The best dress shirts for men are the quintessential fashion pieces that pull together your entire look. They work in many scenarios to add some personal style, and if fitted properly, they elevate your game. Every guy needs a few good dress shirts to round out his foundational wardrobe—and we have some recommendations.
Finding the best men’s dress shirt comes down to being well-versed in fit, fabric and quality. We reached out to professional stylists to ask for their top picks for a variety of body types and work-life situations. Whether you’re into fashion or just need a step up from your “nice t-shirt,” here are the best dress shirts for men that we highly recommend. Our advice: Stock up on multiples and wear these regularly.
- Best Dress Shirt For Men Overall: Bonobos Everyday Oxford Shirt
- Best Value Dress Shirt For Men: Banana Republic Premium Poplin Dress Shirt
- Best Non-Iron Dress Shirt For Men: Tie Bar Pinpoint Solid Non-Iron Dress Shirt
- Best Performance Dress Shirt For Men: Mizzen+Main Leeward Dress Shirt
- Best Casual Dress Shirt For Men: Faherty The Movement Shirt
- Best Formal Dress Shirt For Men: Eton Signature Twill Shirt
Other Top Picks To Consider:
Everlane: best relaxed-fit | Todd Snyder: best solid white | Lululemon: best sweat-wicking | Suit Supply: best oxford | Zegna: best high-end | Charles Tyrwhitt: best traditional
Best Dress Shirt For Men Overall
Bonobos: Extremely Comfortable For All Body Types
MOST POPULAR
Sizes: XS to XXL | Fabric: 100% cotton | Colors: 22 total
- What’s notable: Made from stretch cotton for extra comfort and give, and the style can be dressed up or down.
- What could be better: The finish on this shirt is not as formal as others.
Bonobos really understands what guys want for modern workwear and this comfy stretch-fabric shirt is great with or without a blazer. “Bonobos has a variety of fits,so it's a great place to go for a different builds,” says Natalie Tincher,founder and principal stylist atBU Style. “The brandcarriesshirts for slim, tailored, athletic andstandardbuildsand are more size-inclusive than many brands.” You’ll also find a wide range of hues, textures and subtle patterns to pick from as well as three different lengths.
What the reviews say: Many love this style for its ease of wear, quality and great fit, commenting that it’s “formal and casual, comfortable in every situation,” has the “perfect weight and button placement” and is “as close to tailored custom made shirts as you will find.” But some wish it was easier to care for, with one reviewer saying, “after ironing it for far too long of a time it's still wrinkly.”
Best Value Dress Shirt For Men
Banana Republic: A Basic To Build Your Wardrobe
Sizes: XS to XXL | Fabric: 100% cotton | Colors: 8 total
- What’s notable: This has a high-quality look and luxury feel, minus the expensive price tag.
- What could be better: It wrinkles if not dry cleaned or pressed.
Banana Republic’s well-made button downs come at a wallet-friendly price point. “Banana Republic provides a great shirt for under $100,” says Ben Twaits, lead male stylist atWardrobe Therapy. “The brand does sizing by letter instead of neck and sleeve length, and it also offers tall sizes.” Whether you’re on a budget or like a bargain, this pick is a good foundational piece in your wardrobe.
What the reviews say: A nice hand feel and spot-on fit are two key hallmarks of this shirt, reviewers say. Comments include “good quality and weight to the fabric. Very soft, looks expensive” and “not too slim or baggy anywhere—is proportioned well at the shoulders, arms, chest and torso.” However, the length and the fabric’s tendency to crease are concerns. Reviewers say it’s “cut a little long. Can really only wear tucked in” and “not wrinkle free.”
Best Non-Iron Dress Shirt For Men
Tie Bar: Specially Treated Fabric To Resist Creases
Neck sizes:14.5 to 18.5 |Sleeve lengths: 32 to 37 | Fabric:100% cotton |Colors:4 total
- What’s notable: While no shirt is entirely wrinkle-free, this one does the best job out of those we reviewed, and is a budget steal.
- What could be better: Some reviewers say the material feels thin.
If you don’t have time for ironing or steaming, Tie Bar’s Pinpoint dress shirt is specially treated with a non-iron finish to remain almost wrinkle-free, even after washing and putting in the dryer. The point collar is sharp and stylish, making this a good pick for dressing up for a wedding or the weekend. If you buy three, you pay just $50 each.
What the reviews say: In general, reviewers praise the fit and fabric material, saying, “great out of the dryer. Crisp look” and “excellent material and very well made” with a true-to-size fit, and “no needing to get the sleeves hemmed.” But some are less enthusiastic, commenting that it “runs big in the chest” and is “a tad bit thin.”
Best Performance Dress Shirt For Men
Mizzen + Main: Movement And Practicality
Sizes: S to XXL | Fabric: 88% polyester, 12% spandex | Colors: 25 total
- What’s notable: It’s a refined shirt with odor-fighting features and athletic stretch.
- What could be better: The material is on the thin side, so it works best under a blazer.
Mizzen+Main’s dress shirt is almost like a workout shirt. “It looks and feels like a regular dress shirt to the eye, but once you put it on,it stretches and moves with you like a knit,” says Tincher. “It’s great for packingorif youhave to go right from a plane to a meeting.” This pick doesn’t need to be dry cleaned, and it’s also moisture-wicking and comes in classic solids and casual patterns, as well as tall sizes, says Twaits.
What the reviews say: Many love the moves-with-you construction of this shirt. One reviewer says, “The fabric in this shirt is very comfortable, and the stretch makes it feel much better than an average dress shirt.” However, others wish there was more heft to the fabric, saying, “the shirt material is thin,” and“a little on the expensive side for what it is.”
Best Casual Dress Shirts For Men
Faherty: Low-Key Style And Patterns
Sizes: XS to XXL | Fabric: 55% Supima cotton, 16% lyocell, 25% recycled nylon, 4% Spandex | Colors: 10 total
- What’s notable: Soft and airy texture, looks formal but feels casual and is well made to hold up to wear and tear.
- What could be better: Inconsistent sizing reported among reviewers so you might need to order up or down a size, depending on the fit chart.
Founded by twin brothers Alex and Mike Faherty in 2013, Faherty is a self-described family brand focused on “great quality, legendary comfort and good vibes.” In under a decade, the brand has become a button-down favorite, and this shirt scores major points for being comfortable and wrinkle-resistant. “For weekend shirts or for creativetypes in more casual work environments, Faherty has great options that you can wear untucked with the sleeves rolled up,” says Tincher.
What the reviews say: This shirt is praised overall for its construction and design details, with users saying, “super soft material, nice pattern, happy color, very well made,” and the “best part is the hidden button-down collar to keep things neat.” But others don’t love that the fabric creases easily, commenting it’s “not truly wrinkle free” since it “wrinkles in the back and at the waist” and some say the sizing varies.
Best Formal Dress Shirt For Men
Eton: Exquisite Quality And Cut
Eton Signature Twill Shirt
Neck Sizes: 13.75 to 18 | Fabric: 100% cotton twill | Colors: 7 total
- What’s notable: High-quality, luxury shirt that reviewers report doesn’t need to be ironed, making it worth the investment.
- What could be better: One review mentioned the size being small.
This polished style offers high-impact solids in luxe fabrics with flawless lines. “Swedish brandEton has beautifully cut European-style shirts that are offered in four different cuts—super slim, slim, contemporary and classic,” says Tincher. “Overall, they’re great for slender builds and for those with a slim and inverted triangle shape.” The Eton brand is also a favorite for Twaits. “Eton is a moderately high-end dress shirt that we often go to because of the fit and quality,” he says.
What the reviews say: This shirt is popular for its high quality details and luxe look. Reviewers say “the fabric is beautiful and the design is first rate” and “it’s a classic. Great quality, and looks as fresh at the end of a long day as it does it at the start.” However, some point out that you may have to go down a size, saying it “runs small.”
Other Top Picks To Consider
Everlane: Best Relaxed-Fit Dress Shirt For Men
Everlane’s bestseller is a casual spin on your traditional Oxford with a more relaxed fit. Cut from 100% organic cotton, it has a roomy design so it can be worn untucked or tucked in, depending on your outfit. Also great: It comes with a 365-day guarantee, meaning if this shirt gets a hole or the color fades within a year, Everlane will replace it for free.
Todd Snyder: Best White Dress Shirt For Men
Cut from Italian cotton, Todd Snyder x Thomas Mason’s dress shirt has all the hallmarks of a classic design: the spread collar (named for the angle and distance of the collar’s “points”), pearly white buttons and end-on-end alternation of light and dark warp and weft threads. The crisp white color stays true after multiple launderings and looks great no matter what you pair it with.
Lululemon: Best Sweat-Wicking Dress Shirt For Men
Athleisure brand Lululemon has perfected the art of stretchy, comfortable clothing that still manages to look sophisticated. This extends to dress shirts, including the Venture style which is designed to move with your body. You’ll also find that this shirt holds up in hot weather; the sweat-wicking fabric is treated with zinc, which prohibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
Suit Supply: Best Oxford Dress Shirt For Men
Suit Supply specializes in custom-made suiting. Like all its dress shirts, the Oxford style can be customized online—choose your collar type and height and interlining. You can do alterations in-store if necessary and all items ship for free to your home. With its heat-sealed buttons and detailed stitching, this shirt is the next best thing to made-to-measure.
Rhone: Most Comfortable Dress Shirt For Men
Designed to be ultra-breathable and stretchy without losing its shape, Rhone’s top-rated Commuter Shirt is easy to wear all day. It comes in both slim and classic fits and has a button front with a hidden button collar for a streamlined look. It’s finished with wrinkle-release fabrication to keep things low-maintenance.
Zegna: Best High End Dress Shirt For Men
Zegna Trofeo Cotton Dress Shirt
Italian luxury fashion house Zegna has been a powerhouse for men’s fashion since 1910, and while these shirts are a splurge, men love them for their quality, fit and sleek sophistication. “The fabrication and construction of this brand are so beautiful,” says Twaits.
Charles Tyrwhitt: Best Traditional Dress Shirt For Men
UK-based menswear brand Charles Tyrwhitt offers contemporary styles that are easy to wear right off the rack. For instance, its Clifton weave cotton shirt features a distinct finish that allows you to skip the iron before heading out the door. The shirt is available in classic, slim and extra-slim fits, and for an extra fee you can customize the sleeve length or add a left pocket.
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we take menswear shopping seriously; you can find a vast array of fashion stories for men across our website. In order to pinpoint the best dress shirts for men on the market, we tapped two expert sources: Natalie Tincher, founder and principal stylist at BU Style and Ben Twaits, lead male stylist at Wardrobe Therapy. Tincher and Twaits have provided deep insight into how to find the ideal dress shirt for any occasion, as well as shared their top brand recommendations that won’t disappoint. Further, the production of this piece was overseen by our own in-house style expert, deputy fashion editor Kari Molvar.
This article undergoes routine updates to guarantee you have access to the best products and prices available. Its most recent update was completed in February 2024.
What To Consider About The Best Dress Shirts For Men
When it comes to shopping for men’s dress shirts, there are a few key factors you’ll want to consider to streamline your search, including:
Fit And Sizing
When looking for a men’s dress shirt, fit is key. “It’s most important to look at the shoulders and the chest because both areas are difficult to tailor and altering them will affect the overall construction of the shirts,” says Tincher. The shoulder seam should line up with your shoulder bone. And a tell-tale sign that you should pass on a shirt? “If buttons are pulling at all, then that’s not the right fit for you,” she says. Similarly, if your off-the-rack shirt isn’t the perfect fit, take your shirt to a tailor, although you may want to account for that in the purchase price. “It should be easy to tailor the torso to be made slimmer and to shorten sleeves,” Tincher says.
While sleeve length is important, another factor to pay attention to is neck size. “If you’re buttoning the top button, you need to be able to fit about two fingers between the collar and your neck,” says Tincher. If there’s a lot more room, then it’s too big and will throw off the look, and if it’s less, you’ll likely feel suffocated. Also, when accounting for fit, remember that the size of the shirt may change with time. “Keep in mind that even if it says a shirt is preshrunk, shirts tend to shrink a bit more after about ten washes or trips to the dry cleaner,” Tincher says.
Price And Quality
Think about the cost per wear for any men’s dress shirt you purchase. While some brands may give you sticker shock, the fabric and construction is likely superior, which means you’ll wear the shirt more often and it will last. In general, once you find a shirt fit that works well for you, experts recommend purchasing multiple colors or patterns.
While it can be tempting to go cheap on dress shirts if you’re not wearing them all the time, you shouldn’t doubt the article’s quality right out of the gate. “Ask yourself, are the seams and stitching around the cuffs or buttons already pulling or wearing?” says Tincher. “That’s a bad sign.” Similarly, if a shirt’s material feels thin or see-through, you may want to pass.
Fabric And Color
The most versatile and classic colors for a business setting are blue and white, so you should probably have those as the foundation of your closet before branching out into more daring patterns and prints. But bear in mind you may have to replace those white shirts more often than other colors. “There really is a shorter lifetime for white shirts,” says Tincher. “Between your sweat and oxidation and deodorant and laundering chemicals, over time there will be a natural yellowing. If you are laundering them, find the best cleaning services. They will typically treat those areas before washing them to give your shirt more longevity.”
Also, if you’re looking for a wrinkle-free option, be aware that the smoothness factor may be fleeting. “A lot of people like no-iron fabrics, but that’s just a finishing on the fabric,” says Tincher. “Over time, the non-iron finish on the shirt will wear off.”
What’s The Right Dress Shirt For My Body Type?
“First and foremost, consider body shape and fit when shopping for dress shirts,” says Twaits. “If you have a rectangle or v-shaped silhouette, look for brands with slim or trim fit shirts. If you are more oval shaped, look for brands that have a classic fit.” One particular feature to look for, according to Twaits, is darting on the back of a shirt. “This will make the waist of the shirt slimmer and sometimes allow for a broader shoulder,” he says. Overall, know that even if you find a great shirt for your body type, you may still need to consider alterations to get the best fit.
What's The Difference Between A Dress Shirt And A Regular Button-Down?
In general, a dress shirt is made from a finer weave fabric, it’s fitted more closely to the body—since it is typically worn under a suit jacket or blazer—and it has a pointed or spread collar rather than a button-down collar. Think of a dress shirt as something that is typically more formal that you could wear in a boardroom, to a job interview or to an event like a wedding. It is also often worn with a tie. But the beauty of a dress shirt is that it can be paired with more casual clothing, like khakis or jeans, to dress it down.
Like a dress shirt, a regular button-down has style versatility and can be dressed up or down. It is often made of a thicker, more durable weave, like an oxford shirt’s basket weave or a twill, and it’s intended for more casual, everyday wear. Button-down shirts tend to have button-down collars and chest pockets, and they sometimes have small pleats at the base of the yoke in back of the shirt for ease of movement. They can be worn tucked in, untucked, over a t-shirt, with the sleeves rolled up, under a sweater, you name it.
What's The Best Fabric For Men's Dress Shirts?
It really comes down to personal preference, but the best men’s dress shirts are 100% cotton, rather than a cotton/poly blend, which makes them breathable and comfortable. The challenge with cotton, though, is that it can show wrinkles easily. You will most often see men’s dress shirts in broadcloth (which is very similar to poplin), Oxford, pinpoint and twill fabrics, although dress shirts in other fabrics do exist. All have slightly different feels and thicknesses.
- Broadcloth has very little texture, no sheen and it is on the lightweight side; it is a pretty standard shirt for professional settings.
- Oxford is a basket weave fabric that can sometimes be slightly rough, but it tends to be very durable.
- Pinpoint is the same weave as an oxford, but it is a tighter weave so it looks more formal. It’s thicker than broadcloth.
- Royal Oxford fabric looks significantly dressier, it has shine and it’s textured.
- Twill is a tightly woven fabric that shows a diagonal weave. It tends to be soft and drapes nicely.
Some men’s dress shirts may have stretch, like those from Bonobos or Mizzen + Main, which makes them popular with guys looking for additional comfort. Other men’s dress shirts may have non-iron finishes, like ones from Tie Bar. A non-iron finish makes shirts easier to care for, and it means a shirt will tend to look nicer after a long day or night.
What Collar Is Best For Broad Shouldered Guys?
If you’re broad on top, a wider spread collar or cutaway collar will tend to look best because it will balance out the proportions of your shoulders. But face shape is another important consideration when choosing your collar. Round faces will usually look best in pointed collars with a narrow spread, while oval or thinner faces will be balanced well with a spread collar.
What About Custom Dress Shirts?
If you cannot find the fit or fabrics you like off the rack, it may make sense to buy custom shirts. In general, a custom dress shirt will cost from $200 to $500 a shirt. It sounds like a lot of money, but there are significant benefits to custom tailoring: You can get a precise, flattering fit, in the neck, sleeves and body; you have a much wider range of fabrics, colors and patterns to choose from to best accommodate your profession, the climate you live in, or just to show off your personal style; and custom shirts are made from high quality materials so fans of custom dress shirts note that they tend to last much longer than their off-the-rack counterparts.
How the process typically works: You set up a meeting with a well-respected tailor (or go to a store such as Suit Supply to meet with a style advisor) to discuss your general preferences, and then he or she will take a series of your measurements. You will typically go through a variety of books of fabrics to choose the fabrics and colors you like, and then you’ll determine style customizations such as collar type, cuff type, pocket styles, yoke, placket, buttons and monogramming. While turnaround time varies, it generally takes between four to six weeks to receive the finished product.
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