A man's wardrobe will never be complete without a white dress shirt, and there are two main explanations for this. Firstly, you can wear a white shirt with almost anything without worrying about color coordination. Additionally, this style of shirt looks charming and dapper no matter what you pair it with. But, you cannot just add any white shirt to your wardrobe. It helps to be selective and specific when picking out a shirt, which is where our buying guide will help you out. With this full description, you won't have to face any dilemma in choosing the best product for yourself, and that's our promise!
What Factors Should You Consider to Get the Best Men’s White Dress Shirt?
Size
First of all, when it comes to any clothing, size is the most important factor to keep in mind. Even though dress shirts usually have a looser fit than casual ones, you cannot get the sizing wrong. If you do so, you won't be able to raise your hands without causing the hemline to come untucked from your pants. In addition, you will be unable to twist your body in different directions or move your arms properly. Therefore, make sure that you decide the size you need before moving ahead with your purchase.
Armhole
The armhole is the joint between the shirt's main torso structure and the sleeves. If it's too tight or small in diameter, you will feel constricted. As a result, your hand movements will be restricted, and you will feel super uncomfortable. You need to go for a product having a generously sized armhole so that you can easily slide your hands into the sleeves and won't feel uncomfortable after buttoning it up.
Sleeve design
Most white dress shirts for men have full sleeves that will run down to your wrist. Full sleeves will make you look more decent and sophisticated. However, if you want to wear the shirt for a longer time, it would be best to go for a product having loose sleeves so that moving your arms around won't be a problem. Also, some men like to wear shirts with long sleeves reaching slightly below their waistline, while others want the sleeve to end right over the wrist.
Cuffs
The cuffs in a dress shirt are crucial for a formal look. While looking for the perfect product, ensure that the shirt has two cuff buttons. This way, you can adjust its tightness around your wrist based on the size. Some shirts will have thinner cuffs, while others may have wider cuff lengths. If you want a white shirt for casual and formal wear, go for the one with a thin cuff width.
Collar design
There are two collar designs when it comes to men's dress shirts— spread and pointed collars. The spread collar has a relaxed silhouette with the edges laying flat against the shoulder line of the shirt. It's best suited for shirts worn for formal and casual occasions. If you want to buy a dress shirt for office purposes or to attend formal dinners, you should opt for a shirt with a pointed collar design. Such a collar can hold its shape, and you won't even have to insert collar support.
Shirt length
Dress shirts are usually worn for formal occasions. That's why they have longer lengths than casual men's shirts, so they can be easily tucked into the pants. Therefore, ensure that the chosen product's length is enough to be tucked in. Also, ensure that the shirt is still loose once you tuck it in and that no wrinkle or crease has formed.
Fit type
You have to pay attention to two main types of fit while selecting the best white dress shirt. First, if you are more inclined towards comfortable and loose clothing, it would be better to wear shirts with a regular fit. This is because they have a straight length, with generous space between your skin and the side seams. On the contrary, if you choose a body-fit shirt, it will be slightly tight to create a tight silhouette. Such shirts will create an illusion of having a tall, slim shape, which most men prefer to have.
What Kind of Materials Are Generally Used in Men’s White Dress Shirts?
The men's white dress shirts are either made from one material like cotton, or a mix of multiple fabrics. Each material has its advantages that you should be aware of before purchasing the clothing. In the section below, we briefly explained the fabrics used for manufacturing these shirts.
- Cotton fabric is added to improve the breathability of the shirt. Moreover, it is skin-friendly and won't cause allergies.
- Twill cotton is sometimes used in place of regular cotton to incorporate the shirt's unique diagonal rib pattern.
- Polyester is extremely light and soft, just like cotton. However, it has a smoother texture and is ideal for shirts that will be worn for a long time.
- To make the shirt stretchable, spandex or elastane is also added. This will improve your range of motion greatly.
How Much Does a Men’s White Dress Shirt Usually Cost?
The white dress shirts for men usually cost between $15 and $95. Several reasons can explain the huge gap between the shirts' prices. For instance, pure cotton shirts are cheaper than products made from a blend of cotton and polyester. Similarly, shirts with slim-fit designs have a lower cost than products with loose or regular fits.
How Can You Style a Men’s White Dress Shirt?
White shirts can be paired with anything, making them extremely versatile. Here are some different outfit ideas to style the dress shirt:
- Untucked white dress shirt with beige fitted pants
- Tucked shirt with striped black dress pants and a blazer
- Brown leather blazer over the shirt with denim jeans
- Beige jacket and pants with a white shirt
- Tucked in a white shirt with a gray striped overcoat and dark gray coat and pants
- White shirt with dark blue jeans
