Shirt Buying Guide
Buying the right shirt comes down to matching fabric, collar, cuff and fit to how you will wear it. This hub walks through each decision, so you buy a shirt you will actually reach for. Browse men's shirts (/collections/mens-shirts).
Start with the use
Define the Occasion
Decide how smart the shirt needs to be.
How to decide
Choose a formal fabric and collar for the office and events, and a casual weave and relaxed collar for the weekend.
Quick tip
Buy for the setting you dress for most. Browse men's shirts (/collections/mens-shirts).
Choose the Fabric
Pick a cloth that matches the season and use.
How to decide
Choose poplin or twill for smart wear, Oxford for versatile smart-casual, linen for summer and flannel for winter.
Quick tip
Oxford is the most flexible single choice.
Choose the Collar
Let the collar set the tone.
How to decide
Choose a spread or point collar for a tie, a button-down for smart-casual, and a grandad or Cuban for relaxed wear.
Quick tip
A medium spread is the safest all-rounder.
Get the fit right
Get the Fit Right
Fit the shoulders and neck first.
How to decide
Choose a fit where the shoulder seam sits at your shoulder edge and you can fit two fingers inside a done-up collar.
Quick tip
Slim for lean, tailored for most, classic for fuller builds. Browse men's shirts (/collections/mens-shirts).
Check the Length
Choose a length you can tuck or leave out.
How to decide
A shirt to tuck should have a longer, curved hem; a shirt to wear out should sit around mid-fly with a straighter hem.
Quick tip
Overshirts and boxy styles are made to wear out.
Check the Cuff
Match the cuff to the formality.
How to decide
Choose a barrel cuff for everyday and smart wear, and a French cuff only when an event calls for cufflinks.
Quick tip
A cuff should slip over a watch but not the hand. Browse men's shirts (/collections/mens-shirts).
Judge the quality
Judge the Make
Look at seams, stitching and buttons.
How to decide
Check for flat-felled seams, single-needle stitching, neat buttonholes and a firm collar as signs of a quality shirt.
Quick tip
Pearl buttons and a split yoke mark a fine shirt. Browse Paul Smith shirts (/collections/mens-paul-smith-shirts).
Build a Core
Buy versatile shirts before statement ones.
How to decide
Start with white and light-blue smart shirts and a versatile Oxford, then add colours, checks and casual styles.
Quick tip
A few plain shirts beat many novelty ones.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a good shirt?
Start with how you will wear it, then match the fabric and collar to that setting; poplin and a spread collar for smart wear, Oxford and a button-down for smart-casual. Get the shoulders, neck and length right, and check the seams, stitching, buttonholes and collar as signs of quality before you buy.
What shirts should every man own?
A core wardrobe is a white smart shirt, a light-blue smart shirt, a versatile Oxford, and a casual check or chambray. That covers the office, smart-casual and the weekend. From there you can add linen for summer, an overshirt for layering and richer colours as you like.
How much should I spend on a shirt?
Spend enough to get a good fabric and a well-made collar, seams and buttons, since those decide how a shirt looks and lasts rather than the label alone. It is usually better to own fewer, better shirts you wear often than many cheap ones that lose their shape quickly.