shirt-sleeve

[ shurt-sleev ]

/ ˈʃɜrtˌsliv /

not wearing a jacket; informally dressed: a shirt-sleeve mob.

warm enough to live or work in without wearing a jacket or coat: shirt-sleeve weather in November.

simple, plain, and informal; direct and straightforward in approach, manner, etc.: shirt-sleeve diplomacy.

Origin of shirt-sleeve

First recorded in 1560–70

The door stood invitingly open; the attendant was lolling thereat in his shirt-sleeves admiringly scanning the approaching group.

Marion's Faith. |Charles King
Well, considering that you were in your shirt-sleeves, their not perceiving that we weren't in their style was not so wonderful.

The Pillars of the House, Vol. II (of 2) |Charlotte M. Yonge
Mr. Y. enters in his shirt-sleeves, carrying an insect net and a botanical tin box.

Plays: Comrades; Facing Death; Pariah; Easter |August Strindberg
The old man stood looking at her, with his coat off and with his shirt-sleeves rolled up.

The Jucklins |Opie Read

Simpkins, in his shirt-sleeves, was lighting the topmost candle.

The Upas Tree |Florence L. Barclay