It happens to all of us. At one time or another, you’ve probably been unsure about whether or not to wear an undershirt. The truth is that undershirts can actually be confusing. As guys, we don’t get a tutorial growing up about when we’re supposed to wear them. So, that leaves us to figure things out for ourselves, which can be surprisingly tricky.

When deciding whether or not to wear an undershirt, you have to consider a couple of things. First, you’ll need to decide if it will be comfortable for the occasion. Second, you need to figure out if it will look good with your outfit. Here, we’ll break down some of the guidelines that will help you make the right choices for when to wear undershirts in your day-to-day life.

Occasion #1: With Dress Shirts

As a general rule, you’ll often want to wear an undershirt when you’re wearing a dress shirt. Your best bet is to go with a quality crew neck t-shirt. That’s because, with a button-down, you won’t want your undershirt to be visible.

The undershirt has an important job, ensuring that you don’t sweat through your dress shirt. Although sweat is colorless, it can still create unattractive stains. Sweat stains are the last thing you want at a formal event.

Whether you’re going to a fancy dinner, a wedding or any other occasion that you want to look sharp for, a comfortable undershirt is a must. Make sure you pick one that fits you well. Otherwise, you could look a bit awkward on the dance floor or at a company meeting with a frumpy top!

Occasion #2: Casual Outings

Undershirts most certainly aren’t only necessary for formal occasions. Even if you’re heading out for a casual night with friends, you could wear an undershirt with a stylish sweater. In addition to giving you an extra layer of comfort, a nice slim-fit tee under your sweater will accent your outfit wonderfully.

If you wear a v-neck sweater, having some type of undershirt is a necessity if you want to look your best. To get the most out of the look, consider pairing a dark-colored sweater with a white or light-colored undershirt. The contrast will give your sweater a nice backdrop and make the outfit look complete. You won’t be overdressed for the casual occasion, but you’ll probably be the sharpest looking guy in the room!

Occasion #3: Working Out

In order to get the most out of your exercise, it’s recommended to start with some layers and then peel them off once you start to warm up. (Don’t keep layers on the whole time!) These days, you can find special performance undershirts that are perfect for exercising. For example, wearing one of these specialized undershirts when you’re out on a run will help absorb sweat and cool you down. As a result, you’ll feel much dryer and more comfortable during your workout.

Of course, if you’re wearing a performance undershirt while exercising, it probably won’t be for style purposes. However, functionality is also a big part of wearing undershirts. So, why not utilize them to have better workouts?

Occasion #4: Protect from Itchy or Uncomfortable Fabric

Have you ever bought a shirt that looked awesome and realized it was extremely uncomfortable to wear? Most of us have been there at least once or twice, and it’s always a major bummer. However, you don’t necessarily need to throw that cool-looking top in the back of your closet. This is one of the situations in which a comfortable undershirt can truly be a lifesaver.

Whether dealing with an itchy wool sweater or any other textured fabric, you can simply throw on a quality cotton or cotton-polyester undershirt first. If you go with a long sleeve undershirt, you won’t even be able to feel the uncomfortable fabric on your arms. So, you’ll get to look fantastic, and you won’t have to suffer all day. Talk about a win-win!

Occasion #5: Traveling

If you’ve ever spent a long day traveling, you know how unpleasant and uncomfortable your clothes can feel on your body. You might ride the shuttle to the airport, wait two hours for your flight, and then sit on a plane for four hours. Then, after you land, you probably still have to take a cab or bus ride to wherever you’re staying. Those travel days can seemingly go on forever, so it’s especially important that you’re dressed comfortably.

With a high-quality undershirt on, it will be much easier to relax as you go from one stop to the next all day. Plus, if a long day of travel or the hot weather of your destination has you sweating, there won’t be any sweat stains on the nice shirt you traveled in! Typically, a simple crew neck t-shirt or tank should do the trick. As long as the undershirt is comfortable, it should make your strenuous travel day significantly more bearable.

An Important Part of Any Man’s Wardrobe

When you think about it, quality undershirts can come in handy in numerous situations. Whether you’re headed to a formal event, a low-key get-together, or an adventurous hike, you’ll likely be better off with a comfortable undershirt. So, if you want to be prepared for every occasion, make sure you stock up on some quality undershirts. More often than not, you’ll find yourself throwing one on before you head out.