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Archive for the ‘Dress Shirts’ Category

A dress shirt is simply a long sleeved shirt with a collar and buttons down the length of the front. The shirt is well designed to be worn together with a tie as opposed to the more casual sports shirt which tends to be worn with an open collar. Furthermore, the dress shirt goes hand in hand with a jacket or blazer, but doesn’t have to be worn with them – looking just as smart without.

A mans dress shirt can take on more than one guise though, with slight variations being evident in both the collar and the cuffs. These differences are often to compliment the different selection of gentleman’s jackets that can be worn. Nevertheless, a mans shirt is optimum for formal occasions as is the need in most office careers or corporate events.

Some would include short sleeved shirts in the ‘dress’ category but they are very difficult to wear beneath a jacket.

Men’s dress shirts have really come into their own in the last fifty years or so. Previously they were nothing more than just an undergarment to fit under a jacket and be worn for more special or formal occasions only. There was never a focus on the dress shirt itself – times are changing.

In this day and age, the dress shirt is commonplace in any man’s wardrobe and is rarely left to gather dust – being much more flexible than in the past with an array of colors, prints and styles. Another good point to make here is how the typical working mans job has changed significantly from being a ‘hands dirty’ labor to attending work in an office. Back in the day, if you were seen wearing a shirt then it instantly suggested that you were of some wealth and had heaps of dignity.

Like we said, times are changing and the shirt is worn much more widely in society – adding a touch of class to almost any style. Dress shirts are by far more affordable and accessible than all of the other components that make up a gentleman’s dress such as the shoes or the jacket.

There are a few general rules to wearing a shirt. Most importantly, as with all items of dress, the shirt must be a good fit – both snug and comfortable but with plenty of flexibility for moving around in. Another more bendable rule is the wearing of an undershirt. The purpose of this is to keep the shirt fresher for longer as body sweat does not spoil the material.

When choosing a mens dress shirts. you will undoubtedly be looking at the selection of color or prints first, followed by the material and shape. Once you know what colors compliment your own complexion or even hair color then the decision-making becomes far easier. The great thing about dress shirts is that there really are many to choose from – something for all. When you are unsure or want to avoid making a statement then it is perfectly fine to stick with crisp whites or single-color blues.

If you do want to make a statement though then try on some of the more bold colors such as golds or even shades of pink. Once you have found something that takes your fancy then have a look for a suitable suit to wrap it up.

In terms of fabric choice you will be right to consider the season and temperature, with man-made fabrics being warmer and natural fibers such as silk or cotton allow for more air circulation and can be cooler. We mentioned before the variations in shirts – the cuffs and the collar. There are other elements to a man’s dress shirt that can be played around with such as the addition of pockets to the breast or the types of buttons. You might even like to have a dress shirt that showcases a logo of the designer.

Your choice of cuffs, collars etc can really distinguish between the more casual shirt and the more formal dress shirt. If you are new to wearing a dress shirt then the best piece of advice is to begin with some neutrals which will be more versatile and can be dressed up or down. Gradually you will add bolder colors and prints if you feel you can carry it off with ease.

A dress shirt is the centerpiece of any man’s smart or formal outfit – when crisp, well-formed and subtly decorated and accessorized, this shirt is effortlessly and timelessly fashionable. This said, many people believe that it’s necessary to spend a fortune to get the desired results. In defiance of such claims, let’s take a look at the best ways to guarantee that it’s you who is in control of the choices, not the price tag.

Materials: A normal dress shirt will most likely be made of a weave such as poplin, twill or of a cotton blend, with the exception of linen (summer) or Oxford (heavier, winter) materials. The massive variation of prices from brand to brand is therefore mainly due to the label, something we don’t want to see (or others to see) in this shirt anyway. Be sure to go by the material label, not the immaterial one.

Fit: Many people imagine that only a tailored dress shirts will ever fit perfectly, and yet there are only a few steps to ensuring comfortable and fashionable dress shirts can be bought off the rail. Getting measured properly is a must; the neck is circumference plus one inch – sleeve is shoulder to seam of cuff – chest and waist are taken at the fullest parts – length and back are a little more obvious. Knowing these few measurements crops down the amount of ill-fitting shirts right away, leaving you more time to concentrate on style and personal taste.

Ornamentation: For different occasions, you will want a different thing from a dress shirt. The sneering joke ‘where’s the wedding?’ is common on sight of a rich white dress shirt in a more casual setting, and goes to show the particularity that abounds in smart etiquette. That said, in some professional sectors it is deemed de rigueur to wear a plain white dress shirt. Still, a sharp stripe or luxury print shirt can really set off an outfit and equally hold its own without a suit jacket. With cuffs, barrels (buttons) are deemed more casual than French (links). Less is always more with cufflinks; keep them on the plain side.

When it comes to buying men’s dress shirts, remember that, with a few things in mind, you have a lot more control over your choices than you’d think. So, while you may have an eventual dream outfit from Savile Row, you can still be sure that you’re getting the best fit and styles from your shop-bought wardrobe.

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Starching your shirts makes it crisp and stiff, so the term working stiffs came about. This method actually means using starch on your dress shirts, and though it has its advantages, it also has some disadvantages. Here is a brief tutorial as well as some helpful tips on using starch at home when you iron your dress shirt.

What is Starch
Starch came from plants and has long been used to stiffen fabrics. There haven not been a lot of changes in the way starch is manufactured when you compare how its done today and centuries before. More than 80% of todays starch cames from corn. Dried corn are ground into fine power then mixed with water into a pulp. After impurities are removed, this is filled into aerosol and spray cans with a few additives such as fragrances.

Advantages of Using Starch
Starch gives your dress shirt that nice and crisp look. Aside from this, starch also makes it easier for ironing since it reduces the iron drag. Another advantage provided by using starch is that it protects fabrics from stains. Many people do not know it but starch seals the individual fibers and makes it more difficult for stains to penetrate the fabric through.

Disadvantages of Using Starch
The major drawback of using starch is fraying. Heavy starch reduces the lifetime of your dress shirts. Starch residue will remain in the collar and cuffs over time. And eventually starch will dry out the fabric and cause the individual threads to break or fray.

Tips For Using Starch at Home
Because starches can reduce the lifespan of your dress shirt, it is advised to use starches lightly and sparingly. If you want a heavier starched look, then use dress shirts made from thicker fabric as they are more durable. Dress shirts from a thicker oxford cotton fabric are the best choice for this. A stiffer look will require application of two or three layers of starch instead of a single heavy layer.

You may mix your own starch to save money and conserve the environment. Just add one tablespoon of regular cornstarch with a pint of water. Mix them together and fill the solution into a spray bottle.

One alternative to using starch is to by shirts made from a heavier fabric. Some shirt manufacturers will point out if it is made from 1, 2, or 3 ply fibers.