Business shirts for men
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Business shirts: What dress code applies in the office?
Apart from celebrations, there is no better place than the office to wear a shirt in style. Fashion-conscious men avoid casual looks and opt for classic, professional outfits. The more conservative the business, the more classic the suit and shirt. But what does that actually mean? What makes good business shirts?
There is no universally applicable dress code for the office, just as there is no uniform business environment. What is allowed in start-ups or in the back office of an administration may be completely frowned upon in banks and insurance companies, in field sales and at management level. Therefore, when choosing their business shirt, fashion-conscious men should, on the one hand, follow their company's dress code. On the other hand, within this framework they still have some room for individual styling. If there is no dress code, new employees in particular need to approach it carefully.
Especially in professions with customer contact, one important rule applies: your own appearance must be convincing. This applies not only to a friendly tone, but also to a well-groomed appearance. There is one clothing combination that always works in this regard: a dark suit in navy or grey and a white, high-quality business shirt. With it, the style-conscious gentleman wears well-maintained black smooth leather shoes, a discreet and well-tied tie, as well as understated cufflinks. In addition, he should limit himself to a maximum of two pieces of jewellery, such as a wedding ring or wristwatch.
Which shirts are particularly well suited for business?
High-quality business shirts impress in several ways: premium material and clean workmanship, a stylish collar, a good fit and subtle colours.
What material should business shirts be made of?
When it comes to material, men should choose natural fibres or cotton. These are kinder to the skin and breathable. This helps prevent irritation and sweating. Another advantage is that high-quality natural yarn is opaque. After all, an absolute no-go at work would be a business shirt under which an undershirt, chest hair or even a piercing shows through.
Poplin and chambray are recommended. Both are high-quality woven cotton fibres. Poplin is somewhat finer and forms an even fabric pattern. Classic business shirts are made from this material. Chambray is the somewhat more fashionable option. During production, undyed and dyed yarns are woven together. This creates a slightly shimmering colour effect. It looks fresh and trendy. In conservative industries, however, men should give preference to poplin.
Other types of fabric such as Oxford, gingham or fil-à-fil are only suitable for business shirts to a limited extent. They look casual, which in many business fields does not suit a convincing appearance. Men should only wear such business shirts if they know they will not offend their superiors by doing so. Then, however, they offer considerable fashionable scope.
What type of collar should a business shirt have?
Many men underestimate one shirt detail: the collar. There are different collar types, some of which are very sporty, others very conservative. When choosing the right business shirt, men should pay attention to this small detail. In the office, the classic Kent, cutaway and tab collars are on trend.
The tab is the relatively stiff collar with a small fabric loop as a closure. A tie with a good knot (for example a Windsor) is a must above it. The tab is definitely a conservative collar that goes particularly well with elegant suits.
A good compromise is the cutaway collar. It can be recognised by its distinctly wide and pointed ends, which resemble a shark fin. A tie also belongs with this collar type; otherwise the collar area looks too empty.
The Kent is the all-rounder. It is wide, but less prominent than the cutaway. Men can wear business shirts with a Kent collar with or without a tie. Variations such as the narrower Italian Kent or the rounded Eton are fashionable alternatives that bring a permitted change to the business outfit.
Not a good choice, on the other hand, are button-down collars with the button at the collar point or the wing collar, which is recommended only for sophisticated evening wear. Men should also avoid open shirts. In summer, it is permitted to take off the tie and open the top button. All buttons below it remain closed in the office.
How should a business shirt be cut?
A business shirt should fit properly. Men are therefore well advised to know their measurements and read the information in the product description before buying. There you will find size charts that provide a good guide to the fit. What matters is the triad of collar size, sleeve length and cut. The collar size corresponds to the neck circumference plus one centimetre and should fit exactly. The sleeve length is standard on many shirts. If specific details are provided, this length corresponds to the length from the shoulder to the wrist. When it comes to the cut, chest, shoulder and waist measurements are key. Men with an athletic upper body can choose a slim-fit business shirt if it fits in the shoulder area.
Tailored fits such as the Modern Fit and super-slim-fit cuts sit especially well on slim gentlemen. Sturdier men, on the other hand, choose business shirts with the rather straight comfort-fit cut. It is important that the business shirt adapts well to the body shape and is neither too tight nor too loose. If, for example, it quickly slips out of the trousers or forms a balloon at the back, it is the wrong size or has an unflattering cut.
Which colours and patterns are acceptable for business shirts?
Courage for colour and loud patterns is out of place with business shirts. Gentlemen who want to dress professionally for the office or field service should opt for classic colours without patterns. The all-rounders are white and light blue. Depending on the job, men may also wear light anthracite, dark blue or subtle pastel colours. Bright green or deep red, on the other hand, are not suitable for making a professional impression in the office.
When it comes to patterns, the rule is: at most subtle! The shimmer of chambray or fine fil-à-fil patterns are permitted depending on the industry and are certainly fashionable recommendations. Striking checks, diamonds or dots, on the other hand, are a no-go. Men still do not have to forgo colour accents. They can add these with the tie. It just should not be too extravagantly patterned either. But a nice stripe pattern, polka dots or a rectangular pattern are certainly acceptable.
Business shirts: Which brands are recommended?
There are a number of brands known for high-quality business shirts. Popular with our customers at HemdenBox.de include OLYMP Luxor, Seidensticker Splendesto, Marvelis and Eterna Excellent. These shirts are available in both long-sleeved and short-sleeved versions and in numerous sizes or collar sizes from 37/38 to 49/50. For tall men, also with extra-long sleeves from 69cm to 72cm. You can find affordable shirts from previous collections in our Outlet Sale.
Tip: Non-iron business shirts with your own initials
Our special tip for fashion-conscious gentlemen is non-iron shirts. They not only fit the body surprisingly well, but are also easy-care and therefore save time. HemdenBox.de offers these and all other shirts with free shipping and, on request, embroidered with initials . This looks confident and gives business shirts that certain something.
Questions and answers
- What is a business shirt?
A business shirt is a formal shirt specifically designed for the work environment or business occasions. It is often characterised by a clean, simple cut, understated colours and patterns, as well as high-quality materials. Typically, business shirts have a collar, are long-sleeved and can be worn with or without a tie. - How many business shirts do you need?
The number of business shirts needed depends on individual lifestyle, professional requirements and personal preferences. Someone who has to appear in the office or at formal occasions every day should own at least five to seven shirts in order to have a fresh shirt on hand for every weekday without having to wash constantly. Those who only occasionally wear a business shirt can manage with fewer. - How do you wash business shirts?
Shirts require special care to extend their lifespan and preserve their well-groomed appearance:
- Turn shirts inside out before washing.
- Remove collar stays and undo all buttons.
- Use a mild detergent and select the wash cycle for delicates or specifically for shirts.
- Do not overload shirts and, if necessary, wash with other similar textiles.
- Remove shirts from the machine immediately after washing and hang them on hangers.
- For optimal results, iron the shirts while they are still slightly damp. Pay particular attention to the collar, cuffs and button placket.
- Tip: There are special shirt laundry services or dry cleaners that specialize in professionally cleaning and ironing business shirts.