T-shirts and undershirts

Types

• Men's vests – short-sleeved, to wear under a shirt. The V-neck stays hidden under an open collar.
• Strappy tops – women's camisoles and men's sleeveless vests for everyday wear and for sleeping.
• Long-sleeved tops – for cold days, as a warm layer under a jumper.
• Thermoactive tops – they wick moisture away, for sport and activity in the cold.
• Lace tops – lingerie that can also be part of an outfit.

Length matters in practice. Longer styles do not ride up when you raise your arms and they cover the waist with low-rise trousers. Tops with a built-in cup replace a bra on a smaller bust, but they do not give full support on a larger one.

Fabric and size

Cotton is breathable and easy to wash. Viscose and modal are soft and drape well. Microfibre and thermoactive knits dry quickly. A top worn under clothing should sit close to the body, so when your measurements fall between two sizes it is usually better to take the smaller one – unless you want a looser cut. The manufacturer's chart is given in the product description.

Many styles come in multipacks. Parcel locker delivery costs PLN 12.99, and orders over PLN 199 ship free.

Tops and vests are a base layer usually decided by one thing: whether they show under your outer clothing. That is why this collection brings together classic strappy vests, tops with a built-in bra and short-sleeved tops.

The choice starts with the neckline - deeper necklines suit styles on narrow straps, while vests with a higher cut work better under shirts and jumpers. The second factor is the fabric: cotton with elastane is breathable and comfortable every day, viscose is smoother and cooler to the touch, and microfibre shows least under fitted clothes.

In this collection you will find styles from Emili, Sielei and Key. To complete the set it is worth adding lingerie in cotton or, if you are after something for home, browsing the women's pyjamas.

What else is worth checking

When buying, pay attention to the weight of the fabric. A thinner knit is cooler, but it can show through light-coloured clothing; a heavier one covers better, although it adds another layer. For a base layer the best compromise is a fine knit in a colour close to your skin tone.