Over the past several months, we have had the chance to review a variety of products that are redefining a wardrobe staple that seems to have gone unchanged in any meaningful way for decades; the undershirt.  For many men, especially those who dress up for work, an undershirt is a necessity but also a burden.

Too often, they are spun from heavy cotton, sized like small boxy tents, and bunch up under all but the fullest cut shirts.  One reason we are excited about this new crop of brands that are re-thinking the lowly undershirt, is that the changes they bring are making a real difference in the market.  These “next generation” base layers are more comfortable and fit much better that what’s on the store shelf, and they actually match the way we live and dress today.

Ribbed Tee is a great example of this updated thinking.  Made in the USA, their undershirts and tees combine excellent quality, soft but supportive materials and a solid design that fits comfortably.  The 50/50 combed cotton and polyester blend Retro Fit v-neck undershirts we tested are incredibly lightweight, so much so that we could barely feel them.  The wide neck opening remains well-hidden when wearing an open neck shirt.

The shirts themselves are cut long and pose little risk of ever coming untucked. They also have a high cut sleeves that stay out of the way when worn under a polo or other short sleeved shirt.  The loose jersey knit MicroModal fabric means that the shirt hugs your body without any binding or constraint.  It’s a great fit under a slim dress shirt but still feels incredibly comfortable.

We also tried out their classic fit crew neck in heather grey, which was equally comfortable and possessed many of the same material features as the the undershirts: streamlined fit, trim design, featherweight fabric, and a long stay-in-place cut.  The mico-ribbing pattern is reminiscent of a classic thermal tee, and provides some visual texture when worn by itself.  It’s also an excellent layering piece, especially due to its ability to provide real style without any bulk whatsoever.  However, if you plan to wear it as a stand-alone tee, some fair warning – you better be in shape.

We introduced OTC readers to the Mack Weldon brand as part of our 2012 Holiday Wish List.  Apparently, some folks wanted to know a bit more, judging by the feedback in our inbox.

As a topic, OTC has never really addressed things like underwear and tee shirts, but these items really are important. Feeling comfortable in the clothes closest to your body makes difference in how you feel; so coming across a brand that gets it right is a pretty big deal for us.

To recap, Mack Weldon is a new men’s collection that features tee shirts, undershirts, underwear, and socks – the fundamental pieces needed to create the base for any outfit.  For now, the line is sold only through the brand’s dedicated website (www.mackweldon.com).  In addition to buying individual items, you can also choose from some clever gift packages.

Mack Weldon’s marketing material says, “this is an undergarment brand that is solely devoted to producing top-notch products that perfectly combines luxury and performance features to create a one-of-a-kind item.”  Normally we eschew such hyperbole, but after testing the tees, undershirts, and underwear for about two months, we do agree that there’s nothing like it on the market.  Our samples included all but the socks, so we can’t speak to them directly.

The Mack Weldon menswear brand was launched in August 2012, with an eye on innovating men’s basics, improving both the product and customer experience.  The fact that they actually accomplished these rather lofty goals is one reason we took the time to revisit the brand in more detail.

Founders Brian Berger and Michael Isaacman realized that to make a dent in the relatively unexciting men’s undergarment market, the brand interaction needed to be as engaging and innovative as the products being sold.  These guys are not amateurs; with stints ranging from Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger to Excite, and WebMD, their combined menswear and internet savvy led to a successful social media- and customer-focused brand experience.

To counter the reputation of underwear as a relative commodity, they take a rapid-response approach to turning around orders and provide high-touch customer service.  Another key market objective is competing directly with the low barrier-to-purchase alternative of brick-and-mortar retail.  The back-end of the operation is pretty impressive too.  Check out the robots manning their automated warehouse.

As we stated the first time around, the tees and undershirts are simply better than any other we have tried; plain and simple.  The fit, design, construction, and materials combine to make these the tops we reach for first.  The underwear is just as innovative and well made, with extras soft waistbands, strategically placed cooling mesh, and the boxer brief styles have great stay-put legs.

Over the past few years, the men’s grooming space has been a proving ground for the theory that we do, in fact, like to look good and treat our skin to something soothing an special every now and then.  And while new brands, often presented in appropriately industrial-looking packaging do indeed offer some outstanding options, the real deal is often the best find.

Italian brand Proraso is just that, the real deal.  One of the original purveyors of luxury shaving products in Italy, Proraso still uses natural ingredients such as eucalyptus and menthol, shea butter, santal oil, green tea, and even oatmeal extract.

Their shaving cremes are soothing, dense and incredibly soothing.  You can choose a classic soap, necessitating an equally classic badger brush, or opt for the thick, rich shaving foam if time is of the essence.

Pictured above, their after shave lotion is cooling, toning, and smells refreshing.  It also has a dash of Witch Hazel, which helps to reduce rashes and razor burn.

The packaging too is spot on.  The overall design has a completely traditional air to it and the logo is strait out of local Italian barber shop central casting.  Give Proraso a try and add a little dolce vita to your morning routine.

While OTC is not a grooming site per se, the issue of personal care an appearance often comes up.  Mostly it’s in the form of reader emails; what is the best strait razor or shaving creme? How about Australian hair gel or Italian toothpaste?

Sometimes, however, the issue is a little more….personal.  While beards and mustaches have made a comeback in a steampunk kind of way, an overall well-groomed appearance is still the goal of many men.

And so, we present the Philips Norelco Bodygroom Pro 2040.  It’s essentially a shaver for everything but your face.

The Bodygroom Pro is made just for men, has received great reviews from users, including this one, and actually serves a real purpose.  If you deal with a lot of body hair, it can be very frustrating to find a good tool that gets the job done and doesn’t take you apart in the process.  The ergonomic handle makes it easy to hold in the shower – it’s 100% waterproof – and the trimmer’s five length settings work with different body hair lengths.

The handy flip-out stand is also the charging base and overall, the Bodygroom Pro does not take up too much space on the counter.  So, if you need it, this is an outstanding other shaver!

And keep your eyes peeled because we plan on doing a giveaway with Philips Norelco, where you can get your very own Bodygroom Pro.

Thanks to Philips Norelco for providing OTC with a Bodygroom Pro for our review.