Need a new shirt?
Who would have thought it – but buying a shirt isn’t as straightforward as pointing one out in a shop and saying ‘I’ll take five of those.’ But reading through these pointers is very straightforward, and will make sure you select the right shirt to have you looking dapper.
1. The Fabric
Where possible try to buy a shirt that has a high percentage of cotton - when a shirt has a high percentage of polyester or nylon, it tends to sweat and smell, while cotton breathes and will last you for a longer period of time. However a little nylon can mean you don't need to iron the garment as often, so look for one that has between 90-100% cotton.
2. The Fit
You should always wear a shirt that fits your body – because it flatters. Check the length of the shirt in comparison to your body… and the size. It can be easier to wear a shirt that is roomy and sloppy, but when you know that first impressions count, you want to make sure your shirt makes you look fantastic. Subtle details like a scoop tail (making the shirt longer at the back), or darts in the back or sides to make it look more tailored, can transform a shirt from something normal into something special.
3. The Construction
The Collar – To ensure the quality of the fusing used in the collar, make sure it is firm and strong enough to hold its shape. If the collar is floppy and soft it will lose it shape, if it is too stiff it will not feel comfortable.
The Placket - This is where the button holes are. One that is attached as a separate panel means higher quality and more care and consideration is taken in the construction of it compared to one that is just folded over. Both have their occasions, but if you are after a high quality shirt look out for the attached placket.
Detailing - Check the detail in the stitching down the front of the shirt, it should be dead straight!
The Cuffs - You can have a few different finishes to the cuff of a shirt; including just a button up or one that requires cufflinks. For a shirt that you want to turn heads, look out for the turned cuff that requires cuff links, but if you are after a more casual shirt, choose one with buttons.
4. The Complete Look
Buy a shirt that you know will last you a few seasons, which means a few plain ones in block colours of black or white, which can be easily dressed up or down. Think of different ways you can wear the same shirt to make it look very different – like by itself, under tees, over tees, under vests or waistcoats or layered with other shirts for extra detail and to add depth to your look. Once you have those shirts as a base, you can introduce shirts with subtle detail either in stitching or in colour, or get adventurous with one or two brighter shirts that you can add to an outfit by just showing off the collar or cuff, or layering over a blazer or tee. www.elusiv.co.nz