How much should I spend on a shirt?
For $40, you can buy a 100% cotton shirt made of fine, two-ply yarn from Land’s End – one of the best values we could find and the minimum standard for any man. Double your budget and you`ll get more comfort from higher-quality cotton, and frankly, more choices. We like this version from Polo Ralph Lauren at this price point , but there are plenty of other chain brands and department stores with solid choices – choose your shirt based on how fine the fabric feels and make sure to always buy 100% cotton. After $150, you may as well save up to get a custom dress shirt – at this point you`re paying for the brand name or design. If you`re going the custom-made route, most major shirtmakers start at $250 a piece, but the price can easily climb to more than $500. If you`re just starting out, Thomas Pink`s Personally Pink program doesn`t require a minimum order like other luxury tailors.
How should a dress shirt fit?
Aesthetics are important, but comfort is king. Pay particular attention to the way a shirt feels around your neck and through the shoulders – if it`s constricting or baggy in any area it will look sloppy and you should find other options. Think about your lifestyle too. “If you`re going to sit at a computer all day, you`ll probably not be comfortable in a slim fit model,” says John Liguori, General Manager at Thomas Pink`s Madison Avenue store. A great way to determine the best fit is to try the shirt on under a suit jacket. “Aesthetically, two fingers between the top of your collar and top of your suit jacket is the perfect balance between strangulation and sagginess,” says Liguori. “As for your cuffs, no more than ¼ to ½ of an inch of shirt should be visible beyond the coat sleeve.” Don`t think that means you have to buy longer than you need though. “In most instances, a man`s jacket sleeve is too long rather than the shirt being too short.”
Are non-iron shirts of inferior quality?
It depends on the fabric. Labeling a shirt as “non-iron” is a proven way for companies to unload cheap clothing made of polyester, acrylic, or just low-grade cotton. Upscale brands, on the other hand, start with better fabric and then apply their own chemical treatments to battle wrinkles. If you need the convenience of non-iron dress shirts, don`t settle for anything less than 100% cotton from a respected shirtmaker such as Brooks Brothers or Jos A. Bank.
What types of shirts should every man own?
Thomas Pink`s Michael Bragg says, “A white shirt, a pale blue, a Bengal stripe, and something with texture, like herringbone.” Shirts with bold colors and patterns are too recognizable to be worn on a consistent basis, so splurge on the basics.
Is a pocket indicative of a cheap shirt?
No – and don`t let anyone tell you otherwise. “The pocket is an American original designed with utilitarian purpose,” says Bragg. You might not see a pocket on European designs, but if you like a pocket on your shirt, then by all means, get a pocket on your shirt.”
How can a man look better in his shirt regardless of what it costs?
Dress for the occasion and launder with care. Collars which need a tie to stand up shouldn`t be worn without one; for a more casual look choose a button-down version. Details like French cuffs are only for formal environments and must be worn with cufflinks – only your girlfriend is allowed to break that rule. When you launder a dress shirt, have it dry cleaned or washed in cold water. Dry it on low heat and never use bleach or starch– both can destroy the cloth`s fibers.
Nice article. I have always heard good things about Thomas Pink shirts. Not sure I agree with the formal-only cuff links rule but overall a solid guide.
Thanks for the kind words Slim – for us, cufflinks require a jacket and tie – we don’t think they look good with a pair of khakis and a button down. It’s a bit like wearing patent leather shoes with chinos, don’t you think?
The one area you can dress it down is to wear a cuffed shirt with knotted cuffs and a light cotton or linen suit. You can get away without a tie and it’s a sharp warm weather look. Thanks again for the comment!