singlet-ed out?

after covering the more essential intimate wears like underwear and socks, this last one is an optional garment. not many men wear singlets but for those who do, they prove to be an essential part of the wardrobe. of course, some men have made singlets part of their outerwear as well so let's take a look at the world of singlets.

first, the types:

1) a-shirt / tank top

David Beckham for H&M

the term 'a-shirt' is short for 'athletic shirt' because it is often worn in sports, such as basketball and track-and-field events. in the united states, it is also known colloquially as a tank top, or, disparagingly, a wife-beater. in british english an a-shirt is known as a vest. another term, used in the republic of ireland, australia, nigeria and new zealand, is singlet.

in addition to athletic usage, a-shirts have traditionally been used as undershirts, especially with suits and dress shirts. they are sometimes worn alone without a dress shirt or top shirt during very warm and or humid weather. a-shirts may also be worn alone under very casual settings.

the build of an a-shirt is simple: the neck and armholes are often reinforced for durability. one usually has large armholes and neck holes and a neckline that can reach down as far as mid-chest. They are also sometimes made long to make tucking into a pair of trousers easier. In almost all cases, they are buttonless, collarless, and pocketless. an a-shirt worn as an undershirt is designed for a tight fit and is often made of ribbed cotton.

2) muscle tee

a sleeveless t-shirt, also called a muscle tee, is the same design as a t-shirt, but without sleeves. they are primarily worn by men since the large open sleeve holes would expose the female breast under certain circumstances. they are often worn during athletic activities. they were quite popular in the 1980s and were stereotypically associated with surfers and bodybuilders (hence the name 'muscle' shirt) who often bore the logo of their gyms on these shirts.

next, the cuts:

there are three different traditional 'cuts' to most singlets: the high cut, the fila cut, and the low cut. 

the high cut covers most of the chest and reaches up to the under-arms on the side. 

the fila cut is like the high cut but does not rise up as high beneath the arms. 

the low cut singlet is a revealing singlet, that allows greater range of mobility, keeps its wearer cooler, tends to be more comfortable. the low cut reaches down to the middle abdomen in the front, reaches down to the hips on the sides and features a single strap that runs up the back.

fash'on... BAM!