That stuff can completely mess with your confidence.

When it comes to what you wear, you don’t just want to look good, you want to FEEL good. 

To feel good, you must get the basics right first and foremost.

And by basics, we mean undershirts, underwear, & t-shirts.

The Basics: Buying Underwear, Undershirts & T-Shirts

To ensure you're on track buying the right basics, make sure you're getting underwear, undershirts & t-shirts with:

• The right fit: You feel more comfortable when you have the right piece of clothing and material on. Plain and simple
• Soft & body-friendly fabrics: The right piece of clothing is one that is skin-friendly and feels smooth on your skin. The better the material feels, the better you’re likely to feel, so stay away from fabrics with a coarse material
• Breathable, sweat-wicking material: Material matters. Too thick, and you'll overheat. Too absorbent and you'll feel wet
• A separate t-shirt and undershirt collection: Never confuse a t-shirt with an undershirt. They're different

Your confidence is directly correlated to how good you feel. 

When it comes to what you wear, getting the basics right means you're well on your way to that ever-wonderful confidence boost.

Top 5 Tips Covered In Our Video

In cooperation with David at the Threadability YouTube channel, we've identified the top 5 tips to buying underwear, undershirts, & t-shirts.

David shares his insight into the key things to look for when buying basics, and how they all work together to improve your confidence.

In the video below David shares his top 5 tips, and dives deep into each one, including:

• Tip #1: Undershirt - Go for softer materials
• Tip #2: Undershirt - Get the right fit
• Tip #3: Undershirt - Invisibility. Keep them hidden
• Tip #4: Tees - They're not the same as undershirts. Know the difference
• Tip #5: Underwear: Find the right shape

Video

For those who prefer to read, below you'll find the transcript to the above video, plus some bonus information including photos and more.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

What's up?

It's David K., a.k.a. Threadability and I have a question for you today. 

Have you ever been at the office or working from home, or even about to go out and you're in your best outfit feeling productive and confident just to be thrown off your game, because something isn't sitting right? 

Your undershirt isn't staying tucked or even that tee isn't feeling good, or you're even adjusting the boys through the pocket? 

It's a total confidence killer, right? 

Confidence shouldn't be reserved for those special nights out or occasion. I want you to feel it while you're at work, at home, no matter what you're wearing because that leads to motivation and positivity. 

I want to feel confident no matter what I'm wearing. 

Today, we're talking about the basics of feeling confident in your clothes.

If you follow me on Instagram and you've been subscribed here for a little bit -- which if you haven't, go ahead and hit that Subscribe button real quick -- but we talk about confidence quite a bit.

It's both an internal mental and physical game. Both aspects come together to help you feel confident in what you're wearing. 

Today, I want to talk about that physical aspect of feeling confident; and no, I'm not talking about going to the gym and getting fit or buying the best new clothes. I'm talking about how you feel in your clothes that translate into feeling confident.

Did you catch my poor attempt at a pun at the beginning of this video?

Okay, cut me some slack. I want to back it up and talk about basics because they're the foundation of confidence in an outfit. 

Let's talk about undershirts, tees; and as a bonus, underwear and how they up your confidence game.

I want to start by building confidence from the inside of your outfit.

First, I want to say thank you to RibbedTee for sponsoring this video and providing the base layers that we're going to be talking about today.

I know I'm not the only one who's had his confidence completely thrown when I don't feel comfortable in my clothes. 

Like I said before, it just knocks you off your game; whether you're having to re-tuck an undershirt or fix a tag in a tee or even mess with the boys because something's chafing, it's just not what you want to be experiencing.

A―nobody wants to see that

B―you look a little weird messing around with your junk, or your shirt, or whatever, and having to run to the bathroom every 10 minutes just to get it adjusted.

I wasn't somebody who paid attention to those base layers, and that's pretty common because when you think about being confident in our clothes, we're not thinking about those layers that are touching our body first. 

We just grew up wearing them thinking that they're a necessity and not something that contribute to how we feel in our clothes. 

But I've seen their importance become more mainstream and more widely understood, and I'm totally on that train because that confidence begins in those base layers. That's how we start feeling good with what we're wearing.

Today, we're talking about the five things that are going to help you pick the best, basics, or undergarments and feel confident in what you're wearing, regardless if you're heading out, going to work, or staying home. 

Number one, let's start with undershirts. 

Tip #1: Undershirt - Go for Softer Materials

Make sure you're going for one that's soft and is a material that feels good on your skin.

RibbedTee uses EVO TENCEL, which is a silk-like feeling fabric that is super thin and moisture-wicking. It's designed to feel comfortable on your skin, and almost like you're not wearing anything at all. Go thinner to get that confident feeling.

Bonus Tip I: Moisture-Wicking, Breathable Materials

Another major key is moisture-wicking because we all know how sweat stains can cause discomfort and be total confidence killers.

I personally tend to wear an undershirt with dress and casual shirts because I also want to protect the outer shirt from those sweat stains. 

Now remember, moisture-wicking and breathable are not the same thing. Those cotton shirts are breathable, but they don't necessarily wick the moisture away from your body. It's time to get rid of those cotton shirts with the sweat stains because they're not helping you.

Bonus Tip II: Go for a Tagless Option

Lastly, go for a tagless option because you don't want to be fussing around with a tag at the neck or the side of your shirt. That's definitely another confidence killer. 

Basically, you're going to want to go for something that's thinner, moisture-wicking, and tagless to help you feel confident in that undershirt.

Tip #2: Undershirt - Get the Right Fit

For number two, we're sticking with undershirts but we're addressing fit. You want to buy the right size.

If you go for something that's too long or has too much material, you're going to be fussing with it again.

If it's too short, it's going to keep popping out and you're going to feel restricted. Those are both going to be confidence killers as well. 

First, make sure that the undershirt is long enough. Remember, the whole point is for it to stay tucked. It's not a tee.

You want it to be long enough to stay tucked when you inevitably have to bend over or sit at your desk, or get pushed into the middle of a dance circle at a wedding. You want to be able to do those things and stay tucked and confident.

The back of RibbedTee's undershirts is actually a little bit longer to help you stay tucked.

RibbedTee does a really good job of designing their shirts to hug the body. Again, we're not getting that extra material to fuss around with under our shirts.

Now, they also have two different fits that I'm a fan of―the fitted, which is a little bit more tight to the body and hugs it a little bit more; and a more relaxed fit, which comes away from it a little bit.

It's just upon your preference and what feels good to you.

Tip #3: Undershirt - Invisibility

Number three, when it comes to wearing undershirt, I do not want to see that neckline. That is a major pet peeve of mine, especially when you're wearing a collared shirt, you shouldn't be able to see anything. It should be virtually invisible. 

In that case, it's got to be a V-neck so I don't see it. If I can see a hint of that undershirt, it's a surefire way to know that you're wearing the wrong kind of shirt and that's going to drive you nuts, trust me.

RibbedTee offers a V-neck and also a deep V-neck so that you can leave that first couple of buttons of the shirt unbuttoned, and not see anything, feel like yourself, total confidence booster this time.

 For more undershirt wearing tips, check out the following articles:

• Wearing Undershirts Under Dress Shirts
• Best Undershirt To Wear Under A White Dress Shirt
• Should You Wear An Undershirt Under A T-Shirt

I know those first three points were a bit more dedicated to undershirts but for number four, let's talk about tees. 

Tip #4: Tees - Have A Separate T-Shirt and Undershirt Selection

Now, what if you just want to wear a simple tee out?

Well, to you, my friend, I say just make sure it's not the same as your undershirt, even if you plan on layering it.

[For more information on the differences between t-shirts and undershirts, check out this article.]

Typically, those tees that you wear on their own are meant to be seen. You want them to be clean and free of those pit stains. Most of those tips from the undershirts still apply to tees, except for the deep V. 

You don't want the deep V because...well, you know why you don't want the deep V.

You may also want to consider a thicker material than undershirts so they're not almost see-through.

The RibbedTee T-shirt is a little bit thicker and more saturated in color and stands on its own.

I'd be comfortable wearing this on its own or layered with an open button shirt.

Now, I still recommend going for something that's tagless and has softer materials. 

RibbedTee has a mix of TENCEL and Spandex to give you a little bit of stretch. You might also see a Supima cotton, which has longer fibers that help avoid pilling and stay softer longer.

It's also worth looking at pre-shrunken RibbedTee or pre-washed shirts so that you don't have to deal with the aftermath from washing it the first time. 

Bonus Tip: Hang It Up

Lastly, hang it up, keep it stored nicely because if you're going to be wearing it off and on its own, you don't want to come out wearing a ton of wrinkles.

Tip #5: Underwear - Find the Right Shape

All right, number five. Wait. Hey, what's that under there? I made you say it, didn't I?

Okay. You, at least thought it, right? Fine, give me the benefit of the doubt. We're talking about underwear for this last point. 

Again, the same rules for confidence and comfort apply when you're getting dressed below the waist. 

Find the right shape for you.

I personally go for a boxer brief because it helps me avoid chafing, bunching, and constant adjusting―you know, the constant confident killers that we've only been talking about this entire video.

RibbedTee came out with this 3D pouch design as well, which is the first time I tried it but it lets everything fit in there pretty comfortably while avoiding those problems we talked about.

How do I know it works? Because I'm wearing them right now. [wink] 

The same principles apply here as the undershirts. You want something that's smooth and comfortable on your skin as well as breathable and moisture-wicking. RibbedTee uses a cool nylon fabric that does all of that. 

When I first saw these, I thought it's going to be like wearing compression shorts all day, which if you've done that after the gym, it isn't very comfortable. But these are actually comfortable and breathable. Another confidence booster from RibbedTee.

If there's one thing you take away from this video, I want you to remember that how you feel in an outfit, regardless of what you're wearing or where you are, is more important than how you look in it. 

Getting those basics right is the first step in that. 

Key takeaways are:

• get that fit right
• have breathable and moisture-wicking materials
• have a separate T-shirt and undershirt selection, and
• do the same for the boys downstairs

Use these guidelines to set up your undergarment collection and avoid just one more confidence killer that gets in your way. 

Let me know down below in the comments if you ever dealt with these same confidence killers or you have any other to add that I missed. 

Make sure to like and subscribe here [on YouTube], and follow me on all other platforms @threadability.

Thank you again to RibbedTee for sponsoring this video.

If you want to check out their selection, I've got a link down below in the description. You can use code FIRST20 to get a little bit of a discount there as well. (link)

Until next time.

Posted in: Advice

Which of the two undershirts, the EVO TENCEL or the Execwear CoolNylon, is odor resistant?

I often have to travel extended trips and do not always have access to laundry.

Thanks!

Michael

Odor Resistant Undershirts

Hi Michael,

Thank you for contacting RibbedTee Customer Service and for your interest in our products!

You'll be happy to know that both our EVO TENCEL & Execwear CoolNylon undershirts are odor resistant.

TENCEL is a premium variation of Lyocell. Here's what TENCEL fibers look like.

It's a more ecologically friendly yarn derived from sustainably grown eucalyptus trees, and is a big brother to Modal & MicroModal, vicose (i.e. viscose from bamboo), and rayon.

All of these fiber types are known to fight bacterial growth, which is the primary cause of odor.

The nylon used in our CoolNylon products is non-oleolphilic (does not absorb oil), so any body odor oils ​that transfer to the fabric during daily-wear, will wash out completely after a brief hand-wash.

Quick Drying Undershirts

Between the two, our EVO TENCEL undershirts will dry a bit faster than our Execwear CoolNylon undershirts, but both undershirts will certainly air dry overnight.

Pro Tip: A pro-tip is to blast the fabric with a hot hair dryer for a few minutes, and that will help accelerate the drying process. Though, that is not normally necessary, unless you're in extremely humid indoor conditions.

Odor Resistance

Also, if you are unable to wash the items for a period of time, both undershirts could be worn multiple times without being washed, and still not have any notable odors.

In fact, we have had customer report that they have worn our EVO TENCEL undershirts daily for 2+ weeks without laundering, and there were no noticeable odors after 2+ weeks!

If you're looking for quick drying underwear as well, our G3 CoolNylon Boxer Briefs are made from the same fabric as our Execwear CoolNylon undershirts, and as such, will also air dry overnight :)

We're here if you have any other questions, so please do let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

Posted in: Advice

However, undershirts have some very important purposes, some of which you may already be familiar with. Others just might surprise you.

In fact, the undershirt is one of the most versatile and crucial parts of every man's wardrobe.

Here's everything you need to know about why men wear undershirts. 

Why Do Men Wear Undershirts?

There are quite a few practical reasons men wear undershirts.

Some wear them just because it completes the outfit, or because they were told they are supposed to.

But most men choose undershirts because they are comfortable, they protect their clothes, and they smooth and cover up imperfections.

1. They Are Comfortable

The first and most common reason men wear undershirts, assuming you pick the correct one, is that they are soft and comfortable.

Soft undershirts can help protect your skin from an itchy or rough dress shirt.

If your current undershirt isn't buttery soft, you are either wearing the wrong type of undershirt, or just might be wearing a t-shirt.

Don't be fooled—they (undershirts & t-shirts) are not the same thing. It is important to remember that an undershirt is an underwear, while a tee is outerwear.

To learn more, please read this comprehensive article about the differences between tee-shirts and undershirts.

2. They Regulate Your Temperature

Although a quality dress shirt can feel good directly on your skin, wearing an undershirt can also help regulate your temperature.

Depending on the type of undershirt you have, it will either keep you warm in the winter or cool in the summer. 

In short, when you choose the proper one, undershirts serve the crucial purpose of helping keep your body temperature regulated.

If you work in an office that constantly has the air conditioner cranked on high and know you will be cold, choose a thicker undershirt to add a bit more warmth.

If you foresee a day with a lot of activity or with higher temperatures and the possibility of sweating, choose an absorbent undershirt that is extra-breathable. You will also need a shirt that lets the air flow freely through the material so your body temperature remains stable and comfortable.

You need to choose an undershirt made from fabrics designed for your needs or for the current season. 

Best Undershirts for Hot Weather

When you buy an undershirt in the summertime, you need to pick out breathable and lightweight fabrics.

Choosing undershirts with superior moisture-wicking and moisture-absorbing yarns will help you stay cool all day long. This means you will stay comfortable and dry for hours, even if you're wearing a suit jacket. 

If you're looking for thin, lightweight undershirts, these the ones we offer for keeping you cool: 

• Retro Fit Tri-Blend - This undershirt has a unique blend of moisture-wicking and moisture-absorbing yarns to keep you dry and comfortable. It is also extremely soft and lightweight
• Retro Fit 50/50 - Another excellent lightweight undershirt option, this undershirt also features a blend of both moisture-wicking and moisture-absorbing yarn but in a looser fit
• EVO TENCEL - This is the most absorbent fabric of all three undershirts. Plus, it is extra lightweight and breathable

If you are a man who sweats quite a bit and notice sweat accumulating on the outside of your dress shirt, you should consider trying out our EVO TENCEL. This undershirt does a great job of moisture management & distribution.

A customer raved about the EVO TENCEL undershirt he recently purchased, highlighting how it was a total game-changer for him professionally:

Comfortable, snug, and firm! You can’t even tell you’re wearing them with the added bonus my professional shirts feel better and my sweat and perspiration are absorbed now!

It feels great to dress professional more every day and I would highly recommend these T-shirt’s to wear under the professional shirts. Total game changer!!!

-Thomas

Best Undershirts for Cold Weather

You might not sweat in the winter, but you will appreciate another layer of fabric to protect you from the cold winds, or a freezing office. 

Rather than reach for a bulky, itchy sweater, prepare for the lower temperatures each morning with a comfortable undershirt that feels like a second skin. A short-sleeved undershirt with the right fabric blend will do an impressive job at keeping your core warm, while not sacrificing personal style.

A medium-weight undershirt is usually the warmest style the average man needs. 

Don't be mistaken, however. Just because these undershirts keep you cozy, it doesn't mean they have to be thick or bulky.

Modern undershirts for cold weather are made with smart fabric blends that do a great job of insulating. 

If you're in search of an undershirt that can keep you warmer in cold weather you may want to consider our medium-weight MicroModal undershirt.

Be aware that medium weight shirts do wear warmer than lightweight undershirts, so you may not want to wear these in the heat of summer or if you will be in a place without air conditioning.

If you tend to sweat year-round, even in the coldest months of the year, a lightweight undershirt may be your best bet. 

3. They Protect Your Dress Shirts

Another reason men wear undershirts is that they protect dress shirts from deodorant stains.

In fact, wearing an undershirt can greatly increase the longevity of your valuable business shirts.

Investing in some high-quality undershirts could mean you purchase fewer dress shirts because you don't have to keep replacing them.

Choose a durable undershirt that will retain its shape even after repeated washings, as its one of the best investments you can make in your wardrobe. 

4. They Help Avoid Embarrassing Faux Pas

All of us have parts of our appearance we'd rather not showcase to the world, particularly out in public. The right choice of undershirt can help avoid embarrassing, unsightly fashion faux pas.  

Virtually all men will appreciate how undershirts smooth and cover things like chest hair.

While you may want to show off your hair-covered torso on the weekend, most people prefer to keep chest hair from sneaking over the top of their button-down in the office. 

Additionally, protruding nipples can be an uncomfortable and embarrassing sight for many men.

A well-fitting undershirt with a bit of compression will help reduce the appearance of nipples peeking through your shirt.

A nice undershirt will prevent fashion faux pas and give you a boost of confidence.

5. They Help You Stay Well-Dressed

The visual goal of an undershirt is to keep it invisible.

To help keep the appearance of an undershirt hidden, just pick an undershirt that most closely matches your skin tone.

• If you have fair skin, pick a white undershirt
• Choose a tan color if you have medium tone skin
• Those with even darker skin tones should pick a grey or darker tan colored undershirt

Should Men Wear Undershirts?

The vast majority of the time, the short answer is yes, men should wear undershirts as often as they can.

Undershirts should be a normal part of your dressing routine. They should be as normal as wearing underwear.

That being said, there are a few occasions in which wearing a certain type of undershirt might not work the best.

Do Not Wear Dark Undershirts With Light Shirts

The point of an undershirt is to smooth and protect. They should also perform those functions while staying invisible.

Avoid wearing a dark-colored undershirt with a light-colored dress shirt. Remember, the goal is to pick something that matches your skin tone as closely as possible.

If you have a black or navy blue dress shirt, you don't have to worry about the color of your undershirt as it will not likely show through.

This rule only applies if your business shirt is lighter-colored.

Do Not Wear An Undershirt That is Too Large

Bulky undershirts that bunch up are not only uncomfortable, but they also look sloppy and unprofessional.

It's important to wear an undershirt that fits you perfectly, so opting for one that hugs close to the body is generally recommended over one that is looser fitting.

Before buying an undershirt, be sure to refer to the manufacturer's sizing guide. These guides explain how to best match your measurements to their products.

Don't Wear Only Sleeveless Undershirts

Tank top style undershirts work well in a few occasions, but shouldn't be your go-to choice.

The sleeves of an undershirt absorb sweat. So if you wear a tank top, you are giving up that extra protection.

Tank top undershirts are classic, but most men will feel more comfortable and confident if they have undershirts with sleeves.

Do Not Let the Neck Line of the Undershirt Show

How do you like to wear your dress shirts?

Do you button them clean up to your neck, or do you prefer to leave them slightly unbuttoned?

This answer will determine the neckline of your undershirt.

Pick a neckline that will stay hidden underneath your shirts. Avoid the undershirt showing through the top of your shirt.

Undershirt or Not: When To Wear an Undershirt

As important as undershirts are, there is a right time and a wrong time to wear them.

Just remember these easy rules and you'll be the best-dressed (and most comfortable) person in the room.

Here are three situations where men often skip undershirts.

However, these scenarios are ones in which you should always wear an undershirt with your outfit. Here's why. 

1. Wear An Undershirt With White Dress Shirts

White dress shirts tend to be the most see-through colors of dress shirts.

Many men know to wear an undershirt with a white shirt to avoid experiencing unintentional nipples showing, chest hair exposure, and other fashion faux pas.

However, some undershirts show right through a white dress shirt, making your appearance sloppy and unprofessional. 

What's a man to do?

Thankfully, there's an easy solution. Pick an undershirt that closely matches your skin tone.

Make sure not to wear a white undershirt as this is the type that will show through.

Reach for a skin-tone colored undershirt, and even under a white dress shirt, the undershirt will not show through!

2. Wear An Undershirt With Stiff-Fronted Dress Shirts

Have you ever worn a stiff-fronted shirt for a black-tie affair that itched? The feeling can be almost unbearable.

Thankfully, super soft undershirts are the answer.

The undershirt will protect your skin, and that itchy dress shirts won't bother you one bit.

3. Wear An Undershirt On Cold Days

On colder days, an undershirt can help you stay warmer by adding a thin layer of insulation.

If you opt to wear a sweater or other high-necked apparel on these chilly days, a crew neck shirt will be your best choice. It will cover more of your skin and keep you comfortably toasty.

Video Guide to Undershirts

The world of undershirts is a surprisingly in-depth topic that confuses many men. If you were always curious about undershirts, you aren't alone.

The Gentleman's Gazette covered this topic thoroughly in their video below.

There are a few drawbacks to undershirts, particularly the wrong kinds of undershirt,  which he explains very well. The video also includes some some pros and cons of wearing undershirts.

If you ever had any questions about why to wear an undershirt or when to wear an undershirt, they are covered in this video.

More Undershirt Questions, Answered

There you have it. Now you know why men wear undershirts, and how to choose the proper one to stay comfortable and stylish.

If you still have a few questions about undershirts, you may find the articles below additionally helpful.

• How do you avoid undershirt sleeves that are too long? If your undershirt sleeves stick out from your short-sleeved dress shirts, this article is a must-read for you.
• Is a t-shirt the same thing as an undershirt? No, they are very different. Discover why they aren't the same thing at all, and how to tell them apart.

We are always here to answer any questions that you may have. To us, there is no silly undershirt or underwear question.

So, please feel free to drop us a line with your question and we'll be happy to assist you!

Posted in: Advice

Hi,

First time buyer here looking to take advantage of that FIRST20 discount.

I have read your blog carefully and after thinking about my use cases, it seems that the light grey EVO TENCEL V-neck undershirt is best for me given that I often ride my bike to work and thus sweat.

How Many Undershirts Should I Buy?

My question is really about how many undershirts to buy. I am deciding between five and ten.

Obviously ten undershirts at $32 each is a sizable upfront investment even after a $64 discount (20% off), but as someone who likes to optimize for the long term, it seems reasonable to me.

However, I have never really worn undershirts before and so I don't know what the proper etiquette is.

Is the ideal practice to wear an undershirt once before laundry?

It also seems like having 10 will allow me to go longer before needing to do laundry - up to 2 weeks really, which is great for saving water and electricity.

On the other hand if an undershirt can be worn twice, if I bought five then I could simply wear each one again the following week after the first five days.

Overall, I would like to get your recommendation on the matter.

Thank you. Cheers.

Kam

Should You Wear Undershirts More Than Once?

Hi Kam,

Thank you for contacting RibbedTee Customer Service and for your interest in our products!

Our EVO TENCEL undershirt is a great choice. We're sure you'll be happy with that item :)

It is generally considered a best practice and most hygienic to wear an undershirt only one time.

However, we have heard from some Customers that they do wear them more than one time before laundering.

Many of our undershirts, including our EVO TENCEL undershirts, have anti-microbial & anti-odor characteristics. As such, they are not prone to collect bacteria as quickly as a polyester undershirt would.

It is worth noting, if you have more undershirts, you can go longer between replacing them since each undershirt is used and washed less frequently.

Of course, there is another alternative.

Since most of our undershirts are very lightweight, they dry faster than many other undershirts.

This is especially the case with our EVO TENCEL undershirts. You can learn more about them here.

EVO TENCEL Light Grey Deep V-Neck Undershirt

As such, you could get a second use out of an undershirt by hand washing/rinsing it in the sink in the evening, and letting it hang dry overnight.

We hope you find the above information helpful.

Please do let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

Posted in: Advice

While our clothing plays a part, for men, a lot of what we value about ourselves -- hair, body, virility -- comes from our testosterone levels.

But as we age, our testosterone levels start to drop: after we hit 30 or 40, our testosterone levels drop 1% every year on average.

Some men’s T levels drop even more dramatically, putting them in a condition known as low testosterone.

It’s difficult to know for sure whether or not you’re experiencing low testosterone. But look for the following signs to figure out if you might want to consider undergoing hormone replacement therapy.

Lower Sex Drive

Testosterone levels affect both our primary and secondary sex characteristics, but at the end of the day it’s still primarily a sex hormone.

In puberty, our testosterone levels spike, and along with that comes an accompanying rise in sex drive that continues into our twenties.

However, as we get into later adulthood and middle age, we start to experience diminished sex drive and arousal. We may not want to have sex as often, or as many times in the week.

Sometimes, you might have difficulty experiencing arousal or maintaining an erection, or sexual potency is generally diminished.

While there are a number of psychological factors that can play into this -- our hectic schedules, our relationships, even our changing life priorities -- lower sex drive can also come from low testosterone.

Studies have shown that hypogonadal men (men with low T) often experience a marked decrease of interest in sexual activity, a problem for men with otherwise healthy libidos.

The link between testosterone and sex is inextricable for men - testosterone is mainly produced in the testicles, and is responsible for stimulating sperm production. If your testosterone levels lower, not only can sperm production lower, but sex drive will diminish as well.

Now again, it must be stressed that having less interest in sex now than when you were young does not necessarily mean you have low testosterone, especially if it comes and goes. But if you experience a prolonged loss in libido over a longer period of time, there might be a reason for it.

If you think this might be an issue, hormone replacement therapy might end up bolstering your sex drive and increase overall sexual performance. Many men with low T have experienced gains in these sexual health factors after taking testosterone supplements.

Weight Gain and Loss of Muscle Mass

Testosterone also plays a significant role in body composition -- the size and shape of our bodies, as well as our ratio of muscle to fat. As we age, and our testosterone levels lower, we begin to experience distinct losses in muscle mass and a corresponding rise in fat mass.

Are you not getting the same gains from lifting, running, or healthy eating as you used to? Do you find your muscle mass diminishing, only to be replaced with unsightly fat deposits? Are you generally feeling a bit flabbier and out of shape?

According to research, testosterone acts as a metabolic hormone in men, as it promotes muscle protein synthesis. As a result, lower testosterone leads to lower metabolism, meaning that more of the food we eat gets stored as fat instead of turned into muscle.

When our testosterone levels are high, our metabolism allows us to burn more calories faster and maintain our muscles. But if you find your workouts aren’t leading to the same results they used to, you might be experiencing low testosterone.

Like most things about our body composition, our testosterone levels help determine what we look like. Men with higher testosterone levels generally enjoy lower fat mass and healthier BMIs, while that BMI tends to rise as our T levels diminish.

While there are other factors at play of course -- somatopause is just as responsible for changes in body composition and weight gain as andropause -- low T certainly plays a factor.

There’s nothing wrong about your body changing as you get older, and it’s important to have a healthy relationship with your body image. However, within reason, hormone replacement therapy can help you maintain the kind of body composition you currently enjoy and stave off the diminishing effects of low T.

Osteoporosis and Lower Bone Density

This one is a little harder to spot in your everyday life, but if you find your bones feeling a little creakier, low testosterone might be to blame. Testosterone, along with three other androgens (male sex hormones), plays a vital role in maintaining bone density, especially reformation and reabsorption.

As our bodies get older, older bone is typically broken down in order to put more calcium ions into the bloodstream; as a result, the bones themselves become weaker and can lead to easier breaks and fractures.

There has been substantial research to investigate the link between testosterone levels and bone density, especially its links to osteoporosis. A progressive metabolic bone disease, osteoporosis is typically caused by age-related testosterone deficiency. 

While rates of osteoporosis are lower in men (20%) as opposed to women (50%), men often have higher rates of disability and death relating to osteoporotic fractures.

Granted, these are the kinds of concerns that don’t get really serious until you start getting into your fifties and beyond. Still, younger men experiencing early-onset low T can start to experience that kind of lower bone density at an earlier age, and it’s best to find ways to offset those deficiencies as early as possible.

All is not lost, though; studies show that hormone replacement therapy can, in fact, positively impact rates of calcium absorption in hypogonadal men.

This means that, with the right treatments, you can stave off the kind of lower bone mass density that typically happens when our bodies’ T levels naturally lower.

Insomnia

We all have trouble sleeping at some point; it doesn’t really seem like that big a deal for many of us. But if your restless nights are becoming more and more frequent, it might be time to look into whether your condition is due to lower testosterone.

This one might seem relatively minor, and one that can be explained away by a number of other factors, especially psychological ones. Our testosterone levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day; they’re highest at night and lowest during our waking hours.

In fact, it’s during REM sleep that we experience our highest spikes of testosterone, as our body replenishes its production of the hormone.

However, when we experience sleep disorders, we lower the amount of REM sleep we experience, which then leads to low testosterone levels.

In many ways, this phenomenon might seem like a chicken or the egg scenario: does low T lead to sleep problems, or do sleep problems lead to low T? The answer is somewhere in the middle: studies indicate that men with low T often report night sweats and lack of quality sleep.

While the connection between low T and insomnia isn’t clear, the correlation is certainly there.

Conversely, women experiencing low estrogen levels commonly experience restlessness, night sweats, and hot flashes; it’s possible that similar changes in testosterone levels can do the same for men.

Regardless of where the phenomenon starts, it has been shown that testosterone treatments and/or hormone replacement therapy has led to better sleep overall for patients.

Lower Energy and Mood

Sometimes, the most dramatic and most deeply-affecting symptoms of low testosterone are mental, rather than physical. Have you been experiencing lethargy or chronic fatigue as you get older? Suffering from depression or anxiety, or a general lowering of your self-regard?

Again, outside factors can absolutely play a factor in this, but low testosterone is also deeply correlated to changes in mood and energy. According to studies, men with low T are more likely to get diagnosed with clinical depression than those with normal T levels.

Researchers are still working hard to determine the relationship between testosterone, mood, and well-being, but there appears to be at least a correlative connection between them. At the very least, we know that androgens like testosterone can contribute heavily to normal brain function; in their absence, cognitive function can diminish.

In conjunction with other solutions like therapy and cultivating lower levels of stress in your life, hormone replacement therapy can have the effect of improving your mood, cognition and energy levels.

Hormone Replacement Therapy Might Be the Solution

If one or more of these symptoms apply to you, it’s entirely possible you have low testosterone. Luckily, there are ways to address your body’s lower testosterone production and bring T levels back to normal: hormone replacement therapy.

HRT involves the medically-supervised application of hormone supplements to shore up your body’s testosterone levels, usually through targeted injections that provide testosterone receptors with the hormones your body isn’t producing.

There are plenty of places that provide safe, effective testosterone replacement therapy under expert medical supervision. If that’s something you think you might be interested in, check them out.

Posted in: Advice

I'm wondering which of the Retro Fit tees shrinks less - the Tri-Blend or the 50-50 blend?

Thanks, Daniel

Which Retro Fit Shrinks Less?

Hi Daniel,

Thank you for getting back to us!

When we produce all of our garments, we pre-calculate how much shrinkage will occur based on each "lot" of fabric, and add that amount into the garment production.

In short, you never have to worry about too much shrinkage, because the post laundering/drying will always be what our intended sizing is planned for.

With our Retro Fit undershirts, they are not pre-laundered, so they will fit larger out of the package. We allow the washing/drying of (1) item so you can determine how the item will fit after it is washed down to its intended size

We have some additional information about this on our FAQ (seach for "shrink").

Between Retro 50 and Retro Tri-Blend, each may shrink differently, but they both should be nearly identical in size after laundering/drying 1-2 times.

Please do let us know if you have any other questions or if we can be of any further assistance.

Posted in: Advice

I received a Medium EVO TENCEL Deep V-Neck undershirt in Gray.

The undershirt fits very nicely, and I like the fabric a lot, but the deep v-neck isn't for me.

I'm requesting an exchange for a Medium EVO TENCEL Gray crew neck undershirt.

I will surely buy a few more shirts in the future.

Additionally, I want to ask what undershirt is close to the EVO TENCEL feel and fit, but with a regular v-neck.

Thanks! Eric

Deep V-Neck Undershirts Alternative

Hi Eric,

Thank you once again for contacting us!

At this time we do not have any undershirts that have the same type of fabric/feel as the EVO TENCEL deep v-neck undershirts in a shallower, or regular v-neck.

But, here is some information about two other undershirts that may interest you:

Execwear CoolNylon G2 V-Neck Undershirts

Our Execwear CoolNylon G2 v-neck undershirts have a close body fit like our EVO TENCEL undershirts, yet have a v-neck that is not as deep as our deep v-neck undershirts.

The fabric feels a bit more like a slick/smooth version of silk, so it's not as cottony/natural feeling as EVO.

The fabric is slightly heavier, but it does feel cool on the skin due the the CoolNylon fabric.

MicroModal/Supima V-Neck Undershirts​

Our MicroModal/Supima v-neck undershirts also have a close body fit.

The fabric will relax out slightly during daily wear, and wash back down to shape/size after laundering & drying.

This item is the heaviest of our collection, so it will likely wear (feel) somewhat warmer than our EVO TENCEL undershirts.

This undershirt does have a standard v-neck depth as well, so it is less deep than our EVO TENCEL undershirts.

EVO TENCEL - Regular V-Neck Undershirt

While we don't have any immediate plans for an EVO TENCEL undershirt in a regular v-neck depth option, we will certainly share this request with our product team for future review and consideration.

If you'd like information on other deep v-neck undershirts, please be sure to checkout the undershirt resource site UndershirtGuy.com.

Please do let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

Posted in: Advice

This customer had the exact same question:

Why do you make three different material undershirts: CoolWear Supima, MicroModal, & Execwear CoolNylon?

Why would one buy one type over the other?

Also do you have a Canadian website?

- David

Different Fabrics. Different Experience.

Hello David,

Thank you once again for your interest in our products!

We actually offer our undershirts in 6 different fabric options. You can see them listed here in our Product Matrix.

The main differences between our fabrics are based on weight, fit, moisture management, and other fabric & silhouette characteristics.

It allows our Customers to pick the undershirt that most closely matches their particular need.

For example, if someone sweats quite a bit, they may be looking for an undershirt with more moisture management (less sweat-through) properties. Our EVO TENCEL undershirts and Execwear CoolNylon undershirts would be a good option there.

Alternatively, someone may be looking for a very lightweight undershirt that has a slightly relaxed fit. In that case, we recommend our Retro Fit undershirts.

Looking for a lightweight, but fitted undershirt? Check out our EVO TENCEL Undershirts.

Interested in a regular weight fitted undershirt that'll keep you more comfortable than traditional value-priced undershirts, our CoolWear Supima undershirts would be an excellent choice there.

Or if you want to go even more luxurious, but still want a slightly more substantial undershirt, then go with our MicroModal/Supima undershirts.

More Choice. Less Settling.

As you see, our undershirt selection has been created to offer our Customers more choice, and less settling.

We do not have a Canadian website at this time, however, we do ship to Canada via USPS, which get delivered in Canada via Canada Post.

Please do let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

Sincerely,

RibbedTee Customer Service

Posted in: Advice

Recently, we received the following, albeit brief, question:

Hi,

Does your underwear ride up?

Jacob

Why Our Underwear Does Not Ride Up

Hi Jacob,

Thank you for contacting RibbedTee Customer Service, and for your interest in our G3 Men's Boxer Briefs!

You'll be happy to know, that our underwear is designed to stay in place, and not ride up in the legs.

In fact, we hear from many Customers who specifically tell us that they are happy that our men's underwear don't ride up.

Some say wearing our underwear is like they're not wearing underwear at all!

More specifically, we accomplish this though two ways:

1. Leg Length

Our 6" leg length is an optimal length to sit just above mid thigh.

This location is generally where the thigh has the largest circumference, and as such the legs of the underwear have more surface to stay in place on.

2. Underwear Gusset

Our underwear gusset is specially designed to fit flush with the body (between the legs), while allowing the waistline to sit in its proper location -- directly on the waistline.

When the gusset does not sit flush with the body, it creates an environment where the legs can get pulled up during daily activities.

Made in USA Undwear

Lastly, we're proud to say that our underwear, as well as all of our apparel, are made in America. We are one of very few brands still making Made in USA men's underwear!

We hope the above information has been helpful.

​Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

Sincerely,

RibbedTee Customer Service

Posted in: Advice

Hi,

I sweat a lot.

Can the G3 underwear be used for workouts, and will they hold up over time?

Love love love them and the undershirt!!!

Thank you, Jason

G3 Boxer Briefs: Good for Workouts?

Hi Jason,

​Thank you for contacting RibbedTee Customer Service and for your recent order!

We're so happy to hear that you are enjoying our G3 underwear & CoolWear Supima Undershirt!

​Our G3 underwear is made from our CoolNylon fabric which is more absorbent and dries faster than cotton.

With that being said, it is a nylon-based product, so it will absorb more moisture than a fabric that is more hydrophobic, like polyester.

If you sweat a lot, especially during a workout, you may see the G3 underwear hold on to sweat/moisture moreso than if you were wearing polyester underwear, and less than if you were wearing cotton underwear.

That said, our G3 boxer briefs are odor & abrasion resistant, so they will generally feel more "fresh" than cotton or polyester underwear.

Since they do dry faster than cotton, you can wash them by hand at night, hang them to dry overnight, and they will be completely dry when you're ready to get dressed in the morning!

Lastly, with proper care, you will find that your G3 underwear will be very durable.

They will last you much longer than typical underwear, providing a great overall value.

Again, we are so happy to hear that you love, love, love our boxer briefs and undershirts :)

Please let us know if you have any other questions or if we can be of any further assistance.

---

Sincerely,

RibbedTee Customer Service

Posted in: Advice

Hi,

I'm going to Vietnam for two weeks.

Are the supima shirts noticeable cooler than the tencel when worn under a shirt?

And can you have them to me at the east coast by next Thurdsay latest?

Thanks!

Richard

Undershirts That Keep You Cool

Hi Richard,

Thank you once again for contacting us!

Our coolest undershirts are Retro Fit Tri-Blend, Retro Fit 50/50, and EVO TENCEL.

From there, our G2 Execwear CoolNylon & CoolWear Supima would be the next coolest full undershirts.

From a moisture absorption/management perspective, we'd rate the undershirts as follows (best/most to least):

1. EVO TENCEL
2. G2 Execwear CoolNylon
3. CoolWear Supima
4. Retro Fit

Regarding shipping, we primarily use USPS for shipping, which unfortunately is not a guaranteed delivery service.

Meaning, we cannot guarantee the actual delivery date of your order.

That said, in most cases if you picked USPS Priority or Priority Express, the chances are that if you purchased today for shipment tomorrow, the shipment would arrive to you very quickly, and by/before next Thursday.

If you'd like to be more certain of the delivery date, we are able to ship via FedEx, however, the shipping cost for a 2-day delivery would generally be more expensive than Priority Mail or Priority Express.

If you'd like us to get you an estimate of the price to ship your order via FedEx 2-Day, please email us back and we'd be happy to do that for you.

Please let us know if we can answer any other questions, or if we can be of any further assistance!

Posted in: Advice

Here is a question from a customer looking for such an undershirt:

Hello,

I am trying to figure out how to get started with some undershirts.

I am a white male, 5'9", 155 lbs. I am slim fitting and athletic I need some undershirts to wear under my business shirts for work.

Some of my shirts are dark, others are white and light colors.

I am conscious of having undershirts be seen under my shirts, so am wondering which are the best to get started on, which staying tight to my body, to prevent my shirts looking bloated.

Please advise on how to get started.

Simon

Slim Fitting Undershirts

Hello Simon,
​
Thank you for contacting RibbedTee Customer Service and for your interest in our products!

If you are looking for a slim fitting (i.e. fitted) undershirt that will fit tight to your body, with color options that will keep the undershirt least visible under white or light colored shirts, we have some great options for you!

First, to learn about about undershirts that stay hidden under white dress shirts or lighter colored dress shirts, we'd like to recommend you review this Invisible Undershirts: Tan or Light Grey article.

Once you read the above article, you hopefully will be able to determine which color undershirt you prefer: Tan or Light Grey.

From there, you can use our Search function to find an undershirt in our Fitted Category, in the color of your preference.

Here is an example search (click this link to perform that search):

Fitted Undershirts in Stay-Hidden Colors

If you perform the above search, you'll find that we offer 3 fitted undershirt lines that have light grey or tan color options.

1. EVO TENCEL (extra lightweight, jersey fabric with all-way stretch)
2. CoolWear Supima (lightweight, ribbed fabric with 2-way mechanical stretch*)
3. MicroModal/Supima (medium weight, fine ribbed fabric with 2-way mechanical stretch*)
​
* Note: Mechanical stretch is derived from how the fabric is knitted. It is designed to fit close to the body initially, relax out some during daily wear, then wash back down to their intended size & fit after laundering & tumble drying.

#1 & #2 are in our Most Popular undershirt category, so you may want to consider starting with one (or both) of those.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

Posted in: Advice

Hi,

I am looking for a t-shirt that will travel well.

My husband and I travel a lot and he wants a t-shirt that he can wash out and DRIES QUICKLY.

We have bought silk but they are back-ordered and are much too expensive.

How quickly will your under shirts dry when hung?

Judith

Quick Drying Underwear & Undershirts for Travel

Hi Judith,
​
Thank you for contacting RibbedTee Customer Service and for your interest in our products!

If you are in search of underclothing (undershirts & underwear) that travel well & dry quickly for your husband, you've come to the right place :)

Generally speaking, there are 4 characteristics that determine how fast a garment (or fabric) will dry.

They are:

1. Fabric blend
2. Fabric weight (density & thickness)
3. Any yarn or fabric treatments that may have been applied
4. Fabric weave

Even stating the above, it is possible for fabrics to dry at different speeds, even if they have very similar traits across all 4 characteristics above.

The good news is that we offer our items in a variety of weights and blends, including those that dry more quickly than others.

Our fastest drying undershirts are our Retro Fit undershirts. They are very lightweight, and are made from yarn blends that dry quickly and feel great on the skin.

Depending on the room & humidity conditions, our Retro Fit undershirts will normally dry fully within 2-3 hours when hung to dry.

Our G3 Boxer Briefs are made from our moisture wicking CoolNylon fabric, and they will also normally dry fully within 2-3 hours.

With both items above, if washed in the evening and hung to dry in a room-temperature average humidity environment, our Retro Fit undershirts and our G3 Boxer Briefs will be fully dry before the morning.

Of course, as could be assumed, a pro-tip to accelerating the drying process even faster is to initiate the drying process using a hair dryer on the hot setting for a few minutes, if one is available.

Knowing the above, your husband could easily travel with 2 of our Retro Fit undershirts & 2 pairs of our G3 boxer briefs, washing one set each evening, and be set for any length of trip you may on!

We hope you find the above information helpful.

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

Posted in: Advice

RibbedTee also is one of the few companies that makes basics in the USA. 

But even more rare, and that's what's inside here today, is  they have underwear that is Made in USA -- and I can tell you that is a very rare thing from the research I've been doing for an exciting project that I'm excited to get into.

Unboxing Video: G3 Boxer Briefs - Premium American Made Underwear

Posted in: News

Check out an email exchange RibbedTee's founder had with a colleague who asked that very question.

I really like the look of the G3 waistband. What seperates these [boxer briefs] from anything on the market?

Mike's Reply

Thanks, I appreciate that.

Honestly I was kinda getting disenchanted with the "exposed" waistbands because they had a tendency to fold over, and also make my modest love handles poke out more than they really should have been, leaving me feeling less confident about myself.

I simply didn't love the way the exposed waistband boxer briefs fit, or looked on me.

The main "features" that separate G3 Boxer Briefs from everything else are:

• Our low profile, love-handle friendly, hidden waistband
• The X3Pouch

Love Handle Friendly Waistband

Our hidden waistband has a lower profile, sits slightly lower on the waistline, and is less binding than boxer briefs with wide exposed waistbands.

With this design approach, our waistband will be more forgiving, and in turn be more visually complementary on a wider varitey of body types.

X3Pouch

It's truly 3 dimensional, anatomically mirroring our man-equipment, and constructed in a unique way from all other underwear pouches.

Also, we use a special micro stitch on the outer & inner pouch panels, that is barely detectable (so it won't bother "mr. happy").

Boosting Confidence

Those above features, combined with the other characteristics, make our G3 Boxer Briefs literally the most comfortable underwear I've ever personally worn (and I've tried a lot).

To be totally honest, I also feel a lot more confident in how our G3 Boxer Briefs look on me, and how I feel wearing them.

I do hope our Customers will feel the same way about them as I do, and am excited to see what the market thinks of them.

Mike

Posted in: Advice

Stephanie Brown, a spokeswoman for the Atlanta Police Department, said in a statement that Jones was charged with criminal trespassing, public indecency and obstruction of law enforcement officers.

[Photo credit: patch.com]

Posted in: News

Hi Folks,

Mike here, from RibbedTee (that's me above).

I wanted to share an incredible story that happened to me personally just last weekend.

Every Sunday I get the opportunity to go hiking around the greater Los Angeles area with a wonderful group of people.

Last Sunday we hiked the San Vicente Mountain Loop, a 1,960-foot summit that was used at the start of the cold war as a defense site to protect Los Angeles from Soviet attacks.

The hike has some fairly steep inclines, and it was going to be a warm 86 degrees, so I thought it would be a perfect environment to stress-test our new Cooling Cap.

If you're not familiar with it, our Cooling Cap is a first of it's kind product, and is powered by Peltier technology (like what's used in your computer to cool the CPU).

To explain it briefly, there's a small 1.5" tile on the inside front of the cap that cools to 3 chilling temperatures when you turn it on. The tile cools your forehead, and as a result of the cooling, it helps you feel cooler all over.

When you feel cooler, you're generally able to perform more strenuous activities for longer periods of time.

So, I wore our Cooling Cap, and turned it on as the hike started to get more difficult for me.

Once it was on, and started to cool my forehead, I felt cooler all over, was sweating less, and had a revived level of energy.

It kind of felt like I was recovering while I was hiking!  It worked AMAZING!!

But, that's not the incredible part of the story.

One of my colleagues (Dr. Michael Breus, a world-renowned sleep doctor) was on the hike with his teenage daughter, Carson.

Carson started getting really fatigued from the heat, looking slightly pale, started feeling very light-headed, as if she were about to faint.

Extremely concerned, I offered my cap to her, thinking it could possibly help her.

Amazingly, within 5 short minutes, she was feeling better, and she was able to complete the hike without any troubles -- she was so happy & appreciative to be wearing the cap.

Dr. Brues (& Carson) were so amazed by how effective the Cooling Cap worked, that we are now in discussions to see how this same cooling technology can help some of his patients sleep more comfortably.

It's the real deal. This Cooling Cap really works!

Oh, and yes, I'm wearing an undershirt in the above photo -- our deep v-neck EVO TENCEL undershirt :)

Posted in: News

Early indication is that The Fate of the Furious (2017) is going to be another box-office hit, with 94% of Google users saying they enjoyed the film.

If you were curious what black ribbed tank top Dwayne Johnson was wearing throughout the movie, look no further.

Dwayne was wearing our MicroModal/Supima Tank Top!

We're incredibly honored Mr. Johnson has been and continues to be a fan of RibbedTee, and we look forward to keeping him looking good and feeling great!

Posted in: News

A big shout out and thank you to Steven for taking the time to share this with us!

Posted in: Reviews

Hi, I have a question about your Undershirt itself.

I like to wear Tshirts and polo shirts too but try not to wear them because of an embarrassing issue.

My nipples tend to stick out more and makes me concious of how I look especially if it's white or lighter color shirts.

So my question is will these undershirts help in my situation?

Will they make the shirts thicker?

Thanks, Ed.

Our Response:

Hello Ed,

Thank you for contacting RibbedTee Customer Service, and for your interest in our undershirts!

Your question is a great one, and we'd be happy to assist you :)

Generally speaking, there are three types of protruding nipples on men:

1. Puffy nipples
2. Pointy nipples
3. Moderate gynecomastia

One of the best ways to mask any of the above, is to wear a "fitted" undershirt.

Fitted undershirts offer slight compression, while still being comfortable to wear.

If the condition above is more prominent, it is best to wear a compression/slimming (shapewear) undershirt.

We unfortunately do not sell any men's shapewear undershirts at the moment, but our friends at Underworks do offer a great selection of these.

Our most fitted undershirt is our EVO TENCEL, so you may want to give that undershirt a try first, and see if it helps you feel more confident when wearing a t-shirt or polo. If not, we'd recommend buying something from Underworks.

Please do let us know if we can be of any further assistance :)

Posted in: Advice