Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tokki1]

You see the ajoshis wearing them. You see them because they are clearly visible through the thin white (or pink) shirts ajoshis wear, especially in the summer.

I can see how these things are practical. For me, by time I walk to work I'm soaked in sweat. Having sweaty dark spots on my shirt isn't cool. So I suppose the undershirt would serve a certain purpose.

But...would that simply be the next step in becoming an ajoshi? What's next? Pants up to the armpits and thin leather belts?

Does anyone actually wear these? And is there any benefit in having them visible through your shirt? Is it a style or is it simply a useful thing to wear?

[beachbumNC]

i wear a t-shirt. i don't see the point in an a-shirt (wifebeater) since it don't keep the armpit sweat off your nice dress shirt. so, regular t-shirt for me.

[Tokki1]

Hmm...I sweat more from my chest and back than my pits. I have to wear long sleeves due to my extensive tattoo work on my arms.

Just wondering if I'm ready to take the next step in becoming Koreanized.

[JMO]

Wearing a vest when its really hot is a must. I also sweat more on my back and chest and I need something there. wearing a paper thin shirt is a big no no though.

[Tiger Beer]

I only sweat in the summer heat in the armpit region.. so the wife-beaters don't help much if I'm wearing a nice button-up shirt.

[Qinella]

Been wearing them since I was about 14. I don't know why you consider it a Korean fashion thing. They are certainly popular in the US. A lot of dudes used to wear only that for a shirt, back before gigantic XXL white t-shirts came in style.

The reason I wear them instead of regular t-shirt undershirts is that they are a tight fit, and t-shirts tend to cling to the overshirt and mess it up. Plus, it's a lot less cloth, so it doesn't heat you up as much. Only time I wear a t-shirt instead is when I'm wearing a white overshirt.

[Horangi Munshin]

I wear them, always have. For the same reasons as already posted.

[Tokki1]

[kimchi story]

I like to mix it up. On the racks next to the wife beaters there are some t-shirt undershirts. The difference between these and regular t-shirts is they have a wide neck and are made from lightweight, tight fitting cotton.

A good undershirt is the secret to comfort in the summer around here. Not only does it wick sweat away from your body and keep you cool - it catches those distracting back drips before they hit the crack of your ass.

Solid gold.

[CentralCali]

I wear a religous garment which is similar to a regular t-shirt. There's no way I'd wear a "wife-beater" along with that as it would certainly be far too hot.

[excitinghead]

According to a friend, they make the shirt last longer, but if I wear one I'd get too hot. It only took me about 5 years to learn my combination of a luke warm shower one hour in advance, fans, and cold food before leaving the apartment, and then much slower than normal walking pace once I'm out to withstand wearing office attire in this weather. I'm only just beginning to sweat once I'm in the subway 15 mins later. But I just couldn't cope with any more on me.

Being British, wearing a 'vest' brings back memories of my mother forcing me to wear one when I was a kid, and then being hassled mercilessly for it in New Zealand and Australia when we moved there when I was 11. So I haven't since, and don't think I'll wear one ever again for the rest of my life!

[Qinella]

[cwemory]

The Korean-style tank top neck lines plunge really low. If I wear those style undershirts with a light colored dress shrt. You see chest hair. Not good.

plus, I'm not Tony Soprano or Sonny Corleone.