When constructing a smart and casual shirt collection, you'll want to invest in a few high-quality pieces that can perform on any occasion. In today's post, we are going to discuss what the most popular shirt styles are, and why all distinguished gentleman need to own them.
We have carefully crafted a list of our must-have shirt styles and patterns that are timeless style staples. All shirts listed are crafted from 100% Cotton and many are made in the heart of England. While choosing dress shirts it is important to consider durability and quality, as travel to and from the office can be surprisingly active.
Cotton is a popular fabric known for being smooth to the touch and breathable, unlike most synthetic fabrics. Although more expensive than cotton blended shirts, pure cotton shirts better stand the test of time, making them a worthwhile investment.
1. CLASSIC WHITE
It should come as no surprise that the classic white shirt is on the top of our list. In our opinion, the best white dress shirts for business attire should be silky smooth in lustre, ensuring you feel superb while wearing.
White shirts are also the most versatile choice, as they can be worn with any tailoring and are sure to look refined no matter the occasion. The shirt below features a timeless pure cotton twill which adds a subtle texture.
If ever there was a shirt to own multiples of, it's the classic white.
2. COLOUR STAPLES
A coloured shirt will enhance both casual and office attire while remaining smart. The most daring colour to choose would of course be pink. Admittedly such a bold colour is not going to be everyone's favoured choice, however here's hoping that we may be able to convince you nevertheless.
Ever so versatile, a classic pink shirt will look fantastic when paired with any tailoring. For a contemporary feel, pair your pink shirt with blue, beige or brown tailoring.
However, if you feel that your complexion doesn’t work well with pink or you simply dislike the colour do not fear. Other coloured shirts such as green or purple & red can be just as complementing. Both colours will also enable you to rejuvenate your office attire.
3. MICRO PRINT PATTERN SHIRTS
To transition between business and leisure with ease, a micro print shirt is key. From a distance this shirt’s pattern will look solid, however up close the visual depth should be impressively eye-catching.
With endless micro-patterned shirt styles available, this is definitely a style that will suit anyone and bring a subtle but versatile finishing touch to distinguished ensembles.
We've chosen an Eton shirt in light blue, sporting a micro check that adds character without overwhelming.
4. BENGAL STRIPES
A striped shirt fabric, even in size and featuring an alternating stripe. Depending on the lustre a striped shirt can look fantastic when paired with a contrasting tie for alternative office wear.
Bengal striped shirts pair well with solid colour suits. For a subtle edge, pair this particular shirt with dark tailoring and a favoured pair of brogues.
5. CHECKED SHIRTS
Here at Robert Old we are proud to offer an array of some of the finest checked long sleeve shirts. Sample a simple check pattern as a simple method to refine casual attire.
Gingham is usually a checked pattern of white and coloured even shapes. The check options available are endless and popular checked shirt styles include, but are not limited to:
Tattersal - Thin, regularly spaced check stripes in alternating colours. The tattersal pattern usually features two colours on a white background.
Windowpane - This style is easily recognised due to it resembling the panes on a window.
Graph Check - Featuring small check patterns that resemble graph paper and notably smaller than the window pane checks.
Our green herringbone check flannel shirt is crafted from a lightweight flannel that will keep you warm without adding unnecessary weight or bulk.
6. HOUNDSTOOTH PRINT SHIRTS
Also known as dog tooth and puppy tooth (for smaller scale patterns), the houndstooth shirt is a dual tone pattern, recognised by either broken checks or four pointed shapes.
The print is commonly found in black and white, although it works in many different colours, as shown in the pink herringbone Eton shirt below.
Ensure you pair it with a simple, unpatterned suit jacket or blazer to avoid clashes.
7. THE PAISLEY PRINT SHIRT
A paisley pattern is an English term for sampling the buta, a Persian motif that resembles a tear drop.
The name derives from the town of Paisley in Scotland, where the paisley designs were produced. The shirt we've picked below has been crafted luxuriously soft premium 2ply Swiss cotton, and exudes refinement.
It features a more understated paisley print which will pair with most businesswear, but again you will want to avoid wearing multiple prints to avoid a clash.
Now you've seen our top picks, hopefully we've demonstrated the benefits of investing in quality shirts. But what are the key things to look for when making your choice?
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING FINE QUALITY SHIRTS
- Stitching – the more stitches a seam has, the more durable it will be.
- Mother of Pearl Buttons – Traditional buttons are made of mother of pearl and are compulsory for a good shirt. This is due to mother of pearl being so hard that they could break the needle of a sewing machine.
- Gusset – A gusset is a triangular piece of material that is added for reinforcement in the corner between the breast and the back of the shirt.
- Sleeve Cloth – On a good shirt, the cloth of the sleeve is pleated several times where it meets the cuff.
FIT
We stock a vast collection of top quality men's dress shirts. As well as our own brand of British-made gentleman's shirts, which are cut in a classic fit for ultimate comfort, we also carry designer shirts from Eton, Belstaff, Fedeli, Paul & Shark and La Martina. Our range includes alternative fits such as slim, which is designed to accentuate the body of its wearer.
It is important that you feel comfortable in the dress shirts you choose, and the fit will ultimately be a deciding factor for this.
CARING FOR YOUR SHIRTS
A well cared-for shirt will be a longer lasting shirt. High quality shirts are well-made enough to last around five or six years without any special treatment. Below, however, are some tips on keeping your best dress shirts in a pristine condition.
- Always follow washing instructions found in the label.
- Do not overfill washing machine
- Cotton shirts should be ironed
- Iron shirts when they are damp.
- Avoid ironing the cuffs and collar on a high setting.
- Always wash with similar colours.
- Turn your shirts inside out before washing.
Your first choice for menswear online and in Bournemouth
We've sold quality menswear for over 100 years, and we understand what makes a truly great garment. If you'd like to come in to our store for a fitting, please contact us to make an appointment.
