1- Mind the Fit
When selecting a shirt it is very important to ensure that it fits properly. It's more than just putting on a shirt and buttoning it up.
Taking body measurements is the first step in finding the perfect fit. Take the time to get your neck, shoulder, and arm lengths measured. Nobody likes a shabby-looking tie dangling off their neck or getting suffocated from a too-tight bow tie or knot. One finger in the collar is a solid rule of thumb. Congratulations, if your finger fits snugly between the neck and collar, you're good to go. The collar is too large if the gap is wider than that.
2- Patterns
After you've mastered the fit, the next most challenging task is putting together a whole outfit. In the realm of dress shirts, white, black, blue-colored ones as well as stripes are classics but don't be afraid to experiment with color and/or texture. Dress shirts with plaid or gingham prints are really popular right now. For the fall season, a splash of colorful plaid with a dark-colored tie works nicely, but after the temperatures drop even lower we would recommend you go for subdued colors to pair with a dark-colored suit. The fundamental guideline is that your suit should only have one focal point; if your shirt is vividly colored, keep the remainder of your ensemble (jacket and tie) simple.
3- Fabric & Material
If you have to wear a dress shirt and tie to work every day, you know how difficult it is to feel comfortable in a button-down at 2 p.m. You're probably hot, frustrated, and want to get out of there. Here are some fabric options to consider when you want to feel comfortable:
You'll want breathable fabrics like cotton or cotton blends for a comfortable day at work. Cotton is long-lasting, dependable, and simple to wash and reuse.
Another airy fabric that is ideal for summer is linen, however linen wrinkles like a Shar-Pei. Wearing linen in circumstances where you'll be moving about a lot is a bad idea because it gets wrinkles.
Silk is always an elegant option, but like linen, it should only be worn in settings when there isn't a lot of movement.
4- Subtle Features - Shirts with Pleats
There are ordinary, everyday dress shirts, and then there are those with unique, subtle characteristics that you should be aware of when it comes to choosing an everyday outfit. As you know some shirts have pleats. Pleats are extra folds of fabric that are normally placed towards the back of the shirt to offer the user some more room. You may be aware of the fact that most pants have them, but also most dress shirts could have pleats. If you move in the wrong direction, the excess fabric may billow out in the top area of your back. While this style may be beneficial, it is advisable to try it on to determine whether this feature is right for you.
On the other hand, today's suits tend to be smaller in fit, because the slim fit is fashionable. This implies that your dress shirts must also be fashionable. It's impossible to wear a wide dress shirt beneath a tailored suit. It will not fit. Keep an eye out for shirts with the words "tailored," "slim," or "fitting" on them for the best fit.
5- Pay Attention to the collar
While there are plenty of collar types available right now, ranging from spread collars to cutaways to English spread to the extremely pointed, the variety of options may seem daunting. As a result, cut through the confusion and go for the semi-spread. It's neither too modern nor too conservative, and it'll go with any suit and tie. You may not know it, but the collar communicates your unique style more than the color or design of your shirt, which is another reason to choose one that fits with any suit type.
Another aspect of the collar to consider is how it fits around your neck. Your collar should not be so tight around your neck that it will make you feel uncomfortable. When it comes to shirts, here's a quick tip: Check that one finger fits easily between your neck and collar (the one-finger collar rule); if two fingers fit, it's too big.
