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How should a dress shirt fit?

Aesthetics are important, but comfort is king. Pay particular attention to the way a shirt feels around your neck and through the shoulders – if it`s constricting or baggy in any area it will look sloppy and you should find other options. Think about your lifestyle too. “If you`re going to sit at a computer all day, you`ll probably not be comfortable in a slim fit model,” says John Liguori, General Manager at Thomas Pink`s Madison Avenue store. A great way to determine the best fit is to try the shirt on under a suit jacket. “Aesthetically, two fingers between the top of your collar and top of your suit jacket is the perfect balance between strangulation and sagginess,” says Liguori. “As for your cuffs, no more than ¼ to ½ of an inch of shirt should be visible beyond the coat sleeve.” Don`t think that means you have to buy longer than you need though. “In most instances, a man`s jacket sleeve is too long rather than the shirt being too short.”

What types of shirts should every man own?

Thomas Pink`s Michael Bragg says, “A white shirt, a pale blue, a Bengal stripe, and something with texture, like herringbone.” Shirts with bold colors and patterns are too recognizable to be worn on a consistent basis, so splurge on the basics.

Is a pocket indicative of a cheap shirt?

No – and don`t let anyone tell you otherwise. “The pocket is an American original designed with utilitarian purpose,” says Bragg. You might not see a pocket on European designs, but if you like a pocket on your shirt, then by all means, get a pocket on your shirt.”

How can a man look better in his shirt regardless of what it costs?

Dress for the occasion and launder with care. Collars which need a tie to stand up shouldn`t be worn without one; for a more casual look choose a button-down version. Details like French cuffs are only for formal environments and must be worn with cufflinks – only your girlfriend is allowed to break that rule. When you launder a dress shirt, have it dry cleaned or washed in cold water. Dry it on low heat and never use bleach or starch– both can destroy the cloth`s fibers.

If you liked this post you will probably also be interested in this one: Custom Men’s Dress Shirts – 5 Highly Helpful Tips Before Buying or our post on French Cuff Dress Shirts.

Check out this video where you can see what they are wearing, http://video.nbc5.com/player/?id=115878.

Brad Pitt wearing a silk shirt with French cuffs in Ocean’s 12

If you are looking for new dress shirts be sure to read this post first: Custom Men’s Dress Shirts – 5 Highly Helpful Tips Before Buying.