Guide to Finding a Perfect Dress Shirt

Anyone who works in the professional sector owes it to themselves to understand what to look for in a men’s dress shirt. Dress shirts are a staple of business-casual attire, not to mention highly versatile and fit for a variety of different types of occasions. There are a variety of elements that need to be taken into considered when choosing a dress shirt, however, which can make the shopping process rather convoluted for many people. Fortunately, you can streamline your ability to choose the perfect men’s dress shirts by knowing what to look for, with the following being some of the most important elements to consider before making a purchase.

Fabric
One of the first things you should think about when choosing a men’s dress shirt is the fabric that it’s made out of. Fabric can have a dramatic impact on the look and feel of a shirt, and many people find that they side with a specific type of fabric after experimenting with all of the different options. Cotton is one of the most possible dress shirt fabrics, and is enjoyed for its breathability, soft texture and ability to resist fading relatively well. Linen dress shirts are similar to cotton, yet lighter and thus more suitable for the warmer months of the year. Oxford cloth shirts are extremely popular, and feature a tight weave of heavy yarn, which makes for a warm, rugged dress shirt perfectly suited to winter wear. Experiment with different fabrics to determine which you find to be the most comfortable.

Collar Style
Another important thing to take into consideration when shopping for a dress shirt is collar style. Dress shirts are available in a variety of different collar styles, each of which serves its own unique purpose. Straight-point collars are perhaps the most popular, featuring V-shaped collar points that look great with practically all face types. Button-down collars are ideal for situations that are relatively informal, and feature a similar design to straight-point collars, yet are made out of a lighter material and aren’t typically pressed with as much starch. Spread collars feature a larger gap between each tip than other collars, and look great with those who have square face types. They also look best when paired with a larger tied necktie knots – such as the double Windsor. Finally, tab collars sit high and feature a small spread, making them ideal for anyone who has a long neck. 

Color and Design
The color and design of your dress shirt matters just as much as any other element, and should always be taken into consideration. Dress shirts are typically available in solids, stripes and prints, all of which offer up a different appearance. The color and design you gravitate towards should depend not only on personal preference, but also on the situation in which the shirt will be worn. Solid and striped shirts that utilize neutrals, for example, are best for an office environment, while dress shirts with loud prints may be more suitable for informal gettogethers. In the end, the color and design that you choose should be that which makes you feel confident.

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Fragrances for Fall

Luxe Fragrances for Fall

It is unbearably hard to choose that perfect fragrance that is understated and sophisticated. Most scents are boldly nauseating and awkwardly overpowering. We’ve come up with a list of quintessential scents that are all-around winners for you and everyone around you. These scents are overtly versatile and can be worn for all of your professional and casual occasions. Here are some top choices on current popular mens fragrances:

Acqua di Parma is a subtle and unisex Italian cologne that combines the scents of Sicilian citrus fruits with flower essences and wood fragrances. It’s wildly refreshing and captivating. 

Burberry Brit Eau De Parfum is a metropolitan fragrance that is warm, aromatic and effortless to wear. The luxe fragrance by Burberry combines notes of bergamot and ginger with nutmeg and cedar wood. The end result is truly charismatic. 

Diptyque 'Eau Duelle' Eau de Toilette is a seductive scent that smells of vanilla. This versatile fragrance is subtle and yet devilishly engaging. 

Tom Ford Private Blend 'Neroli Portofino' Eau de Parfum is a delicate and clean blend of citrus and flowers. The end result is a gentle, debonair fragrance that wows anyone and everyone. 

Picking out a fragrance is an extremely personal task but sometimes narrowing down the choices makes it a little easier. You’re sure to love one of the fragrances listed if not them all, and she will too!

Cold Weather Style Essentials

Winter comes, year in and year out. The weather patterns might not be changing, but the fashions definitely are. Gone are the hoodies and faux fur linings of previous seasons. It’s time to embrace the new trends of this year – and welcome the cold weather in style. Who needs to be afraid of sub-zero weather when you have all the hottest styles on?

Flannel Shirts
Yes, everyone knows that the whole checked hunter look has been done and redone many times over. Just because it’s not entirely novel, though, doesn’t mean it’s not fashionable. The log cabin aesthetic hasn’t completely died out yet, so you may as well wear it out.

Reds and blues are standards for this particular style, but a more office-friendly palette makes use of grays, blacks and whites. The monochromatic selection allows neckties to be worn with the outfit as well, making the whole thing even more cubicle-friendly. GQ suggests a contemporarily slim (and shocking) neon necktie to wake up the grays look.

A word of warning: going overboard is terribly easy with checked flannel shirts. Keep the rest of your outfit simple and clean: a non-ripped pair of jeans and a clean pair of shoes. Lace up your brand new Doc Martens, if you must, but go no further than that.

Shawl Collar Cardigans
Perhaps one of the best cold weather fashion investments you could make, shawl collar cardigans dependably show up every fall and are largely unchanged in between. The one you buy from GAP this year will most likely still look like the ones J Crew will sell 10 years down the road.

Versatility is just one among the many strengths of the shawl collar cardigan. Wear it on a plain tee and jeans to go out for some breakfast, or use it to top off your shirt-and-tie ensemble for the office. Either way, it’s going to look great. It layers well with browns and tans too, making it a great in-between piece for your not-quite-enough khaki trench. It can look formal and casual as you need it, making it a great addition to your closet.

Frequent travelers will also appreciate how well this piece travels. Being a knit, you can throw it into your carry-on without worrying about how to steam it at your destination. It’s easy to slip on and off, it can double as a pillow (just scrunch it up and enjoy) and will always command more respect than most other sweaters.

Fair Isle Sweaters
Easily the most challenging piece to wear among the three featured here, Fair Isle styles are like the tartan-check necktie of outerwear. They’re daunting because of their loud, vibrant patterns, but the payoff is huge once you actually learn to wear and wield them. The Fair Isle sweater has been a fashion magazine staple since time immemorial, and it’s never too late to incorporate one – or five – into your daily wardrobe rotation.

The trick to Fair Isle sweaters is to let them be the center of attention. Wear unadorned dark jeans, a solid (preferably white) tee underneath and clean sneakers or sharp lace-ups. From there, the patterns – and their heritage – will take over. Panache and confidence, of course, are still required for you to pull off such a bold look. The attempt is well worth it, though, since it will quickly set you apart from a sea of blacks, navy and grays.