We are talking about an item of clothing that works regardless of the social situations we find ourselves in. From the office, to events or on a business trip, to a virtual meeting when working from home, the shirt is the piece of clothing we need for any men's outfit.
What features do we look for when buying a men's shirt ?
When buying a men's shirt, it is important to pay attention to a few essential features:
- Material : Opt for quality fabrics, such as Egyptian cotton or other premium materials, that offer comfort, durability, and a pleasant feel to the touch.
- Cut : Choose a shirt that fits your figure harmoniously. The fit can vary from regular to slim, depending on your preferences, but the essential thing is to ensure freedom of movement and a neat appearance.
- Design details: Pay attention to the collar (classic, button-down or modern), cuffs, the type and quality of buttons, as well as finishes and stitching, which can transform an ordinary shirt into a standout piece.
- Versatility and style: The color and pattern (plain, plaid, striped, etc.) should match your style and allow you to easily integrate it into various outfits, from formal to casual.
- Maintenance: A quality shirt should be easy to maintain, wrinkle-resistant, and adaptable to your daily routine.
These elements contribute to an inspired choice, ensuring that you will not only have an impeccable appearance, but also long-term comfort and durability.
In this guide, we propose 11 types of shirts that every man should have in his wardrobe:
1. The white shirt, a classic etiquette in any outfit
When we say white shirt, we are talking about a piece of clothing that we wear frequently and that should be found in a man's wardrobe not in one, but in several quality pieces.
As a basic item of any outfit, the shirt must be carefully selected for long-lasting use and an impeccable appearance.
The white shirt is a key piece for the business outfits we wear. The model below features a French collar with reinforcement, which exposes a discreet pattern, and cuffs for cufflinks that guarantee a perfect look.
"Every man's wardrobe must include at least one white shirt suitable for the occasions that arise. This piece must be made of cotton fabrics, resistant to wrinkles, which ventilate the body and provide comfort throughout the day." - Adrian Belbe, Style Advisor Tudor Tailor.
2. Black shirt, modern style
Step out of the “safe” label and opt for a perfect look for a memorable night out on the town. An All-Black outfit , matched with a slim tie, and other carefully chosen accessories, will fit like a glove for modern gentlemen.
The easiest way to wear a black shirt is to wear it with a pair of black chinos, with which you should choose a black belt.
"The matching of clothing pieces is essential for a successful All-Black outfit. So, the fewer layers you opt for, the more you will fit into a clean look. Do not hesitate to wear this modern, but extremely elegant and masculine outfit. Everything will depend on the attitude you show." - Adrian Belbe, Suit Advisor Tudor Tailor.
3. Wedding shirt, ceremonial style
We do not part with the immaculate white shade even when choosing a men's shirt for a wedding . Being a ceremonial event, the contrast between the groom's suit and shirt must be respected, and classic white remains the most suitable option for the event.
For this type of outfit, we recommend a made-to-measure shirt that will be the right size from the start, and you will benefit from stylistic advice to choose the right model for your style and physique.
A notable example for formal events is the Marseille shirt , with a bow tie collar and elegant cuffs for cufflinks. The shirt is made of high-quality Egyptian cotton , with a Twill weave, with a semi-glossy appearance, which gives it a more precious and noble air, and it feels very delicate on the skin.
Being very fine and delicate, it is the most appropriate choice for a groom, a man who is in the most important moments of his life.
Discover all the models of men's formal shirts from the Tudor Tailor collection!
4. The elegant shirt with cufflinks for any occasion
A classic, elegant shirt is a must-have in every man's wardrobe. Choose a made-to-measure shirt suitable for special occasions, evening events or a formal gala, personalize the cuff with your initials and get a unique model.
Elegance is found in the smallest details. The button-down shirt is the perfect model to transform your outfit into an iconic one, full of refinement. Opt for button-down cufflinks and discover the collection of accessories suitable for an elegant setting, which will leave your mark in any meeting or chosen location.
For a fresh look for sunny days, wear the Harris shirt in light navy. This casual outfit will fit like a glove for an outdoor event!
5. Linen shirt, summer
Linen fabrics are recommended for high temperatures and are the cool solution for these days. Men who opt for linen blend shirts will enjoy increased comfort and a relaxed, yet elegant look that will accompany them throughout the day.
"The versatility of linen shirts is to the liking of many men who opt for this fabric when putting on an outfit in the spring-summer season, but which can be worn and successfully adapted to a look for cool days." - Adrian Belbe, Stylist Advisor Tudor Tailor.
6. Office shirt, for business meetings
For men who want to always be prepared to make a pleasant first impression, the office shirt fits the body with great fidelity, being tailored for long-term wear.
It can be matched with chinos, jeans or even fine linen or wool trousers, the office shirt being extremely flexible depending on the office and its location!
7. Slim fit, button-down shirt
For an athletic build, the best choice is a slim fit shirt. It is a much more fitted type of fitting, which will result in an outfit that will flatter you and highlight your figure.
"The slim fit men's shirt has a cut that follows the natural line of the body. We opt for this clothing item to make an imposing presence on every occasion." - Adrian Belbe, Suit Advisor Tudor Tailor.
If you have a more robust build, it is advisable to opt for clothing with a regular fit cut.
"Even though regular fit is often associated with a classic or relaxed fit, it should be noted that there is a slight difference between them. While a classic fit uses a larger amount of material for a more functional design, a regular fit will mold to the body, but at the same time, allow the skin to breathe freely." - Adrian Belbe, Stylist Advisor Tudor Tailor.
"Usually, the regular fit silhouette will highlight the shoulder line. The chest, waist, and arms are relaxed, so we choose the regular shirt for a casual look." - Adrian Belbe, Stylist Advisor Tudor Tailor.
8. The navy blue shirt, essential in the wardrobe
The range of men's shirts in classic shades of navy blue, marks its position in any man's wardrobe, being an essential clothing piece.
From a job interview outfit to a business event in an azure landscape, this elegant shade will compliment your chosen look every time.
"In office or business casual outfits, the light navy blue shirt offers a perfect contrast and represents a splash of color that will definitely make you stand out." - Adrian Belbe, Stylist Advisor Tudor Tailor.
The color scheme of the pieces in an outfit can create an irresistible masculine presence. With a special masculinity, dark blue is a sophisticated shade that, when accessorized with the right outfit, can have a timeless effect.
"Although the dark navy blue shirt is recommended in combinations with cool tones, you can choose earthy shades for the outfit, such as burgundy or garnet, and you can opt for a classic checked jacket that will take you out of your comfort zone with style and refinement." - Adrian Belbe, Stylist Advisor Tudor Tailor.
9. The plaid shirt, a casual model
If every man has a collection of formal shirts in his wardrobe, as the warm season approaches, an update with a few casual items is needed.
The plaid pattern remains a classic among men. Whether you want a more discreet print or go bold with a bold pattern and color, opt for a plaid shirt that will always complement your outfit in an elegant way.
10. Oxford shirt, for a smart-casual outfit
The Oxford shirt gets its name because it is constructed from a fabric that uses a unique traditional basket weave method that originated in 19th-century Scotland. The result is a "checkerboard" effect.
The fabric is made of fine fibers, which provide a soft, smooth and durable texture, and is slightly transparent.
If it seems like a disadvantage to you, transparency is actually a big advantage, because it lets your body's skin breathe much better than other fabrics do.
In addition, this transparency makes it by far the most versatile shirt, as you can wear it both in a business environment and with a pair of denim jeans, in a more relaxed, business-casual setting.
Choose an Oxford shirt for your casual outfits , for those days when you want to wear chinos with a shirt and a pair of loafers.
It is not recommended to wear such a texture for events such as a religious ceremony, a baptism, or any other event that involves a more demanding level of elegance.
11. Casual shirt, in pastel shades
Bold colors like pink, purple, and green have made their way onto the men's fashion radar and are making their way into men's fashion. They come in pale, muted shades for a touch of elegance and increased accessibility.
Pastel pink shirts are very modern and easy to wear, especially with business or casual suits.
The pastel-hued shirt is increasingly popular for summer outfits. The warm, yet playful tones are popular with gentlemen who want to wear a piece of clothing that is suitable for both business and after-hours events.
Lightweight, wrinkle-resistant fabric is the asset we look for when choosing the right shirt for summer, and this model in fine twill - double twisted 100% cotton achieves the desired effect:
"The chromatic evolution of elegant men's style proposes the approach of shirts in strong colors even in office outfits, which you can match with a navy or black suit, and thus you will maintain the label of masculine elegance." - Adrian Belbe, Suit Advisor Tudor Tailor.
Q&A about shirts
Here is a list of the most common questions we receive about how to wear a shirt, how to match it with various outfits, or how a shirt should fit us correctly:
-
How and when can I wear a shirt over pants?
The shirt will be worn tucked in, even when wearing smart casual or cocktail attire. Don't think that you are conveying a youthful air if you wear your shirt tucked out of your pants.
For a neat look, in an elegant context, make sure you have your shirt tucked into your pants.
We make an exception for casual models that we match with a pair of jeans or chinos. Such a shirt can be worn without any hesitation in informal contexts. Pay close attention to the type of activity - not in business contexts, but only in free time.
2. Ready-to-wear or made-to-measure?
Even though for many of us the ready-to-wear option is faster and involves less effort, Any gentleman who wants a perfect outfit should seek the advice and help of a master tailor.
From adjusting the sleeves, to recommending the lapel based on your physiognomy, even your profession, all of these essential details are incorporated into the modifications made in the made-to-measure process.
We recommend specialist advice for every elegant outfit.
3. How should the shirt fit in the neck area?
When purchasing a shirt, you should pay attention to the neck area. Choose the desired shirt knowing your current measurements so that the garment fits your body comfortably.
The right measurements will allow two fingers, the middle and index, to fit between the lapel and the neck. This way, the space left will give you the comfort you are looking for while wearing the shirt perfectly tailored to your desired size.
4. What kind of lapel do we choose?
We choose the lapel of the shirt guided by the physiognomy. If you have a round face shape, the most suitable type of collar is the pointed one. On the other hand, for an elongated shape, the lapel with far corners will visually narrow this feature.
For men with a higher neck and athletic build, the high collar lapel is the most recommended. Avoid this type of collar if you have a shorter neck and a robust profile.
5. Do we wear short-sleeved shirts?
Avoid short-sleeved shirts, even on the warmest days. A true gentleman will not make this clothing mistake by wearing a short-sleeved shirt to the office.
For a more relaxed look, you can choose to roll up your shirt sleeves. This way, your dress code remains within the standards of impeccable attire, and you can enjoy the warm weather by using this “trick”.