Business Casual: A Question

Published 4 years, 2 months ago in leadership + management

I’ve got a question for all of you (all four or five of you):

When wearing “business casual” attire, is it appropriate to wear a crew-neck t-shirt under a dress shirt or polo-shirt, or should a v-neck undershirt be worn?

I have been wearing a military uniform for too long to answer this question, as in the military, we always wore a crew-neck undershirt in all uniforms.

Answer via the comment form, please. All answers and opinions appreciated…

33 Responses to “Business Casual: A Question”

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1 Erik Jun 14th, 2004 at 10:16 pm

You know you have seen co-workers with their chest hair hanging out between the split underneath the top button of their polo or button-down shirt. They aren’t trying to show it off, it just pops out, though it wouldn’t with a crew neck and not the v-neck undershirt. It isn’t pretty and therefore I think a crew neck is the better choice.
2 Bill Brandon Jun 14th, 2004 at 10:31 pm

V-neck. If you got chest hair, flaunt it. If you have no chest hair, lift weights and show off your definition.

Of course, I work for myself, so I don’t need no steenkin’ business casual policy around my office — jeans or shorts and tank top or a scruffy tee are just par for the course. If I’m going to a meeting where the client won’t care, I wear a golf shirt or a Hawaiian shirt and no tee-shirt at all. If they care, I wear a dress shirt with a v-neck tee.

Bill
3 paul Jun 14th, 2004 at 10:36 pm

crew neck: v-necks are for narcissists
4 brian Jun 15th, 2004 at 12:12 am

uh, crew neck dude. i wouldn’t be caught dead in a v neck. of course, i have the chest hair of a pre-teen swedish boy.
5 Ryan Jun 15th, 2004 at 2:56 am

Heh, umm. I really wouldn’t have a clue.

Aren’t jeans & a t-shirt both casual and formal?
6 Tom Jun 15th, 2004 at 7:39 am

Definitely go with the crew neck shirt. It provides the most coverage underneath, reducing the appearance of chest hair.

You may also want to think about investing in a few plain undershirts in different colors (e.g., black, red, navy, etc.) for those occasions when a white undershirt won’t do.

For instance, if you’re wearing a black dress shirt with no tie, you’ll look like a priest if you wear a white crew neck undershirt. Better to go with a black crew neck in that case.

My two cents.
7 C.K. Sample, III Jun 15th, 2004 at 7:45 am

If you are a Vegan or a Virgin, go with a V-neck; otherwise, you’re with the crew…
8 nf0 Jun 15th, 2004 at 9:40 am

Crew neck gets my vote.
9 Olivier Travers Jun 15th, 2004 at 2:35 pm

Why do you need a t-shirt in the first place? Just wear the polo-shirt or shirt. If you really need to wear a t-shirt for some reason, wear a v-neck so it’s not going to be seen, as a crew-neck under a shirt is really casual in my (European) book, and it’s downright ugly under a polo-shirt (does anyone even do that?). Big no-no: semi-transparent shirt that shows you’re wearing a t-shirt under it.

That’s unless you’re a gorilla, in which case “casual business” means naked dressed in your natural hair!
10 Scott Palmer Jun 15th, 2004 at 3:42 pm

Been grappling with this one myself, thanks for bringing it up. I’ve always gone the way of the crew, but then again my middle name is Whitebread. No one’s mentioned the tank version that’s so fashionable on COPS…
11 Tom Hespos Jun 15th, 2004 at 8:50 pm

Crew neck, dude.

Of course, you’re taking advice from a guy whose company dress code is “casual Monday through Thursday, slovenly on Friday.”
12 Danne Jun 15th, 2004 at 10:49 pm

What does the work environment “suggest?” Males exposing their chest works well in some areas, may be offensive in others. Safest best would be crew neck. If you have people that would look at your dress as their example, crew neck.

It is summer, though…so v-necking it may be justified.
13 Ryan Walker Jun 16th, 2004 at 12:20 am

An undershirt is not supposed to be seen. If the collar of a crew neck is visible above your highest closed button, then a v-neck. Better to show a little chest hair than the top of an undershirt. Personally, I live in a climate where an undershirt is something you wear when it’s cold. But I guess it would be mandatory in Texas.

Oh, and to Scott Palmer’s point, those are called “wife beaters.” Any questions?
14 ADHD Dad Jun 16th, 2004 at 5:35 am

Polo shirt - no t-shirt, any other casual shirt v-neck.
15 Mark M Jun 16th, 2004 at 6:21 pm

I have some (recently purchased) dress shirts that have been designed with the 2nd button closer to the top button. When you wear these shirts “open-collared” the gap exposes less of either your t-shirt or your chest hair. I choose V-neck for dress shirts and no t-shirt under a polo shirt.
16 Kevin Jun 21st, 2004 at 12:32 am

I gotta say no t-shirt with a polo.

I rarely wear one with a dress shirt. when combined with a suit coat, 3 layers is just too much for me.
17 Kevin Jun 21st, 2004 at 2:00 pm

I also hear the layered polo look is coming back. Don’t even think of that.
18 White Witch Jun 24th, 2004 at 6:57 am

As a fashion editor I can suggest a couple of options. 1, Polo = NO SHIRT. If it is warm / and casual enough to wear a polo … don’t wear the undershirt. It just looks nasty. 2, Dress shirts - Crew necks always look more professional which is more suitable for work. However, if you have the body again - no shirt is an option. V necks break the line and look silly underneath.
19 Ask Bj�rn Hansen Jun 28th, 2004 at 7:00 am

When I first got to California (from Europe) I couldn’t believe how many men I saw who hadn’t learned that the undershirt isn’t to be seen.

v-neck if it’s thin enough that it doesn’t show a funny line, otherwise a proper undershirt.

If you are concerned about chest hair showing, button up some more!

- ask
20 lee Jul 2nd, 2004 at 12:27 am

Undershirts rock! Crew neck, preferably fairly clean and white looks good and feel great too. Wear one under all shirts all the time, you will never fail.
21 Johnny Jul 15th, 2004 at 8:09 am

Why in the world do so many guys wear crew neck t-shirts with every outfit? I agree that it’s more comfortable to wear a t-shirt under some button-down shirts, but that’s what v-neck shirts are for - to hide under the collar and not be seen. Crew neck shirts just look awful. IT’S UNDERWEAR! YOUR UNDERWEAR IS SHOWING!

Personally, I will wear a crew neck under a dress shirt when I am wearing a tie, but unless my top button is buttoned I will wear either a v-neck or, if it’s a particularly heavy fabric, a “wife beater”. And I will never wear a t-shirt under a knit (polo) shirt.

Clothes just look so much better without a patch of white cotton showing.

And if you don’t believe me, ask a woman.
22 Waleed Jul 19th, 2004 at 11:48 pm

Actually, here it’s a mixture. So far, here in the Middle East I’ve seen people flaunt their chest; the heat makes it too unbearable to wear so many layers of clothing.

I personally still wear my crew shirts from my grad school days. For me, it’s always crew. HOWEVER, it’s the size of the collar that makes it or breaks it; Currently, I wear Tommy Hillfiger (available at Jockey stores) with a thin thin collar which looks quite acceptable I believe. A fat collar, I like not.

Undershirts, especially for slightly larger guys like me, help maintain a better look. No crew shirt means your dress shirt will stick to you and display things that so should not be known.

A wife beater is very popular in these parts but it’s just not for me. As for a Vneck, it feels too weird; you have a shirt starting halfway down your chest for god’ssake.

Anyways, my 10 cents - my 2 cents were free.
23 Kevin Mar 7th, 2005 at 5:06 pm

I always wear a crew neck undershirt, even with an open collar. They’re just more comfortable, and they keep my shirts cleaner. Plus, it’s a nice clean, neat look.
24 Jon Sep 11th, 2005 at 5:46 pm

Try an UnderArmour crew neck. They look great and make your contour look even better than it really is.
25 Lee Oct 13th, 2005 at 11:52 pm

When I put my outer shirt on over my white crew neck undershirt I adjust the outershirt and the undershirt so the white triangle of the undershirt or the round bit of white which shows under an outer T shirt will show evenly. This way, a white crew neck can look pretty nice if a little of it shows. I like the consistency of wearing a white crewneck under all my shirts and not needing to find a coordinating colored shirt to wear underneath. White crewnecks feel better too because they fit snug and are made to be worn underneath as opposed to colored T shirts which are usually heavier and bulkier. I never could make sense of wearing a vee neck undershirt. I find the big loose collar uncomfortable and the thing usually ends up being visible anyway. That’s my 2 cents
26 Steve Nov 14th, 2005 at 11:36 am

I wear a white crew neck with most shirts that I have. I’m used to the way an undershirt feels, and personally I like the way it looks with just that little bit of the shirt showing at my open collar. Putting on a shirt without an undershirt just doesn’t feel like I’m dressed.
27 brian Jul 4th, 2007 at 8:14 am

I love wearing a solid crew neck plain white t-shirt, I like the look agianst my dark skin. I’ll wear my white t-shirts as a primary shirt , or under a open button dark collar shirt. I’ll make sure my white t- shirt is showing a lot. I feel real cool wearing a white t-shirt. I sometimes pull my white t-shirt out from my collar shirt, so my white t-shirt can be seen at every angle. Be proud to show off your white t-shirts.
28 aam Jul 10th, 2007 at 6:06 am

which is better to wear t shirt under the shirt or no i have achest hair but not that much ?
which is more formal ,fashion and girls like? :p
29 Nate Aug 15th, 2007 at 12:23 am

I stopped wearing undershirts under my dress shirts once it started getting hot outside. Going undershirt-less helps me keep cool, and my custom-made shirts fit better when there is no shirt underneath. If I was going to start wearing a shirt underneath, I would wear a v-neck, as a visible white t-shirt looks silly. However, I plan to continue going undershirtless, and add layers outside my dress shirts when the weather gets cold.

The white crewneck underneath dress-shirt, worn open-collar, is a common phenomenon where I work. I think it is largely an age-related thing, as young men don’t want to show their chests (either they lack chest hair, or are embarrassed to show it), but also just widespread ignorance of clothing rules. Whether a polo or dress shirt, a crewneck undershirt is a no-no.

The open-collar dress shirt, with a little chest showing is the way to go. It’s more aesthetically pleasing, and European looking. Rock your chest hair, but keep it trimmed, or just show off your smooth hairless chest.
30 Joey Aug 29th, 2007 at 10:32 pm

Yah, love wearing plain white tshirt. If you can get vintage cut its great.
31 Sean Feb 16th, 2008 at 10:57 pm

Wearing tshirt is cool dude. On a hot day in New York or any city in this world,
you can take off your shirt and walk around on your underwear tshirt.
I myself prefers AA (American Apparel). They could easily pass for outershirt.
32 Jeff Mar 16th, 2008 at 4:51 pm

I’ve got to agree with the idea that wearing an undershirt is a good idea. My dad, my three bros and I all wear white crew neck t-shirts under whatever else we wear. Why? I guess habit, mostly but also because we like the way it feels and looks.
33 Aine Apr 17th, 2008 at 2:37 pm

I found this for women:

“Under a suit jacket, consider wearing a dressy t-shirt instead of the traditional silk blouse. (For women, it’s perfectly fine to wear a short sleeved shirt under a jacket.) The cotton knit fabric absorbs body moisture and helps you stay surprisingly cool. A tee also doesn’t wrinkle and cling the way a blouse might.

For a tee to qualify as dressy, it should be made of fine quality fabric; the neckline should be finished with binding, instead of more casual ribbed trim. It should also have a shaped armhole, and no logos.”

http://www.employmentblawg.com/2007/9-tips-to-beat-the-heat-and-look-professional-women

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