A ‘dress shirt’ is the term used to refer to a certain type of formal shirt. It is often that which is worn as part of the ensemble for a formal occasion, but it can also be worn casually. There are two types of dress shirts; the ‘day dress shirt’ which is quite similar to a normal shirt, worn in white with morning wear/formalwear, or, accompanied by a suit and tie for business, and available in a colour or pattern. The ‘evening dress shirt’ is worn in white or black as part of black or white tie attire.
To many, it may seem superfluous to research the rules for finding the perfect fitting dress shirt. After all, in this day of speed and efficiency, it would seem that you just need to find your collar and chest size and off you go! Well, there is unquestionably more to it than meets the eye, so our professionals at Walters want to share the ultimate guide to finding the shirt that is just right for you.
We know that a well-fitted shirt will make a big difference, and once you have perused our comprehensive guide, you will look at buying a new dress shirt in an altogether different light! Whether you are a professional seeking the right shirt for business meetings, you have a formal event to attend, or perhaps you just want to update your wardrobe, the list below are the key things to consider, to ensure a comfortable, emboldening, stylish fit.
Firstly, measuring up correctly:
- Neck: You should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and your neck when it is fully buttoned.
- Shoulders: The seam that runs along the top of the shoulder should finish directly at the end of your shoulder and not continue down the side of your arm.
- Chest and waist: The fabric should not be restrictive, but neither should there be excess. You should be able to move freely whilst retaining the fitted look.
- Shirt length. Your shirt should be long enough to enable you to tuck it in, but not so long that you have bunching up for material around your waist.
- Sleeves: The sleeves should end at the base of your thumb. If you are a regular watch wearer then you should consider this when measuring for cuff size.
Secondly, finding the correct shirt fit:
‘Business’/formal shirts made by Olymp are available in:
- Body fit (slim) These are tailored to follow the contours of the body, providing the sleek, modern, contoured look. These are perfect for those who wish to emphasise a slimmer physique.
- Modern fit (tailored): These shirts offer a balance of style, comfort, and are suitable for most body shapes, allowing more freedom of movement than the slim fit, whilst retaining the modern and sophisticated style.
Dress/evening wear shirts made by Hunt and Holditch are available in:
- Tailored fit: These shirts combine modern style and comfort, ensuring that you feel suave and debonair for that special occasion.
- Regular fit: This shirt is perfect for those who prefer a slightly looser fit, offering more flexibility of movement, but preserves the feeling of elegance and style.
Thirdly, the aesthetics:
‘Business’/ formal shirts
- All these shirts are available in single or double cuffs and can be purchased with either a Kent or cutaway collar.
- Our Olymp range of shirts offers a range of colours, such as white, pink and pale blue, or if you prefer a little contrast, then why not look at our gingham check or stripes.
- All our shirt sleeves are the standard 35” in length.
Dress/evening wear shirts
- Available in white with double cuffs or black with single cuffs.
- They come either with a pleated front – to be worn as part of black-tie attire, or marcella – to be worn as part of black or white tie ensemble.
- Available with a Kent or wing collar.
At Walters we offer an Etch Custom design system. We pride ourselves in creating the shirt of dreams to make it unique to you. We have a range of different fabrics to choose from, buttons of your choice, stitch detail, and alternative collar and cuff styles to complement your shirt. We can then adjust the neck, sleeve, waist and body length for optimum fit.
This process takes up to 6 weeks so it is important to allow time for this if considering your shirt for something that is date specific. Please note that we are unable to offer a pleated or marcella front with this service.
We hope that through reading our comprehensive guide you will feel confident and emboldened to find the perfect shirt for whatever the occasion or need demands. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us or visit us in store!
Walters of Oxford
10 Turl Street,
Oxford OX1 3DW
+44 (0) 1865 241848