Mens Dress Shirt Styles

The Not So Plain White Shirt

white-mens-dress-shirtsWhite is the classic dress shirt color that will match any suit, tie, occasion, and dress code. Because white shirts are so versatile, they are the most common choice for men dressing up in suit and tie. If you find yourself stuck in the white dress shirt world, a restriction either imposed by your profession or office dress code, then this article is for you. There are in fact ways to create new and exciting looks without deviating from the white dress shirt rule.

Cuts
It is all about a proper fit – meaning a fit that complements your body type in the most flattering way. If you are tall and thin then a slim fitted shirt, or a shirt from a European designer is best. Bigger and stockier men on the other hand look better in a traditional (also known as American) cut shirt. Once you found a cut that is complementing to your figure, you can further explore some unique design features such as the yoke, back pleats, and breast pockets. If you are keen to explore all the possible options then we suggest you start looking into bespoke dress shirts. A good custom tailor will create unique style pieces that are worth the investment. A custom tailored dress shirt usually ranges from $80-$300 in price – depending on location, fabric, and design features.

Fabric Patterns
Probably the feature that most easily differentiates one white shirt from another. Most common is the classic cotton shirt. Then there is the so-called Oxford cloth, a fabric that has a slightly coarser weave reminding almost of the look of linen. Oxford cloth shirts are typically considered slightly more casual and it is therefore not uncommon to find this fabric choice paired with more casual button down collars. Then there is the herringbone pattern – another unique feature suited for any dress code and occasion. Also popular is a diagonal ribbed texture – a style that instantly adds elegance and sophistication to any outfit. Finally there is the formal fabric called Pique – a fabric weave commonly chosen for formal black tie dress shirts.

Collar Styles
The collar is the most visible part of a dress shirt worn in combination with a jacket. Thus, the collar stands out! Because it is right under your face it is, along with the necktie, the focal point of you ensemble. Most common is the classic turn down collar which is available in a wide range of spreads. Wide spread collars look better on men with a thin and long neck as they play with proportion. When wearing a tie make sure that the knot you pick fills the gap between the collars without causing one side to pop up. Another common collar style in business is the button down collar. The most formal collar style is the wing tip – the style almost exclusively chosen for black tie and white tie affairs.

Cuffs
If the standard single button cuff is too plain then there are plenty of alternatives available to you. To start with, there are shirts using two or even three buttons. Then there are so called barrel cuffs that overlap on each side. Again this style is available in two and three button feature. Finally there is the popular French cuff – the style that is secured with cufflinks.

Other Suggested Articles
Mens Shirt Collars
Guide to Starching a Dress Shirt

Your Mens Ties Team

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.