The shirt is considered an essential that a man wears for every occasion. Ten to twelve shirts belong to the basic wardrobe, in shades of white or blue, lightly patterned — according to taste.
At least as important as a well-fitting bespoke suit is the shirt worn with it. A poorly fitting shirt can instantly ruin the look of any well-cut suit. The choice of the right shirt is therefore indispensable. Especially for the correct business outfit, the choice of the appropriate shirt is decisive in order to create a coherent and, above all, self-assured appearance. This is particularly crucial for the first impression at a meeting with clients and new colleagues. The shirt is therefore a man’s calling card, with which an outfit can be transformed from casual to business. But how does one find the right shirt for a business outfit when shopping? Given the wide range of different cuts, colours and sizes, one can quickly become overwhelmed — and ultimately make a poor purchase. To prevent this, important characteristics of the right shirt are compiled below, which you can use as a guide when buying a shirt.
The right quality
For a perfect business outfit, the quality of the shirt should naturally be appropriate. Price can be a first indicator here — a good shirt has its price. In addition, the workmanship of the seams is a point of reference. Do the seams consist rather of many fine stitches? This indicates a heightened shirt quality. Finally, the material from which the shirt is made is of course also decisive. Wearing the shirt should feel pleasant on the skin and adapt easily to the figure. Cotton, for example, is very well suited because it feels soft and is breathable. But beware: whether a shirt is truly of high quality is often only clearly revealed after a wash and wear cycle. Unpleasant surprises from cheap materials or poor seam workmanship can be prevented by choosing a bespoke shirt. The high quality of the shirt is guaranteed by the detailed handwork.
The right colours
The right colour choice is a further factor that a man should consider when buying a shirt. Business shirts are kept classic in colour, so the choice should fall, for example, on white or shades of blue. A white shirt signals cleanliness and should therefore always be well cared for. Because if a grey tinge creeps in over time or persistent stains appear on the collar, this positive impression is very quickly reversed. Light blue is another classic colour tone for the business shirt. Patterns should rather be avoided; if used at all, only a restrained, small-checked pattern is to be recommended. In this case, however, increased caution is called for regarding colour combination. The classic variant is often the better choice for the business shirt, and pattern combinations should generally be attempted only by the daring. Choosing a bespoke shirt can protect you from an unsuitable colour choice. Here the colour scheme is individually tailored to the wearer and his style.
The right size for the right fit
The quality of the shirt can be ever so good and the colour ever so suitable for you: if the shirt is bought too large or too small, the person opposite will notice immediately, and this destroys even the most self-assured appearance. The shirt should neither pull tight nor leave too much room. A simple trick at the fitting can be a first indicator here: can you raise your arms unhindered and sit down without the shirt slipping out of your trousers? Then you have probably found the right size. To determine your correct size precisely, you can also simply use a tape measure. Measure your neck circumference at the lower part of the neck, where the collar button usually sits. Your neck circumference plus one finger’s width in centimetres corresponds to your shirt size. Then additionally measure your arm length from the end of the shoulder to the back of the hand. Give these measurements to the salesperson and thus find your right shirt. Make sure you do not buy a shirt that is too small and constricts you at the neck. Because sometimes the shirt shrinks a little after the first wash and can then hardly be buttoned up properly. What is problematic when buying a shirt is that standard sizes are not right for you. The shirt can fit perfectly in the shoulder area but be too wide at the waist. The optimal solution here is having a bespoke shirt made, which is precisely adapted to your individual body shape and therefore definitely fits perfectly. Through precise measuring, the bespoke shirt guarantees a comfortable and, above all, well-fitting cut that can conceal problem areas. By choosing a bespoke shirt, the wearer secures his individual and impeccable business look.
The collar shape
The collar shape is a final important factor in the choice of the right shirt for the business outfit, because it determines the style of the shirt. Generally, the collar should of course be stable and free of creases. For the perfect business look, the so-called cutaway collar is usually chosen: it is cut high with widely spread collar points and therefore goes particularly well with the business suit or jacket. If a man prefers a more restrained appearance, he may also opt for the Kent collar. This has pointed and broadly tapered collar ends and can be worn both open and buttoned up with a tie.
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