| Whether you are a long-time executive or a young professional on your first taste of the corporate world, knowing the right type of clothes that suit the kind of profession you're in will help you project the kind of corporate look you wish to achieve. This buying guide on men's dress shirts will provide you with great tips and solutions on how to put things together for a more appropriate look that suits your kind of lifestyle. |
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| What You Need To Know
Sizes. Before you start looking for that dress shirt, you have to know your size. There are 2 numbers you have to know about dress shirt sizes "C the size on your neck, and the size of your sleeve length. Clothes that don't cling well to the body, basically because of its being too tight or too loose can be unflattering and uncomfortable, so it's best to get your exact measurements to obtain the right fit.
Dress shirts usually come in three fits "C Slim, Regular, or Full. Slim fits may also be labeled as Athletic or Tailored fit. This fit is the tightest of the three, and would normally hug to the body more. Regular fit clothes is the standard size. It's your safest bet in picking out a size that won't cling too much to the body or give too much space making it too big for your frame. The Full fit is perfect for a body with bigger frames. Aside from being larger than average, its length is also usually a little longer. |
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| Stripes, Solids, or Prints
There are quite a handful of choices out there, and it's never easy picking out just one perfect dress shirt for you "C considering the options you have with colors, styles and prints. There are a few things you might need to think over with before getting down on your final pick. First thought can be your colleagues "C how do the people you work with dress up? Your workmates' choice of clothes may be one that is acceptable in your company. You can also take a cue on the colors and styles they commonly wear. Another factor you can also think about is your job and the activities you are engaged in. A more formal business attire may be called for a brown bag meeting or a general assembly. On the other hand, your casual Fridays may just call for a more laid back look involving a pair of jeans and a collared shirt. It also helps if the clothes you put on are those which project your confidence, comfort and style. Most importantly, the company dress code policy is your heaviest consideration. There can be restrictions on certain dress styles and cuts to maintain the corporate image of your company. It's best to be well-informed. |
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| Getting On The Details
Every detail on your shirt gives off the kind of quality and style it possesses. While your first glance may initially lead you to the color, cut or fit, it is in the smallest details that define the style your clothes have. With men's dress shirts, it's quite essential to be particular about the collar, the pockets and the cuffs. Although unknown to everyone, there are certain types of collars that compliment certain face shapes. The safest dress shirt you can get is one that has a Straight-Pointed collar. This can flatter almost any face shape. Another type of collar is the Spread type which has wider gaps in between tips. While this can suit most faces, it is not highly suggested for round faces. For men with longer necks, it's good to stick to Tab types that have higher collars and smaller spreads. Other types include Club and Pinned. Club collars have rounded tips, and are usually shorter than your average collar. Pinned collars have, on the other hand, higher collars with straight pins to fasten the two ends.
Cuffs should be next in your check list. Like collars, it comes in different types. Cuffs that close with at least one button or more are known as Barrel Cuffs. The buttons are used to give the perfect fit as you adjust them. More formal than Barrel Cuffs are what we call the French or Double Cuffs. French Cuffs are long and are meant to be folded back. Convertible Cuffs are those which can be closed with cufflinks or buttons.
Last on your list will be the Pockets. The pockets on your dress shirts are almost always quite noticeable and there are some rules that are often more acceptable on the cut and style of your dress shirts. For instance, shirts worn with suspenders or vests should not come with pockets, and shirts with two chest pockets appear to be less formal. |
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| Fabrics Of Your Dress Shirt
While the fabric of your dress shirt can determine the comfort level you can have with the shirt, there are also some style factors attached to it. Cotton, for example, is known to be one of the most comfortable fabrics a shirt can be made of since it's soft and breathable. While it gives enough comfort on the person wearing a cotton shirt, it's good knowledge also to know that cotton shirts hold colors very well "C leaving bright colors at their original shades for the longer time. There's also a good quality of cotton that's called Lycra which adds stretch for a more stylish fit. There's also Linen fiber which gives the body more air making it a good choice of clothing for the summer. Fabrics can also be classified on their Weave types that can either be Broadcloth, Poplin, Oxford, or Twill. |
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| Caring Tips
Being able to purchase a good quality dress shirt is quite an investment. There is therefore a great need to give them extra care both during cleaning and storing. Caring does have to start from the basics "C read the labels. Most high-quality clothing indicate the proper way of handling the fabric when cleaning and washing. There are also a number of professional laundries to where you can have them washed and ironed for. For stains, it's good to give it cleaning time no more than 24 hours so it won't leave stain marks and residues. Also, one should avoid ironing the stained part to avoid having the dirt marked for good. When storing, hang your shirts on wooden hangers and never on wired ones "C not only to maintain the good shape of the fabric, but also to avoid accumulating yellow stains from the wire's rusts. |
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| Great Ideas!
You'll never go wrong when sticking to the basics. Plain colors on the neutral and shades of navy blues are always safe for a corporate look. When heading for a more formal image, a printed necktie goes perfectly well on a plain dress shirt, while a printed dress shirt will go well with a plain necktie. Don't overdo your style by having too much prints and colors at one time. Throw on a suit when aiming for that million-dollar look!
No matter how carefully pick your top shirt, it's still the overall package. Have a good check from head to toe. Have your clothes iron-crisp, and collars and cuffs well-folded in place. Your shoes must match the color of your belt. Aim for the 3 C's "C Clean, Class, and Crisp look "C you'll be way on top of the corporate ladder in no time! |
