Ask Tug: Where I can find durable Undershirts with a high, close fitting collar?

Thought I’d share this email exchange that I had with a marine who is going on recruiting duty for the next few years and is looking for some durable undershirts that will last him a while.

Tug,
I am in the Marines and will be going on recruiting duty in a few months for the next 3 years.  I will be using white undershirts on a daily basis as part of my uniform and wanted to know what type of undershirt you recommend.  The most important factors will be the fitting around the neck and the color.  I don’t want undershirts that will sag easily at the neck or after a few wears and washes.  Thanks for your advice.

In case you need my info:
5′ 5″, 150 lbs. athletic body type

My Response:

Hi E,

Sorry for the delay, but I wanted to get back to you regarding your question.

But, before I share the recommendations, I just wanted to take a minute to thank you from the bottom of our hearts (Mrs Tug and myself) for serving our country.  With everything going on around us, we sometimes don’t take enough time to truly appreciate the contribution people like you and others who are in our military make to keep our country a safe and wonderful place to live in. This might sound a little silly, but the Mrs. and I recently watched a movie called “Taking Chance” with Kevin Bacon, that chronicles one Marine’s experience [Bacon] when he was accompanying the body of a fallen young Marine back to his home town, and it completely moved us.  More importantly, it reminded us how very fortunate we are to have people like you protecting our country. Thanks so much all that you’re doing.

Regarding the undershirt recommendations, I’d like to suggest you consider trying one (or more) of these out:

1. Costco Kirkland Signature brand crew neck undershirts. These undershirts seem pretty durable, have a great collar that won’t sag, are pretty soft, and are pretty inexpensive from what I’ve heard. [Plus Mrs. Tug's dad swears by these undershirts and he was a military man]
2. Campbellsville Apparel Company 100% Combed Cotton Undershirts. Same specs as standard military issue undershirts. Good collar, pretty comfortable, great price ($9 for pkg of 3).
3. Alfani Stretch from Macys. Cotton/Spandex blend. Nice high collar, very comfortable, fits closer and better than standard box cut undershirts, shirt moves with you, your uniform will lay nicely over it.  ($17 for pkg of 2)
4. A reader also wrote in recently and mentioned that the Merona undershirts from Target are pretty nice. (Also a cotton/spandex blend like the Alfani Stretch, but only $9.99 for pkg of 2). Folks say they have a longer cut, so they might be a hair long depending on the length of your torso.

There’s a few other on this article on my site that you might want to take a look at.
Ask Tug: Tight Collar Undershirts that Don’t Sag or Stretch Out

If you decide to buy a selection of the ones listed above (or any other for that matter) to take with you, and you have the opportunity to write back in while you’re on recruiting duty to keep me and my readers posted on your progress with the undershirts, that would be greatly appreciated. I’d be happy to post all your updates on the site.

Let me know if you have any questions about the suggestions above or in the article.

Take care & Good luck!
Tug

E’s response:

Well thank you and Mrs. Tug for the support, it is greatly appreciated.

I think I am going to buy a package from each of the below recommendations (since I’ll be needing them for the next 3 years) and send you an update after some time.  Thanks again and I’ll keep you posted.

Tags: alfani stretch undershirt, Ask Tug, campbellsville apparel undershirt, durable undershirt, durable undershirt with high collar, kirkland undershirt, marine undershirt, merona undershirt, military undershirt, taking chance the movie

Category: Ask Tug, Uncategorized