Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 10 Best Dress Shirts To Stock Your Closet With Right Now

Stephen Praetorius
By
A smiling man wearing a blue shirt in the city.

Over the past year and a half, for obvious reasons, men’s style has been trending way more casual. Most who’d normally find themselves wearing a suit and tie from nine to five (or six, or seven) have spent their days at home decked out in their best cotton t-shirts for the sake of comfort. There’s been little need for sporting any of your best dress shirts while kicking around the house.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), it can’t be all athleisure forever. And when the time comes, you’re going to want a closet full of handsome shirting options. But how to choose what constitutes the best dress shirts?

Related Videos

Naturally, you’ve got a few things to consider. First, there’s fabric. You want a textile that looks clean and crisp, like fine cotton twill, oxford, or end-on-end. Extra points if it’s wrinkle-resistant. Fit is also important: The best dress shirts fit like a glove without feeling restrictive. Color or pattern is a matter of personal taste, but a good rule of thumb is that busier patterns tend to be less formal. Whatever you’re looking for, be sure to explore our best dress shirt picks from our favorite clothing brands for men.

Related

Eton White Embroidered Signature Twill Shirt

A male model with his hand in his pocket is seen wearing a white twill shirt from Eton.
Eton’s been leading the charge for almost a hundred years, using quality fabrics and finishes to elevate the humble dress shirt. Take this best white dress shirt: Between the buttons, they’ve hidden Scandi-inspired micro-embroideries. And they’ll only reveal themselves when you let loose and undo a few buttons.

Theory Good Cotton Sylvain Shirt

A man wearing a blue Sylvain shirt.
The name says it all with this dress shirt: It’s made from Good Cotton. What does that mean exactly? That every inch of the extra-long staple, American-grown supima cotton, can be traced from the farm to the Ablini mill in Italy, ensuring responsible practices every step of the way.

Paul Smith Tailored-Fit Pink Cotton ‘Artist Stripe’ Cuff Shirt

A male model wearing a pink cuff shirt from Paul Smith.
If you’re looking for a shirt that combines classic styling with a subtle pop of fun, look no further than this pick from Paul Smith. Under each cuff of this Italian-made poplin shirt, you’ll find vibrant striping for rolling up your sleeves and having a good time.

J. Crew Slim-fit Bowery Shirt in Gingham

A folded Bowery shirt in gingham.
In terms of bang for your buck, J. Crew’s always a go-to — especially with their near-constant sales cadence. Cut to a slim fit, their Bowery shirt comes in a range of colors and patterns, but we’re digging this versatile navy gingham that can go casual just as easily as it can go formal.

Proper Cloth Thomas Mason Pink Stripe Shirt

A folded dress shirt with pink stripes.
Since launching in 2008, Proper Cloth’s been dedicated to making it easy for men to buy custom dress shirts. Which is why every detail is customizable, from collar and cuff styles to placket and hem design. Even buttons are up for debate.

The Tie Bar Textured Solid Lavender Non-Iron Dress Shirt

A floral tie on a folded lavender dress shirt from Tie Bar.
Want to add variation to your wardrobe without going too off the rails? Give a color other than blue a shot, like this lavender dress shirt from the Tie Bar. There’s also a touch of texture to the fabric, lending a little visual intrigue to an otherwise solid shirting option.

Bonobos Jetsetter Stretch Dress Shirt in Seaglass Floral

A man posing and wearing the Jetsetter dress shirt from Bonobos.
It wouldn’t be Bonobos if there wasn’t a print involved. But that being said, a subtle print such as this one, with its tonal floral design, can be just as effective as a loud one — if not more. Add some stretch to the cotton fabric, and you’ve got one hell of a dress shirt.

Scotch & Soda Knitted Long Sleeve Dress Shirt

A blue knitted dress shirt with dots.
A solid blue dress shirt may be one of the most versatile pieces a man can own. For their take on the classic, Scotch & Soda chose a knitted cotton fabric with a tiny dot design.

Read more: Best Dress Shirts Under $50 on Amazon

Ralph Lauren Slim Fit Chambray Shirt

A man with his hands in his pockets is seen wearing jeans and a blue Chambray dress shirt.

You can’t talk about the best shirts for men without mentioning the king of American shirting, Ralph Lauren. While basically any of the brand’s shirts could be on this list, we wanted to highlight this chambray option that seamlessly blends workwear and tailoring as only Ralph can.

Buck Mason Perfect Oxford Shirt

An oxford shirt from Buck Mason.

Oxford shirts split the difference between casual and dress shirts — but that versatility can be their greatest strength. Sport this Buck Mason super-soft Oxford to the office, then loosen your tie to seamlessly transition to happy hour.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
‘The Hype’ designer Justin Mensinger says upcycling is the hottest style trend
An upcycled, sustainable ethos drives the designer's style
Justin Mensinger w_ Bucket Hat & ReNew Scissors.

The first season of HBO Max’s The Hype, a competition for designing the best street-worthy clothing, ended August 2021 with Justin Mensinger’s upcycled, sustainable fashion and cutting-edge designs taking home the gold chain.

A year later, Mensinger has moved across the country to be closer to resources and to film season 2. As the fall fashion season approaches, Mensinger raps with The Manual about his latest creations, a new collab with Fiskars sewing tools, and how the hot textile stylist is continuing to work to promote sustainable design.

Read more
Stay Classy This Spring With the Best Dress Pants for Men

Every spring, just as the flowers are blooming, so too are the wonderful spring suiting fabrics. After spending months in suit pants made of heavy, dark fabrics, it's time to lighten things up. Spring dress pants come in lightweight fabrics and bright colors to match the warm, sunny weather. Some brands are innovating with synthetic blends to optimize comfort and breathability while others are relying on the ever-dependable linen and silk blends. There are plenty of ways to beat the heat with warm weather fabrics cut into suiting-inspired trousers.

We assembled a list of the best warm-weather dress pants to keep your wardrobe classy this spring. Some are built for comfort while others stick to classic tailoring designs. The fun scale ranges from standard navy blue slacks to pink chinos embroidered with seagulls. This list will have you covered for those occasions when your outfit needs something more formal than jeans and more refined than chinos.

Read more
The Best Long-Sleeve Shirts for Men To Wear Right Now
Man wearing long sleeve shirt with wall background.

There are certain pieces in your style rotation you might overlook, like the seemingly humble yet downright essential long-sleeve shirt. This is a style that, to us features plenty of utility no matter the season. Long-sleeve shirts these days are much more than an afterthought, with companies putting as much care into your long-sleeve shirt as they might, say, a regular t-shirt or a pocket tee. And when designed in a minimal enough fashion, a henley is even worth considering among the pantheon of the best long-sleeve shirts. When you find the right long-sleeve shirt though, you're finding both a comfortable shirt with a casual base layer and when made the right way, a piece that can be worn on its own.

The best long-sleeve shirts, like long-sleeve shirts made with merino wool, provide comfort and warmth, plus plenty of laidback weekend styling potential. When worn with tailored sweats to grab coffee or brunch, a long-sleeve shirt in the right color and cut looks a heck of a lot better an old logo or athletic tee. And when worn for travel underneath a denim jacket, for instance, you're getting a layer that also looks great on its own. To start your search for a shirt that's both a base layer and a reliable fall and winter style move, select from our favorite long-sleeve shirts of the moment.

Read more