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As we all know, men wear an inner vest as an undergarment for the upper body. Vests not only protect the body from the discomfort of sweat but also add another layer to safeguard the outerwear from being in contact with the body. Did you know the term vest came from the French word “Veste”, which was translated to sports coat and jacket later? However, the term vest is now more often used for innerwear.
Some slim-fit and scratchy fabrics feel uncomfortable upon wearing for long and vests come up as an escape to such discomforts. Though a lot of innerwear styles came up over time, a vest without sleeves is the most popular one that men wear daily. Here is a brief discourse on why men should have vests as their wardrobe staple.
Benefits of inner vests:
The conventional vests are made of white coloured single jersey knitted fabric without the side seam. The use of lightweight fabric makes an inner vest soft and comfortable to the body. Piping with self-fabric on neck and armhole gives it a finished look. As fashion demands, the vest designs keep on changing with different colours and cuts to make the products more attractive. Here are some tried and tested advantages of wearing an inner vest have mentioned below –
- Reduces Transparency of The Upper Outfit: It is one of the common advantages to reduce the transparency of the upper shirt. It efficiently hides the chest hair and skin that sometimes peep from the button spacing.
- Prevent Deodorant Staining: Most of us love using deodorant. Upon wearing an inner vest, you will rest assured that your upper outfit won’t get stained and run long.
- Absorbs Sweat: Do you live in a hot and humid climate? If yes, then vests could be your ultimate necessity. It not only absorbs sweat but also prevents it from seeping into the outerwear. As a result, it no more causes stains on your shirt.
- Create a Smooth Appearance: The slim fit design and cut allows the inner vests to cover the bulges and love handles efficiently. It gives smoothness and uniformity to your attire while giving a sharp appearance.
- Maintains Core Body Temperature: In cold climates, a vest will provide you with the much-needed comfort with an extra layer of clothing. In the case of hotter regions, vests efficiently absorb the sweat and remain comfortable on your skin.
- Comfort and Protection: Inner vests offer much-needed comfort by adding a layer of protection from the unnecessary friction and rubbing of the outerwear. Moreover, the stitching, fabric type, seams, or buttons can cause skin issues and itchiness, which can be easily avoided by wearing a vest.
Things To Keep in Mind Before Buying Vests:
Hopefully, you have been convinced enough with the utility of a vest and decided to include it as an everyday essential. Now, let’s be aware of a few things before choosing vests.
- Make sure the fabric material is of high quality, else you will find holes on your vests after a few washes.
- Refrain from choosing vests made of poor cotton blend which can cause allergies in your under-arm region.
- Be careful with the colour of the vests and make sure it matches the colour of your shirt. Otherwise, it might get visible underneath your dress shirt.
- Be aware of choosing the waist size. Especially, if you have a bulging belly, then a vest with a smaller waist size might roll up and remain above your tummy area.
- Make sure the shape of your inner vest must be aligned with the shape of your shirt, else it may peep over your upper garment.
Buying Guide for Inner Vests:
While buying innerwear vests, here are a few things to consider carefully before putting much attention and money into the purchase.
- Fabric: Depending on the purpose of wearing an inner vest, you can choose the material, which will include micro modal combed cotton, cotton linen, and cotton with elastane. Choosing one of the finest materials is important to avail the properties like soft, light-weighted, and moisture-wicking.
- Colour: Just like how you remain conscious while choosing underwear colour, it is also important to choose the colour of the vests as well. Since upper clothing tends to be more transparent than bottom wear, choosing a vest matching the colour of your top wear or a white vest- can be a safe bet.
- Size: Since sizes may vary from one brand to another, it is important to refer to the size chart of that particular vest brand to ensure the right fit. For example, One8innerwear comes with a proper size chart for each of its products, to which the buyers can refer before making a purchase.
- Length: While shopping for men’s vests online, look for the varying length and choose the one suitable for you. For example, gym vests are shorter compared to regular ones.
- Neck style: There are plenty of neck styles available for men’s inner vests which include U-neck, round neck, and V-neck. All you have to keep in mind is your clothing style and comfort before choosing the product.
While keeping these parameters in mind, you can choose casual vests, fashion vests, gym vests, jog vests, lounge vests, and other styles from One8innerwear.
Rules of Wearing Vests as Undershirts:
Are you planning to wear vests as undershirts? If yes, here are a few things to keep in mind –
- Fit & firm: You must choose vests with the right cut, design, size, and style that will give you a snug fit with optimum support. Whereas anything tight-fitting can cause long-term physical support, too loose innerwear defeats the purpose of wearing it. If you think of buying oversized vests thinking they will shrink after washing, then you are highly mistaken. Most innerwear products are made to fit and don’t shrink after wash. Also, make sure, the innerwear should remain fit throughout your upper body without bagging or binding.
- Smooth Appearance: You would never like it if innerwear bumps and lines get visible through your outerwear. Especially, it looks more awkward when you wear slim-fit shirts, as their fabrics are soft and sheer. Hence, it is important to choose vests either in seamless style or invest in some non-transparent shirt fabrics.
- Remain Weather Smart: Is it a hot and humid day outside? If yes, then it’s advisable to wear a breathable cotton vest for inner comfort. Since the primary role of an inner vest is to absorb excessive sweat, it’s better to avoid synthetic material and invest in blends that remain soft on your skin. However, synthetic materials are best worn inside a temperature-controlled room or during the winter season.
We hope this information will help you to buy men’s vests online with more confidence and let you flaunt your silhouette in your unique style. At One8Innerwear, we keep all these details in mind and manufacture vests to let wearers have a pleasing experience. With superb moisture-wicking capability, anti-microbial properties, and maximum breathability, our products ensure softness and comfort inside. Choose from our collection and let us take care of your everyday need.
Men have always been considered to be last in the queue when it comes to fashion. Don’t you think so? Though men’s fashion contributed a lot to be ahead in the line in recent times, there are certain do’s and don’ts that men sometimes miss following. Due to the availability of a wide variety of underwear nowadays, men must abide by some rules and regulations before making a purchase. Read on this content to get a detailed guide while buying a pair of underwear for yourself.
Do’s For Men’s Underwear:
Define Your Style:
Be it outwear or underwear, the style must be all about being you. So, buy men’s underwear that will make you feel confident and comfortable wearing it. While searching online for men’s underwear, there is a wide variety of options you will find. Right from full coverage briefs to fusion briefs, modern boxers, pouch briefs, regular trunks, bold briefs, core briefs, and fashion briefs – there are a lot of options available. All you have to decide which men’s underwear style defines you.
The underwear must fit well:
Make sure you wear underwear that reflects your style. It’s not only about the fashion underneath, but the underwear style should also be comfortable enough for you to move around. In short, your innerwear should provide you with comfort and confidence.
Change it often:
Believe it or not, a lot of men do not change their underwear as frequently as they need to do. Daily, there are a lot of things to do and different places to go, which makes us sweaty or dirty. So, here you might find the reason to change your undies. What if you were relaxing throughout the day and didn’t feel sweaty enough? You won’t change it, right? Well, according to the research, a certain male population doesn’t change their underwear every day. So, if you are among them, it is suggested to change your underwear every single day, whether you feel they are not dirty, stinky, or sweaty enough to clean or not.
Do check the labels:
If you don’t bother about the brands and pick any undies randomly, then you must know that not all underwear is made of the same quality. The simple solution is to stick to a brand, which can provide the right quality that your intimate area looks for. Since products from different brands require different care, you might have to change the way you use or care for them. Even, some non-branded products don’t come with proper care or usage instruction, which makes it difficult to run underwear for long.
Know the material you are wearing:
Do you have the habit to read tags while buying? If yes, then you might have found tags containing material information, which helps you choose the product according to the usage and care. Here is a quick breakdown –
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100% cotton:
Wash cotton undies separately from other clothes. Also, separate light colours from dark ones before soaking them in the cleaning solution. Machine wash and air dry them in shade. While in hurry, you can tumble dry them on the lowest heat setting and remove them as soon as they get dried.
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Microfiber:
Always wash your undies in cold water on a basic cycle for machine wash. Synthetic material dries quickly and doesn’t tolerate heat very well. Hence, it is recommended to skip heat drying for synthetic underwear.
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Stretch cotton:
Wash dark and light material separately. Do machine wash in cold to warm water and skip the use of fabric softener or bleach. Preferably do hand wash and hang them for air dry.
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Sheer or mesh fabrics:
These fabrics are quite delicate than other fabric types. A little impatience while washing can tear or rip these fabrics easily. Preferably machine-wash them in delicate cycles in cold to warm water and air dry them on a flat surface.
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Natural fibres:
For natural fibres, it is important to separate lights from dark and wash undies separately from other clothes.
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Do hand-wash:
In case you are not sure how to care for a particular pair of underwear, hand washing can be a safe bet. Since hand-wash is not as harsh as washing machines, your underwear will look newer for longer and they will fit as new as your first wear.
Don’ts for men’s underwear:
Don’t go for commando:
You may feel free and cooler upon not wearing the underwear, but it doesn’t mean that you should do it often. For several years, going commando has been a thing that men believed to have no harm. However, according to medical experts, ditching underwear is not a good choice. Here is a quick breakdown of those causes-
- Your intimate parts are too sensitive to handle the chafing caused by denim or any harsh outwear.
- Your sensitive parts get exposed to unhygienic conditions and germs.
- Sometimes it gets challenging to hide stains and wet spots if you are not wearing your undies.
The awkward underwear line:
It is not just the ladies who worry about the underwear line. If you have ever worn pants or shorts with boxers or boxer briefs, you can relate to how dreaded it looks when the lines bunch up. No matter how carefully you pull your pants, those thick underwear lines come back after some time. Hence, it is recommended to dress with a smooth finish. While choosing underwear, opt for something that won’t bunch up.
Don’t be scared to experiment:
While talking about men’s underwear style, you may choose the same style you were comfortable with so far. Instead of sticking to a specific underwear design, keep experimenting with other options available. It will not only give you much-needed confidence but also can make your style game on point.
Don’t wear the same underwear frequently:
A lot of people do it when they find a particular underwear style looks great on them. They start wearing the undies more often without giving them rest. Well, it is a complete no-no, as it not only decreases the longevity of the products but also can irritate your skin due to frequent washing and stretches to the fabric.
Don’t use a hot dryer:
Since all the underwear fabrics are more delicate than other clothing items, they are needed to air dry or tumble dry on the lowest setting. Hot air dryers not only fade colours but also stretches the fabric by creating friction.
Don’t dry in the direct sunlight:
UVB and UVA rays are not only harmful to your skin but also can damage the fabric by weakening them. Hence, it’s always better to hang your underwear in shade for air drying.
Don’t use bleach or fabric softener:
Both the bleach and fabric softener damage the undies. Bleach is a harsh chemical that will damage the delicate fabric of your underwear. On the other hand, the use of the fabric softener may look and smell great, but it leaves a residue that is not good for your intimate hygiene.
While following these do’s and don’ts, make sure you replace your undies timely. A lot of men don’t even remember what was the last time they have bought their underwear. In such a case, there are a few physical cues to rely on. For example, you may notice that your underwear has started to sag, the colour has faded a lot or the elastic waistband is no more supporting your waist. These are the symptoms that tell you to let your underwear go. Moreover, you will be at risk of developing certain infections and rashes over time. Hence it is important to follow a proper replacement and washing regime to keep your sensitive area in comfort.
So, are you looking for new pairs? Visit One8Innerwear today to get the best version of you from inside!
Ancient man utilised leather to cover and protect his loins while conducting prehistoric errands almost 7000 years ago, and the first known underwear dates back roughly around the same time.
Nothing much changed for centuries.
Everyone from the pharaohs down the line is shown in their own loincloths in ancient Egyptian art. The pharaohs even wore a type of specialised kilt/loincloth known as a shendoh, and kept additional supply of the garment in their pyramids for use in the afterlife.
Men’s underwear as we know it now was mostly invented in the 1930s. Coopers Inc. sold the world’s first briefs in Chicago on January 19, 1935. Briefs were designed by a “apparel engineer” named Arthur Kneibler and omitted leg parts in favour of a Y-shaped overlapping fly.
Men no longer live in a time when their underwear should be unattractive and practical. It has grown into a billion-dollar market for men’s underwear, with a secondary emphasis on design, comfort, and gender appeal. Despite the fact that most men’s underwear is hidden, the importance of underwear cannot be overstated. Men, in general, dislike taking chances and prefer to stick to the same old type of under article. However, the underwear industry has clearly made significant development in recent years. The age-old debate over ‘boxer vs short’ has now switched to the utility of erotically appealing forms of men’s sexy underwear.
Men’s lace underwear, men’s sheer underwear, and pouch underwear for men, which were formerly considered unacceptable and stigmatised, are now being discussed by consumers. The men’s underwear market is today swamped with options ranging from the traditional varieties of men’s boxer briefs and boxer shorts to men’s thongs, G-strings, and even C-strings. It is not incorrect to say that this is one type of men’s clothing that began as a covering that just covered the pelvic region and has now evolved into men’s attractive underwear. Men’s underclothing is the inner wear that is often worn adjacent to the skin or beneath the other covering.
Since it is in close touch with the skin, the inner wear is often referred to as a second skin. Because of the significance of this aspect, the material of the inner wear is the second critical criterion that is considered while shopping for it. For the men’s underwear industry, innovations and technology are constantly developing. Underwear is essential for cleanliness, and some designs aid in the management of the body’s shape.
Previously, cotton was the only fabric used to make underwear. However, with changing preferences and technical improvements, the men’s underwear industry has witnessed a lot of fabric innovation. Cotton, nylon, modal, rayon, polyester, and silk are some of the most often used fabrics. These are alloyed with the material in the proper proportions to provide quality, comfort, and sturdiness while maintaining enough flexibility. Elastane, a kind of lycra, is used to impart flexibility to the material of men’s underwear.
The best and finest textiles used in men’s underwear are reviewed further below.
Natural Fabric
The fibre, often regarded as the king of materials, is one of the most widely utilised materials in the men’s underwear industry. For a long time, this was the only fabric used to make the undergarments. However, during the previous several decades, there has been an overabundance of options in this class.
Cotton
Cotton is a very soft and light fabric. As a result, the under covering made from this fabric is comfortable. The material contains tiny holes that allow for good breathing. Cotton underwear delivers a nice feel down there by keeping ventilation and air circulation at a high level. Furthermore, it is resistant to heat, detergent, and even bleach. This assures the sturdiness of the object underneath it.
Nylon
Nylon is the greatest cotton substitute. It is a general term for the artificial polymer family. The polymer fibre, which is derived from organic compounds and chemical group acids, is the second most often used textile in the men’s underwear industry. Because of the strength of the nylon, the undergarments created from this fabric are durable. Even with the passage of time, nylon’s tenacity remains. Nylon’s colour retention characteristic gives it an advantage over cotton. The material’s smooth texture is extremely abrasion-resistant. This is why it may be found in swimsuits and swim costumes. However, it still prevents the user from having it, keeping the user comfortable throughout the cold season. Because nylon has a limited permeability, it dries rapidly. This makes nylon underwear ideal for persons who suffer from excessive perspiration. Nylon underwear is ideal for hitting the gym or performing other strenuous workouts.Once in the water, this underwear dries quickly and is abrasion-free.
Modal
Within the men’s apparel category, there is no softer fabric than modal.
In fact, this material absorbs roughly half as much water as cotton. Modal is a kind of textile as well as a second generation regenerated plastic fibre. This fibre-based lingerie will keep you warm all day. Despite its silky and shiny appearance, the cloth is durable and strong. Modal is typically blended with cotton and other synthetic fibres. This is an excellent option for summer wear. It is frequently used in everyday situations. However, avoid wearing them during exercises and other sports activities.
Rayon
This fabric contains various qualities that are similar to cotton and other natural fibres. This was not uncommonly employed in summer covering. It’s now being used to make men’s underwear as well. Rayon, like cotton, is soft, ethereal, and absorbent of moisture. As a result, underwear made from this fabric is an excellent choice for combating excessive perspiration and the problems that come with it. The material is somewhat strong but gentle on the skin and abrasion-resistant. The light-weight fabric is an excellent choice for keeping cool in the summer.
Polyester
Polyester contains existing chemicals. It’s usually alloyed with natural fibres like cotton, which helps to bond the fibres together. Polyester has a squishy, fake quality to it. Men’s underwear created from this material feels very soft on the user’s skin. These men’s underwear are more durable than regular lingerie. It’s a good option for the swimming suit season.
Silk
Silk’s smooth and delicate texture delivers a wonderful experience down there. A filament fabric made from a super molecule released by silkworms is prized for its gleaming appearance, softness, and insulating power. The extremely soft feel keeps the user comfortable. Silk may be distinguished by its ability to insulate. It forms an insulating layer between the material and the user’s body. It’s a good option for the winter.
Elastane
Elastane fibres, often known as Lycra and Spandex, are formed of polyurethane. Even at low concentrations, it has a high snap. The bulk of clothing contains elastane because it provides for greater flexibility of movement by lowering material resistance. Elastane is regarded as an ecologically un favourable fabric due to the usage of non-organic and hazardous solvents in its manufacture.
For good reason, most men possess a pair of briefs. They’re your normal, everyday underwear, available in a number of various rises, styles, and variants. They cover your whole behind and package, but leave the upper thigh and side of the leg exposed, making them suitable for wearing beneath almost anything. Briefs are ideal for men who want support or like to keep everything in place but dislike the superfluous fabric seen in boxer briefs, boxers or trunks; a well-made brief can even offer a little lift. They now come in low, medium, and high-rise cuts, as well as more delicious cuts that emphasise the profile and back-side.
A Perfect Guide to Men’s Vest
Vests are definitely one of the most essential garments in a man’s wardrobe. They are meticulously designed to conquer problems like sweat, deodorant stains and provide an extra layer of warmth underneath shirts/t-shirts. Also known as undershirts, it is quite an integral undergarment for the upper body. Good quality vests are meant to be super soft, stretchable, and highly absorbent to beat the sweat. We now have a variety of vests available like sleeveless, half-sleeves ones, full-sleeve coverage and even woolen vests which are excellent for the colder months. A detailed in sight on the same is given in the article below.
A very important fact to be noted is that few centuries ago inner vests were not even relevant as a sensible undergarment. In fact, in the 15th century, only the noble class of people wore the vest. Back then, it was deliberately worn as a defense layer of apparel that protected the expensive outer clothing from sticking to the body. Whereas, the other class of people wore just one layer of clothing which was mostly a shirt. During the olden times the prices of undergarment fabrics were costly and difficult for the common man to afford.
Coming to the 19th century, the US military separated the union suit into upper wear and lower wear. The upper wear was mostly designed to draw off moisture. Gradually the upper wear evolved into sleeveless undershirts and thus we now know ‘Vests’.
Why is the vest a necessary undergarment?
Vests are not just a piece of clothing covering the upper body. They are a very practical inner-garment. They are accurately designed to tackle the daily struggles that come in the way. Let’s take a deeper dive and know why good quality vests are a must-have:
- Vests are made with quality modal or cotton fabric, which makes it highly breathable. It prevents all the sweat related discomfort.
- Vests are a multi-season undergarment. Especially during the winters they act as effective insulators and provide extra warmth on the inside.
- It avoids sweat and deodorant stains by acting as a middle layer between your skin and the outer dress.
- The simple-looking vests can be styled fashionably during summers. Brownie points for that!
- Vests make your clothes look well-fitted and give you a finished look.
- Vests prevent the outer apparel from appearing as see-through.
Different Types of Inner Vest for Men
Unlike the previous times, vests now are a feasible choice for everyone. And guess what? You get a variety of inner vests to choose from! Yes, vests now come in a variety. For every mood, occasion and outfit, you get to choose the right vest.
So how do you choose the right one? Don’t you think you ought to have some “vests knowledge”? In this guide, we will be going through the different types of men’s vests and how you can wear them.
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- Sleeveless Vests
Vests manufactured without sleeves are called sleeveless vests. It is the most regular form of undershirt. These sleeveless vests are breathable and ultra-soft made with combed cotton or modal fabric. Moreover, this type of vest is an ideal choice for most men as they are made to fit different body types. They have large U-neck holes and armholes which make them easily wearable. They effectively protect one from sweat and heat.
Wear them in: Sleeveless vests or tank tops can be worn under a shirt or even a t-shirt. Make sure to button up your shirt up to the neckline of the sleeveless vest. Sleeveless vests are great inners for translucent or see- through shirts too. Sometimes, you can wear sleeveless vests as nightwear especially in the hot and humid summer nights.
- Square Neck Vests
Square Neck vests exist to add a bit of kink to the simple and regular vests. They are stylish and have broad shoulders. They give the body a much-defined look. Square Neck vests are the same as sleeveless vests. They too are quite comfortable, breathable, and perfectly fitted. The look and fit of square neck vests make them stand out among the different types of undershirts. Also, they look amazing on muscular bodies.
Wear them in: They can comfortably be worn under a shirt or t-shirts. Follow the same rules as sleeveless vests. Although there does exist a category of athletic vests, stretchable square neck vests too can be worn during any sporty activities. It is even appropriate for the gym-goers for their summer or outdoor activities.
- V-neck Vests
This undershirt is one of the best men’s vests. The reason behind this is their v-neck. It makes the neckline extra spacious. The depth of the V-neck differs. It provides less opportunity for the undergarment to peep out of your shirt or t-shirt. Moreover, they act as the perfect middle layer in your dress-up. V-neck vests effectively wick the moisture and provide comfort all day. Men can make the most of the v-neck vests by casually styling them.
Wear them in: V-neck vests are a suitable choice if you prefer to leave the first few buttons of your shirt open. This type of vest top can be worn in all types of upper-body garments. There are rules too if you wish to exclusively style your v-neck vest for a casual meet-up or a vacation. Well, to avoid white or black-colored v-neck vests is the only rule. Go for pop colors and don on a thin shirt fully unbuttoned.
- Crew Neck Vests
They look like t-shirts and can be worn as one also. Crew neck vests have half sleeves and high necklines. One can wear it as a t-shirt if they have a good physique. This type of men’s vest may not be a universal choice. It depends on the individual’s personal choice and preference to choose the right type of garment. The texture of the vest, is very soft and comfortable. The sweat absorbency is impressively high as they have more coverage than other types of vests. As a result, they keep you cool throughout the day.
Wear them in: If you wear a crew neck vest under a shirt then you need to button it right up to the collar. Moreover, some factors revolve around styling a crew neck vest. Think about the quality, color, and fit of the vest. If you believe that the vest meets the surrounding factors then style at your will. Pair it up with a jacket or a slim shirt. Thrive on it!
- Long sleeve vests
Accompanied by extra insulation, the long sleeve vests are different from other types of vests. They have long sleeves that make them ideal for cold weather. However, it meets all the qualities of an undershirt. Good quality long sleeve vests are soft, comfortable, and breathable. These types of vests may or may not have two-three buttons in the front. It’s there to prevent one from sweltering.
Wear them in: Long sleeve vests may not be all-season friendly. They are great for winters. As vests, they can be worn with full sleeve shirts, t-shirts, and sleeveless jackets. But most men ditch outer apparel. You can choose to wear long-sleeve vests with denim jeans and still look cool!
- Athletic Vests
The best part about athletic vests is that they are meant to be worn as stand-alone. By their name, you know their purpose! That is to let you burn those calories unhindered. The athletic vests are designed as moisture-wicking, supremely stretchable, and agile undergarments. Gym vests, Jog vests, etc all fall under the athletic vests umbrella.
Wear them in: Athletic vests are solely made for workout sessions. Pair them with any track pants and you are all set to go! These types of vests are not the best choice to wear under formal or casual clothing.
Do’s and Don’ts of Choosing a Vest
What’s a guide without dos and don’ts? Before choosing a vest, focus on these pointers. These will help to pick the perfect vest for you:
- Do pick the right color
Vests do not necessarily mean white or black. Gone are the days of wearing a classic white “banian”. Vests now come in different colors. So pick the ones that will match the color of your shirt or t-shirt.
- Don’t pick t-shirts instead of vests
Believe it or not! People do confuse vests to be t-shirts. Buyers especially end up paying for half-sleeve t-shirts thinking it to be crew-neck vests. The obvious difference between vests and t-shirts is that vests are thinner.
- Do pick fitting vests
Vests are not supposed to be loose. They are meant to give you a close fit. Wrong-sized men’s vests make your clothes look ill-fitted. It makes you feel highly uncomfortable and constricts your movement.
- Don’t show off your vests
Showing off your vests is the biggest fashion blunder any man can do. Revealing vests from an unbuttoned shirt or the visibility of vest lining underneath the shirt, all are a strict no-no. Therefore, it is advisable to go for v-neck vests.
Your takeaway
The best inner vest for men totally depends on one’s body type and sense of fashion. The right vests however are determined by their look and comfort. Men do ditch vests sometimes but cannot do it always. It is a pivotal undergarment that strongly advocates standard coverage, hygiene, and comfort. Hence, vests are essential in a man’s wardrobe as much as the underwear.
White kurtas, white pajamas, white pants. Some festive season, a lot of us wear white in some form or the other. We may don a dark, blue Nehru jacket on top or pair the kurta with a printed floral jacket. But the fact remains that white is a classic and an evergreen colour that never goes out of style. When in doubt, make it white, and you’ll be the most dapper person in the room.
And it’s not just during Durga Puja, Dussehra, and Diwali. White is one shade that looks handsome, even in western formal wear. Literally, every man wants white, linen pants in his wardrobe. But, and this is a big one, the colour does have a drawback.
You can’t wear white with any random innerwear. Both your boxer and your vest must be the proper shade and fit. Pick the wrong colour and the vest will shine from under the kurta or white shirt. Pick the wrong fit and the brief will be visible through the pajamas or pants.
So, the question is, what colour underwear should you wear with white pants, shirts, kurtas, or any other piece of clothing? That’s what we answer today, along with the right cut, right fabric and how to take care of your white coloured innerwear to make them last longer!
Which men’s innerwear to wear under white clothes?
Before we dive into the appropriate underwear colour for white clothes, let’s make sure of what you absolutely cannot wear under them.
- An orange fashion vest is well and good under a dark coloured shirt or green trunk under jeans. But for all light-coloured clothes like a pale t-shirt or Indian wear, bright colours are a no. Blues, greens, oranges and black vests and briefs are very prominent under white clothes because the contrast is too high. So, avoid them.
- Similarly, it’s not a smart idea to mix a patterned lounge vest with white clothes. If you love prints and patterns in innerwear, then wear them under casual and dark-shade clothes. Prints and patterns are clearly visible from under light clothes, just like solid hues such as navy, grey and black are.
So, this festive season when you wear white pajamas or white pants stick to skin-toned vests, briefs, boxers or trunks.
Why beige and not white?
While there is nothing wrong with pairing a white vest with a crisp white kurta, it is still visible from underneath. And that takes away from the cut and style of your outfit.
How come white innerwear can be seen? Shouldn’t the white kurta hide it? Theoretically, yes. But as they say, real life is always different. It happens because the shade of white is often different, and that makes the shape of the vest even more prominent.
The same logic applies to white trousers and pants. A white brief or boxer is very noticeable, particularly the shape of it. So, stick to nude, skin or beige colours in your vests and trunks. Just make sure that the shade matches your skin tone completely. If you opt for a lighter beige than your skin, it will be evident.
What other colours blend well with light coloured clothes?
You can also choose any of the following shades in innerwear based on what suits your skin tone the best:
- Ivory
- Cream
- Brown
- Copper
- Pastel yellow
- And red
The exception to bright colour innerwear
Yes, you read the last colour right.
It is a little-known fact that even though red is a lively colour, it can be worn under white clothes or even lighter shades like yellow and pink. And no, no one would make out that you’re wearing red boxers. They’re practically invisible.
The trick is to opt for darker reds like garnet (see the shade) and not brighter reds (see shades). Don’t believe us? Try our fashion vest and see for yourself. It’s the correct shade of red.
The right innerwear fit for light-coloured clothes
Colour is the first step to choosing the best-suited innerwear for white or light-coloured attire. The second is the fit and the cut. When they are not exact, two things happen. One, the underwear gets uncomfortable very fast. Two, your smart and sharp look is spoiled.
So, find the exact fit. We give you tonnes of tips on how here. However, the gist of it is that briefs are a safe choice for pajamas and loose trousers. But if you’re wearing body-fit pants in light colours, we advise choosing another innerwear cut like boxers.
Why? Because briefs stop just under the buttock curve and that line is very, very noticeable through the translucent fabric of body-hugging pants. Whereas, boxers descend lower and reach the upper thigh. Plus, they mould to your body shape and don’t dig into your skin. That’s why boxers are the unquestionably perfect cut.
To sum up, pick either a brief or a boxer in the correct colour, and you’ll be set for all your outfits for the festive season!
Find the right fabric for your innerwear
We’ve talked about colour. We’ve spoken about which type of innerwear to select. Now, we move on to the fabric. A vest or a brief should be extremely comfortable on your skin, as well as invisible through light-coloured clothes. It’s why the fabric you choose is crucial.
Super combed cotton is the finest choice because it is light, thin and breathable. It almost feels like a second skin. Look for options that also have elastane in them. The material is softer and doesn’t leave marks. However, irrespective of what fabric you select, make sure that the seams are not very obvious. They should almost disappear when you don the innerwear.
How to keep men’s white underwear white?
Okay, let’s be honest. All of us love our tighty-whities. When it comes to men’s innerwear, white is the colour most of us pick. But keeping them white is a constant challenge. They seem to turn yellow, grey or simply fade in a blink. So, here are a handful of tips to keep your white underwear looking new and making them last longer.
1. Always follow the label
You know that label that comes with new clothes? Pay attention to it. Read the instructions before you wash your innerwear. It will tell you if you can machine wash it or not, at what temperature and even how to dry the innerwear. So, don’t cut the label mindlessly next time you buy a boxer or a vest.
2. Wash white clothes separately
We know you’ve heard it plenty of times. Never wash coloured garments with white clothes. It is not something people just say. It actually works because white innerwear greys with time while black, navy and other colours whiten.
See where we’re going with this? When you wash white underwear separately, they don’t grey as much. They keep that white lustre for longer and therefore last longer.
A point to note here is to not wash white socks with white underwear. Even though they are of the same colour, run a separate cycle for socks. They are the dirtiest of all clothes, full of dirt, debris, stains, and sweat. When you wash them with other white garments, everything turns grey faster.
3. Use cold water to wash white innerwear
Hot water is great at removing stubborn stains, but it wreaks havoc on the fabric and elastic. So, we strongly advise against it. It’s best to wash innerwear with cold water. It will maintain the brightness and lightness of the fabric.
Moreover, the elastic on the brief’s waist or the stretchability of your jogger vest will not spoil. Again, read the label to know what is the appropriate temperature to wash them.
4. Utilize soft or natural whitening agents
Do not bleach your innerwear. Yes, it will brighten the white, but it will damage the fabric beyond repair. Good alternatives are natural whiteners or softer agents. Think baking soda mixed in lukewarm water to remove tough stains. Another option is lemon juice or white vinegar. Both keep white clothes looking like new and they also get rid of stains and smells.
5. Never use the drying cycle for underwear
The worst thing men can do to their innerwear is tumble dry them. Never, ever run the drying cycle in your washing machine when underwear is being cleaned. It damages the fabric, the seams, and the elastic of your boxers, briefs, or trunks.
Your whites will last mere days if you tumble dry them, and you’ll have to replace them more often. The best way to dry all innerwear is in the air. Try to hang them under the shade if the sun is too bright.
Innerwear, white clothes, and making them last longer
No matter how sturdy the fabric of men’s innerwear is, it is still delicate. The same applies to all white and light-shade clothes. It is not easy to keep their shine or make them last longer. But if you follow the three golden rules, your wardrobe will always have at least one white outfit good enough to be worn anywhere.
Hand wash your white clothes and innerwear. We know, we know. It takes effort and time, but it is so worth it. Give it just one try, and you’ll believe us. If you just have to wash it in a machine, use the most delicate cycle it has. Also, put the underwear in a net or pillowcase to protect it. Finally, use cold water and mild detergents!
