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Even in a world where “casual Friday” has morphed into an everyday affair, there are still occasions that demand a bit of sartorial sophistication. When you need a more formal look, reach for a dress shirt: It’ll be your style superhero, swooping in to save the day (or night) with its crisp lines and tailored fit.
Features to Look For When Shopping for Dress Shirts
First, a quick style 101 before we dive into the best dress shirts of the moment.
Collar Styles
All men’s dress shirts are button-downs; that’s a given. But the level of formality? That all ties back to the collar. From the vintage vibes of club collars to the expansive elegance of spread collars, dress shirts have many collar varieties.
While each has its merits, I’d recommend sticking with straight collar shirts. In this design, the collar points fall just outside of the button placket on both sides. It’s classic and versatile, which makes it easy to wear in a variety of situations. The button-down collar is a similar variation, and it’s a great pick for more casual looks. Once you have some straight collar dress shirts in your rotation, you can experiment with cutaway, wing, and band collars. They’ll add some flavor to your wardrobe choices.
Fabrics
Traditionally, dress shirts have been made from cotton, linen, or blends of those fabrics. With the advent of modern fabric technology, many brands have also begun to utilize synthetic materials like polyester in their dress shirts. Here’s what you need to know about your various fabric options.
Cotton, the perennial favorite for dress shirts, is lauded for its soft feel against the skin and its versatility. From high-powered boardroom meetings to leisurely Sunday brunches, cotton dress shirts strike the right style chord. Cotton gets a bad rap in performance apparel because it absorbs moisture and sweat, but this is less of a concern for dress shirts (though cotton shirts can show sweat marks if things heat up). It’s plenty breathable for day-to-day wear, and it has a naturally comfortable feel that synthetics just can’t match.
Linen, the quintessential summer fabric, is woven from flax and offers exceptional breathability, making it a top choice for hotter climates. The downside? It wrinkles easily—a potential issue if you’re aiming for a crisp, professional look.
In recent years, synthetic fabrics have entered the fray. Polyester, with its moisture-wicking properties, helps keep you dry, while elastane adds stretchiness for enhanced freedom of movement. Despite these perks, synthetics don’t quite match the premium look and feel of cotton or linen. For dress shirts, it’s best to stick with pure cotton or linen, or opt for fabric blends that are mainly composed of these natural fabrics.
Cuffs
Now let’s chat cuffs. There are two main contenders in the ring. In one corner, the single cuff (a.k.a. barrel cuff) features sewn-in buttons and is easy to roll up. In the other corner, the double (or French) cuff, the show-off of the bunch, has an extra swatch of fabric that folds back and fastens with cufflinks or studs. The double cuff design is an integral part of a classic tuxedo ensemble, but even those are leaning towards the single cuff these days. Unless you really love cufflinks and dress formally often, opt for dress shirts with single cuffs.
How to Wear Men’s Dress Shirts
When do you break out the big guns and don the dress shirt? The obvious answer is when you’re attending formal events: weddings, galas, award ceremonies, and similar occasions. But don’t feel the need to limit yourself to stuffy black-tie affairs. While the 9-to-5 uniform has taken a casual turn, a crisp dress shirt (blazer optional) can still turn heads in the office, for example, or elevate your look for an upscale dinner.
Every man needs a few good dress shirts in his arsenal. Here are the best men’s dress shirts to prove to everyone—especially Mom—that you can clean up nicely, after all.
Related: The Best Walking Shoes for Traveling
The Best Men’s Dress Shirts of 2023
This summer, grab The Tie Bar’s bestselling herringbone shirt style in Pantone’s 2022 color of the year: lavender. The non-iron cotton shirt features a semi-spread collar that looks killer without a tie, a subtle textured pattern, and a shorter length that can be worn untucked.
Colorways: 1
Fabrics: 100 percent cotton
Sizes: XS-XL
[$60; thetiebar.com]
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Embrace the timeless elegance of Brooks Brothers with this non-iron dress shirt. Crafted from American-grown Supima cotton with a touch of elastane for added stretch, it’s finished with an Ainsley collar that measures four inches point to point. With its signature barrel cuffs and pucker-free seams, this shirt sets the standard for quality construction and details.
Colorways: 3
Fabrics: 97 percent cotton, 3 percent elastane
Sizes: 14.5/32-18.5/35
[$118; amazon.com]
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Say yes to a dress shirt that works as hard as you do. Mizzen + Main’s Leeward shirt is wrinkle-proof, quick-drying, and boasts a four-way stretch fabric for ultimate comfort on those hot summer days. Plus, it’s cut to mid-zipper length for a clean drape when worn untucked.
Colorways: 29
Fabrics: 88 percent polyester, 12 percent elastane
Sizes: S-XXL (two fits and tall sizes available)
[$138; mizzenandmain.com]
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Crafted from Proper Cloth’s Italian-made Amalfi fabric, this piqué weave shirt is a versatile essential that transitions easily between business casual and true casual wear. The tonal blue stripe and beautifully textured geometric structure of the fabric weave add a touch of sophistication to any outfit.
Colorways: 2
Fabrics: 97 percent cotton, 3 percent elastane
Sizes: 14/29-24/40 (super slim, slim, classic sizes available)
[$175; propercloth.com]
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This pick stands out thanks to its luxurious fabric: a compact knit the brand sources from a mill in Japan. This minimalist shirt is designed with a point collar and a longer hem to help it stay firmly tucked into your pants; two darts in the back add a slight taper to the silhouette.
Colorways: 6
Fabrics: 53 percent cotton, 47 percent polyester
Sizes: XS-XXL
[$195; theory.com]
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High-end Italian fashion house Canali can do no wrong when it comes to formal menswear. As its name suggests, this particular dress shirt is pretty much perfect: It’s reliably stain-resistant, keeps nice and crisp sans ironing, and comes in a versatile light blue colorway.
Colorways: 1
Fabrics: 100 percent cotton
Sizes: 15.5/39-18/46
[$285; saksfifthavenue.com]
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The Jetsetter Stretch Dress Shirt from Bonobos is a dependably comfortable, well-fitting dress shirt made from premium stretch fabric. With its huge range of original patterns and colors and four fit options, this shirt is a versatile wardrobe staple that can work for just about anybody.
Colorways: 37
Fabrics: 95 percent cotton, 5 percent elastane
Sizes: 15/32-17.5/36 (slim, tailored, standard, and athletic sizes available)
[$129; bonobos.com]
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Named after the Henley Royal Regatta in the U.K., this textured woven cotton dress shirt is a comfortable year-round choice for both the office and the bar. With its naturally stretchy and soft pure cotton fabric, it’s a comfortable year-round choice. The non-iron finish ensures crease-free wear, while sturdy brass collar stays keep the collar looking sharp.
Colorways: 10
Fabrics: 100 percent cotton
Sizes: 14.5/32-20/38 (classic, slim, extra-slim sizes available)
[$109; charlestyrwhitt.com]
Charvet established its suiting operation back in 1838, and its international reputation for crafting top-tier shirts, pocket squares, and ties has endured ever since. This cotton shirt has a point collar and French cuffs—a combination that screams sophistication. Just add cufflinks.
Colorways: 1
Fabrics: 100 percent cotton
Sizes: 15R-18XL
[$585; neimanmarcus.com]
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J.Crew’s Ludlow suiting collection is always a hit. This dress shirt is crafted from a 100-percent cotton fabric with a super-soft hand feel and a featherlight drape on the torso. The French placket (a button placket style that doesn’t “fold back,” unlike the standard front placket) and wide spread collar add an extra dash of dapperness.
Colorways: 1
Fabrics: 100 percent cotton
Sizes: 14.5/32-17.5/36
[$128; jcrew.com]
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This Oxford is a bestseller for a reason. It’s made from all-organic cotton—ethically farmed and free of nasty chemicals—and it offers a more relaxed fit. It’s a great choice for more casual occasions.
Colorways: 6
Fabrics: 100 percent organic cotton
Sizes: XS-XXL
[$88; everlane.com]
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The Movement Shirt from Faherty lands at the intersection of comfort and quality. Made from the brand’s proprietary Supima cotton blend, this shirt has a soft, airy feel, resists wrinkles, and stretches to accommodate movement—ideal for wearing on active days.
Colorways: 24
Fabrics: 55 percent Supima cotton, 16 percent Lyocell, 25 percent recycled nylon, 4 percent elastane
Sizes: XS-XXL (standard and tall sizes available)
[$158; faherty.com]
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Need a men’s dress shirt you can stock up on? Consider this classic button-collar option from the Gap. It’s super versatile—dress it up or down—and the woven fabric will get softer with every wash.
Colorways: 11
Fabrics: 100 percent cotton
Sizes: XS-XXL
[$35; amazon.com]
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L.L. Bean’s pinpoint Oxford shirt promises a crisp, ironed look without the hassle of actually ironing—it’s made from a wrinkle-resistant cotton fabric. With a relaxed fit through the chest, sleeves, and waist, this shirt is all about comfort and ease.
Colorways: 3
Fabrics: 100 percent cotton
Sizes: 14.5/32-18/37
[$65; llbean.com]
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Don’t ruin your suit by pairing it with a subpar dress shirt. Grab a well-made, semi-tailored option like this shirt from Suitsupply. It features a slim fit through the waist for a flattering look, and the all-cotton fabric resists wrinkles, too.
Colorways: 3
Fabrics: 100 percent cotton
Sizes: 13.5-18 (regular and long sizes available)
[$99; suitsupply.com]
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As its name implies, Buck Mason’s One Pocket Oxford is a champion among dress shirts. It’s made with the brand’s own custom-milled cotton fabric that delivers an ideal blend of breathability and a crisp feel. This pick also features a wider back yoke intended to broaden the shoulders.
Colorways: 3
Fabrics: 100 percent cotton
Sizes: XS-XXL
[$118; buckmason.com]
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