Buying a Dress Shirt

Choosing the right dress shirt makes an important statement about your wardrobe. The type of shirt you pick will define your personal style and determine your status.

First and foremost, choose 100 percent cotton. The reasons behind this are, cotton breathes and looks crisp. While polyester and cotton blended shirts are wash and wear, the fibers tend to break down quicker leaving pilling in its wake. Besides, they look cheap. Ply count is another important option to consider. The higher the ply count, the softer the cotton will be. The weave of the fabric is just as important as the ply count. Oxford cotton last for a long time and have a basket weave which that is extremely soft. Broadcloth is a tightly woven cotton fabric with a silky feel. Poplin cotton, my personal favorite, is woven with a horizontal rib effect and is heavier which makes it great for colder months while Twill cotton has a diagonal weave which is light and great for the warmer months.

The type of collar you choose will say more about your personal style than anything else in your closet. Straight point collars have a V-shape and are the most common collars in menswear and are best for a small knotted tie. For more casual look, the button down collar is a great option because they can be worn with or without a tie and still be perfectly acceptable. The spread collar is reserved for professional men who like the full Windsor know – think Donald Trump. Less common, but equally as stylish are the tab collar, the club collar and the pinned collar.

Sleeve length is very important. Too long looks sloppy and too short looks ridiculous. Sleeves should rest at the end of your wrist. To ensure this affect, choose shirts that are exactly as long as your arm.

Cuffs come is three styles and each are acceptable in menswear. Barrel cuffs are most common because they do not require any accessories. Currently, vertical double buttons are considered stylish, but one button is standard in most shirts. The French cuffs are considered to be more formal than barrel cuffs as they require cufflinks. This is a great option for a job interview or an evening out. Convertible cuffs are more versatile for the can be buttoned or use cufflinks.
Pockets are yet another consideration when choosing a dress shirt. The one pocket is most common and can be used to hold items such as pens. Two pocket shirts are less formal and should not require a tie. No pocket dress shirts are a bit more fashion forward, but are an elegant choice for the style conscious man.

The fit of a dress shirt is, again, a matter of personal style. Regular fitted shirts are a bit looser and allow for ease of movement. Trim fit, or athletic fit, is cut so the shirt hugs your torso. Full fitted dress shirts are cut for men of a larger stature and are generally longer.

Solid color shirts are most versatile because they can be matched with bold ties and pattern suits and sport jackets. Prints are fine, but you must pick a tie that does not clash or steal the spotlight. While pattern mixing has become acceptable, if you are unsure, choose a solid tie to go with a printed shirt.



Written for the Miles David - Mens Custom Clothier website.