How to care for your business shirts
photo by ~Twon~
When you care for your shirts in the right manner, the overwhelming look is one of professionalism. On top of that, the shirts will last longer and, because you care for them so delicately, you can wear them as often as you want. Don’t allow wrinkles to make you look disheveled; instead… have perfectly stylish business shirts that you can use during work or after hours.
How to care for your business shirts
Before you start washing/drying your clothes, it’s always great to read the tag and stick to what is suggested. Before you start wearing your premium business shirt, wash it. Failing to do so can make the shirt feel stiff and it could still have chemicals on it. Be sure you use a detergent you trust and be sure your washer setting is on the gentle cycle and use lukewarm water. If you’ve got custom made business shirts, wash the shirts by hand.
Do you always dry clean your clothes because you just don’t have the time or are you just too lazy to clean your own shirts by hand? Go ahead and send them onto the dry cleaning business but be sure they launder your shirts instead of dry clean. The problem with dry cleaning is that it can turn a white business shirt a shade of yellow. Make your shirts last by forgoing the dry cleaning process. When your shirts are going out, make a note that there should be no starch or machine press.
How to lengthen the life of your business shirts
Get rid of stains – Before you start pressing and ironing your shirts, look for stains on them. If you don’t clean it before ironing, you’ll be stuck with that stain for life. Remove stains like ink with an over the counter ink stain remover or rubbing alcohol (which is a home remedy you can try). You can eradicate red wine stains by dumping white wine on the mark then cleaning in.
Dampen your shirt – If your iron isn’t very good, iron the shirt when it’s still wet. This allows you to press easily, removing all the wrinkles; plus, you’re less likely to damage the shirt.
Spray body spray/cologne on body – Don’t spray your cologne or body “smell good” on your clothes; instead, spray it on your body. Wait for the cologne to dry before you put your shirt on. Cologne/body spray stains last forever on your shirts.
Check for damages – If your shirt is need of repair, fix it. Always be on the lookout for loose buttons and threads.
Two tips to store your business shirts
Don’t waste your money by not storing your shirts properly. There are at least two tips to keep in mind that will keep your shirt looking good without the excessive ironing and washing.
Supportive hangers – When you’re hanging up your shirts, be sure you use hangers of thick plastic or wood; do not use wire hangers.
Packing seasonal shirts – If you’re storing your shirts, make sure you wash them before putting them in plastic cases since these can keep bugs and odors from getting into the bin and ruining your premium business shirts.
Buying mens business shirts online
photo by _nickd
Buying business shirts isn’t rocket science and you don’t need a degree to purchase the right shirt. However, there are some things you need to know when it comes to shirt styles and what may or may not work for your body shape.
The perfect business shirt fit
After you’ve gotten your size, collar and cuffs squared away, you need to do deal with the fit. If your body type allows it, go for a fitted (athletic) business shirt style. This shirt will taper toward the waist rather than billow up at the back, which can make you look like a boat sail. When your shirt fits you well, it looks like it was sewn for you right then and there.
Looking at business shirt colours
Another thing you need to look at is the colour of your shirt as well as the patterns. Men, when they are buying their business shirts online or in retail stores, will choose what to buy on three things.
- They like the colour (most men wear blue or white shirts)
- They want new colours (mainly because they are tired of the white and blue)
- They want the now trendy colour (probably something they saw in a fashion mag)
Of course, whatever shirt you decide to purchase should be something you think is right for you and your look. You certainly don’t want to look bad when trying to impress that cute girl at a bar or your boss at work (perhaps even clients). When you need shirts, have fun with your outfit; boring is no fun.
Sleeves on business shirts
What about the sleeves of your shirt? It’s fine to wear long sleeves even when it’s stinking outside. If you get hot, it’s okay to roll your sleeves up. You’ll still look good and suggest to those who see you like this that you’re working hard… when you may be having an easy day.
If you live in an area that repeatedly sees heat waves you may begin to think that wearing short sleeve shirts is fine- wrong unless your really want to get demoted to the mail room..
How to wear your business shirt
Okay, so you bought your shirt and you’re ready to go out on the town. The question becomes… do you know how to wear your business shirt? You don’t have to tuck in your shirt so long as your shirt tapers to your waist and ends when it’s halfway down your butt. The tucking or untucking of your shirt doesn’t say much at all about you… so long as you don’t look like a bum or hobo.
Button tips: how to correctly deal with buttons on business shirts
Basically when men ask how to wear their business shirts, they just want to know how many buttons they can leave unbuttoned at the top. Here are some helpful suggestions on leaving buttons undone:
0 – When you have no buttons undone on your business shirts, you should buy a tie to stand out. If your shirt has no undone buttons, you may be considered someone who’s out of touch with the new way to wear business shirts or a total nerd. You don’t want to come across as either one of those.
1 – When you choose to leave one button undone, you won’t be standing out negatively. In fact, leaving one unbuttoned is fine and seen as acceptable in most business casual environments.
2 – When you decide to leave to buttons undone, you’re pretty sure of yourself especially if you’re European. If you’re an Australian, it’s best to keep your second button done up until after you’ve had lunch.
3 – If you choose to go with three or more buttons, you better be wearing another shirt.
How to wash your business shirts
Now you have your shirts and wearing them often but you’re going to need to take them off. When it’s time to clean them, the best thing you can do for yourself is to hand wash the shirt and then iron it. Of course, you may not have time for this (and that’s okay too). If need be, have them dry cleaned with no starch or have someone clean and press them for you.
Once you get your business shirts back, you should make a phone call to someone special in your life to go out to dinner with and then, for dessert, have a grand ‘ole time taking it off ever so slowly and then throwing it up into the air in the heat of passion.
Wearing a business shirt with suits
photo by ianmunroe
When a man chooses to wear a suit, he’ll typically go with a cotton shirt (we endorse 100% Egyptian cotton); something with long sleeves, a collar and that buttons all the way down. This shirt in Australia is called a business shirt; however, in other dialects, it’s just known by one name… a shirt. It’s also not uncommon for some people to refer to it as an Oxford shirt. However, Oxford shirts are actually shirts made of a certain kind of fabric called Oxford cloth; they are also made to a certain style such as button down collars.
Acceptable business shirt colours
Business shirts usually have to be ironed then when a shirt is worn, it must be tucked into a man’s trousers and worn to the protocol of a business shirt. Now most shirt colours can be found in white or light blue; white is seen as the most conservative. Still, white and light blue are not the only colours available for sale. Pastel coloured shirts are very popular in Australia though they are not always seen as acceptable.
Acceptable cuffs for business shirts
If you want to wear a formal business suit, choose a suit and wear a shirt with French cuffs. Bear in mind that these kinds of shirts are not mandatary but rather optional; it’s up to you depending on the occasion and how good you want to look…
Acceptable collars for shirts
When you look at shirts, you’re liable to see the most common, traditional spread collar. It’s usually seen on French cuff shirts although these can also be found on point collars. Button-down collars are typically seen during casual settings with or without a sports jacket/coat. Button-down collars are not seen so much today especially since more formal shirts with the French cuffs and spread collars are making their way into the business casual wear.
Consider going for the class colour palette when you’re looking at premium business shirt colours but don’t leave out the contemporary cut. By getting both of the new and old style, you can make a huge impact on the corporate world.
Now, if you’re looking to make a long-lasting impression (for the wrong reasons, for whatever reason), consider wearing a short sleeve shirt with trousers to the next corporate board meeting. You’ve been dared to do it.
Collars, colours, cuffs and fits: four factors to consider when finding best men’s business shirts
photo by dps
1. A look at the three fits of men’s business shirts
If you’re looking to buy mens business shirts, you’re quickly going to find that they come in a few different fits. These fits include: athletic, full and regular. The type of business shirt fit you buy will depend on two things: your personal taste and body type.
- Athletic – Shirts of this type are also known as slim and/or tailored; slimmest fit of all business shirts.
- Full – These shirts are looser and longer than regular and athletic shirts and are generally geared toward men who have a larger stature.
- Regular – The fit of this shirt is a bit looser than shirts of the athletic fit.
It’s important to note that if men’s business shirts do not have their fit listed… it’s safe to assume it’s a regular fit. Although regular may be more common, it’s the type of shirt that can fit you like a tent. Amalfi Shirts are more on the athletic, fitted style, although certainly not body hugging.
2. Understanding prints, solids and strips
You already know how many choices there are when it comes to your business shirts but you may not know what shirt color is perfect for you. Don’t waste your money buying all the different colors; instead apply these tips to help you choose your shirt colors.
First, does your work have a dress code policy? Most often law offices and any kind of financial institution will have official policies declaring what’s appropriate and not appropriate. However, it’s not uncommon for some businesses to have an unspoken rule about this as well. Be sure you are aware before you spend your hard-earned cash on business shirts you’ll never wear.
Second, what are your plans for the day? When you need to present yourself to clients, you may want to wear a different type of outfit than an outfit you’d wear when you’ll be in your office all day. Thus, having an assortment of business shirts in the closet is necessary; that way you can meet any kind of situation you have on your schedule.
Third, what will make you feel confident? After you have learned what’s expected in the office, be sure you pick out business shirts you would love to wear. Other men in the office may want to wear the wild striped shirt but you don’t have to go that route yourself. If you feel good wearing that plain white business shirt, go for it.
3. Six types of business shirts collars
When you’re looking at business shirts, you want something that complements the shape of your face. For instance: you have a narrow face; be sure to find narrow collars that have pointed tips. Now, there are six kinds of collars that are found on business shirts, with each one having a different variation to it; some shirts will have a round tip, other shirts may have space between the front tips.
- Button-down – These collar types are seen as less formal than other collars of business shirts. It’s also made from a softer fabric and less starch can be used to press and de-wrinkle it
- Club – This collar has round tips, is short and very stylish; it’s also called a round collar
- Pinned – This high collar has a straight pin that ties the two points; similar to the tab collar
- Spread – The spread collar has a variety of tips that can flatter most face types except people who have a round face
- Straight-point – This collar style, which has v-shaped points, is very common and flattering to the majority of faces
- Tab – These collars are high but with a small spread; men with long necks look best in this kind of collar.
4. Three types of business shirt cuffs
Business shirt cuffs are like collars. How? They also have a variety of styles you can choose from. They have points, curves and different closure amounts. Three basic types of cuffs include:
- Barrel – These cuffs close with at least one button but can have more than one. If a business shirt has more than button, they can be adjusted to ensure they fit
- Convertible – You can close these cuffs with either buttons or cufflinks
- French (double) – The fabric of the French cuff is fairly long and folds backwards; plus, they’re generally closed with a silk knot or cufflink. Some people see French cuffs as formal wear, but it’s the preference for Amalfi Shirts
Spice up your business shirt wardrobe with colour
photo by anne.oeldorfhirsch
Are you like other business men and opt for the white business shirt over a colored one? Rather than making your entire business shirt wardrobe white, consider making a splash with some color. You may already know a bit about the different men shirt styles but you may not know what colors you should have for each one.
Bear in mind that mixing in some color with your white shirt does not mean we’re encouraging the wearing of pink… Pink business shirts are no longer really in style even if the retail outlet passed it off as ‘salmon’ coloured.
Four decent business shirt colors men can wear
Classic Blue – When you want to escape the dullness of the white color, classic blue shirts are a great option. Classic blues also bridges in the gap of formal versus informal, all by the way you choose to wear it. If you decide you want to run for political office, make it stand out by using a red tie. Have a black/gray tie? You’ll be looking formal and portray a sense of strength.
You can also do blue on blue (meaning blue shirt with a blue tie and yes, it can be done) with a blue suit to present yourself casually. In essence, a blue shirt is what you should have packed in your bag when you go out of town. It fits with everything and you won’t be caught off guard for whatever event you must contend with.
Gray – When you’re trying to express seriousness with your clothes, gray may well be the answer. While classic blue can represent many things, gray will tone down whatever suit/coat you choose to wear with it. Consider what you look like wearing a gray shirt with a three-button black suit if you think you look sharp with a classic blue shirt. You could stop a roomful of people with such attire.
Black – Most men underrate the power of black especially as a shirt color. Why is the color black so great to use? It’s the only color that allows you to wear suits, khakis, jeans and tuxedos with it and still look awesome. Let your woman wear your black shirt when she wakes up and you’ll have to wonder why you went with white all those years. Keep in mind that black shirts go great with charcoal tie with a gray modern cut suit and black monk-strap shoes.
Mauve – Before you read any further… pink and mauve is not the same colors. Pink garments should be for women only and men should only have them when they are helping their ladies out of them. Mauve is a pastel color (not pink) and every male on the planet should have one pastel color in the closet that way they can brighten any occasion. Repeat this phrase: mauve is not, in any way shape or form, the color pink.
Now’s the time to look at your closet; soak in the mundane white business shirts and then ask yourself, “Am I really happy with all this white?” If you’re not happy with the attire you have hanging in your closet, purchase more colorful shirts that’s sure to grab the attention of your friends, colleagues and boss. Purchase business shirts that shout out who you are rather than ones that dull your personality.
Tips for buying the best mens business shirts
photo by PinkMoose
How much should you spend on shirts and why
Have you ever thought about how much you spend on clothes? What is your breaking point? How much cash would you part with when you buy clothes? What amount of money should you spend on a shirt?
If you set aside $60 for a shirt, you can buy an OK Chinese cotton blend. However, make it $100 and you can purchase yourself a high quality cotton business shirt and also have a greater choice of shirts to purchase.
When you’re shopping for a shirt, you want to choose it because of how the fabric makes you feel; whenever possible, choose 100 percent cotton should you be able to afford it. If you spend more than $150, you may as well purchase a custom made business shirt since at this price range you’ll be paying for the design and/or brand name.
If you decide to go the custom route, the majority of these shirts will sell for $200-$250 or more; it’s also not uncommon to see shirts at $500. If you’ve never purchased business shirts online before, consider using a website that doesn’t require a minimum order.
How business shirts fit
While aesthetics is important, your comfort is more important; thus, pay special attention to how the shirt feels in the neckline and on your shoulders. You don’t want anything baggy or constrictive since these can make you look poorly dressed. Be sure you find business shirts that will make you stand out, but are not too lairy.
Think about the lifestyle you lead. Do you sit at your desk all day? If so, then you don’t want a shirt that’s too tight. How can you determine your shirt is going to be a problem? Wear a suit over the shirt to determine if it’s going to be too baggy or tight. The best way to tell if you’re going to be strangled or have some bagginess is to place two fingers between the top of the collar and suit jacket.
Make sure your cuffs do not show any more than one-quarter to one-inch of your shirt beyond the sleeve of the coat. That doesn’t mean you need to purchase a coat that’s longer in the sleeves. In the majority of cases, the sleeve of the jacket will already be too long; not the shirt sleeve being too short.
Are your non-iron shirts made of inferior quality?
The answer to the above question actually depends on one major factor: the type of fabric the shirt is made of. When a shirt is labelled “non-iron”, it’s the companies’ way of unloading their inventory with shirts that are made of low-quality cotton, acrylic and/or polyester.
Better quality non-iron shirts will be made of high quality fabric, which will then be treated in chemicals to get rid of wrinkles. If you need non-iron business shirts, make sure you purchase 100 percent cotton from an esteemed shirt manufacturer.
Overall, it’s going to always be difficult to get away with not ironing, and who wants a shirt with chemicals plastered all over it? Ironing is unfortunately a necessity when it comes to the best quality business shirts, if you’re really not up to it, you may want to consider outsourcing.
What types of business shirts should men own?
When you want to make an impact, you certainly don’t want to make a negative impression. Thus avoid shirts that have bold colors or recognizable patterns; at least interchange them with the basics.
How can your shirt make you look better?
Make sure you dress right for the occasion, as you don’t want to look out of place wearing the wrong kind of clothes for the event. If you have a business shirt with a collar that demands a tie, make sure you wear one. If you’re going to a formal event, use French cuffs and cufflinks. When you’re washing clothes, be sure you wash it in cold water or send it out to be dry cleaned. Men’s business shirts can be dried on low heat. Whatever you do, don’t bleach or starch your shirts, as these can destroy the clothes’ fibers.