Layering debate: V-Neck over Button Up over… T-shirt?
Call it another level of layering, a casual renaissance, or whatever… but some of you are absolutely going to hate this look. Some will argue that this is really all about comfort, and if you execute it with the right pieces, it’ll look more than fine. Here are a few suggested requirements for executing the addition of a t-shirt under the v-neck & button up standard layered look:
- Everything has to be untucked
- Can only be worn casually
- The t-shirt has to be an earth tone. No white undershirts allowed.
- The t-shirt has to be close fitting and relatively thin. Think Mossimo or American Apparel.
- The V-neck has to be a thicker lambswool or cotton. No thin cashmere or silk blends
So what say you? A lot of us don’t like the feeling of an untucked button up under a v-neck sweater without a layered t-shirt beneath. It feels like your torso is going commando. The obvious response would be: Tuck your damn shirt in. But sometimes you just want to be completely relaxed. The t-shirt underneath lets you do that.
Would you wear this three level layered casual look? Do you already? Leave your thoughts below.
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Wearing a thin gray tee, light blue button down and a green sweater as we speak. All tucked in. Looks great, if I do say so myself.
Definitely a casual look, but for a Saturday afternoon with friends or just running around town it works great. You have to get the colors working together or the tee looks out of place, earthtones is a great suggestion.
Errmm hmm not so sure.
Normally if I’m wearing a v-neck i either go with a button up, and then it would be tucked in, OR I go for a t-shirt, and then it is truly casual. At which point I think it is the only acceptable time for a white t-shirt under something… with a white t-shirt under a light heather grey v-neck, I think it avoids the “underwear” look.
Anyhow, back to topic, I never really like wearing a t-shirt under any of my button-downs, no matter how casual. I just think it looks better without. Ditto when you add a v-neck, and I must say, I say tuck in the shirt with v-necks.
Cheers,
Ben
I’ll occasionally layer a ringer t-shirt underneath a button down, usually grey and black or blue and navy. It adds a little color in place of a tie and is great if you ran out of undershirts.
I like this look, though I don’t think all those rules are necessary :). Basically just gotta go for casual, and make it seem like “yea, I just threw this together”. But in fact you might want to play with it to get it to look right. Depending on the shirts and sweater you may want to go tucked, untucked, half tucked; one button, two buttons undone; etc. One thing’s for sure, though, it’s a pretty casual look.
I use it to good effect sometimes to help dress-down my more dressy outfits for work, because I work at a very casual office.
As we speak I am wearing a patterned shirt with a striped sweater and white undershirt. Shirts tucked, sweater not. I think I failed. But I am happy with it.
i think this can also work with a v-neck tee as long as the v is shallower that the sweater’s v.
i often utilize a heather-gray tee under my blue and white button ups. it brings a nice color contrast just below your face. I am for this when done correctly. I’ve done this with a blue tee, white button up and gray v-neck lambswool. i like it.