In this article I will talk about:
The men's shirt, since its origins, has become a very important garment in a gentleman's wardrobe.
It is characteristic of masculine style, born in the form of a tunic and, following fashion influences, taking on its current form.
In the following paragraphs, I want us to delve into the history of the shirt, review current shirt styles, what its components are, and what kind of materials are used to make a men's shirt.
The men's shirt, a brief history
This men's garment has its roots in ancient times, around 3500–2000 BC in the civilization of Ancient Mesopotamia.
The type of shirt they wore was in the form of tunics, and it was thin due to the high temperatures.
In Antiquity, this type of garment gained popularity during the period of Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire, given the size of these civilizations.
The transition from a simple tunic to a tunic with features similar to a men's shirt took place in the Middle Ages, when the tunic became more fitted and collars and cuffs were added to it, from that day forward.
Probably the most prolific period for the shirt was the Renaissance, when this garment was given the attention it deserved, given that it was constantly undergoing design changes.
Lace was indispensable, and detachable cuffs were a basic component of the shirt.
In terms of innovations, the 20th century represents the period when the shirt acquired the features we see today: the shirt with visible buttons, button collar, and single or double cuffs.
Nowadays, the men's shirt has become an indispensable garment in a gentleman's wardrobe, and it comes in different styles and is made from different fabrics.
The components of a shirt
The men's shirt has several basic components, which differ depending on the cut and design. These are as follows:
The collar, which is positioned at the top of the shirt, comes in different styles and has different sizes.
The most common type of collar is the pointed collar.
The part that supports the collar is made of a band that serves to support the collar.
The shape of the collar gives the shirt its style; its height can be 3 cm–3.5 cm, although the Italian school also accepts collars measuring 4–5 cm.
The collar's curve gives the shirt a masculine look.
The neck, or the upper opening of the shirt, plays a defining role in a shirt's style. In other words, if we encounter a "V-neck" shirt, it has a wing collar.
The shoulders, which have a thin piece of material that meets at the top of the shirt, on the back. The shoulder area is also where the seams between the sleeve and the shirt body are found.
The sleeves are the parts of the shirt that cover the arms and are attached at the shoulders, as mentioned above.
The width of the sleeve's armhole is defining in terms of the sleeve's looseness; the wider it is, the looser the men's shirt.
A shirt sleeve cannot simply end, as it would ruin the beauty of this garment. Therefore, the cuff is the elegant end of a sleeve, usually having buttons to fit the wrist.
Often, the cuff can be fastened with buttons.
The fabric strip located in the middle of the men's shirt is the base on which buttons or other fastening elements are attached.
This strip can be double-breasted, single-breasted, or concealed. This component also separates the two front panels, while the back panel is made from a single piece. The panels are joined by side seams and are finished with topstitching, which is sometimes decorative.
I would also like to mention two optional components: the pocket, which is sewn onto the left side of the shirt and is recommended for casual shirts, and the back pleats, which are folds that provide extra freedom of movement.
All the components described above can be combined to create a variety of styles and functionalities. After all, a men's shirt should not be missing from a gentleman's wardrobe.
Men's shirt styles.
In terms of style, shirts come in several types, adapted to the occasion, the season, and even the outdoor temperature.
In the following lines, we will mention a few shirt styles that, in my opinion, are the most important:
Probably the most common men's shirt is the plain white shirt, also known as a dress shirt.
I recommend that this shirt be made from 100% cotton to be breathable, and it can have visible buttons or concealed buttons.
It is usually worn with a men's suit, but it can also be worn with other types of formal attire.
Its collar is usually pointed, but more recently, the spread collar is also accepted.
Another type of men's shirt is the casual shirt. The style of this shirt itself describes the look it offers: a relaxed look.
It comes in a multitude of styles, such as chambray, flannel, or even denim. As a practical option, this type of men's shirt is recommended for everyday wear.
The men's polo shirt, or in popular terms, the polo shirt, is made from cotton, usually has a pointed collar, and instead of the multitude of front buttons found on a regular shirt, the polo shirt has a single placket with just a few buttons, positioned at the collar.
Another invention of the contemporary century in men's shirts is the plain shirt or T-shirt, which by definition is the simplest version of a shirt: without a raised collar or buttons.
They are made from cotton, are extremely comfortable, and are available with both a wing collar and a collar at the base of the neck.
With growing popularity, the Henley-style men's shirt is a casual shirt similar to a polo shirt in its features, but it is more elegant.
Probably one of the most important shirts, in my opinion, is the Oxford men's shirt. Not only because of its defining elements and versatility, but also because of the full material used.
The cotton fabric and the fine texture of the fabric give this shirt a well-deserved place in the contemporary gentleman's wardrobe.
Specific to the colder and milder seasons, if it is in green and red checks, it is perfect for winter holidays, the men's shirt made from flannel is made from a soft, fuller fabric, and cotton is, of course, the fiber used to produce the fabric. The checkered pattern is characteristic of this shirt.
As a solution for warm summer weather, the men's short-sleeved shirt is the ideal choice for this season. I would not recommend wearing this type of men's shirt to formal events under any circumstances. For formal events, the dress code is as strict as possible, not otherwise, but a correctly dressed gentleman will always attract attention. It is suitable for a casual look, and for an elegant style, this shirt should not be worn under a jacket.
We must not forget the sports shirt, created especially for gentlemen who engage in outdoor activities. Modern technology and the development of the industry have brought fabrics that absorb moisture or are even waterproof to the market.
Every men's shirt should be adapted to the circumstances. A sports shirt should not be worn to a formal event, just as an Oxford shirt should not be worn when engaging in physical activities.
Of course, there are many shirt styles on the market, and others will surely appear, given the constant evolution of the industry.
Types of men's shirt cuts
In the beginning, given the technological limitations, the shirt had a standard, common cut. It was usually wider to fit more body types.
Over time and under the influence of the fashion industry, shirt cuts have been adapted to suit the male physique as closely as possible. This has led to the emergence of several types of cuts:
Probably the most desired cut by men is the slim fit cut. This type of cut offers a modern look, closely following the contours of the body, but it does not have the same ease of movement as other types of cuts, such as the regular fit cut. The latter is much looser, with a classic fit, and is recommended for people with a more prominent abdomen.
In my opinion, the most suitable cut for the male physique in Romania (I am referring here to those with "Romanian DNA") is the tailored fit, because this type of cut is neither too tight like a slim fit shirt nor too regular like a regular fit shirt. The comfort is extraordinary, both in the arm area and in the chest and abdomen area.
Currently, we also find the athletic cut, specific to people with a more muscular build, with the shirt being looser in the chest area and more fitted in the waist area, the relaxed cut offering ease throughout the body without being too loose, and the tall fit cut, which is designed for tall men.
Choosing a cut does not have to be difficult, as the deciding factor is the ease you have when wearing a shirt.
The shirt collar, the component that gives a shirt its style
The defining component of a shirt's style is by far its collar. Shirts can be distinguished by their collar style.
The single-button collar or the normal pointed collar is the most common type of collar. Its distinctive feature is the narrow angle of the collar. A men's shirt with such a collar is found in most formal outfits.
For a more casual outfit, the button-down collar is recommended, which by definition is a collar whose corners are fastened to the shirt with small buttons.
My preference is the cutaway collar, typical of the Italian school. The angle between the collar points is wider. It offers a more modern style and is suitable for wider ties, which is probably why I prefer this shirt.
To combine a casual look with a formal one without ruining the outfit, the Mao or Mandarin collar shirt, as it is popularly called, is also acceptable, offering a modern look.
For exceptional formal events, the shirt with a wing collar is the most suitable. A formal event should not be confused with a wedding, where a shirt with a classic collar but with hidden buttons and cufflinks is acceptable.
The wing collar has points that stand straight up, and it is suitable for a bow tie.
The sleeve, as simple as it is important
The length of a men's shirt sleeve, its cuff, and the adjustment accessories are some of the elements that also define a shirt's style.
If we are talking about shirts with long sleeves, these are the most common and are ideal for cold weather or formal events. On the other hand, short sleeves are suitable for slightly more casual outfits and are typical of spring and summer.
Details such as bell sleeves or flared sleeves only change the shirt's look from formal to informal. For a sporty look, the sleeves are raglan style, and these seams start from the neck area; they are typical of polo shirts and casual shirts.
There is a type of sleeve that is very common today due to its practicality. The sleeve has a button with a thin strap underneath, which allows you to adjust its length.
The type of sleeve influences the desired clothing style, as it is adapted to the event you will attend. The style should be adopted so that it is suitable for you.
The men's shirt pattern, the sophistication of the look
When it comes to a shirt's pattern, I am referring strictly to its print. The more sophisticated it is, the more casual it is, and vice versa; the simpler it is, the more formal it is.
For us men, the simplicity of clothing is pure elegance.
Therefore, in contemporary clothing style, we find different patterns for men's shirts, and among these I would like to mention the following:
Solid or single-color shirt which is easy to match with different clothing items, is in a single shade (hence the name solid) and is as classic as it is versatile.
Men's striped shirt is my favorite in terms of pattern. The shirt's stripes are vertical and contrast with the shirt's colored base. The thinner the stripes, the more elegant the shirt.
If horizontal stripes also appear, then the shirt is checkered, with the style varying depending on the size of the check.
For an unusual look, you can opt for a small polka dot shirt arranged uniformly or irregularly, while the floral shirt pattern is intended for a vacation outfit. Unfortunately, the latter is often confused and the big mistake of wearing it to events is made.
In the category of printed shirts, there are geometric pattern shirts, camouflage pattern shirts (which are inspired by the military textile industry), and the Hawaiian shirt with tropical prints typical of a relaxed spring outfit.
The shirt with fine embroidered details, or even with the initials of your name, is the shirt that makes you unique. It is highly unlikely that you will meet another gentleman at the same event who has the same embroidered details.
A men's shirt pattern is strictly linked to the nature of the event. Choosing the wrong shirt pattern can ruin the entire look, therefore pay special attention to the shirt pattern.
Shirt fabric, natural fiber for skin breathability
The fabric of the shirt, which it is made of, is important for its breathability. A shirt made of natural cotton or linen fabric cannot be compared with a shirt made of synthetic fibers.
Its breathability is undeniable. For example, air circulates much more easily through a linen fabric. In what follows, I would like to mention some common fabrics used to make shirts.
The most common fabric is cotton. It is a breathable material, it is the most common material used to make a shirt, and it is found in several textures, smooth poplin texture, fine Oxford texture, and twill texture.
Typical of summer shirts, with a natural and slightly crinkly look, linen fabric is used to make shirts that give a relaxed look.
Flannel is the type of full, soft fabric typical of casual shirts, and as I mentioned above, the specific print of this fabric is checkered.
Similar to denim fabric (jeans), chambray fabric is thinner, unlike denim fabric.
The latter fabric, denim, is most often used for shirts worn with denim pants.
For gentlemen who prefer luxurious shirts, silk is the most suitable fabric, given that it also has a shinier look.
Polyester blend fabric, poplin fabric, and twill fabric are the fabrics that, from a design perspective, offer the formal look of a shirt.
The polyester blend is more durable, poplin offers a smooth, neat look, while twill fabric is very fine and pleasant to the touch.
Current technologies allow fabrics to be treated so that they can be very soft, easy to iron, or even treated so that they do not wrinkle very easily.
In conclusion, a men's shirt is a versatile clothing item. It is the clothing that comes into direct contact with the skin.
The choice of shirt should be in accordance with the event you attend, adapted to the outdoor weather conditions, and its color is the stamp on the entire outfit.
Keep in mind that a shirt made of natural fabrics is much healthier for the skin, even if some fibers are harder to maintain.