How to Select the Best Formal Shirts for Men?
Wearing a formal shirt is an essential part of everyday life for most men. Yet, you can’t wear an ill-fitting shirt and dress it right, hoping that it’ll look good on you. While fashion is more personal style over rules, there are some rules of thumb you can apply when shopping for a formal shirt to ensure that the one you get is tailored to your body’s needs.
The best part? The better the fit, the better the look, and the more likely you will wear the shirt for a long time, making buying a well-tailored shirt an eco-conscious choice. Of course, that is provided you stay the same, which we know is rare.
Let us know in the comments, did your mom also ask you to order shirts a size bigger so that it lasts for two school years? Nostalgia aside, let’s get into the hacks we have curated to help you select the best formal shirts for men.
Know Your Numbers and Style
Dr Ranjan Ghosh of Good Karma, a regular formal shirt user, recommends that you know your sizes when shopping for a shirt. Shoulder, chest, and so on. Additionally, knowing the style of the shirt you want is important. Whether you would like a pocket or a Mandarin collar. Perhaps, you prefer regular fit over slim fit.
All these alongside the design and pattern on the shirt, from checks to thin stripes or solids, can impact how you feel in a shirt. Decide how you would like to wear the shirt and with what. After all, one shirt might go well with a slim jacket but look shabby with a blazer, though that is rare.
Another consideration is how you are planning to style the shirt. Formal shirts can be extremely versatile from being vacay essentials to being office and casual fits when styled right. This means, that while you can wear a formal shirt almost anywhere, if you are buying or for a specific event, it is important to…
Match the Occasion
While you can wear classic formal shirts like blacks and whites almost anywhere, there are certain places where specific patterns, fits, or colours might be considered inappropriate. In other places, they can be uncomfortable, unless styled right.
For example, your black formal shirt might fail at an Indian wedding. While it is one of the best attires for a cocktail, many believe black is inauspicious and will give you the side eye for bringing ill luck to your wedding day.
And you definitely do not want to wear a loud printed formal shirt to a funeral, no matter how eco-friendly. Or, you could wear a black formal shirt with shorts to the beach but do you want to be baked like that? Sustainability is one thing but health is another and boy, that is also important.
Weather Check
Just like black is too hot for the beach, in the humble opinion of this writer, white might not be best for monsoon, especially if you live in a city like Kolkata or Mumbai where when it rains, it pours.
Thus, an important aspect to consider is how often you will use that and what the prevailing weather conditions around it are like. This can help you decide whether you need to style up with a cardigan, maybe layer down, or simply pick a darker-coloured shirt.
Try and Match with What You Already Own
If you plan to use layers or just want to be financially wise and not buy a whole new wardrobe every time you shop for a shirt, try and find pieces that will work with items already in your closet.
This could also include going for items that you will re-wear a lot, or classic pieces, such as solid office shirts. No one is saying you can’t experiment a little or have any colour in your wardrobe at all, but why buy a new cardigan, when you have ten that you could just style with a new shirt? It is cost-effective, and sustainable, without sacrificing your comfort.
Comfort is a Must
Whether it is a fabric that feels good on your skin, allergies, or simply ethics and style, you should try and prioritize your comfort as far as well. It’ll help you feel more confident, project an air of surety, and allow you to use the shirt for a long time.
For example, if you are someone who cares a lot about the environment, a polyester shirt that releases microplastics with every wear and wash might not give you the same joy as a linen shirt. And what is wrong with picking what matters to you and feels good on your skin? As long as it doesn’t break the bank, we say go for it.
Finding the right formal shirt as a young man can be daunting, but if Iron Man can face his fears of space, you can do this too. All it takes is a little practice. Oh, one more thing. If you are wondering where to look for such versatile, comfortable, ethical shirts with many great eco-friendly options? Well, we know of this one store. It’s called The Formal Club. Check it out, maybe?
Also Read - How to Repurpose Your Formal Shirts for the Beach: What to Wear in Goa
