HOW TO CHOSE GOOD SHIRT Choose a color. Are you buying a dress shirt for a job interview, or are you looking to dress up more fashionably? • For an interview, the traditional choices are conservative colors. A light blue is usually the safest. White is very formal. Grays are also generally safe. • If you are looking to project a more lively image, choose bright or unconventional colors. Bright greens and oranges are relatively popular, as is pink. 2. 2 Choose a pattern. Solid colors are considered wardrobe staples because they are easiest to match, but you might consider choosing subtle stripes or a plaid pattern. • Solid shirts are verstile in that you can wear virtually any tie with them [solid or patterned]. • Patterned shirts are a bit more difficult to match with ties. 3. 3 Choose a style. Are you looking for a more trendy, tapered-cut shirt, or would you prefer to stick with a standard, full-cut shirt? Do you want a standard collar or a spread collar? Will your collar be buttoned down or will you use collar stays? Each of these are points to consider. • A tailored-fit or slim-fit dress shirt is slightly tighter around the chest and sides. A standard-fit dress shirt has a slightly baggy, but traditional full-cut appearance. Athletic cut shirts have a full chest but are tapered at the waist. • A standard straight collar is the most common type of collar, where the collar edges point downward and there is little space between the section where the collar meets. • A spread collar is a bit more modern and is considered by some to be youthful and effeminate. It is smaller and has a wider spread. Since a spread collar gives a wider appearance, it is a good choice for men with slim builds, but perhaps less so for stockier types. 4. 4 Find the right fabrics. Linen shirts breathe well and are perfect for summer, while oxford cloth is woven from a heavier cotton yarn and therefore has a more rugged texture. Cotton has a soft feel to it, allowing for a more casual look that will let you feel more comfortable. 5. 5 Determine your neck size and sleeve length. If you are shopping at a retailer, most salespeople can help you find your neck size and sleeve length by using measuring tape. The chart below displays a guideline for common neck sizes and approximate sleeve lengths, determined by normal shirt size. Shirt Size Neck Size Sleeve Length Small 14 - 14 ½ 32 - 33 Medium 15 - 15 ½ 32 - 33 Large 16 - 16 ½ 34 - 35 X-Large 17 - 17 ½ 34 - 35 XX-Large 18 - 18 ½ 35 - 36 Method 1 of 2: Inspect the Quality of Your Shirt 1. 1 Determine whether buttonholes are hand-sewn. Irregular stitching this generally indicates high quality. 2. 2 Inspect the seam running down the side of the shirt. A high-quality garment has only one line of stitching visible on the side seam, while most shirts have two visible rows of stitches. 3. 3 Examine shirt sleeve a couple of inches above the cuff for a gauntlet button.This button closes up your sleeve. A gauntlet button and a horizontally placed buttonhole are also good indicators of high quality craftsmanship. 4. 4 Check the ply count. This can sometimes be found on the shirt label. Finer dress shirts are made of two-ply instead of single-ply and the fabrics are stronger and softer. Method 2 of 2: Ensure Your Shirt Fits Well 1. 1 Bend your arm. Your sleeves should be long enough so that the cuffs do not ride up your wrist when you move your arm. 2. 2 Check that the cuffs are snug. They should not hang over your hand. You should not be able to slip into shirt sleeves without first undoing buttons on the cuff. 3. 3 Inspect the buttons. They should be well-placed, with no gaping holes exposing your chest. 4. 4 Make sure the shirt does not pull uncomfortably across the chest or waist. 5. 5 Raise your arms. Check that shirt tails do not come out of your pants. 6. 6 Button the dress shirt to the top. You should be able to slide two or three fingers between your neck and collar.
Posted on: Tue, 26 Nov 2013 08:13:37 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015