TIPS FOR BUYING SHIRTS
As a reliable wardrobe staple in every modern man’s wardrobe, a classic shirt is a great investment piece that can deliver impeccable style without too much thought. It can, however, be difficult to know how to buy a shirt that will suit your individual style and body shape. Today at Potters of Buxton we’ve put together a convenient men’s shirt buying guide to address any questions on how to buy a shirt and ways to style your designer shirts.
What to look for when buying a shirt
Buying yourself a brand new shirt can be relatively easy if you consider the following elements:
Get your measurements: For a comfortable fit, it’s important to find out the circumference of your neck so that the collar can fit perfectly, allowing you that all important room to breathe. Next, measure the length of your arms for sleeve length (it may work best if you get someone to do this for you). Dress shirts tend to be sized by neck and sleeve size, though other shirts can be labelled as S, M, L, etc.
Select your shirt style and fabric: It may be a surprise to learn that there are many different men’s shirt designs to choose from, including Oxford, Poplin, Herringbone and Broadcloth which all reflect the various fabrics and collar styles used. There are brushed cotton shirts for a warmer feel and lightweight cotton shirts that are ideal for summer, not forgetting the various fits.
Choose your fit: Getting the fit of your shirt right will definitely help improve your confidence when wearing it. Go for a flattering fit that will be good for your body type to retain shape; a slim fit or tailored shirt is a good option that will also allow you to use the shirt as a layering piece.
Decide on features: Many men’s shirts have additional features, such as pockets on the chest, pleats, multiple sleeve fastenings and various button types. The usual look of men’s shirts tends to be patterned or plain, with check shirts being a very popular option that can work well with any smart or casual occasions.
After deciding on the kind of shirt you’d like to buy, why not consider the different ways of styling a shirt?
Dressing up a casual outfit
When the dress code requires a smart-casual look, a patterned shirt can be a great go-to piece. The versatility of many shirts means that they can be teamed perfectly with trousers, jeans and chinos. Styling a short-sleeved shirt can be easy by simply wearing it unbuttoned over a t-shirt and teaming the look with a pair of denim jeans. We recommend a patterned shirt from our range to add that extra dimension to the outfit whilst looking on trend.
Layering up
A fashionable way to wear a shirt is to layer it underneath a jumper or pullover for a chic look that works wonderfully during the colder months. With the collar pulled out of the jumper and folded over, it’s a classic look which can be completed with jeans or trousers equally well! We love the check long sleeve shirts from Barbour that offer many different colour combinations as a good way of introducing colour into your more formal clothing collection. The additional coloured checks of the collar of a Barbour shirt will compliment a plain jumper perfectly for a great autumn and winter outfit option.
Looking after your shirt
A good place to start when it comes to looking after your new shirt is to ensure that you hang it up correctly in your wardrobe. This way your shirt will retain its shape and quality, whilst keeping it crease-free and ready to be worn. It goes without saying that every shirt will require a good ironing after it has been cleaned to smooth out any creases and to keep it feeling fresh. There are many guides online on how to iron a shirt which can help show you the best way to iron a long sleeve shirt or short sleeve shirt effectively. Another simple option is to choose a non-iron style shirt from Olymp's Luxor shirt collection which after getting onto a hanger after washing minimises the need for ironing!
Once you’re certain which shirt style you’d like after reading through our points in this men’s shirt buying guide, take some time to browse through our complete men’s shirts department for inspiration and plenty of chic choices.
Purchase your shirt from us at Potters of Buxton for free delivery with every order!