Shirts, like people, come in all shapes and sizes, which makes choosing the right one a minefield of different fits, colours, fabrics and designs. However, help is at hand with this quick guide to find the best one for you.
Shirt fit
By now the words small, medium and large might be all you look for, but if you want a shirt that fits well for your body type, you need to explore the possibilities of regular, tailored and slim fits.
Regular Fit: A traditional British design, cut with more material for a ‘regular’ size gentleman, this shirt will offer more mobility and comfort than other fits.
Tailored Fit: Slimmer than a regular fit, this nips close to the body around the waist creating a streamlined figure. It’s cut with a longer length than both slim and regular designs, meaning it should always be worn tucked in.
Slim Fit: This reduces the fabric to sit closer on the shoulders and nipped in on the waist, perfect for an athletic, slim build.
Shirt collar
Just below the eye line, the collar will get the most attention, making it a crucial choice to nail down. Make sure you use the ‘one finger rule’ allowing no more than a finger width in between the collar and neck for a good fit.
Point Collar: This is the classic design for your formal shirt, offering a neutral appearance that is timeless. It works best with a four-in-hand tie knot.
Spread Collar: A traditional English collar which has slightly wider collar points that suits the chunky half and full Windsor tie knots nicely. This is perfect to balance out a slimmer build, however, be careful with a larger build as it could emphasise your shape.
Button-Down Collar: This is a casual design that can be worn with or without a tie. The relaxed style adds definition to the neckline and creates a more structured look, working well under V-neck jumpers. This is a great option for offices with a more relaxed dress code.
Shirt cuff
Constantly moving hands means a man’s cuffs are always in the limelight, so personalising this detail on a shirt is a game changer. A rule of thumb is that the cuff should lie at the joint of the wrist or when wearing a jacket, should show around half an inch.
Single / Button Cuff: This is the most common design. Often functioning with 2 button fastening, the cuff can sometimes be adjusted to provide a hassle free, comfortable fit around the wrist.
Double Cuff: This is a more formal high-end option for tailored shirts. The cuff is longer and doubles back around the wrist that is fastened up by cufflinks rather than buttons. This gives you the opportunity to stand out and accessorise with some smart or novelty cufflinks.