Burgundy men's suspender bodysuit with crossed straps and contour pouch beside a striped one-shoulder top and measuring tape

Men's Bodysuits Explained: Suspender vs Open-Back, How They Fit, and How to Wear One

September 30, 2026

A men's bodysuit is a one-piece garment that covers the hips and some or all of the torso, held up by the shoulders instead of a waistband. That single change, weight carried from above rather than gripped at the waist, is what makes a bodysuit feel different from any brief: nothing rolls, nothing digs in, and the line under clothing stays smooth. It is also why torso length, not waist size, decides whether one fits.

Bodysuits have been standard in womenswear for decades and are now an established category in men's intimate apparel and fashion. This guide covers the main styles, how a bodysuit should fit, how to size one, and the practical questions nobody mentions until after the first wear.

The five main styles of men's bodysuit

Suspender bodysuit. A brief-style lower half connected to two shoulder straps, with an open or minimal torso. The lightest and most underwear-like style.
Singlet bodysuit. Shaped like a wrestling singlet: a scoop-neck tank top joined to a brief or short. More torso coverage, often in stretch knit or mesh.
Single-shoulder or open-back bodysuit. An asymmetrical or cut-out top that reads as a fitted shirt from the front. The most fashion-oriented style and the easiest to wear under a jacket.
Shirt bodysuit. A T-shirt or button-front shirt that continues into a brief with a snap closure, so the shirt never untucks. The most practical, least intimate style.
Mesh or sheer bodysuit. Any of the cuts above in a see-through fabric. Worn as lingerie or layered under an open shirt.

These run from underwear at one end (suspender) to outerwear at the other (shirt bodysuit). Knowing which end you want narrows the choice quickly.

Suspender vs open-back: the two styles we stock

Our range covers the two ends of the spectrum that sell most in men's intimate apparel.

Men's Suspender Bodysuit in Ice Silk ($24.99) is a one-piece in stretch nylon ice silk, held by elasticated suspender straps over the shoulders, with a contoured supportive pouch and a high-cut leg. Because there is no waist seam, nothing rolls or pinches at the middle. The straps stretch to fit but are not buckle-adjustable. It comes in five colours: Neon Green, Nude, Royal Blue, Coffee and Burgundy.

Men's Striped Open-Back Bodysuit ($26.99) is a fitted single-shoulder cut with an open back, in soft modal stretch, in white with red stripes or white with black stripes. It reads as a top rather than underwear, which makes it the one you can wear out under a jacket. Modal is a beech-derived fibre that is softer and drapes better than standard polyester knit, and it holds colour through washing.

The quick decision: if you want something that replaces your underwear, choose the suspender. If you want something that replaces your shirt, choose the open-back.

How a bodysuit should fit

A bodysuit hangs from the shoulders and anchors at the crotch, so the distance between those two points is the measurement that matters. Get it wrong and the garment tells you in two places at once.

Too short in the torso: the straps or shoulder dig in, and the crotch pulls upward at the same time. It feels tight even when the waist and chest are loose. This is the most common bodysuit fitting problem.
Too long in the torso: fabric bunches at the lower back and the pouch sits low, so support drops.
Right: straps lie flat without cutting in, the pouch sits where it is shaped to sit, and you can raise both arms overhead without the leg openings shifting.

The arm-raise test is the quickest check. If lifting your arms pulls the garment up at the crotch, the torso is too short and you need the next size.

How to size a men's bodysuit

The two styles we stock are sized differently, which is typical of the category.

Suspender bodysuit: sized by body weight. S fits 99 to 121 lb (45 to 55 kg), M 121 to 143 lb, L 143 to 165 lb and XL 165 to 198 lb (75 to 90 kg). This follows Asian sizing, which runs smaller than US sizing. If you are tall for your weight, size up, because weight tells you circumference but not torso length.

Open-back bodysuit: sized by chest, like a T-shirt. S fits a 28 to 32 inch chest, M 34 to 38 inch, L 38 to 42 inch and XL 42 to 46 inch. Again, if you are tall for your chest size, order up.

The general rule for every bodysuit: when in doubt between two sizes, take the larger. A slightly roomy bodysuit looks relaxed; a short one is uncomfortable all day. Our men's size guide explains weight-based sizing in more detail.

Do you wear underwear under a men's bodysuit?

It depends on the construction. A bodysuit with a contoured pouch, like the ice silk suspender, is designed to be worn directly against the skin. The pouch does the job of underwear, and a brief underneath would flatten it and add bulk.

A bodysuit without a shaped pouch, like a fashion-cut open-back style, leaves the choice to you. A low-profile thong or a strappy brief underneath adds support and hygiene without adding visible lines. Our strappy harness briefs are designed to layer this way.

The practical questions

Bathroom breaks

Shirt bodysuits usually have a snap or hook closure at the crotch. Most lingerie-style bodysuits do not. If a listing does not mention a snap closure, assume there is none, and plan on stepping out of the straps. It is the single most common surprise for first-time wearers, and the reason many men keep bodysuits for evenings and home rather than all-day office wear.

Wearing one under clothing

A suspender bodysuit sits smoothly under trousers with no waistband line, but the shoulder straps may show under thin or open-necked shirts. A crew-neck T-shirt or a heavier knit hides them. An open-back bodysuit is designed to be seen, so wear it under an open jacket or overshirt.

Fabric and temperature

Ice silk is a cool-touch, quick-drying nylon knit; it absorbs roughly 4 to 8 percent of its weight in water against cotton's 20 to 30 percent, so it stays comfortable in warm rooms. Modal is softer and warmer to the touch. We compared cool-touch fabrics in Ice Silk vs Cotton Underwear.

How men actually wear bodysuits

As lingerie. The most common use. A one-piece frames the body differently from a brief, and suspender straps draw the eye along the torso. If you are thinking about how to bring this up with a partner, our conversation guide may help.
As a fashion top. Open-back and shirt styles under a jacket, at a party or a club.
As a smooth base layer. Suspender styles under trousers, for the no-waistband comfort.
Layered with a harness. A strap harness over a bodysuit is a common look. See Harness Underwear for Men for how harnesses fit.

Care

Hand wash cold and hang to dry. Do not tumble dry: heat degrades the elastane that gives straps and pouches their recovery, and a bodysuit with tired straps loses its fit first at the shoulders. Our men's lingerie care guide covers ice silk and other delicate fabrics.

Frequently asked questions

What is a men's bodysuit?

A one-piece garment that covers the hips and part or all of the torso, supported from the shoulders instead of a waistband. Styles range from minimal suspender bodysuits to shirt bodysuits with a snap closure.

How should a men's bodysuit fit?

Straps or shoulders should lie flat without digging in, and raising both arms should not pull the crotch upward. If it does, the torso is too short and you need a larger size.

Should I size up in a bodysuit?

If you are tall for your weight or chest size, or between sizes, yes. Torso length matters as much as circumference, and a short bodysuit is uncomfortable at the shoulder and crotch at once.

Can men wear bodysuits under clothes?

Yes. Suspender bodysuits leave no waistband line under trousers, though the straps can show under thin or open-necked shirts. A crew-neck top hides them.