Undershirt

An undershirt in American English (vest in British and South African English, banyan in the Indian Subcontinent, or singlet in Australia and New Zealand), is an article of underwear worn underneath a dress shirt so as to protect it from body sweat and odors.

More generally, the term refers to an upper-body garment worn next to the skin (innerwear) by men.

It can have short sleeves (T-shirt) or be sleeveless (A-shirt).

An undershirt may be worn to protect the body from stiff or otherwise uncomfortable fabric.

[1][2] Factory mass-produced undershirts became common in the West in the early 20th century, with innovations turning the union suit into two pieces, for upper and lower body.