but what about summer? Here too, we are clearly in favour of the undershirt! On the one hand, this additional layer of fabric close to the body helps absorb perspiration before it is visible on the garment.
On the other hand, undershirts made of natural materials regulate body temperature. They provide an unrivalled feeling of comfort and reduce the formation of humidity even in stressful situations or during chic events requiring a particular dress code.
We explain to you what you should pay particular attention to when choosing the cut and colour of your summer undershirt and how the thermoregulatory properties of natural materials contribute to your well-being even at high temperatures.
Less sweat in undershirts made of breathable natural fibres
Natural materials such as cotton, silk or wool are the ideal choice all year round for wearing undershirts, as they perfectly regulate the outside temperature: While natural fibers provide a gentle feeling of warmth in winter, they stay pleasantly cool in summer and absorb moisture well if you still have to sweat.
Some are thinner and lighter than others: all-silk undershirts are particularly comfortable in summer, as they feel as airy and cooling as a light veil on the skin. Although wool is often associated with low outside temperatures, a high-quality base layer made from a wool and silk blend regulates temperature, reduces perspiration and provides a feeling of absolute well-being both under the midday sun and on a mild summer evening!
If you opt for cotton, a popular classic, pay attention to the type of weave and the thickness of the fabric when choosing your undershirt: cotton undershirts in smooth jersey quality are light and thin and known for absorbing moisture well. These cotton undershirts are therefore better suited for summer than thicker-lined or fine-ribbed undershirts.
The ideal cuts and colours of summer undershirts
The best fit for a summer undershirt depends primarily on the garment you want to wear over it. Men often resort to tight-fitting business fabric, because it does not form any creases under the classic shirt accompanied by its suit. If you want something more airy and your top isn’t too tight or see-through, a looser undershirt will provide nice air circulation.
If you’re wearing a sheer shirt or blouse, you should choose a flesh-coloured singlet or something that matches your top, tone-on-tone. If you wear an opaque top that doesn’t let anything show through, it’s better to opt for fairly light shirts in summer rather than dark or black ones. These store heat directly and can therefore make you sweat more.
In addition to the cut and colour, both men and women should be careful to choose the right length, so that the undershirt does not slip out of the pants. If a men’s undershirt that is too short would constitute a fashion faux pas, women also have every interest in choosing a long enough swimsuit in summer. Indeed, when the evening promises to be cool, covering the kidneys is a good prevention of the discomfort of cystitis and avoids catching a cold.
In order to avoid perspiration stains on your clothes, it is also a good idea that the armholes of your jersey are not too large. If the jersey starts just below the armpits, any perspiration will be absorbed directly without becoming apparent on your T-shirt, shirt, etc. Of course, your swimsuit should not be too tight.
If you can choose your clothes yourself, the combination of an airy top and a close-fitting undershirt in fine cotton or silk is ideal to prevent sweat stains from showing.