A formal shirt can be worn not only for the office at formal occasions – it’s versatility makes the formal shirt appropriate for most occasions – with jeans or less formal trousers for a night out, even slightly creased with cuffs up for a stroll along the beach. No matter the occasion, choosing the perfect formal shirt is easy as long as you follow these simple tips.
Choose The Right Size
This is nearly always the first question. Most men do not know what size shirt they should be wearing – this is measured around the thickest part of the neck and also the length of the sleeve, invariably in inches. For neck measurement, remember that 15” is small-medium, 15.5”-16” is considered medium, and so on.
Materials
For a quality formal shirt, find one that’s made of 100% cotton. The highest quality has a 100 yarn count and is made from poplin cotton – these are super fine yarns and up to 100% lighter than normal shirts.
Fit
You want the collar to snugly fit when the shirt is fully buttoned with room for two fingers to comfortably fit between the collar and your neck. Regarding the fit across the shoulders, you should be able to move your arms freely without the shirt pulling. The shirt cuffs should end just below the wrist when your arms are at your side.
Colours and Patterns
Conservative colours are perfect for the office or for job interviews, although increasing numbers of men are opting for more colourful pinks and yellows to portray a lively image.
A formal shirt in a solid colour is a wardrobe essential, as it is much easier to match with the rest of the outfit, but stripes and checks can also work if carefully matched with a tie.
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