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The Case For Wearing a Sweater Over Nothing: This is about follicles and fabric makeup. If you’re spending the cash on cashmere, then by all means wear your sweater without anything between you and that luxury. An itchy lambswool is a complete no-go. And if you’re sprouting amber, coarse black, or blonde waves-of-chest-grain at the neck, then no, you don’t want to be putting that on display. Like a V-neck t-shirt, the lower the dip in the V the riskier it gets. But if it’s the right material and you’re not a wooly mammoth, then why not?
The Case Against Wearing a Sweater Over Nothing: The thing about sweaters is that they’ll often be worn multiple times (or a lot more) between washing. When they’re used exclusively as a layering piece, yet never as the base layer, that’s just fine. When they’re right up in your pits, it’s kinda nasty. Even if you do hand wash or have your sweaters cleaned after every wearing, to some… it still looks… gigoloish. A v-neck over nothing is sort of boggling. You think a suit and high collar shirt looks weird tieless? Unlike that, a sweater over nothing flies in the face of conventional layering theory: Thinner layers on the bottom, thicker stuff on top. Sweater on skin skips ahead. It’s a bit like an El Camino. You see it and something is just terribly and completely off about it.
Your turn guys. Gross? Excellent? Somewhere in between? Your vote and reasoning goes in the comments.
I have two nice cashmere v-neck sweaters that I would never wear without a button-up underneath; even though I love the look of a v-neck as a layer, I would never wear it by itself. Crew neck sweaters I have no problem wearing on its own.
There is nothing wrong with wearing a sweater by itself. The first time I did it, it kind of weirded me out – but now it is just something to wear on those days where it is too warm to layer but too cold to go with short sleeves. Fashion evolves and sweaters by themselves is not a bad look.
I have a few silk/cotton/cashmere sweaters from BR and though I’ve never worn them alone, they are easily comfortable enough to do so. I don’t see silk discussed very often as a sweater material. Does anyone else own a silk sweater?
Hell no, its like shoes without socks – its just not right
I go sockless quite a bit — boat shoes — casual loafers…
I wear sweater only here and there. No issues or comments from others.
Tried it once, didn’t like it at all. I felt…I don’t know…naked ?
This is one area where I have no issue wearing a visible undershirt. IMO there’s nothing wrong with wearing a grey crewneck undershirt under a crewneck sweater. Now sans-undershirt…not for me.
Obviously I’d prefer to have a shirt with a collar in most settings.
Also, no love for the El Camino? Nancy boy.
When it comes to wearing it on its own, I also agree with the “crew neck yes and v neck no” mantra.
Never. Ever.
I’d be more worried about the life of the sweater than about the look. Wearing without a shirt underneath exposes the sweater to more of your sweat, skin oils (and even worse, your deodorant/antiperspirant), which means the sweater will need to be cleaned more often, which means it has to spend more time doing the bump ‘n grind in either your washing machine or a professional’s, which will lead to quicker pilling, etc.
Do you like your sweater? Do you want to wear it for a while? Then treat it right and don’t abuse it. Wear a shirt underneath.
I don’t see the upside to wearing a sweater without a shirt underneath. The difference in warmth is likely negligible, and Ben is right on the additional wear on the sweater.
I think it’s a fine look… for a girl.
I do it all the time with cashmere, silk and cashmere.
Also, I think the sweater should be rather fitted for the look to work.
Being in shape also helps too.
I must admit to wearing sweaters by themselves for quite some time. I realized how unkempt I looked and have since rectified it. Now I do think certain sweaters are acceptable to wear by itself. It is usually well-fitting and has a pattern.
Funny that this is the style debate today because I put on a v-neck with no shirt underneath, immediately felt weird looked in the mirror to confirm weirdness and put a t-shirt on under it. I’ve never felt comfortable doing the v-neck sans shirt. Crew necks are a completely different story though…
im only commenting because me and LaMar are on the same page… im a university student and i tend to be lazy on what i wear unless it’s for an event or the weekend… but i decided to put on a V-Neck sweater with a grey crew-neck undershirt underneath… v necks calls for something underneath but a crew neck sweater i wont wear anything underneath
“It’s a bit like an El Camino. You see it and something is just terribly and completely off about it.”
Whoa, what? No. El Caminos are cool.
Shoes without socks is acceptable in summer, with shorts. Otherwise, no.
If you really think the look is okay, don’t let it touch your skin directly. As other posters have noted, it is not particularly good for your sweater. And you’ll have to wash it more often. If you REALLY like how it looks, wear a v-neck with a deeper v under the sweater.
No. Doesn’t look good and the cleanliness issue.
I agree on the sweaters, but not on skipping socks in the summer. Any man who lives in the South or similar environs should feel free to go sockless – even to the office.
Never V-Neck by itself. Crew necks can accentuate your physique if you’ve hit the gym. Can be very flattering.
Maybe not even on a girl, depending on how thick or tightly knit the sweater is. If you can clearly see the color or outline of a girl’s bra underneath her sweater she should be wearing at least a cami/tank underneath it.
I would be really uncomfortable, especially without at least an undershirt. I don’t think I would want to even if I could.
I will admit, it looks good on some guys, but I generally avoid the look. Crewnecks mostly, always with a t-shirt underneath.
The no undershirt look definitely works. It has to be with a sweater made of soft material and that has a fitted cut. Most of the v-neck cuts are pretty conservative and don’t show off much. Obviously not everyone is going to feel comfortable going sans undershirt. Try using an organic deodorant if you go without an undershirt.
I have none of the body type, chest hair amount, or confidence to pull this off. I can see it looking cool on the right person, but not for me. God bless you if you can, though!
Didn’t even know this was debatable, or even something to consider. No.
My simple rules:
Crewneck sweaters = layering or undershirt optional.
V-neck sweaters = laying or undershirt required. (even just a Hanes v-neck underneath will do)
Meant to say layering** on the third line
I wear V-neck sweaters without undershirts all the time. As long as the sweater fits well and the V isn’t one of those ones that goes down to your sternum I don’t see what the big deal is.
why buy something made of nice material if you’re not going to feel it…
I have a nice gray and purple V-neck argyle with long sleeves that, after I bought it, I found was too hot to wear over a long sleeve button down shirt and tie, let alone putting a jacket on over it. I got a plain purple sleeveless model instead that works great for that. Now I have little use for this otherwise nice long sleeved one, so I started popping it on in the morning around the house when it’s chilly enough for something. The cashmere feels wonderful on my skin and looking in the mirror, I’m not horrified. I have a bit of a tan and a beard, so maybe that makes the difference. It’s a beautiful sweater and rather than let the thing sit in a drawer as moth food, I’d rather be wearing it. I wouldn’t go to the office that way but if my gardener sees me out in the yard wearing it, I don’t think he’ll run screaming.