Breadcrumbs [Home](/index%2Ephp/) > [9 Of The Best Work-Appropriate Shirts](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/1105) ![9 Of The Best Work-Appropriate Shirts](https://media.slman.com/zdArrbHSImD5z_DKy1xkRyu2veg=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F02%2Fshirts-thumb.jpg) [Style](/index%2Ephp/style) / 04 February 2020 # 9 Of The Best Work-Appropriate Shirts The shirt you wear to the office is more than just a collar and cuffs. As McCann Bespoke senior tailor Rufus Hawkings tells us, even the bits you keep hidden need your full attention. Memorise his five guidelines for getting your work shirt just right, then apply them to our edit of the best shirts out there today. ## 1. The Three Cs **Colour** Not all colours work in business scenarios. White works well with nearly everything; if you want to add some colour, light blues and pinks are a safe bet. **Collar** A forward-pointing collar, or a full or half Windsor collar, are your go-to shirt collars with a tie. Also consider the shape of your features: a square face or wide neck suits pointy collars; slim faces suit a cutaway style. **Cuffs** These are highly visible on a business shirt, so double cuffs should always be considered first. Button cuffs are also acceptable with suits. However, double cuffs are not acceptable with mismatching jackets and trousers, or jeans. ## 2. Pattern Pattern is acceptable on an office shirt if it is matched correctly. Choose a plain suit if you’re wearing a checked or striped shirt, and make sure the colours of your tie are complementary. A blue checked or striped shirt works well with a pink tie and vice versa. ## 3. Fabric The most common business shirt fabrics include poplin, twill, fine twill, herringbone, oxfords. The more texture you have in the fabric, the less formal it is. ## 4. Fit The four most important areas for fit are: collar, sleeves, waist and length. A correctly fitted shirt allows you a full range of motion, fitting comfortably around your chest, back and armpits with no straining of buttons. If you’re a fan of a slim-fit shirt, make sure it is snug not tight. There should be no excess material around the waist and sleeve length should finish at the wrist. ## 5. Aftercare Wash only at 30ºC to ensure no shrinkage. Iron using starch spray for increased crispness. Make sure to iron as thoroughly as you can – not just the front and back. Press an open collar and then repress the collar as you wish to see the crease, creating creases down the sleeves and shoulders. Dry cleaning is, of course, an option for the lazy launderer. ## ## Shop our edit ![White Checked Cotton-Poplin Shirt from Turnbull & Asser](https://media.slman.com/RBJ9OlTSkUNv_cRvOVqDAItegmo=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F02%2Fmr-porter-turnbull-and-asser-white-checked-cotton-poplin-shirt-r.jpg) [#### White Checked Cotton-Poplin Shirt](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4JRj/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrporter.com%2Fen-gb%2Fmens%2Fproduct%2Fturnbull-and-asser%2Fclothing%2Fformal-shirts%2Fwhite-checked-cotton-poplin-shirt%2F12938511207524553) ##### Turnbull & Asser £215 ![Classic Stripe Shirt- Pink & Blue from Charles Tyrwhitt](https://media.slman.com/NYBykdNnt3UyFQFkJeAp5szgSRc=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F02%2Fcharles-tyrwhitt-classic-collar-poplin-stripe-shirt-pink-blue-r.jpg) [#### Classic Stripe Shirt- Pink & Blue](https://www.ctshirts.com/uk/classic-collar-poplin-stripe-shirt--pink-%26-blue/FOR2098PBL.html) ##### Charles Tyrwhitt £39.95 ![Blue Oxford Single Cuff Shirt from Crombie](https://media.slman.com/t-v0MtwDvrBJyqoKSNUSoovPzMc=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F02%2Fcrombie-pure-cotton-blue-oxford-single-cuff-shirt-r.jpg) [#### Blue Oxford Single Cuff Shirt](https://www.crombie.co.uk/pure-cotton-blue-oxford-single-cuff-shirt-217.html) ##### Crombie £125 ![Gyroscopic Print Fitted Pink Single Cuff Shirt from T.M.Lewin](https://media.slman.com/IgcT3kseL26zl3OoELcswb83ouo=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F02%2Ftm-lewis-gyroscopic-shirt-pink-r.jpg) [#### Gyroscopic Print Fitted Pink Single Cuff Shirt](https://www.tmlewin.co.uk/shirts/all-mens-shirts/gyroscopic-print-fitted-pink-single-cuff-shirt-62472.html) ##### T.M.Lewin £39.95 ![Check Shirt With 3 Button Cuffs from Turnbull & Asser](https://media.slman.com/wKuriBVOb8xxjmRsQftw_-di4wE=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F02%2Fturnull-and-asser-blue-pow-check-shirt-jpg-r.jpg) [#### Check Shirt With 3 Button Cuffs](https://turnbullandasser.co.uk/shirt-blwh-zephyr-fchk-classic-fit-classic-t-a-collar-3-button-cuff-7) ##### Turnbull & Asser £225 ![Poplin Button Cuff from Pink Shirtmaker](https://media.slman.com/X8UkAZgLllJ1DKuimHuD4Kjt2S4=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F02%2Fthomas-pink-white-shirt-r.jpg) [#### Poplin Button Cuff](https://www.thomaspink.com/product/poplin-button-cuff/10500028W1X) ##### Pink Shirtmaker £130 ![Stretch Milano Slim-Fit Dress Shirt from Brooks Brothers](https://media.slman.com/hdNixpxtk0H71NRKvPHstE_Tr_k=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F02%2Fbrooks-brothers-stretch-milano-slim-fit-dress-shirt-non-iron-twill-ainsley-collar-french-cuff-grid.jpg) [#### Stretch Milano Slim-Fit Dress Shirt](https://www.brooksbrothers.com/Stretch-Milano-Slim-Fit-Dress-Shirt,-Non-Iron-Twill-Ainsley-Collar-French-Cuff-Grid-Check/ME03998,en_GB,pd.html) ##### Brooks Brothers £135 ![Poplin Slim Single Cuff Shirt from Hackett](https://media.slman.com/yJQ239CtjxlvZ9r1VgmHfBPmYUQ=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F02%2Fhackett-poplin-slim-single-cuff-shirt-r.jpg) [#### Poplin Slim Single Cuff Shirt](https://www.hackett.com/gb/poplin-slim-single-cuff-shirt-HM304529.html) ##### Hackett £100 ![Stretch Regent Fitted Dress Shirt from Brooks Brothers](https://media.slman.com/evIbtG0Kba4piYJYSpYszYTDe9g=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2020%2F02%2Fbrooks-brothers-stretch-soho-extra-slim-fit-dress-shirt-non-iron-twill-ainsley-collar-french-cuff.jpg) [#### Stretch Regent Fitted Dress Shirt](https://www.brooksbrothers.com/Stretch-Regent-Fitted-Dress-Shirt%2C-Non-Iron-Twill-Ainsley-Collar-French-Cuff-Bold-Stripe/ME04064,en_GB,pd.html) ##### Brooks Brothers £135 DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at .