A good shirt can do a lot of heavy lifting in a man’s wardrobe. It is often the first thing people notice, and the right choice can instantly make you look put-together, confident, and comfortable in your own style. From relaxed weekends and casual hangouts to office meetings and formal events, different occasions call for different types of shirts.
Understanding which shirt works where not only simplifies dressing up but also helps you make a lasting impression without overthinking your outfit. In this guide, we’ll break down the essential types of shirts every man should know about and have in their closets at all times.
Formal Shirt Types for Professional Looks
Classic Dress Shirts:
Let’s start with the classic dress shirt—a must-have in every man’s wardrobe. A classic dress shirt is a formal or semi-formal button-down shirt designed to be worn on its own or with suits and blazers in dressy casual or business settings. The clean and versatile silhouette makes it a timeless option suitable for various occasions. Typically made from cotton or cotton blends, these feature buttoned cuffs or French cuffs and a traditional point collar or spread collar.
Wing Collar Shirt:
Wing collar shirts are part of the white-tie and black-tie uniform paired with cutaway suits and tuxedos. This particular style features a stiff, short collar with tips that wing outward instead of folding down. These shirts are specifically meant to be worn with bow ties and ascots only.
Spread and Point Collar Variations:
These variations are based on the collar of the shirt, based on the distance and angle of the collar points. The spaced collars feature a wider and spaced-out neck that is outward-angled to accommodate larger tie knots. Point collars, on the other hand, are narrower with downward-pointing tips, giving a more traditional look.
Casual Button-Down Shirt Styles
Oxford Button-Down Shirts:
Oxford button-downs are a versatile, casual shirt style made from the distinctive basket-weave Oxford cloth. This cloth features a specific textured weave, often two-toned and heavier than standard dress shirts. The button-down feature makes it suitable for smart casual wear and semi-formal looks.
Flannel, Chambray, and Denim Shirts:
These are all casual shirt styles that vary based on the materials they are made from. A flannel shirt is made from a fuzzy, soft, and warm fabric weave, often featuring check or plaid patterns, and is perfect for cooler weather.
Chambray shirts typically feature a light blue colour, as they are made from plain-weave cotton fabric that looks similar to denim but is lighter and softer. Unlike the twill weave used in denim, this one uses coloured yarn along with white to create a soft, speckled look.
The classic denim shirt is one of the most versatile casual shirt options available for men. It is known for its timeless appeal and durability, classifying it as a wardrobe essential that can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion and season.
Cuban and Hawaiian Shirts:
Both Cuban and Hawaiian shirts are casual-style shirts, typically featuring a camp collar, short sleeves, and a boxy fit. Designed for warmer weather, these shirts are often made from breathable fabrics like cotton, rayon, and linen for a comfortable fit. While the two shirt styles are fairly similar, Cuban shirts feature solid colours and simpler patterns, while Hawaiian shirts are recognised by their distinct all-over vibrant tropical and floral prints.
Workwear and Utility Shirt Options
Rugged Work Shirts:
Once worn as a utility garment, the rugged work shirt is now a fashion wardrobe staple. What makes these shirts stand out is their strength and endurance towards wear and tear. Since these shirts are made from heavy-duty fabrics like 100% cotton canvas or twill, they can withstand heavy labour as well as casual outings.
Safari and Western Shirts:
Both are utilitarian shirt styles but are fairly different from each other. A safari shirt is distinguished by its classic, structured cut, pointed collar, and front pockets with flaps, sometimes with epaulettes and a waist belt. It is traditionally made from durable but breathable fabrics like cotton or linen, most commonly in neutral tones such as beige, sand, or khaki.
A western shirt is rooted in cowboy culture with its distinctive pointed yoke, snap buttons, and chest pockets with flaps. These shirts are traditionally made from fabrics like denim, flannel, cotton, and chambray for durability. A longer tail allows for keeping the shirt tucked in, and reinforced shoulders protect against wear and tear caused by ropes.
How to Choose and Style Different Types of Shirts?
It is normal to feel overwhelmed when trying to find your ideal shirt styles, especially with a plethora of options to choose from. To pick a suitable shirt to match your requirements, you must consider the following factors:
- Consider the formality: The first step to picking the right shirt is to consider the formality. Do you want to buy a shirt for casual wear or formal wear? For casual wear, button-downs with mandarin collars made from lightweight fabrics in bolder hues are ideal. Shirts tailored from premium fabrics like 100% cotton with pointed or spread collars in solid hues are best suited for formal or professional wear.
- Colour and Pattern: From solid hues to popular patterns, men’s shirts are available in a wide variety to suit different occasions and settings. For formal wear, classic whites, blues, small checks, and stripes paired with formal trousers and suits are ideal picks. For casual outfits, stick with earthy tones, bolder hues, wider stripes, and abstract or floral prints paired with chinos or jeans.
- Check quality and details: A premium-quality shirt always makes you look put-together and refined. Look for shirts that are made well. The shoulder seams should align with the edge of your shoulders for a comfortable fit. Consider the hem length of your shirt based on whether you want to tuck it in or leave it hanging. The collar should stand up slightly and should not have any dents.
- Consider the fit: shirts can be explored in a plethora of fits based on your preference and shirt style. The most popular of them all is the classic or regular fit with ample room in the chest, waist, and sleeves. Other popular options include slim fit, tailored fit, athletic fit, muscle fit, oversized fit, and skinny fit.
FAQs
What are the most popular types of shirts for men?
There are different categories of shirts, and each category has multiple options to offer. There are the classics like Oxford, denim, linen, and chambray; casual trendy options like flannel, Cuban collar, printed, and overshirts; and formal shirts like dress shirts and contrast collar shirts to fulfil all your men’s shirt needs.
How many kinds of shirts exist?
There are countless kinds of shirts, each categorised based on the fabric, sleeve length, collar style, material, occasion, and design. When combined, you get innumerable variations to choose from.
What are the differences between casual and formal types of shirts?
Formal shirts are made from crisp, smooth fabrics like poplin and fine twill for a structured look. They often come in tailored, slim, or regular fit, making them easier to tuck in. These shirts feature point, cutaway and spread collar styles to accommodate ties and are best picked in solid colours, fine stripes and micro-checks.
Casual shirts, on the other hand, are made from softer materials like flannel, Oxford, or chambray for a relaxed fit. These can be explored in bold colours, patterns, wider stripes and bolder checks, with less structured collars and simple button cuffs.
Which types of shirts are best for hot weather?
Shirts made from lightweight, breathable fabrics like linen, cotton, rayon or chambray are best suited for hot weather. Relaxed or loose-fitted shirts are best for such weather, as they allow unrestricted air flow, keeping the body well-ventilated and cool.