The Best Men’s Dress Shirts for 2023
Shopping for a dress shirt shouldn’t be a challenge, whether it’s for your first office job or a wedding. Unlike women’s offerings, men’s dress shirts seem straightforward, but the simplicity can be deceiving. Issues like fit, cuffs, and material can arise. We’ve compiled the best dress shirts at different price points and provide search tips.
What are the defining qualities of an excellent dress shirt?
Whether you refer to it as an oxford, a formal shirt, or business shirt, the fundamental elements remain consistent. A men’s dress shirt is characterized by a well-defined, stiff point collar with a subtle spread. You a buttoned-down collar, nor a softer configuration, as these details are considered too informal for this type of attire.
The ongoing debate surrounding materials persists as brands increasingly incorporate spandex and polyester to provide comfortable stretch and easy ironing. However, these fabrications tend to wear out and develop puckering sooner than the enduring qualities of 100% cotton, linen, or silk.
When it comes to choosing a cotton dress shirt, diving into the world of fabric options can be overwhelming. The Oxfords strike a balanced texture, whereas twill introduces a diagonal weave. Poplin, on the other hand, offers a lighter and smoother surface. For a more substantial look and sometimes a touch of shine, the jacquard fabric comes into play.
Cuffs: If you don’t plan on wearing your suit jacket all day, opt for long sleeves with cuffs. The barrel shape is the standard choice, while French cuffs exude a more formal elegance.
Color choice plays a pivotal role in dress shirts. White and blue exude timeless elegance, while stripes, checks, and other patterns inject a touch of personality. However, it’s important to consider the occasion and expected dress code when deciding on your shirt’s design.
Top Brands for Men’s Introductory Dress Shirts
Not everyone has the means, or the desire, to splurge on high-end fashion. However, when it comes to introductory or entry-level men’s dress shirt brands, there are a few key aspects to consider. These brands often excel in practical features such as performance fabrics and no-iron options. Moreover, they offer a diverse range of sizes and styles to cater to a wider audience.
Bonobos is a quick-rise story with a firm, albeit quirky, reputation in the shirting market. While their acquisition by Walmart partly tainted their reputation for a few years, regular features on Netflix’s Queer Eye show that Bonobos captures the modern confluence of basics with personality. Some may argue that a dress shirt with a floral, pineapple, or geometric print isn’t dressy and falls into the smart-casual territory. However, marketing, ad agency, and creative professionals would disagree and that’s where Bonobos confidently caters to its audience. They offer essentials with a slight stretch fabrication as well as various patterns, colors, and fits ranging from skinny to muscular athletic for building a creative workplace wardrobe.
Charles Tyrwhitt, the subway shirting brand known to every commuter, stands out in the oversaturated market due to two key factors. Firstly, their deep connection to Jermyn Street’s British shirt-making heritage. Secondly, their unwavering commitment to delivering consistently high-quality products. Offering a diverse range of mid-priced dress shirts in traditional and performance fabrics, as well as casual options, Charles Tyrwhitt was founded in the 1980s with a clear mission: to create enduringly stylish and durable clothing. Their designs embody timeless elegance, avoiding flashy trends for an enduring allure. Explore their online store or step into one of their physical shops to discover impeccably crafted dress shirts in white, blue, or subtle prints. Despite their classic appearance, Charles Tyrwhitt’s products prioritize comfort, making them an office staple. With their practical no-iron feature and the promised performance of the Tyrwhitt Cool finish, you’ll always be ready to seize the day.
Top Brands for Mid-Level Men’s Dress Shirts: Unveiling the Supreme Selection
The mid-level experience can sometimes come across as average. However, when it comes to dress shirts, this tier offers the best of both worlds. It allows you to stay within your budget while providing access to a diverse range of cotton fabrications, such as oxford, poplin, and jacquard. Additionally, you’ll find performance and non-iron options that are just as remarkable as the coveted Apple Watch – they serve a purpose while exuding a subtle elegance that you’ll want to flaunt.
GANT, a quintessential American preppy brand, emerged from a shirt-making legacy and influenced Ivy League style through the Yale Co-Op. Post-World War II, it gained attention with distinctive ads featuring oxford shirts in urban, sophisticated publications. GANT both drew from and influenced preppy trends, often going bolder and more colorful. Store employees allegedly avoided white shirts. This outlook shapes the present GANT—classic, traditional, yet boundary-pushing. To this end, GANT now utilizes Better Cotton, a sustainable alternative to traditional sources, along with cotton/linen blends.
Established in 1913, Hawes & Curtis stands as one of the venerable Jermyn Street shirtmakers with a rich heritage. Offering an extensive range of options, their collection caters to a diverse clientele. Experience the timeless elegance of their classic blue or white shirts meticulously crafted from quality cotton, available in various collar styles and fits. Built to last with traditional construction techniques, these shirts deliver above-average durability. Moreover, Hawes & Curtis appeals to the discerning, fashion-forward customers seeking unique styles, unveiling a captivating array of new and daring prints, including bold florals and occasional geometric patterns. To cater to the convenience-minded individuals, they also offer non-iron shirts, promising exceptional quality for day-to-day wear. Immerse yourself in their world of superior craftsmanship and premium offerings.
Top-notch brands for men’s high-end dress shirts.
When considering the price point (anything above $250 per shirt), it is common to find natural, non-blended fabrics that offer exceptional quality and durability. These fabrics, although typically used, have certain exceptions. In some cases, fabrics with a light and partially silky appearance, along with exquisite Italian construction, may also be available, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to your wardrobe.
Hugo Boss spans across the mid- to higher-end price ranges and fabrications, offering a contemporary twist on a classic, traditional style. The shirts effortlessly embrace an ultra-slim to slim fit, accentuating a defined silhouette and boasting a subtle luster, even when crafted from 100% cotton. Simultaneously, their modest yet futuristic take on essential pieces elevates what could be considered a subset of menswear – the performance garment. Enter Italian jersey, meticulously crafted from a blend of elastane and recycled polyamide, sourced from post-consumer industrial safety nets. This unique blend achieves a harmonious blend of flexibility and timeless elegance.When it comes to dress shirts, Eton’s approach is predictable yet timeless, boasting durability and subtle experimentation. Picture classic white and blue hues, with an occasional foray into pink, all expertly tailored from a range of fabrics including poplins, oxfords, twills, Tencel, and silk. These materials offer varying degrees of substance, ensuring wrinkle-resistance without the need for polyester or spandex.
Eton epitomizes the essence of quintessential Scandinavian style – simple, minimalistic, and crafted with utmost quality and functionality. Since its establishment in 1928, this Swedish brand seamlessly blends practicality with refined Milanese tailoring, resulting in impeccably sharp and clean silhouettes crafted from premium materials.
When it comes to dress shirts, Eton’s approach is predictable yet timeless, boasting durability and subtle experimentation. Picture classic white and blue hues, with an occasional foray into pink, all expertly tailored from a range of fabrics including poplins, oxfords, twills, Tencel, and silk. These materials offer varying degrees of substance, ensuring wrinkle-resistance without the need for polyester or spandex.
