Weave also determines how the fabric’s surface appears and thus impacts the appearance of your dress shirt. At its most basic level, weave determines how breathable a fabric is: a denser weave is less breathable while a looser weave is more breathable, and so the former is generally better suited to colder climates and the latter to warmer. The weave of a dress shirt refers to how its fibers were woven. The Impact of Colors, Patterns, and Weaves Colors In our experience, however, these so-called “performance fabrics” always have drawbacks and have never managed to genuinely out-perform natural fibers. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, scientific advancements have produced a cavalcade of “new and improved” fabrics that claim to feature improved comfort, wearability, wrinkle resistance, moisture-wicking, and countless other benefits. Be advised, however, that genuine silk has a sizable price tag. In addition to the aesthetic appeal of its unique sheen, silk has unique insulating properties that help keep you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. Silk has been treasured as a luxury fabric for millennia, and it remains a popular option for high-end shirts to this day. Learn more in our dedicated Guide to Linen. Linen is favored as a shirt fabric in warm and hot weather climates and can make an excellent seasonable option. One of the oldest fabrics in existence, linen is a lightweight material renowned for its breathability and its unique ability to wrinkle in delicate, pleasing folds. Learn more in our dedicated Guide to Cotton. Because cotton comes in a wide variety of weaves, it can be adapted to suit a variety of climates and situations. Lightweight and breathable, cotton is the favored material for most dress shirts. Below, however, you can find a summation of some of its most important points. The topic of shirt material has already been converted extensively in a dedicated Material & Fabric guide.

Slim FitĪnyone one of these fabrics could become a dress shirt. It can be overwhelming on thinner frames, but if you have a rounder stomach, this is the most comfortable and most flattering style for your body shape. If you regularly wear shirts with a jacket, this is probably the best fit for you because it is the most comfortable. This is the go-to choice for those with a more classic style who favor comfort over fashion. Since men in the mid-20th century would never wear a shirt without a jacket, or even a waistcoat, the main priority was comfort. It provides great mobility and features two pleats on the back, usually located near the yoke.

It is characterized by a traditional tailoring silhouette, allowing a comfortable fit with a boxier shape, with plenty of fabric in the sleeves and the body. The classic fit is likely what your father and grandfather wore.

These options are far less expensive for shirts, so even men with modest budgets will find a shirt manufacturer in their budget range. Alterations are pricey relative to the cost of a shirt, so if you have fit challenges, it’s best to have your shirts produced made-to-measure or bespoke. Tee Shirt Polo Shirt Sport Shirt Determining Your Dress Shirt Sizeīefore getting started, it is important to note that unlike other garments like jackets and trousers, achieving a good fit with a dress shirt is best accomplished by purchasing the right shirt from the outset. These shirts are often distinguished by their materials, which tend to be hardwearing fabrics like denim or flannel. These include sport shirts, which are essentially very casual dress shirts, and work shirts, which are designed to be functional rather than fashionable garments. These primarily include shirts that would traditionally not be worn with a jacket and were often worn without neckwear. Therefore, tee shirts, polo shirts, henley shirts, and the like are not dress shirts.Ĭonversely, some collared shirts with full-length buttoned openings do not function stylistically as dress shirts, and therefore are not included. Any shirt that does not satisfy the above definition – a shirt that features a collar and full-length opening fastened with buttons or stands – is not a dress shirt. There are a great number of shirts in existence, and only some of them qualify as dress shirts. A polo might be sharp but it isn’t a dress shirt. What a Dress Shirt Is Not A sport shirt might be elegant but it isn’t a dress shirt. “I’m so sorry, Thomas has lost all of my dress shirts.” Robert Crawley in Downton Abbeyįor more on this concept, be sure to study our guide to the Formality Scale.

Red button shirt with custom logo