THE BEST mens shirts can elevate you to new levels of sophistication, making them a perfect choice for the return to the office — no matter what your workplace’s dress code is.
From clean-cut corporate numbers to short-sleeved or denim, there are so many styles to choose from.
All year round, shirts never leave your wardrobe – summer BBQs are for loose linen versions, cosy corduroy is made for winter and suit shirts are a defining component of workwear.
Shirts are great for tough days at work and other moments when you’re expected to look super immaculate, but they can be playful and carefree too. So, with designers like Gucci and Prada championing the more-is-more aesthetic alongside those timeless, minimalist white numbers, it can be hard to decipher what kind of shirt to invest in.
No matter how formal your office is, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of best-sellers, bargains and generally beautiful shirts available now.
Uniqlo isn’t just the place for basic staples, you can grab great quality workwear there too.
Every busy man’s dream, this white cotton shirt has been engineered with wrinkle-resistant processing to ensure you always look immaculate for meetings. Crisp, clean and super smart, it’s cut in a slim shape that is super easy to tuck into trousers.
It’s also available in black and blue; buy all three for easy weekday rotations.
If you run hot or are looking for a smart work shirt to see you through the summer months, this shirt could be the way to go.
The linen-cotton fabric is light and breathable, less prone to creasing, and the grandad collar is very on-trend.
T.M.Lewin has a selection of stylish linen shirts including plain white and bird print options, which we’re big fans of.
Add a retro sensibility to your everyday style with Mango’s printed shirt.
Featuring a quirky geometric pattern, classic collar and slim fit, this pure cotton style is perfect for bringing some extra personality to your wardrobe and instantly dresses up a pair of jeans or tailored trousers.
Keeping it casual? Zara’s Comfort Fit shirt in stone is a must. Crafted from cotton with a touch of elastane for stretch, this buttoned shirt looks super-cool worn as an overshirt with a tee and hoodie underneath.
Grab it in the sale while you still can – at £15.99, it’s an undeniable bargain.
A list of the best shirts for men would be incomplete without a reliable Ralph Lauren feature. You can’t go wrong with a shirt adorned with that iconic RL logo.
This navy blue cotton classic has a baggy, sport-inspired cut, combined with a classic collar and a curved hem to create an oversized aesthetic. Whether you want to rock it with dad jeans in the daytime or with chinos in the evening, a Ralph Lauren shirt is always an investment and sure to become a vintage pearl in your wardrobe.
This trusty white shirt from Arket is the perfect staple for any office.
This fresh number is made from a crisp cotton poplin, and also comes in light blue. With a regular fit, chest pocket and rounded hem, it’s casual enough to be worn with jeans, but smart enough to be paired with a suit — making it suitable for any dress code.
This bold-coloured design by Urban Outfitters proves flannel shirts aren’t just for lumberjacks. As part of the upcycled Urban Renewal Vintage range, each shirt is unique (and sustainable).
Wear it undone with a plain white T-shirt for a relaxed aesthetic, or over a black roll neck jumper in winter.
Short-sleeved shirts are popular too: this M&S one sports a fashionable checked weave. The lightweight cotton and yellow shade make it perfect for warmer weather, and with a button-down collar, you’ll always stay looking neat and tidy.
It also comes in red and blue, but this versatile shade looks great with beige chinos and some shiny leather brogues for a day at the office or a dinner date.
For a great winter winner, it has to be corduroy. Mango has perfected this stylish must-have shirt in a beautiful dark navy cord.
With a classic collar, buttoned cuffs and patch pocket on the chest, it’s part of the brand’s Committed range, which is produced using sustainable fibres or processes to reduce clothes’ environmental impact.
You might want to size up for a baggy, relaxed 90s vibe as this cotton shirt is cut in a regular fit.
Casual shirts are always a useful go-to and Zara haven’t disappointed with this striped gem.
Made from a summery linen and cotton blend, this relaxed shirt is soft and comfortable, while the green and white stripes make a stylish statement. Swap blue jeans for black skinnies to take this shirt from daytime to dinner.
Mango has come through with this blue wash denim shirt. It’s the timeless staple that never seems to go out of fashion – an especially attractive proposition at £29.99 (40 per cent off) in Mango’s sale.
Wear this with jeans for a Calvin Klein-inspired double denim winner, or undone with a T-shirt of your choice underneath. Versatile.
Ok, so you may not be jetting off to exotic climes necessarily, but a holiday at home still demands a good shirt – and H&M has a seriously strong selection right now.
Coming in at just £9.99, this blue and white striped resort shirt is perfectly laidback, with a relaxed fit, short sleeves and eyecatching pattern that will look just as good in casual offices.
Check out the other prints available too, as you’ll definitely want to pick up a few of these.
French Connection is making a statement with this bold floral shirt, although it’s still restrained enough to be suitable for some offices. Cut in a slim fit with a spread collar, it’s made of lightweight cotton, making it a great option for summer.
And priced at just £25.00 in the Asos sale, you can look the part without spending a fortune.
It’s the million-pound question: get it right, and your morning routine will be effortlessly smooth (like your shirt).
Start by making sure you’ve selected the appropriate heat setting for your fabric type, as indicated on your iron. Ironing your shirt while it’s damp is the easiest way to remove creases; use a spray bottle if it’s already dry. Always begin by ironing the collar, and then move onto the cuffs. For both of these steps, be sure to iron from the edges towards the middle to avoid creases. Next, tackle the sleeves. You may want to avoid creating a centre crease by making sure not to iron right up to the edge. Flip the sleeve over, repeat and then do the same for the second sleeve.
Sleeves done, it’s time to iron the back of the shirt (if there are pleats, iron under them first), the shoulders (by manoeuvring the ironing board inside the sleeve) and finally the front and placket – taking care around the buttons.
If you need a visual, check out this YouTube tutorial made by menswear retailer Mr Porter:
An Oxford shirt specifically refers to the Oxford cloth, which was created in Scottish Fabric mills – it typically has a heavier and more rigid form compared to other fabrics. Broadly speaking, other characteristics of this type of shirt include a button down-style collar and a basketweave pattern as opposed to the herringbone weave of dress shirts.
Having a strong selection you can wear on rotation is a must: we’d recommend one for every day of the working week, as well as lighter options for summer wear.
Stubborn sweats stains and deodorant marks are pretty much inevitable when wearing shirts, so it’s a good idea to have some products on hand to quickly take care of the problem – especially before resorting to heavy chemical cleaners.
You could try soaking your shirt in white vinegar before popping it into the washing machine which works a treat for us, while others swear by dissolving two aspirin tablets in half a mugful of water, applying to the affected area and letting it get to work for a few hours.
A vodka and water spray is also said to be effective, as well as a mix of lemon and water which can be dried in the sun. Try some of these out before buying a product specifically for stains, which can be more expensive.
Non-iron technology is a chemical treatment, where shirts are saturated in a mix containing a carcinogenic called formaldehyde, which bonds the strands of cotton fibers together. Unsurprisingly, it’s not particularly environmentally friendly and can irritate the skin.
If you’re after something chemical-free, look out for non-iron fabric which is simply made from 100% two-ply cotton and stays wrinkle-free for longer thanks to the stiffness of the fabric.
The first step to finding the perfect shirt for you is getting the fit right. Know your size and measurements, and try before you buy if in store – don’t be shy!
Pick a durable and high-quality material so that your favourite shirts last a lifetime. Most importantly, dress for yourself. Style is a personal choice, so whether you like bright, classic, slim fit, baggy, long sleeve, short sleeve, or with mother of pearl buttons- it’s up to you.
If you are looking for the best formal occasions shirts, check out Hawes & Curtis, Charles Tyrwhitt and T.M.Lewin.
A number of high street shops also offer a great selection of men’s shirts including Oxford shirts, so don’t forget to shop around before you make your purchase.
White men’s shirts are always going to stay a classic and a wardrobe staple.
They can be worn to work but also to more casual nights out. If you’re looking for who makes the best white shirts, check out Ralph Lauren, Lacoste and Tommy Hilfiger brands.
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