Classic Style In A Down Economy: Basic Shirt Wardrobes

"It makes me sad because I've never seen such - such beautiful shirts before."
-Daisy Buchanan, The Great Gatsby

A proper shirt selection is critical to a great wardrobe. Every man should have at least a basic assortment of proper shirts in his closet. A great shirt goes as well with a pair of jeans as it does with a suit. The wonderful thing about shirts is that they are so supremely flexible and can be made to work with so many other elements of your wardrobe.

Let's start with what should be in your closet- the basics. Even if you do not wear a suit for work, a selection of shirts will serve you well for those occasions when a more polished look is needed. A polished look doesn't have to be a suit. A shirt and jeans might be perfect for a casual date. A shirt and blazer might be ideal for a business casual office.


Shirt by Brooks Brothers.

1. A white point collar or spread collar shirt. With french cuffs or button cuffs, this shirt is truly your most versatile and classic shirt. Wear it with jeans or a suit. Have your girlfriend or wife wear it the next morning.


Shirt by Brooks Brothers.

2. A white button or french cuff shirt. This one is so important that you should have two in your closet. Have a spare in case of an emergency. Have one with a different collar or cuff. Try a tab collar or buttondown collar.


Shirt from Vavra Italy.

3. A black shirt with point collar or spread collar. A shirt not so useful during the day, but very handy to have at night. Dressed up with dark trousers and a jacket, the black shirt is perfect for a trendy dinner. Paired with jeans, it is a simple and elegant option for a night at the pub. If you worked in a creative field, you might find this shirt to be great at the office.


Shirt by Brooks Brothers.

4. A medium blue Oxford shirt with button-down collar, spread collar or point collar. The only thing more versatile than this shirt is the classic white. It is a soft hue that works with nearly anyone's complexion. A button collar is a nice option on this shirt to give it a softer, sportier look. Many men wear nothing but button-down collars but it's my opinion (and opinion only) that this collar is a bit less formal than a spread collar. It's still suitable for all but the most formal offices.


Shirt by Brooks Brothers.

5. A blue striped on white ground. Regardless of collar or cuff, a simple striped pattern can really make a suit or sportcoat stand out. As a starting point for patterned shirts, this pattern works great with both patterned and solid ties. Even worn with an open collar (no tie) can give some visual interest to a an otherwise plain, casual look.

Expanding one's wardrobe with stylish shirts affords one nearly limitless options in the realm of sartorial splendor. The modern pattern shirt is a great next step, where you can find countless color combinations of checks, stripes and the like. If you come across a great shirt and tie or shirt and suit look, please send me a picture. I'd love to post it!