Talk:Sleeveless shirt

Australian singlets

Good article on Australian singlets

http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/singlets-part-of-the-game/2005/10/07/1128563002355.html —Preceding unsigned comment added by 122.106.60.25 (talk) 09:15, 27 October 2008 (UTC)

Singlet

Singlet is the old British term..it is still used in the Caribbean —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.196.154.230 (talk) 03:07, 26 September 2010 (UTC)

Merge proposal

This is the better article to merge into, because it is about the article of clothing, rather than a specific terminology for it. The specific terms can redirect to this page, and any issues regarding those specific terms can be put into sections on this page. Kcumming 02:18, 30 November 2006 (UTC)

-- The "wife-beater is a specific term for a ribbed sleeveless undershirt. It is important that it have its own article, as it is distinct from a tank top.— Preceding unsigned comment added by 165.106.202.169 (talk)

The term "wife beater," while common in the vernacular, is not the technical name for the article of clothing in question. I think renaming this article to reflect the retail name of the product and discuss other terms used for it within that article. It makes more sense to merge. 71.199.186.236 02:23, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

-- These articles are so similar and short (except the wife-beater article) that they should be put together. I think a combined article could benefit from a lot of its content being about the similarities of sleeveless t-shirts, with sections on the differences of specific types. Slippyd 19:18, 10 February 2007 (UTC)

I agree to merge it - I'm an Aussie - and never heard this reference before. FoolesTroupe 12:05, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

Another vote for merge: simply have a separate section on the use of this particular term. Sholom 15:58, 14 February 2007 (UTC)

I agree with the merge. The wifebeater article is just about a slang term for the same thing. Spylab 11:51, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

-- Suggestion to add term "Dago-T":

A friend in Chicago asked, "Have you any idea what article of gangsta-type male clothing a 'wife-beater' is? ..."

When I sent her the Wiki Sleeveless_shirt link, she replied, "Oh, a 'Dago-T', which the Wikipedia article doesn't mention. That's what they've been called in Chicago as long as I've been alive [1940's]... So, they can call this shirt a 'wife-beater' but 'Dago-T' is off limits? Interesting dichotomy..."

Google of Dago-T returns ~1720 results.

And in Scotland, underneath your "sark" (shirt) you would wear a "semmit" or vest.

WoodenBooks 18:01, 8 September 2007 (UTC)

--

It makes sense that wife-beater redirects here, but the article describes several shirts, but does not use the term "wife-beater", so how is an inquiring mind to know whether the "wife-beater" he is trying to learn about is the A-Shirt, the Camisole, the Halter top, the sleeveless T-shirt, or the tube top? I added the term "wife-beater" to the A-shirt section, listing it as a colloquial American term, used disparagingly. I perused the talk-page, beforehand, and specifically read every mention of the term "wife-beater," and it seemed like no one would have a problem with it. In fact, it seemed the some of the comments seem to me to take for granted that the term was already included in the article. I don't know the correct way to add a citation, but I have one at http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wife-beater Hope I haven't over-stepped, I'm not particularly wiki-savvy. ---— Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.250.217.144 (talk) 20:30, 6 September 2012 (UTC)

Confusion reigns

All of these terms seem very contentious. After reading the discussion at the Wifebeater (shirt) article and here I can't help feeling that all of these articles are too US-centric. I have never heard the term wifebeater used to describe clothing in Australia and although manufacturers might call some of these articles A-shirts no one here would know what they were talking about.

To me there is also a big difference between a singlet (which originally was an undergarment only, has narrow stips of material going over the shoulders and a low neck) and a sleeveless t-shirt (which is exactly that - a t-shirt without sleeves). Singlets are also called tank tops in Australia, but the name has a somewhat outdated 70s feel to it.

☸ Moilleadóir 05:53, 24 March 2007 (UTC) ☏

For the section entitled "A-shirt", I'd vote for changing that to "tank top" seeing that term is recognised internationally by English speaking people for the style that section describes, whereas "A-shirt" is certainly not.OzoneO (talk) 15:56, 28 December 2009 (UTC)

A tank top is not normally thought of as the same thing as an A-shirt in the U.S. A-shirts are generally ribbed and are sold as an undergarment (although it has become a style to wear them as a standalone shirt) whereas tank tops, although similar in appearance, are not generally ribbed and are sold as standalone shirts or athletic wear not as undershirts. 207.173.72.85 (talk) 05:07, 26 November 2017 (UTC) JeloRoc

Tank top, AmE vs BrE

There seem to be three definitions here: the one worn under a shirt, the one worn as a shirt and the one worn over a shirt. I've occasionally come across the term used here in Britain to mean the one worn as a shirt, though it probably isn't very common. Indeed, I don't think it's overly common under any meaning here and now. And I don't think I've heard before of "tank top" used anywhere to mean the undergarment.

I think we may need some clearer viewpoints, both British and American. No doubt some of you out there have good first-hand experiences of the term and could clarify what you understand by it.... -- Smjg 11:48, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

Squared sport tank?

There is an increasingly popular style of sleeveless shirt referred to here as a "squared muscle tank" (it is visible better if you select white). I think there is another name for them, but I can't find it. It has *thick* shoulder straps and is squared off on the neckline and on the back. Anyone familliar with this? --Kidd Loris 15:03, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

I would consider that a wider spaghetti strap tank top. - hmwithtalk 20:09, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Tagliatelle strap? -- Smjg 16:34, 20 May 2007 (UTC)

What? hmwithtalk 22:34, 20 May 2007 (UTC)

removing text that does not appear on "edit" page

Could someone more well-versed than I on editing removing the phrase that has been inserted into the first line of this definition? (Phrase should be obvious, begins: "it is used to wipe...") I went to edit to remove it, but it does not show up on that page - don't know how that's done or how to undo it. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.195.78.178 (talk • contribs) 00:53, 30 May 2007 ETA - went back to definition - already done - thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.195.78.178 (talk • contribs) 00:54, 30 May 2007

Fix photo caption

Whenever I change anything in WP it gets reverted, so this comment is just a note to point out that the photo is of a gentleman wearing an A-shirt, the caption incorrectly identifies it as a muscle shirt (which itself brings two types of clothing to my mind- sleeveless tees with finished armholes (the "muscle tee") or tank tops. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.216.237.157 (talk • contribs)

Which a-shirt photo?

Left: It's more stereotypical of the style - tight to the skin, showing muscles, etc... Plus, better quality photo. --Dan Leveille^TALK 03:50, 9 January 2008 (UTC)

Can't we find one that is better than either of the two? It should be white, high quality, and tight. Someone get a friend to take a picture of them in one (I'm a female, so I don't think it will have the same effect if I did it of myself). нмŵוτнτ 04:17, 9 January 2008 (UTC)

The focus must also be on the shirt, not the model. нмŵוτнτ 16:57, 14 January 2008 (UTC)

"It should be white, high quality, and tight" - You, there, have defined my sex life. 81.99.232.127 (talk) 00:39, 27 December 2010 (UTC)

I changed the page w/ a third option, hope it shines and sparkles Jlr64 (talk) 20:20, 29 March 2008 (UTC)

Which A-shirt etymology?

I notice there are two etymologies given for the term "A-shirt": one, in the opening section, claims that the shirt "resembles the letter A" when laid flat; the other, in the section "A-Shirt", claims that it is short for "athletic shirt". I have no idea which is true (if either). I think the discrepancy should be at least noted, if not resolved. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ktkeith (talk • contribs) 20:31, 29 April 2009 (UTC)

I have always assumed that A-shirts were named after the letter "A" in correlation to T-shirts, which I assumed were named as such for their resemblance to the letter "T", with the A-shirt having a slight resemblance to the capital letter "A". My assumptions are furthered by the fact that the 'A' in A-shirts is always capitalized, as far as I've noticed anyway. I have never heard them called "athletic shirts" which also furthers my assumption. Also, "V-neck" just came to mind which indicates a convention for naming undershirts after letters of the alphabet. 207.173.72.85 (talk) 05:24, 26 November 2017 (UTC) JeloRoc.

Origin of term 'wifebeater'

I don't think the people referred to are actually beating their wives *with* these shirts, wet or otherwise, it's just that a lot of guys arrested for domestic violence in warmer climates seem to be wearing them at the time. Perhaps unsurprisingly. The term is also likely offensive to those who regard it as condoning the act or belittling its consequences. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 219.61.160.116 (talk) 12:43, 18 August 2008 (UTC)

Yes, the term is offensive, it refers to men classless enough to both beat their wives and to wear this for purposes not intended. In reality, it refers to only the white "undershirt" A-shirt, not to NBA-type jerseys or the like.76.17.118.157 (talk) 05:29, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

I remember reading somewhere that it started as a reference to Marlon Brando's role as Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951 film), but I have no idea how that could be confirmed. MFNickster (talk) 19:30, 8 January 2011 (UTC)

I believe this is a myth. In the movie, Kowalski wore a T-shirt, not a sleeveless shirt.Acsenray (talk) 19:06, 18 April 2012 (UTC)

Furthermore, in British English, I personally have only ever encountered the term wifebeater, (outside its obvious criminal meaning) as a synonym for a tattoo worn on the arm.

Nuttyskin (talk) 16:11, 17 March 2011 (UTC)

On Topgear US one guest stated that the therm derives from the show "Cops" where the guy on domestic disturbans calls where often only undershirts. 87.169.249.132 (talk) 18:42, 9 April 2012 (UTC)

I-Shirt vs. Shooter shirt

Is there any difference between an I-shirt and a shooter shirt? I can't seem to find any evidence of the term "I-shirt" being used to describe what is in this article. Paulish (talk) 22:05, 9 June 2010 (UTC)

I deleted reference to an "I-shirt" as there were no citations for over a year.76.17.118.157 (talk) 06:27, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

Undershirt vs. Jersey

Greetings,

I think this article needs to make a bigger difference between the an "A-shirt" or mens' tank top as an undershirt an as a sports jersey. White, ribbed-cotton A-shirts are intended to be worn as an undergarment and is a sign of "low" or no class to be worn in public as the main shirt. On the other hand, NBA-type jerseys are colored, made of material other than cotton, not ribbed, and made to be worn in sporting events such as basketball, track, etc. If someone said "wifebeater" it is referring to the white undershirt, not to the sportswear.76.17.118.157 (talk) 05:32, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

This is supposed to be an encyclopedia article/article cleanup

At the very least, the primary sub-categories used in this article should be terms recognized in the media and used in stores.

Terms such as "wifebeater," "shooter shirt," etc. should only be used as alternate designations.

I have already deleted a lot of the "non-sense." What is an I-shirt? No citations. A "cutoff shirt" could be a T-shirt with the lower part cut off, exposing the navel. Therefore, it's not a real category, so I deleted that too. The act of cutting is usually something done informally...do we see stores selling "cutoff" shirts?76.17.118.157 (talk) 06:29, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

• Yes, actually, but (as I think your point is), not by that name. However, mostly they're called shimmel (various spellings) shirts or scrimmage tees; a Net image search will find several for sale. "Half-shirts" seems mostly restricted to historical references (e.g., http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctphotoartist/sets/72157622079822682/ ). However, see also my comment on the sideless shirt. GeorgeTSLC (talk) 04:40, 20 July 2012 (UTC)

Merged "muscle" shirt with "sleeveless T-shirt".

Most sources use the terms "muscle shirt" and "sleeveless T-shirt" interchangeably:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-muscle-shirt.htm

Note that the "product description" for the Russell Athletic "muscle" shirt uses the term "sleeveless T-shirt":

http://www.amazon.com/Russell-Athletic-Cotton-Muscle-Shirt/dp/B0007G96YI

Product Description Show off your body in ultimate comfort with the Russell Athletic® Cotton Sleeveless tee offering a durable construction for active wear.

Also in another example, the term is used for both shirts with slight-cutout for the shoulder area and shoulder area completely covered:

http://www.freshpair.com/mens/t-shirts/muscle-shirts.html

However, the "strap" version is called a "tank."

Where one draws the line? I think, for basic purposes, "A-shirt" and "sleeveless T-shirt" describe most of these shirts, if not all. The only exception might be the kind of sideless shirt, like this one worn by actor Colton Haynes:

http://socialitelife.celebuzz.com/archive/2010/01/02/chace_crawford_a_mimosa_man_photos.php?img=10&gfmt=m#alpha-inner

I'm not sure what to call THAT.

If anyone wants to re-organize this mess, go ahead, but I think it's better the way it is now.Ryoung122 06:55, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

The sideless link above is incorrect. Rather, see Tim Tebow in one of many, many copies such as http://swoonworthy.net/2011/10/26/hump-day-hunk-tim-tebow/ . These are invariably produced by cutting down t-shirts, regularly called cut-OFF rather than cut-DOWN perhaps because the sleeves are cut off (leaving a very low-cut armhole); see, e.g., http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZUvC70lq_I w/ ca. 43K views. (I personally prefer "sideless", on the model of the medieval woman's sideless surcoat, but ...) 04:40, 20 July 2012 (UTC)

Sleeveless T-shirt/muscle shirt needs a photo

Greetings,

All the photos show primarily female garments except one (the man in the white A-shirt). A second photo, showing a sleeveless T-shirt/muscle shirt, would be useful.Ryoung122 06:57, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

History section

Most of this article is just a description of various wear. A history section that includes evolving uses, benefits, social acceptance (or not), and problems (as mentioned, A-shirts as undershirts don't give as much stain protection as T-shirts do) is needed. References are needed as well (I already provided one above).

There might be a need to split this article into a womens" section and mens' section.Ryoung122 06:59, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

T-back shirt

Female version:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HESBzZrHjgc/STUIzsusO0I/AAAAAAAAAh0/poTFYtoO21o/s400/T-Back%2BShirt.JPG&imgrefurl=http://blog.163.com/rhineale%40126/blog/enwiki/static/32326847200941371720669/&usg=___AGOG5I4iC7E73pdG2j_yb5pvfo=&h=276&w=400&sz=20&hl=en&start=0&tbnid=Si3y7fmDjvbOtM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=178&prev=/images%3Fq%3DT-back%252Bshirt%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26channel%3Ds%26biw%3D1152%26bih%3D551%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=123&vpy=76&dur=6796&hovh=186&hovw=270&tx=113&ty=86&ei=J79XTKWPMsT38Ab53Z3wCg&page=1&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

Male version:

http://www.australiansportsnutrition.com.au/shop/images/230210144555tbackback.jpg

Ryoung122 07:07, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

Is this necessary?

Why are there so many pictures of women wearing sleeveless shirts? Is it necessary to have an entire gallery? No other clothing pages have galleries as exceedingly large. --Valorum27 (talk) 02:14, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

They all look like porn stars too. Seriously, what kind of guy wears a crop top? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.145.103.108 (talk) 00:36, 17 July 2012 (UTC)

a-shirt?? what?

where is the citation that the standard term for a beater is an a-shirt? i have never heard of the term a-shirt? arent we supposed to use a term that everybody uses? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.238.152.3 (talk) 14:27, 26 August 2011 (UTC)

There's a whole world outside your front porch, brah. Other countries have different slang. Who is "everyone"? You mean everyone in your sheltered little corner of the earth?

Coming from the US, I'd never before heard the term a-shirt (and I consider myself widely read). That said, a quick search shows me that a-shirt is widely used. Perhaps the better fix would be to break out 'tank top' into its own section since I don't think that it's synonymous with a-shirt - especially not in reference to women's tank tops for non-athletic wear. (Those tank tops are closer, but again not synonymous, to camisoles. Speaking of camisoles, I don't think that the camisole photo is a particularly good example of the category.)Pegordon (talk) 04:10, 6 January 2013 (UTC)

• British editor here, I'd say I'm pretty fashion/clothing savvy, but I'm pretty sure I've not heard the term A-shirt before which is allegedly a British term. Mabalu (talk) 10:10, 17 May 2016 (UTC)

File:Sukang Paombong.jpg Nominated for Deletion

An image used in this article, File:Sukang Paombong.jpg, has been nominated for deletion at Wikimedia Commons in the following category: Deletion requests - No timestamp given What should I do? Don't panic; a discussion will now take place over on Commons about whether to remove the file. This gives you an opportunity to contest the deletion, although please review Commons guidelines before doing so. If the image is non-free then you may need to upload it to Wikipedia (Commons does not allow fair use) If the image isn't freely licensed and there is no fair use rationale then it cannot be uploaded or used. This notification is provided by a Bot --CommonsNotificationBot (talk) 13:06, 25 October 2011 (UTC)

String vest edit request

There should be an article (or at least a section, to replace this meaningless redirect) on the string vest, which keeps you cool in the heat, and in the cold warm because it has holes in it: apparently they trap the heat if you wear a shirt on top. Rothorpe (talk) 14:44, 30 July 2013 (UTC)

Assessment comment

The comment(s) below were originally left at Talk:Sleeveless shirt/Comments, and are posted here for posterity. Following several discussions in past years, these subpages are now deprecated. The comments may be irrelevant or outdated; if so, please feel free to remove this section.

As to the origin of the term "tank top", I thought it was due to use by military tank crews to combat the heat, but I have no references.

Last edited at 23:18, 6 July 2007 (UTC). Substituted at 06:22, 30 April 2016 (UTC)

Wifebeater isn't always a perjorative term

Where I live (Mid-South US), the word wifebeater is a very common thing to call these shirts, even amongst those who wear them. It's used just like tank-top would be. e.g. "I'm going to wear a wifebeater under this button-up shirt." or "Do you sell plain wifebeater shirts?" or "I wear a wifebeater when I play basketball.", etc. Wifebeater is most certainly perjorative when referring to a person. However, referring to this clothing as a "wifebeater" isn't. (As I type this, I realize how this could definitely be seen as a joke, but it is most certainly the truth. For better or for worse.)Jtrnp (talk) 19:25, 28 February 2018 (UTC)

Typical for trumpanzee country81.159.165.58 (talk) 08:10, 14 August 2018 (UTC)

Speaking as a native of the Northeast US (New York City), I personally find the term offensive. I refuse to call them as such, and my immigrant parents never called it by that name. This is a term that is unique to the United States.

Granted, people here call them "wifebeaters" too. But "tank top" is also fairly common. Whenever anybody here mentions a tank top, it's commonly understood to refer to tanks with ribbed cotton (aka "wifebeaters"). 2600:4040:96F4:8A00:4579:8121:4812:7A63 (talk) 12:15, 14 April 2023 (UTC)

A-shirt

Tank top redirect to Sleeveless shirt#A-shirt , but there is not an "A-shirt" section.

I'm going to fix the redirect, pointing it to "Tank top" section. Maybe there are other redirects and wikilinks, we should check out. --Non ci sono più le mezze stagioni (talk) 17:19, 25 January 2020 (UTC)

The term ‘string vest’ redirects to this page, which has an odd compromise of a title (‘sleeveless shirt’???) but there is no description of what it means in the article or picture. The picture of Rab C Nesbitt in the following link is what immediately comes to mind if you ask almost any Brit like myself https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/178822/French-Media-giant-buys-Rab-C-Nesbitt-television-companyOverlordnat1 (talk) 17:35, 7 January 2021 (UTC)

"String vest" listed at Redirects for discussion

A discussion is taking place to address the redirect String vest. The discussion will occur at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2021 November 24#String vest until a consensus is reached, and readers of this page are welcome to contribute to the discussion. Chris Cunningham (user:thumperward) (talk) 21:37, 24 November 2021 (UTC)

The origin of 'Wifebeater' in a 1947 Detroit newspaper

I have been trying to find any substance for the following claim: " The term wife-beater reportedly became synonymous for an undershirt after a 1947 criminal case where a Detroit man was arrested for beating his wife to death, and newspapers printed a photo of the "wife beater" wearing a stained undershirt. "

Looking through Detroit newspaper archives from 1947 brought me no results. Searching for this rumor on Google, I can't seem to find an instance earlier than the 2005 blog post by Paul Davidson, the same one to start the 'waif-beater' rumor. The author of the sourced New York Times op-ed also tried to verify the story and couldn't come up with anything.

As of now, the line regarding this topic implies that the criminal case and newspaper articles factually existed (the 'reportedly' merely implying that it's not certain whether this is the origin for the term or not). I will edit this line to make it clear that this rumor is unsubstantiated. SalieriNextdoor (talk) 16:57, 26 October 2024 (UTC)