How Do Underwear Look When Layered Under a White Top?
White T-shirts, white blouses, and white knitwear. Especially those made of thin fabrics can easily show through underwear and cause "innerwear problems".
We tested several light-toned colors from MUUGI’s silk and merino wool series of underwear with built-in bra to see which ones are less likely to show through, and how they appear when they do.
- Tops: A lightweight white cotton T-shirt with a sheer finish — underwear tends to be visible and outlines may show through.
- Bottoms: Charcoal gray slacks, with the camisole/tank-top tucked in.
Silk Underwear (Camisole)
We tested six colors of the 100% Silk Camisole with Bra: White, Ecru, Oyster, Camel, Gold, and Taupe.
White
White contrasts strongly with skin tones, allowing the lines of the white camisole to show through. Wearing it within a white outfit and letting the white lines work will create a clean styling.
100% Silk Camisole with Bra in White >
Ecru
Ecru is an off-white color with a slight yellowish or pinkish tint. Thanks to this subtle tint, it blends in with skin tones and is less transparent than white, since it contrasts less with skin tones. When worn under a white T, even the camisole looks pure white. Compared to white, the presence of white lines is reduced while creating a sense of cleanliness.
100% Silk Camisole with Bra in Ecru >
Oyster
Oyster is a light greige shade that sits between beige and gray. Although its hue differs from natural skin tones, the similar brightness level makes it blend relatively well with the skin. Among the gray-toned options, it creates less contrast with the skin compared to Taupe (which we’ll introduce later), making it the less noticeable in comparison.
100% Silk Camisole with Bra in Oyster >
Camel
Camel is a nude-toned beige color with a hint of pinkish tones reminiscent of copper gold. Since it is very close to the skin tone, it would appear almost translucent.
100% Silk Camisole with Bra in Camel >
Gold
Gold is a slightly darker beige color with a yellowish tone that blends well with the skin. If it is darker than the color of your skin, it may appear as if the shadow is falling a little darker in a V-shape.
100% Silk Camisole with Bra in Gold >
Taupe
Taupe is a grayish color with a subtle reddish undertone. As it's noticeably darker than most skin tones, the outline tends to show more clearly. Depending on what you pair it with, it can sometimes appear almost black — but since it has less contrast with the skin than true black, it gives a softer impression. It's a versatile option when layering under sheer clothing, especially if you're looking for an alternative to stark black.
100% Silk Camisole with Bra in Taupe >
The way each color appears can vary depending on the color and material of your top, as well as your skin tone, so please use this as a general reference.
To summarize: if you're looking for colors that are less likely to show through, we first recommend Camel, which closely matches many skin tones. Gold and Oyster are also good options.
When wearing tops that are clearly sheer and show what's underneath, instead of trying to hide your underwear with nude tones, you can also embrace the visibility by choosing colors like White, Ecru, Oyster, or Taupe.
Matching the color of your underwear to your top, or intentionally choosing a contrasting shade, are both stylish ways to enjoy layering.
Merino Wool Underwear (Tank Top)
We also tested four colors of the 100% Merino Wool Jersey Tank Top with Bra: White, Camel, Smoky Cocoa, and Taupe.
White
White creates a noticeable contrast against the skin, making the outline visible through sheer tops. It may not appear very noticeable in photos, but in person, the difference between the white fabric and skin tone is more pronounced. Layering it under white or light-colored tops can highlight the clean white lines for a fresh, crisp look.
100% Merino Wool Jersey Tank Top with Bra in White >
Camel
Camel is a nude-toned beige with a subtle pink undertone. Its tone and hue are very close to the skin, allowing it to blend in almost completely. If you’re looking to minimize the visibility of your underwear, this is the color we recommend most.
100% Merino Wool Jersey Tank Top with Bra in Camel >
Smoky Cocoa
Smoky Cocoa is a soft, muted brown with a hazy, subdued tone. It resembles a darker version of natural skin tones, offering a visible yet well-blended appearance. This color pairs especially well with slightly sheer, darker-toned clothing.
100% Merino Wool Jersey Tank Top with Bra in Smoky Cocoa >
Taupe
Taupe is a grayish color with a subtle reddish undertone. It’s slightly darker than most skin tones, so the outline of the garment tends to be somewhat visible. Depending on what it’s paired with, it can sometimes appear almost black — but since it has lower contrast with the skin than true black, it creates a softer, less stark look. It’s also a great option under slightly sheer black or dark-colored tops.
100% Merino Wool Jersey Tank Top with Bra in Taupe >
To summarize, if you're looking for a color that shows through the least, we recommend Camel, which closely matches many skin tones.
White, Smoky Cocoa, and Taupe tend to be slightly more visible, but each color has been carefully developed to avoid looking like “typical underwear” even when visible. These shades are designed not only to work well as base layers, but also to be styled in ways that let them peek through your outfit with intention.