A white dress shirt, unlike most items, is essential in every man’s wardrobe because it can be pulled out at a moment’s notice and can be slipped on for any occasion – pitching at a meeting, attending a wedding, meeting the in-laws, or attempting to smarten up your act, whatever is on your agenda, this must-have can be worn proudly and have you standing tall no matter what the season. Also, as it tends to be plain and in an easy-to-pull-off color it can happily call your closet home for many years to come, just as long as you play by the rules and follow these tips and tricks.
Regardless of what type of white shirt you tend to gravitate towards, they can sometimes give off the impression that you are a bit of a square or even uptight, so when reaching for the next one you might want to inject some personality onto your all-year-rounder by either experimenting with shirts that have accent details such as a unique collar, playful buttons, traditional pockets, textured fabrics, and prints or investing in accessories such as ties, cufflinks, and lapel pins.
1. Brooks Brothers Dress Shirt
BEST OVERALL
You can’t go wrong with Brooks Brothers, they are a failsafe option for formalwear let alone shirts and this dress shirt that speaks volumes. This shirt is a non-iron option that comes in a Supima stretch cotton and a spandex blend which is great for helping you make moves personally and professionally. It also looks great teamed with a long tie or layered with a waistcoat.
Picked from the Traveler Collection, this popular Paul Stuart Traveler shirt will get you in the mood for traveling in style. It’s designed in a breathable and soft Italian wrinkle-resistant cotton, this shirt will last you for many seasons to come but feel as though you just bought it yesterday.
When it comes to style, the English know best and this Turnbull and Asser double-cuff shirt will only enhance your gentlemanly charms. This shirt which is made in England is made with attention to detail with a prominent collar and double cuffs, ready for you to add your own stamp on it with signature cufflinks. Ideal for when you want to show who’s boss.
The quality of a Charles Tyrwhitt shirt is second to none. Also as CT is a brand that’s flagship store takes pride of place amongst the coveted Jermyn Street in London and is widely recognized for its contribution to helping men look their best, their a label you can trust. Their shirt option created from 100% Egyptian cotton, yes the fabric famous for providing the utmost comfort whilst sleeping or bathing, comes in a charming herringbone design that works well paired with a wool suit.
Who says wearing a white shirt has to be so monochromatic? The Eton twill dress shirt is an example of a subtle way to add color to any outfit and a way you can add personality with looking out of place. This option comes in the brand’s version of a contemporary fit, in a high-performance crease-resistant fabric that has convertible button cuffs that be easily folded to french cuffs. As this shirt has warmed you up, why not match with a similar hue for your pocket square and socks, to tie your look together.
Michael Kors is known for their young aesthetic but this button-up will show you are all grown up. This shirt is designed with a classic collar, an understated button and fits streamline to the body, great for when you need a shirt for the everyday. Also, as it is made from cotton and spandex you can wear it all day and easily chuck it in the wash to bring it back to life.
J Crew is probably the number one go-to of stylish men who need to suit up on short notice — their Ludlow shop is always stocked with a variety of suits, dress shirts, and ties. Their premium Ludlow shirts are made from two-ply 100s yarns in 100% cotton for a higher-quality feeling and a shirt that will last a long time.
The Miles 120s broadcloth fabric is lightweight and silky smooth, great for looking and feeling good in performance. Also, as it’s woven in a 120s 2-ply construction, it means it will be able to retain its shape for long wear whilst being the least opaque shirt in the Proper Cloth dress shirt collection. This item also can be customizable from adding a pocket to monogramming.
Todd Snyder’s sneakers and sweats get a lot of love, but the brand excels at tailoring, too. Take this crisp white dress shirt, made in collaboration with Hamilton, a Houston-based shirtmaker that’s been around since 1883 and continues to make its shirts in America (not to be confused with the watchmaker). The shirt has a slim fit and moderate spread collar. There are a variety of other Hamilton shirts available on Todd Snyder’s website.
Available in regular, tall, and big, this Nordstrom dress shirt in a traditional fit features a non-iron element which means you can be ready to go in no time. Also, as it comes with a conventional point collar, button cuffs, and chest pockets you’ll be sure to find a variety of places to wear it to without having to spend a fortune.
Banana Republic has a great range of quality white shirts available in regular and tall, from the Hi-Dri option that is breathable, quick-drying, and is engineered to hide sweat and the Tech-Stretch cotton option that is made from a SUPIMA cotton blend, that has moisture=e-wicking properties to keep you dry and comfortable when things get warm, however, the non-iron dress shirt is a great all-rounder. It is wrinkle-resistant for when you want to look sharp all day, is designed in a comfortable standard fit, and looks great with or without a tie.
The stretch Poplin dress shirt from Club Monaco is yet another great shirt to add to your sea of shirts. This option is made for long days when you need a reliable and comfortable shirt that will make the long hours more bearable as it features elastane and nylon for a smooth and silk finish.
Taken from the Bloomingdales Outlet is this Roberto Cavalli dress shirt that we’re sure won’t be around for long. This classic piece, designed true to RC style in a physique-showing slim-fit, with button cuffs and subtle embroidered logo on the chest is one for the days when you want to give off an air of mystery. Pair with dark wash jeans and your coolest leather jacket, and it goes without saying shirt unbuttoned.
UNTUCKit is celebrated by us for its fit, size inclusivity, and range of styles that always get it right. The Las Cases shirt combines the classic shirt style for the day with a contrasting color on the cuffs for the night. It’s never too late to try a new style, especially when it comes to your shirts and then this is a great way to start building up to experimenting with bold prints whilst staying well within your comfort zone.
Ralph Lauren is known for its extensive Oxford shirts collection which comes in a variety of colorways and fits including big and tall. This particular style from the Polo range, with contrast buttons, detail on the collar, and down the body is great paired with jeans in the day and chinos at night.
The Aero Zero Carbon Neutral Shirt, yes carbon neutral is made from 100% recycled fabrics, comes in standard and slim fit, and is naturally wrinkle-resistant so now you can look the part in either their plain, grid or check shirts without guilt.
If you like to have a little movement, but don’t want to look like you’re wearing polyester, Bonobos is a good place to look. Conceived initially as a direct-to-consumer online brand, Bonobos focuses on stylish yet simple designs for modern officewear. The Jetsetter dress shirt is made from breathable stretch cotton, ideal for a man on the go, and if you love the white (spoiler: you will), there are tons of prints to choose from too.
