Getting overheated with a shetland sweater over an oxford button-down

I like Derek Guy. I like his whole hardy, textured, lived-in fabric thing. Over the years, I have amassed quite a few nice sweaters, including shetland sweaters. And I would love to wear them over an oxford shirt. I have a problem, though — I get too hot! I live in NY, and wearing the getup over a big coat (in a tweedy wool, of course) works fine when I'm outdoors. When I'm indoors, though, it's just too warm in my underarm area. I've tried a few things, but nothing quite works. I've tried roomier button-downs underneath the sweaters for airflow + an Uniqlo airism undershirt. That helps — to a point. I've tried cardigans over button-downs, which looks great but doesn't help with the armpit sweat. I've tried non-oxford button-down shirts in lighter fabrics. But those tend to look odd and disproportionate in heft to the sweater. (One Spier & MacKay linen-cotton blend shirt I got works pretty well, because it has some texture to it and has a big collar. More recs are welcome!) And putting a sportcoat over a sweater and button-down? Forget about it. Any other advice? Is there something I'm doing wrong?
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13 Replies
Bigelow
Bigelow4mo ago
how about going with a lighter sweater? you can get shetlands in various thicknesses, some of them are pretty thin you also don't have to wear wool sweaters. there are cotton-linen sweaters which are really breathable and should keep you cooler than wool
sorrynodice
sorrynodice4mo ago
I have a couple of those. While I like wearing them on their own, thinner/lighter sweaters generally look really bad over a button-down because all the friction and pulling on the shirt fabric creates folds and wrinkles.
mattw282
mattw2824mo ago
Sounds like you need to size up
sorrynodice
sorrynodice4mo ago
maybe? they fit well without a button-up layered in-between. and sizing-up introduces a length issue...
mattw282
mattw2824mo ago
The difference between most sizes in length is an inch or less, does it really?
awburkey
awburkey4mo ago
I like sweater vests
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raisinpie
raisinpie4mo ago
Some people just run hot (I'm one).
notaway
notaway4mo ago
Yeah other than lighter shirts and lighter sweaters there’s no trick - if you run too hot you run too hot In return you don’t have to look like a marshmallow in winter so that’s nice
Eggs&Bacon
Eggs&Bacon4mo ago
Maybe downgrade to linen or cotton sweaters? But sounds like sweaters aren't for you, embrace having oversized coats that you can take on or off easily
lordofthethighs.
Check out the single ply voe shetlands Harley of Scotland sells, they're super thin but well made and should help with the body heat problem
lordofthethighs.
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Capable-Bedroom
Capable-Bedroom4mo ago
I have this same problem. I don't know there's a solution—I have to save brushed wool/shetland sweaters for the extreme cold (and still sweat in them indoors) and use thinner merino cardigans for layering.