Some men are most comfortable in a T-shirt, while others feel strange not wearing a button-up at all times. Regardless which category a man falls into, he still is likely to have a wardrobe of dress shirts in his closet, even if he only wears them a few times each year. Choosing the right kind of dress shirt can be a challenge, but when you get right down to it, there are four main decisions to be made.
Sizing
Choosing the right size for a men’s dress shirt is not too complicated. There usually are two measurements on the label to consider:
Neck: The neck size can be found by using a soft tape measure to gauge the circumference of the wearer’s neck. This measurement should be taken just below the Adam’s Apple, and then an additional half inch should be added for increased comfort. The neck size of the dress shirt will be indicated in inches in a whole and half size on the label.
Sleeve: The sleeve length also is in inches and can be found by measuring from the nape of the wearer’s neck, over to the shoulder and down to the wrist. Shirtsleeves should reach the wrist, not hang over the hand.
Cut
There are three basic styles of cuts on a dress shirt: regular, slim and tall.
Regular: This is the basic cut for men, fairly boxy with the sides cut to fall straight from under the arms.
Slim: For men who like a tighter fit or who prefer an athletic look, a slim fit tapers from under the arms toward the waist.
Tall: These cuts generally are for men taller than 6 feet. They have a longer cut in the torso and longer sleeve lengths. They also offer a wider range of neck sizes.
Collars and Cuffs
The detailed parts of a man’s dress shirt are really where personalities come into play. A man can say a great deal about his style depending on which he chooses. For example, a button-down collar is a less formal look than a pointed or straight collar. For cuffs, there are two options: standard or French. The French is used for formal suits, requiring cufflinks for fastening. The standard cuff is by far the most widely available.
Fabrics and Print
The fabric choice for a men’s dress shirt can range from cotton to silk but will depend largely on comfort, stain-resistance and occasion. Color choices usually involve solid colors for formal dress shirts and subtly patterned ones for casual situations.