Tips for Buying the Ideal Men’s Casual Shirts

If you’re not a big fan of T-shirts and polos, but still want to wear something that isn’t too formal to work, then your only option is a casual button-down shirt. But finding the ideal button-down shirt takes some careful consideration if you want to pull off the look and appear like you’re someone who wants to present a professional appearance, cares about how they look, yet doesn’t take himself THAT seriously. Here are some tips on finding the ideal men casual shirts.

A Proper Fit Is an Absolute Must

Unlike dress shirts, men casual shirts are supposed to have a looser, more relaxed fit. Look for shirts that have 2-3 extra centimetres in the chest and waist, and about a centimetre or two extra in the shoulder area. The reason for this is that you don’t have hot spots, which are basically spots prone to sweat and irritation.

The Fabrics Can Make All the Difference

To avoid sweat and irritation throughout the warm summer days, find a shirt that’s breathable and light. In fact, you should look for a light and breathable casual shirt even for the cooler winter days, as you’ll probably be wearing an undershirt anyway. The only rule is that the shirt should be long-sleeved. Chambray, end-on-end and light cotton are all great fabrics.

The Button and Collar Placement Matter

The collar shouldn’t be too sloppy, and it should lay well. Button placement can also make or break a shirt. For casual shirts, having the top two buttons unbuttoned is perfectly acceptable. If you like a shirt but don’t like the button placement, you can have them adjusted by a seamstress, but I’d personally just discard that shirt and keep looking.

Don’t Compromise on Style

Some styles give shirts a more casual feel than others. For instance, shirts that have two pockets on the front have a more casual feel to them than those that don’t. Epaulets are another feature that can make a shirt look more casual, as long as they lay well. Another detail to look for is the cuffs and sleeves. Not every shirt’s sleeves are meant to be rolled up. If the cuffs are softer, and the shirts feature a button up the sleeve, then the shirt is meant to be rolled up.

Don’t Forget the Length

Casual shirts are usually worn untucked, so you should make sure it isn’t too long. A shirt is considered too long if it fully covers your butt and crotch. However, you also don’t want the shirt to be too short, so the best way to determine the ideal length is to raise your arms and see whether your midsection ends up exposed. If it gets exposed, then the shirt is too short for you.