Dress shirts are unquestionably a fashion must-have. Available in a variety of colours and patterns, dress shirts typically feature buttons, a collar, and long sleeves with cuts across the shoulders that differ from other types of shirts.
They’re quite versatile in that they can be worn solo, over an undershirt, and even under jackets and coats. Despite their versatility, dress shirts can be a little tricky to pull off or get right, if not downright intimidating at times.
This is mainly due to the fact that dress shirts are typically reserved for special settings, occasions, events, or professions where failure to pull them off correctly may have consequences. Though nothing beats the class, elegance, and shine that they exude when pulled off correctly.
FUN FACT #1: Dress shirts are known by a variety of other names, most of which are influenced by their distinct button feature. Some of their other names include button shirt, button-front, button-front shirt, and button-up shirt.
Types of Dress Shirts
When talking about dress shirts, one can’t help but mention the plethora of options available today, which comes as no surprise given how popular they are among most men these days.
Here’s an overview of the four main types of dress shirts!
1. Classic Fit
Classic fit dress shirts have a straight cut through the chest and waist area with a much broader cut across the shoulders and sleeves, allowing the wearer to move freely. Their sleeves are also fuller and more relaxed in comparison to those of other dress shirts.
2. Slim-Fit
Slim-fit dress shirts are next on the list, and they don’t differ much from the other types of dress shirts, except that they have higher armholes and are cut close through the chest for better movement. They are also more tapered and have slimmer, more fitted sleeves.
3. Modern-Fit
Modern-fit dress shirts are a hybrid of the classic fit and slim-fit dress shirts. They are similar to classic fit dress shirts in that they have broader and roomier cuts across the shoulders and sleeves, combined with the tapered fit of slim-fit dress shirts.
4. Skinny Fit
Skinny fit dress shirts are probably the most popular among young men. They may sound or appear similar to slim-fit dress shirts, but they are not. In comparison to all other types of dress shirts, they have the highest armholes, a narrower cut across the shoulders and sleeves, and a more tapered and fitting waist and sleeves.
FUN FACT #2: Most dress shirts are sold based on neck size and sleeve length.
Formal or Casual?
Now we get to the meat of the matter: are all of these dress shirts formal or casual?
If you look this question up online or ask around, you’ll likely get a mixed bag of answers, and this certainly isn’t without reason.
Dress shirts have long been known to run the gamut of formality. Since their introduction and for decades after, dress shirts were mostly worn with business pants, suits, and vests to and for formal events and occasions, cementing their status as formal wear.
If that’s the case, why the confusion then?
The vast and seemingly endless options of apparel on the market, as well as modern fashion being one with suggestions and codes (but no hard and fast rules), have all blurred the lines between dressy and casual over the years.
That is why, today, it is actually considered normal for people to wear dress shirts with garments and accessories that they would not have had in the past for casual or smart casual events.
Dressing Down Your Dress Shirts
Now that you know your dress shirts can be worn in casual settings, we’re sure you’re curious about how exactly you go about doing it.
The easiest way to dress down your dress shirts is by ditching the tie and unbuttoning a couple of the buttons on top. Or, you could also try rolling the long sleeves of your dress shirt up to your elbow to create a more casual look.
However, if you ask us, our favourite way to dress down dress shirts is to pair them with a nice, hot pair of denim jeans! There’s no going wrong with denim jeans, you know.
FUN FACT #3: Jeans were invented in 1872 by Levi Strauss, the founder of the world-renowned American clothing company Levi Strauss & Co.
Getting Your Dress Shirts
Now that we’ve got all that cleared that up, it’s time to talk about getting your very own dress shirts, assuming, of course, you don’t already have a pair or two in your wardrobe.
If you happen to be on the lookout for the best custom shirts Singapore has to offer, look no further because Custom Prints & Apparels – the best t shirts printing Singapore service around – is here and ready to help!
Our highly experienced team of t shirts printing Singapore professionals can assist you with anything and everything apparel-related, from inquiries to consultations, mock-ups, sampling, quotes, and MORE!
All you have to do is call us today at +65 6362 2440 to get started unless you’re already sold, in which case, you can go straight ahead and browse our collection of customized shirts and dress shirts right here!
