Wifebeaters?

[Yeps]

Just out of curiosity, I wonder what the range of age groups is for wearers of athletic undershirts (A-shirts, singlets, tanks, vests, wifebeaters, or whatever you refer to them as) in this thread. I just turned 50 a few months ago and, here in Atlanta, there seem to be few of my contemporaries who wear A-shirts on a regular basis. I tend to see either gentleman who are older than I am or those that are much younger who wear them.

My dad is in his fifties, and always wears t-shirts. My brother and I span the first half of the 20s, and both of us wear beaters (I have always called them beaters. It was a long time before I learned that that was short for wifebeater). I started wearing them because he did, and then stuck with them because I prefer them.

 

[KenDale]

I never go out in public in anything less on top than a collared shirt. Even when I'm home alone I like wearing them even if I've little else on because I no longer have a Bruce Willis body (did I ever?) and I embarrass myself a little less than I otherwise would.

I am very similar to this. The only time that I am not wearing a collared shirt when I am outside the house is while I am working in the yard. Then, I will have on a t-shirt with an A-shirt underneath. Never have felt comfortable going shirtless (even inside the house), so at the least I always have on an A-shirt. Basically, I am wearing one unless I am taking a shower. LOL

 

[1961MJS]

HI

My Dad is 91 and wears wife beaters as undershirts and sleeps in that day's shirt. I'm about 50 and wear v-neck t-shirts under dress shirts to keep the pit stains to a minimum.

Later

 

[Edward]

I wear them all the time, albeit only in the ribbed variety. Due to the ribbing the garment is partly held away from the skin, thus allowing for better heat dissipation. In that respect it actually bears a close resemblance to seersucker fabric.

Interesting... I'd never thought of that. Makes sense, though - I must try a couple. Mine are all regular-type cotton, except for one which is ribbed. The ribbed one is, however, black, so needless to say it doesn't get much regular wear.

I always wear them under T-shirts and casual shirts.

Under a T-shirt is something I've never done - doesn't it feel a bit much, or do you wear T shirts pretty baggy?

I believe it was shortly after I joined FL a couple of years ago that the topic of this type of garment was discussed. One poster claimed that worn year-round under a shirt they were cooler in summer and warmer in winter. I tried it and found this counter-intuitive bit of wisdom to be true. Since then I wear them as regularly as my jockey's.

Exactly my experience too. The first really big test heat-wise was in China, then last May I spent a week in Bangalore and discovered there just how much more comfortable I was in extreme heat in an undershirt and ss shirt as opposed to a t-shirt. Or, more to the point, as opposed to a shirt with no undershirt. I also passed that tip on a couple of years ago to a well-known UK stand-up comedian (who also now has a burgeoning television career). I do wonder whether he's tried it out!

 

[benstephens]

Exactly my experience too. The first really big test heat-wise was in China, then last May I spent a week in Bangalore and discovered there just how much more comfortable I was in extreme heat in an undershirt and ss shirt as opposed to a t-shirt. Or, more to the point, as opposed to a shirt with no undershirt. I also passed that tip on a couple of years ago to a well-known UK stand-up comedian (who also now has a burgeoning television career). I do wonder whether he's tried it out![/QUOTE]


When I was working in Mumbai I did the same. It really does help. I suppose trapping a layer of air around the body acts as insulation, from either warmth or cold. It also stops your short feeling to clingy.

I am not sure how true this article is, but I certainly know that in WW2 the Army issued string vests. There is a rumour that they could be undone and woven into a rope to escape from a POW camp. Whether or not that is true I am unsure

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/men/article3013571.ece

Kindest Regards

Ben

 

[KenDale]

Interesting... I'd never thought of that. Makes sense, though - I must try a couple. Mine are all regular-type cotton, except for one which is ribbed. The ribbed one is, however, black, so needless to say it doesn't get much regular wear.

Under a T-shirt is something I've never done - doesn't it feel a bit much, or do you wear T shirts pretty baggy?

Give the ribbed cotton ones a try, I believe that you will like them. I can tell I noticeable difference between them and the regular, smooth cotton ones.

I also wear them under a t-shirt. My A-shirts are all size small since I am not a very big guy and I wear a large size t-shirt, so it is rather roomy. A small size A-shirt and a small t-shirt would be a bit much.

 

[Hal]

I agree with Edward and Ben - these garments (singlets? A-shirts? athletic vests?) do a great job in summer, especially when an open-necked shirt is worn over them, for the reasons given. For autumn, winter and spring I prefer the T-shirt style - more coverage.

 

[KenDale]

Quite surprised by the number of wearers in the UK. I thought it that in the UK it was generally frowned upon to wear them.

 

[Edward]

Quite surprised by the number of wearers in the UK. I thought it that in the UK it was generally frowned upon to wear them.

The mainstream affects to think it naff and geeky to wear a vest. That said, Sainsburys here in Whitechapel do a roaring trade in vests, so i should suspect there are a lot of closet vest wearers out there!

 

[AntonAAK]

Quite surprised by the number of wearers in the UK. I thought it that in the UK it was generally frowned upon to wear them.

I agree. Wearing a vest in the UK is considered something children do and you grow out of. I haven't worn anything under my shirt since I was twelve.

Not saying it's right or wrong but it is the prevailing culture here in my opinion.

A

 

[Hal]

I agree. Wearing a vest in the UK is considered something children do and you grow out of.

That is true; but a sweaty shirt is unpleasant all-round! Only in hot dry circumstances (i.e. Mediterranean summer days and the like) do I go without an "undershirt". I don't care very much what the "mainstream" thinks.

 

[AntonAAK]

That is true; but a sweaty shirt is unpleasant all-round! Only in hot dry circumstances (i.e. Mediterranean summer days and the like) do I go without an "undershirt". I don't care very much what the "mainstream" thinks.

Presumably a sweaty vest is unpleasant too... I fail to see how an extra layer is going to make me sweat less.

But plenty of people here are of the opinion that it does so I am willing to give it a try. Might have to wait til next summer however.

I'll try to remember...

 

[Hal]

Presumably a sweaty vest is unpleasant too... I fail to see how an extra layer is going to make me sweat less.

I take your point - it won't make you sweat less; but as vest material is more absorbent that shirt material, you shouldn't get a wet or wet-looking shirt. The autumn/winter season might be the most appropriate time to consider wearing an unfamiliar extra layer - but you may be in overheated interiors for much of your time.

 

[KenDale]

I don't care very much what the "mainstream" thinks.

This statement made me realize that I had been going against what the "mainstream" thinks for over 30 years. So far, I have been able to survive and have been very comfortable doing so. I guess it goes to show that the "mainstream" is not always correct.

 

[James71]

I wear them, but then, I'm Australian and it's mandatory.

 

[KenDale]

Paul Newman looked great in a wifebeater AND a fedora in one of the scenes in
The Sting.

I just watched this movie again and completely agree. Newman is middle-aged but pulls off the look without a hitch. Whether he is wearing one as an undershirt or sitting in bed just wearing the athletic undershirt and a fedora, he wears it well and makes it look great.

 

[RobT]

In the UK they are referred to as vests or singlets.

 

[davestlouis]

I have never worn one in my life, and don't intend to. I like crewneck t-shirts, and wear one under every shirt,no matter what.

One of my sons is 16, and has taken to wearing a 'beater around the house. The issue is this...he's just under 6 ft tall, and a smidge over 250 lbs, and has a good-sized pair of manboobs, which look AWFUL peeking out from that shirt. I've tried to tell him it's just not a good look, but he has autism and eats obsessively, and it's a battle I'm not gonna win.

 

[shortbow]

I wonder if someone would take pity on my rather provincial grasp of such things, but provide a list of what this type of undergarment is called in each major geographic location? Ie. Europe, England, US., Canada, Oz, NZ and whichever other local is appropriate?

The term 'wifebeaters' just gags me.

I'm talking about civilized names as in what one would ask for in a men's shop.

Ta.

 

[Hal]

In the UK they are referred to as vests or singlets.

Usually, "vest" is the generalised term for USA "undershirt", while "singlet" is this particular type of vest. Some distinguish between a "vest" and a "T-shirt" but the old-fashioned garment with short sleeves and a three-button neck opening is usally called a "vest". No wonder there's a bit of confusion!