Finding A Great White Shirt

As with blue jeans, solid polos and medium-length neckties, there's no such thing as 'enough' or 'too many' for white shirts. The simple staple of men's fashion is ubiquitous and darn near universal; you can pair it with anything from Bermuda shorts to tailored black pants. That isn't to say, however, that it's as simple and straightforward as it might at first appear.

Finding a Fabric
Before you can even talk about cuts and cuffs and designs, you first have to think about the fabric of your shirt. The fabric, the kind, quality and weave, says more about your shirt and your outfit than any design or designer name can.

On one end of the spectrum are the low thread counts, the casual shirts for whom neckties are an option, if not removed altogether. If the shirt feels rough or textured under your hands, then it's probably from this category. At the other end of the spectrum are those high thread count (as high as 180!) pieces, made specifically for formal events. You can find them out simply by touching the fabric and feeling if it's smooth or not.

Matching the fabric of the shirt to your purpose is, of course, important; there's no point to wearing extremely costly high-quality shirts for going to the supermarket. But if you're going to wear your shirts to work, the best idea is to pick somewhere around the middle. Even if the supremely smooth shirts give you quality, these finer fabrics tend to wear out faster and cost much more, making them an impractical choice for everyday use.

Choosing Cuffs
Yes, there's more than one way to do something as simple as shirt cuffs. You're most probably already familiar with plain or barrel cuffs, which are more common around the department stores. The French style, however, is also gaining popularity with its edgier flare and those oh-so-stylish links. Contrary to popular belief, the latter is not reserved solely for formal events.

Which cuff goes with which outfit? It's all a matter of personal taste, really. Both can go to either end of the formality spectrum; a plain cuff with snazzy cuff links will look much more formal than a French cuff with a simple silk knot. You just have to adjust the quality and 'richness' of the links or knots you wear to the formality of the occasion.

Considering Collars
Have you ever wondered why even the nicest looking shirts on the rack might not look so right once worn? The collar is most probably the culprit, as certain styles go better when worn by certain guys.

Regular collars are, well, regular collars. They're the triangular ones that point down and to the sides that you see on most workday shirts. A near-universal option, they fit most anyone and every occasion. Button-downs, slightly droopier variants that you can fasten to a provided button, are also very popular options for both formal and casual styles.

Spread collars go more toward the side than they do down, and are thus better suited to balance long, narrow faces. Conversely, a long, narrow style like long point collars will work best with heavier, fuller faces. Although these are never necessarily rules for buying your white shirts, it's always good to know what kind of style will make you look better.

The Little Things
First of all, look at the buttons. They're the most important detail that say the most about any shirt. Small, thin discs of plastic are the first warning sign of a cheap shirt, because the best ones in the world often use premium materials like mother of pearl.

Although it's bewildering why anyone would do so, some folks do put extra pockets and adornments on their shirts. The power of a white shirt lies in its sheer simplicity. Don't rob it of its classic strength by getting one with two pockets or embroidery running all along the bottom. Only look for 'extra features' if you're buying towels, not shirts.