A physiological status monitoring system includes a shirt and a stretchable circumferential band attached to the shirt. The stretchable band includes a respiration detector subsystem and signal transmission conductors. One or more sensors on the band are electrically connected to a signal transmission conductor. At least one sensor has an exposed electrode inside the shirt. The system includes a cover over the band and/or the one or more sensors. A connection subsystem on the band is electrically connected to the respiration detector subsystem and the signal transmission conductors and includes signal traces therefrom to a first connector accessible from outside the shirt. An electronics module is releasably attached to the shirt and includes a second connector which mates with the first connector. The electronics module includes a processing system and a transmitter. The remote display unit includes a receiver, a display, and a processing system.