Men's Dress Shirt Selections - How Formal Do You Need?

Discover what style of men's dress shirt suits theunless you are sure of the situation is a good rule.
situation. A dress shirt can be for formal wear, like a• The collar of men's dress shirts is the most easily
tuxedo shirt, or for business wear, and both thevisible detail on the shirt and an important detail at
details, colors and fit vary with the situation. Learnthat as the type of collar is a good indicator of just
which factors affect how formal your shirt selectionhow formal a shirt appears. Detachable collars are
really is, and whether it fits the situation.usually the most formal, though not as frequently
When selecting a men's dress shirt the color, collarused by Americans who favor attached collars.
and material will be of primary importance in decidingDetachable collars may attach with studs (usually
how suitable it is for a particular use, however detailsmatched to the cufflinks) and are never "button
such as cuffs, sleeve and fit also influence if thedown" they are the most formal. Attached collars
men's dress shirt is right for the occasion.may still be very formal and with the exception of
• Material is the first selection made and it willthe button down collar may be found on some types
determine the life of the shirt. The material also has aof formal wear. The Windsor collar is popular for
bearing on how suitable for its purpose the shirt willbusiness wear in Europe.
appear. Business wear shirts are less structured• Fit is also an important detail in styling in men's
today and colored men's dress shirts are beginning todress-shirts. The formal shirt will extend past the
be seen in all but the most traditional corporatethighs and nearly to the knees but it also may be
climates. However, traditionally blue or white cottonfound in slim, regular and roomy fits. Formal shirts can
or linen is used with these shirts, and in manybe more closely fitted to the body shape than ones
companies is still standard. Black tie men's dress shirtsfor business purposes are fitted. men's dress-shirts
are often white shirts but starch is optional. Formal orworn in business may be slim, regular or roomy but
tuxedo shirts are specially constructed and oftenthe slim fit may give a less formal appearance and so
made of layered cotton or Marcella and are heavilyfor situations where the businessperson wants to
starched.make the best impression such as a job interview,
• Color of course is one of the first things noticedregular cut may be best.
about men's dress-shirts and it is true you simplyThe details influence how well any men's-dress-shirts
cannot go wrong with white. However, colors haveselection fits the situation and your purpose.
begun to filter in and a blue dress shirt with whiteTogether they can make a statement in any
cuffs is permissible in many business situations. If it issituation.
for black tie or formal wear then sticking to white