You guys already know what dress shirts are.
And if you’re reading this you’re probably looking for some information that can help you choose the correct dress shirt, perhaps even some recommendations on the best dress shirt brands.
Look no further, we’ve got you covered.
Dress Shirt Materials
Dress shirts come in a variety of fabrics.
The best material to get that classic crisp look would be broadcloth, also known as poplin.
Broadcloth is a very light, thin fabric with low sheen. It is perfect for a professional setting.
Due to the tight weaving, there is little texture, so it may often be prone to wrinkling. The best way to wear this kind of shirt is freshly ironed.
Similarly, though slightly more casual, chambray is weaved the same but with heavier material. It is a better option during the colder months.
Lastly, royal oxford is distinctive in its texture and sheen. It is perfect for a more formal occasion
Dress Shirt Collars
There are plenty of diverse collars found in dress shirts.
Each collar has its distinctive qualities, the most common would be the Cutaway Collar. This is a collar is a standard in men’s fashion because it can be easily dressed up or down.
Unlike the Cutaway, the Point Collar is traditionally American. There is a smaller distance between the two collar points, so it is great for a narrow tie.
There are other variations in structure, size, and shape such as the button down collar, the small spread collar, and the club collar.
There is even the band or Mandarin collar, that simply has a small band instead of folds or collar blades.
It is a good idea for every man to have a variety of collars in their wardrobe to choose from. It is a small detail, but one that will change the overall feel of the look.
Appropriate Dress Shirt Colors
With men’s fashion some things will likely never go out of style for example, the white dress shirt.
It is classic, it can be dressed to look both professional and sexy. A good white dress shirt should be a staple in any man’s closet.
Other light colors bring the attention upwards from dark pants. That is why we suggest if you are sick of the plain white dress shirt, to open up into light pinks and blues.
Light colors offer a good contrast from the rest of the outfit. They do not look too overbearing on lighter skin tones, and will compliment a darker skin tone nicely.
While we would recommend sticking with lighter colors, a dark blue or green dress shirt can sometimes suffice.
The issue with dark colors like these is that they have less contrast and can sometimes blend together and drown out your physique.
This effect can make the look less professional and more casual. These shades were popular in the 90s but have since gone out of fashion.
Bold colors like orange, yellow, and red are tricky to pull off. A lot of the time it can overwhelm the outfit and draw attention to just the shirt rather than the outfit as a whole.
These colors can often look like a giant block of color that seems mismatched with the rest of the look.
Brown is not as bold, but just as difficult to pull off. Brown is a very warm color and does not pair well with warmer skin tones.
Brown is a color that has infiltrated streetwear, but doesn’t work in a professional or formal setting.
A bright green shirt is very overwhelming and doesn’t really compliment anyone. A lot of the times a green shirt can come across as tacky and cheap.
Same goes with gray dress shirts, these are difficult to style and can make your look underwhelming.
Lastly, you should avoid black dress shirts entirely. Black dress shirts have not only gone out of fashion, but rarely frame the body nicely. They can consume the outfit and make it look uninteresting, and at times juvenile.
If you are interested in a black dress shirt, opt for a pattern to create some extra flair.
Dress Shirt Fits
Dress shirts come in a few different fits, including boxy, slim-fit, and classic.
The slim-fit will (appropriately) compliment someone with a slim build. Meanwhile a boxy fit will make your shoulders stand-out and frame the rest of your torso in a looser fit.
This may compliment someone who wants to hide their stomach region, but can also be a stylistic choice for someone with a slim build.
The classic fit will look good on pretty much anyone, they are classic for good reason.
Top Five Best Dress Shirts
From premium priced to budget friendly, we got you covered.
Kamakura
Kamakura is a great brand to find a wide range of dress shirts varying in material, fit, and design.
The kamakura shirts are each made from the best material to offer a smooth and silky feel. They purposely preserve the traditional look to make on of the best dress shirts on the market.
Kamakura tailors their shirts so they are the ideal look when worn. For example, the pocket is sewn slightly tilted so it looks straight when you put it on.
Uniqlo
Uniqlo offers some of the best non-iron dress shirts.
Deliberately finished and sewed to make the material wrinkle-free, these shirts are a great option for those who frequent business trips.
The uniqlo dress shirts are also made of 100% organic cotton for a comfortable and breathable dress shirt.
Brooks Brothers
Brooks Brothers have a collection of shirts, containing some of the best slim fit dress shirts you can find.
This brand provides a luxury dress shirt made from Italian cotton and tailored to look traditional, but with a modern twist.
This brand offers both the classic white button up alongside some classic patterned options.
Goodthreads
Goodthreads slim fit shirt is a great option for someone looking to build their wardrobe with well-made clothes for a relatively cheap price.
These shirts are tailored to a classic slim fit. They are made to be close to the chest then taper slightly downward to frame the body.
Goodthreads shirts are a solid option with some color variants.
Proper Cloth
Proper Cloth is a brand that can lead you to your next patterned shirt. This brand offers a variety of styles, perfect for someone looking to adventure out of their comfort zone.
These shirts are breathable, tailored to compliment your frame, and stylish. What else could you ask from a dress shirt?
