The Essential Shirt Styles For Men Both Casual And Formal

With all of its different variations, the men’s shirt is without a doubt the most versatile article of dress there is. But with so many endless options out there, which types of shirts should you stock your wardrobe with to ensure you have all bases stylishly covered? These are the essential shirt styles for men that you’ll want to have on hand for all occasions, both casual and formal.

Oxford Button-Down Shirt

Sharing its name with the Oxford cloth from which it’s cut, the Oxford shirt is a menswear classic that’s been serving as the bedrock of many a stylish outfit for well over 120 years. The fabric is quite thick compared to most others in shirting, giving it a casual edge. A button-down collar and hanger loop to the back of the yoke are common design traits. If ever there was a true, essential type of shirt for men, the Oxford button-down shirt is it. This timeless piece serves as a sartorial building block that works for a range of dress codes, making it one of the most versatile pieces in any wardrobe.

Dress Shirt

Whether you’re a fan of getting suited and booted or not, society dictates that you’re probably going to have to shoehorn yourself into a tuxedo at least a handful of times over the course of your existence. If you didn’t already know, black-tie requires a very specific type of dress shirt, so it’s best to have one handy for your next formal event. A classic evening or dress shirt will typically be cut from pique (AKA Marcella) fabric, which was originally chosen for its ability to hold starch and keep the fabric crisp and stiff. There is also usually a bib, where the fabric is reinforced, a wing, pointed, or cutaway collar, and double cuffs, which require cufflinks to be worn.

Cuban Collar Shirt

What better way to appease your inner hairy-chested Colombian drug lord than by soaking up some sun in his favorite type of shirt? This breezy summer staple has always looked good, and thanks to the current fifties-fashion revival, it’s right on trend at the moment too. The ‘Cuban’ part refers to the shirt’s open collar, which makes it ideal for putting some air on your chest. In addition to this, the typical cuban collar shirt also features a fairly boxy fit, straight hem, and button-up front. You’ll be able to find these casual shirts in a huge range of colors and patterns. Don’t be afraid to be bold with your cuban collar shirt choice, but stay away from anything that looks like something your uncle would wear to the casino.

Overshirt

Too warm for a coat, yet too cold for a T-shirt. That troublesome transitional period between the two meteorological extremes is notorious for throwing a spanner in the works where getting dressed is concerned. Luckily, though, we have overshirts. The overshirt’s beauty lies in its versatility. It makes for a perfectly suitable light jacket when the weather is warmer. Or, you can layer things up on colder days and even wear a coat over the top in winter.

Flannel Shirt

Whether you’re chopping logs in rural Canadian woodland, or simply nipping out for a latte in mid-December, the humble flannel shirt is an absolute must in a wardrobe full of different types of shirts. This thick, soft flannel fabric is essential when the mercury drops and it’s versatile too, whether you opt for a plaid or plain version.

Office Shirt

It’s a horrible term, but the advent of business casual dress codes has meant that you can probably clock into your workplace in a much broader range of clothing than your father ever dared to. We think that’s a good thing, but there’s still room for wardrobe workhorses like the classic work shirt, especially if your boss still expects you to wear a tie. Out of all the different types of shirts for men, the work shirt is one you’ll likely get the most wear out of. Light blues and pinks are solid team members but for its versatility, a white button up shirt will go home with the employee of the month award.

Chambray Shirt

No, it’s not denim. Chambray uses a plain weave in its construction, which results in a lighter fabric than the twill weave used for its jean-making cousin. This makes a chambray shirt a great option if you like the look of denim but find it a bit too much. This type of shirt looks fantastic with almost everything too, making it nothing short of a style staple and something that every bloke should have at least one hanging in his wardrobe.

Classic Short Sleeve Shirt

It wasn’t so long ago that the the short sleeve shirt was a style crime reserved for delivery drivers, bible salesmen, and scary men in nightclubs with pupils the size of coffee cups. Fortunately, designers have reclaimed the basic t-shirt style for its versatility and warm-weather practicality. In recent years, the perfect t-shirt has become a vehicle for broader summer trends, from tropical prints and geometric patterns to pastel colors and vertical stripes. Whatever your preferred mode of turning heads, a basic t-shirt works with most summer legwear from shorts and chinos to lighter denim and linen trousers. Wear casually, usually without tucking it in. The perfect t-shirt will have sleeve ends no higher than mid-bicep and be sure to never wear it with a suit.

Polo Shirt

A step up from the basic t-shirt, solid color polo shirts are a must-have for both casual wear and more dressed up occasions. Who knew a simple collar could make a world of difference? With dozens of well revered names to choose from, the polo shirt has been perfected over decades by the likes of Ralph Lauren, Lacoste and other classic players in the men’s fashion game. Polos work well on a variety of body shapes and come in a huge range of colors. As far as men’s casual shirts go, this is one you don’t want to skip out on.

Denim Shirt

Don’t be too quick to write the denim shirt off as a fashion faux pas. Worn right, this classic workwear item can give your outfit an added dose of masculinity and lend a casual edge when worn with an unstructured blazer, or even a full suit if you’re feeling brave. The fashion police seem to have an eternal arrest warrant out for double denim too, which is one thing that might put a lot of men off wearing these types of shirts. However, if you’re clever about it, embracing the Canadian tuxedo can offer a way to inject some texture into your wardrobe.

Linen Shirt

Is there anything worse than being crammed into a train carriage on a summer commute with some bloke’s soaking wet armpit so close to your face that you can almost taste the salt? Probably not. Don’t be that guy and swap out your Oxfords for linens when the mercury begins to rise. There are different types of shirts for summer, but linen is the breezy answer to all of your warm-weather woes. It’s light, it’s airy and it gives you the chance to experiment with some pastel shades that you may not ordinarily go for.

How to Get the Perfect Shirt Fit

Collar

A gaping collar is a dead giveaway that a man’s shirt is too big. Likewise, if your face is turning purple and you’re having difficulty swallowing, you might want to consider a size or two up. Pay attention to the neck of your shirt. Usually a finger-width of space when fully fastened will be just right.

Sleeves

Fashion may have experimented with overlength sleeves, but if you’re walking anywhere other than a runway, you’d be well-advised not to do the same. For the perfect fit, your sleeves should end where your wrist meets your hand but with enough excess fabric to prevent them from riding up every time you move your arms.

Shoulders

So, you’re not blessed with the torso of a Greek god. Don’t worry, because a well-fitted shirt can create the illusion of a more masculine frame even if you’re built more like Ariana Grande than Arnold Schwarzenegger. To make the shoulders appear as wide as possible there’s one trick. Where the sleeve of the shirt is joined to the body is the key. It should sit on the ‘humeral head’, in other words, the widest point of the shoulder.

Chest

Nothing ruins the look of a shirt quite like straining buttons, struggling to contain what lies beneath. Ensure your shirt isn’t too tight around the chest. The chest area should feel comfortable, while also granting you a full range of motion in the arms and upper body.

Length

Length is one of the most common things guys get wrong when it comes to shirting. Yes, we’re fully aware of the whole longline thing but it will pass eventually, trust us. And if you want to come out the other end of it with your style credentials left unscathed, there are just two shirt lengths you need to keep in mind. Casual shirts are designed to be left untucked. For this reason, the fabric should reach roughly halfway down the backside. Formal men’s shirts, on the other hand, should reach to the bottom of the backside to avoid coming untucked.