Thoughts on 1940s/1950s-style T-shirts (undershirts)?

Anyone got tips for fitting the Eastman Skivvy tee?
I just ordered it in 42 but I have a 41" chest, apparently I should've sized up. We'll see I guess. I wouldn't mind if it fit like an undershirt but if it's truly "second-skin" I'll probably have to unload it.

Word of caution on the Pike Brothers Ts. I wound up dumping mine. The boat neck or whatever it is called is ridiculous. It looked very weird on me with chest hair fluffing out of the neck.

Sonero said:

Word of caution on the Pike Brothers Ts. I wound up dumping mine. The boat neck or whatever it is called is ridiculous. It looked very weird on me with chest hair fluffing out of the neck.

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Dumped mine too in the white and wrote to them about my disappointment with the product (never heard back). Purchased another set in black which came with an improved neckline..go figure..appears they are running two neckline shapes.

Picked up an Eastmans ELC white T from eBay which is well patterned and quality cotton.

The T-Shirt I have been reaching for the most this year oddly enough is my Jockey Slim Fit both crew and V neck. The material is far from hefty but it hugs the body very nicely and the stretch feature makes it very easy to take off when you are sweaty.
They are pricey for what they are. Roughly $10/11 per shirt but they are functional and look great. Sleeve length and width is spot on for a nice elegant fitted look.

Old Mariner said:

View attachment 268546 I read this thread out of curiosity, and my undershirts may be a reasonable idea. They seem to be shorter than other undershirts in the sleeves. They are Gildan brand and while a bit more than other name brand type under shirts like Hanes, I find the slight extra cost is worth it. They have held up better. I really don't like taking photos in the bathroom, but as I have no other good mirror at the moment, here is a photo of me wearing one. I wear a small size.

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That's an excellent rendition. My Ts tend to come from my local supermarket brand. They're not a bad approximation of the overall shape (the neckline in particular is good), though the sleeves are maybe an inch and a half "too long" and they're not ringspun (I did pick up one or two some years ago in Asda (owned by Wallmart), in their own George brand, which were, at about the same price - two for eight pounds sterling, or thereabouts).

My limitation is that I use these exclusively as underwear (including under a few striped Ts I picked up just this year, my first actual t-shirts as outerwear in over a decade), so they're never seen: that makes me reluctant to spend big money on them. The Eastman looks really nice, albeit at a crazy price (imo). Probably proportionate to the rest of their prices, though - since they raised the brand prices to where they are now (ten years ago, they were in and around the same price, like for like, as the equivalent Aero), if they charged much less it might look odd against the rest of their range.

All of which raises a thought in my mind... As Ts have shifted from underwear to outerwear option, does that make a difference to everyone else? Do you look for the same - for want of a better term - accuracy in your underclothes as the outer layer, or do you find you tend to compromise a little more there on the basis it's not on show?

I got 2 of the Eastman Skivvies in marine green, one in 42 and the other in 44.
I have a 41” chest and the 42 skivvy really fits like an undershirt (as Eastman intended). Not skintight but certainly smaller than a normal outer layer. Looks good under a leather jacket though.
The 44 is a slightly baggy t shirt with a shape that’s not terribly flattering, but I still wear it because I like the color.
The collar is a cool, wide oval shape and with the short sleeves it REALLY gives a vintage militaria look. People ask me about it when I wear it out.
I would recommend the green Eastman Skivvies to any TFLer interested in militaria, but fitting is tricky (you can tumble dry it and make it shrink, but they don’t recommend it).

The fabric texture can be a little rough but that doesn’t bother me. Even after a few washes, though, it’s obvious these garments are too rough and thick to use as a practical undershirt. If I had it in white I would never wear it as an undershirt.
I can provide photos but tbh the photos on History Preservation do the trick. The collar is a nice touch.

Finding the perfect fit can be a real journey, especially when it comes to shirts. It sounds like you've been through quite the search! Tailoring definitely works wonders for achieving that custom fit.