Whether for your good self (or ladies, for your nearest dude!), it is imperative to know what you’re in for when you go shopping for men’s shirts. A great fit makes all the difference in looking like a true professional, while knowing how to choose good material will make life a whole lot easier!
As my friend Matt can testify, wearing a great shirt changes people’s perception instantly. In a tee you may be vaguely recognizable as the DJ from some club, but wearing a shirt you’re transformed into trusted professional. Yes, I will give you my money. Sweet.
Whether you’ve bought 30 shirts already or you’re about to buy your first one, it’s always nice to be reminded of the basic rules. So, with your best image interests at heart, here are a few guidelines to follow when shirt shopping:
MEASURE UP
Size and fit are the two most important things to think about when buying a shirt. First, you’re going to need to know a couple of measurements: neck and sleeve length.
- You’ll want to measure the neck circumference at the Adam’s apple. Use this measurement to determine your shirt size when buying off the rack. A properly fitting shirt will allow for around a thumbs worth of space between your neck and the collar when you have the buttons done up.
Speaking of collars, when inspecting a shirt, make sure the collar is smooth and crisp. No wrinkles! There are several different types of collars you can choose from but it depends on what occasion you’re buying for and what you’ll be pairing your shirt with.
- Measuring for sleeve length is important too; higher end shirt makers will often offer variations in sleeve sizes – details are found beneath neck size on the label. Take the measurement with your arm extended horizontally: from the middle of your back to your wrist. A cuff should hang, unbuttoned to about your thumb knuckle. [A good guide to cuff styles is here].
If sleeves are too long but the rest of the shirt is perfect, don’t despair; simply take it to a tailor for a quick alteration.
- If you don’t have a tape measure or have a handy friend to help out, any good menswear store should insist on sizing you up on the spot. (It’s nice to know your own size so you can stealthily shop for different styles quickly. Or online, if you must.)
- Usually you can choose the fit of the shirt from 2 styles – fit or standard cut. Fitted shirts are perfect for men who are slimmer, while the standard cut is looser – great for the larger guy.
MATERIAL
Buy cotton shirts that have been treated to prevent wrinkles (look for “no-iron” labels). Cotton is important because the fabric ‘breathes’ – offering you comfort in hot or stressful situations. Remember, you get what you pay for.
THE FINER DETAILS
- If you’re going to wear cufflinks, buy two pairs – one nice set and a cheaper pair for emergencies. No, novelty links are not funny, put the soccer balls down and choose the brushed silver.
- Always wear an undershirt – they smooth everything out. There’s no way to say this especially politely, but there’s no point wearing a shirt, getting a nice fit and then having a bulge of chest hair cause lumps, or - god forbid – have an untoward nipple poking through your shirt. You are a professional. Not a ball of candy floss in a plastic bag.
- When buying a striped or patterned shirt, one sign of quality is that the stripes all align, making a straight line – look the seams of sleeves to double check.
- If you’re unsure where to head first on your shirt shopping mission – try your largest local department store. I always find department store staff well versed in menswear and eager to help.
- Please do not buy a salmon coloured shirt. It’s for your own safety. Unless you are 110% confident in your sartorial aptitude, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. I’ve only known one man to pull this off ever, and it’s fair to say he is an exceptionally snappy dresser…The moral of this is it’s always better to err on the side of conservative when it comes to shirts (same with the cuff links, fellas). I believe you should be safe not sorry, and professional – not memorable!
Right, not much to it then is there? Simply follow the rules, stay cool and collected… You’re ready to get shirty.
