Fashion Guide How to Style Men’s Shirts
Men’s shirts are the backbone of a versatile and stylish wardrobe. Whether you’re dressing for the office, a night out, a casual day with friends, or a special occasion, the right shirt and styling choices can make a big difference.
From crisp dress shirts to relaxed flannels and trendy Cuban collars, knowing how to style different shirts appropriately helps you project confidence, sophistication, and personality.
Here at Fashion.ie, we’ll explore the most popular types of men’s shirts and offer comprehensive styling tips for various occasions and seasons.
We’ll also dive into colour coordination, layering, accessories, and common mistakes to avoid.
1. Understanding Various Shirt Types
Before you can style shirts effectively, it’s important to understand the different types available and when they’re best worn.
a) Dress Shirts
These are the most formal type of shirt, typically made from smooth cotton or blends, and often come in solid colours or subtle patterns.
• Ideal For: Work, formal events, business meetings.
• Key Features: Stiff collar, long sleeves, cuffed wrists, buttoned front.
b) Oxford Shirts
A classic, slightly more casual shirt than a dress shirt, the Oxford is made with thicker fabric and a button-down collar.
• Ideal For: Business-casual settings, dinner dates, smart-casual events.
• Key Features: Heavier fabric, basketweave texture, button-down collar.
c) Flannel Shirts
Warm, soft, and usually featuring plaid patterns, flannel shirts are casual and perfect for cooler weather.
• Ideal For: Fall/winter, casual outings, layering.
• Key Features: Brushed cotton, plaid or check patterns, relaxed fit.
d) Linen Shirts
These are lightweight and breathable, great for summer or warm climates.
• Ideal For: Summer outings, beach vacations, relaxed formal wear.
• Key Features: Light fabric, slightly wrinkled look, airy feel.
e) Cuban Collar Shirts
Stylish and retro-inspired, Cuban collar shirts are great for fashion-forward looks.
• Ideal For: Summer parties, casual gatherings, vacations.
• Key Features: Open collar, short sleeves, bold prints.
2. Styling Shirts For Each Occasion
a) Business/Formal
- Dress Shirts with Suits: Stick to classic colours like white, light blue, or pale pink. Pair with a tailored suit, a silk tie, and leather shoes. Ensure your shirt is well-pressed and properly fitted.
- Accessories: Tie clips, cufflinks, and a sleek watch elevate the look.
- Fit Tip: A slim or tailored fit shirt works best under a blazer or suit jacket to avoid bunching.
b) Business Casual
- Oxford Shirt + Chinos: Tuck your Oxford shirt into beige or navy chinos. You can wear loafers or desert boots to keep the look polished but relaxed.
- Layering: A lightweight cardigan or blazer can refine the look.
- Colour Palette: Muted tones like light blue, grey, and olive are great choices.
c) Smart Casual
- Cuban Collar Shirt + Tailored Trousers: For a contemporary outfit, choose a printed Cuban collar shirt and match with cropped trousers and loafers or minimal sneakers.
- Unbuttoned Oxford + T-shirt: Wear an Oxford shirt open over a clean white or graphic tee with slim jeans or joggers.
- Accessories: Sunglasses, leather bracelets, and stylish belts add personality.
d) Casual
- Flannel Shirt + Jeans: A go-to look for fall. Add rugged boots or high-top sneakers for edge.
- Untucked Button-down + Shorts: Perfect for a laid-back summer day. Roll up the sleeves and pair with espadrilles or sandals.
- Denim Shirt: Wear it solo with black jeans or layer it open over a plain tee.
3. Styling Shirts Season by Season
a) Spring
- Fabric Focus: Cotton and lightweight blends.
- Colour Palette: Soft pastels like mint, light pink, and baby blue.
- Style Tip: Layer an Oxford shirt under a light bomber or utility jacket.
b) Summer
- Fabric Focus: Linen, seersucker, and lightweight cotton.
- Shirt Styles: Short-sleeved button-ups, Cuban collar shirts, and linen long-sleeves.
- Colours: Go bold—florals, tropical prints, and brighter tones.
- Fit Tip: Ensure shirts are breathable and not too tight to stay cool.
c) Autumn
- Fabric Focus: Flannel, heavier cotton, and brushed fabrics.
- Patterns: Plaids, earthy tones like rust, olive, and mustard.
- Layering Ideas: Flannel over a henley or a thermal shirt with jeans and boots.
d) Winter
- Fabric Focus: Heavier cotton, wool-blend shirts.
- Layering: Wear button-downs under chunky sweaters or beneath wool blazers.
- Colour Palette: Dark neutrals like charcoal, navy, forest green.
4. Getting The Right Fit and Tailoring
The way a shirt fits can make or break your outfit. Here’s what to look for,
- Shoulders: Seams should sit right at your shoulder edge.
- Sleeves: Should end at your wrist bone without bunching.
- Length: Tuck-in shirts should cover your belt and stay tucked. Casual shirts can be shorter but should not extend past your fly.
- Body: Slim or tailored fit gives a sharper silhouette. Avoid overly baggy or tight shirts.
5. To Tuck And When Not To Tuck
When it’s essential to tuck In your shirt
- Dress shirts
- Formal settings
- Business attire
When it’s OK Sometimes to go untucked
- Casual button-downs
- Short-sleeved shirts
- Shirts with a flat hem
Fashion Tip: Shirts designed to be untucked are often labelled that way and have a slightly shorter hem.
6. Colour and Pattern Matching
- Solids: Easy to pair with patterned pants or statement outerwear.
- Stripes: Vertical stripes elongate the body; good for shorter men.
- Checks/Plaids: Pair with solid pants or denim.
- Bold Prints: Keep the rest of the outfit neutral to balance the look.
Colour Matching Basics To Remember
- Navy, white, black, grey = universal match.
- Light blue = pairs well with beige, khaki, and navy.
- Earth tones (olive, rust, tan) = pair well with denim or darker neutrals.
7. Layering Techniques
Layering adds dimension and style to an outfit. Here’s how to do it effectively,
a) Shirt Under Sweater
- Choose a thin dress shirt or Oxford.
- Collar and cuffs should peek out.
- Works well with crewneck or V-neck sweaters.
b) Shirt Under Jacket
- Bomber jackets, denim jackets, and blazers pair well with most shirts.
- Keep shirt tails neat—either tucked or tidy if untucked.
c) Overshirt Look
- Use a flannel, shacket (shirt-jacket), or denim shirt over a plain tee.
- Ideal for transitional weather.
8. Common Styling Mistakes You Must Avoid
- Wearing Wrinkled Shirts: Always iron or steam your shirts—especially dress shirts.
- Ignoring Fit: Oversized shirts can look sloppy unless styled intentionally.
- Over-Patterning: If your shirt has a bold pattern, keep other pieces solid.
- Mismatching Form and Function: Don’t wear flannel to a wedding or a dress shirt to a beach bonfire.
9. The Essential Shirts Every Man Should Own
- White Dress Shirt – The ultimate formal essential.
- Light Blue Oxford Shirt – Versatile for work and smart casual.
- Plaid Flannel Shirt – Great for casual fall/winter wear.
- Cuban Collar Shirt – Stylish summer standout.
- Black or Navy Shirt – Sharp for evening or night outings.
- Linen Shirt – A must-have for warm weather.
10. And Our Final Thoughts To Remember
Styling men’s shirts isn’t just about choosing the right colour or pattern—it’s about context, fit, fabric, and how it complements the rest of your outfit.
Whether you’re headed to the office, a rooftop bar, or a weekend road trip, there’s a shirt style and combination that will help you look and feel your best.
Start with foundational pieces, experiment with layering and accessories, and always consider the occasion.
With just a few well-chosen shirts and smart styling habits, you can build outfits that are both versatile and timeless.
