Button-Down Shirts (often referred to simply as “shirts”): These are characterized by a collar, a full-length buttoned opening down the front (the placket), and usually cuffs on the sleeves. Their formality varies greatly depending on fabric, weave, and detailing.
Dress Shirts:
Purpose: Formal to business professional wear, often worn with suits and ties.
Characteristics: Crisp, clean lines, often made of fine cotton weaves (poplin, broadcloth, twill), various collar styles (spread, point, cutaway), and cuff types (barrel, French cuffs). Usually solid colors or subtle patterns.
Characteristics: Can be made from a wider range of fabrics (denim, chambray, linen, flannel, oxford cloth, corduroy). May have softer collars, bolder patterns (plaid, stripes, prints), and often designed to be worn untucked.
Examples:
Oxford Button-Down Shirt: A classic, slightly heavier cotton shirt with a distinctive basketweave texture and buttons on the collar points. Bridges casual and semi-formal.
Chambray Shirt: Looks like denim but is a lighter, plain-weave cotton, offering a more breathable feel.
Denim Shirt: Made from denim fabric, typically softer and lighter than jeans denim. Durable and casual.
Flannel Shirt: Soft, warm, often brushed cotton or wool, traditionally in plaid patterns. Ideal for cooler weather.
Linen Shirt: Lightweight, highly breathable, and known for its distinctive textured look and tendency to wrinkle. Perfect for warm weather.
Cuban Collar Shirt (or Camp Collar Shirt): Features a relaxed, open collar that lies flat, often with a boxy fit and short sleeves. Popular for casual summer wear.
Overshirt (or Shirt Jacket): Made from thicker material than a regular shirt, designed to be worn as a light outer layer over another shirt or t-shirt.
Work Shirts: Durable, often utilitarian shirts with pockets, sometimes reinforced for manual labor.
Shirts
Button-Down Shirts (often referred to simply as “shirts”): These are characterized by a collar, a full-length buttoned opening down the front (the placket), and usually cuffs on the sleeves. Their formality varies greatly depending on fabric, weave, and detailing.