Base London's Gentlemen's Guide to...
September
Wear It Well... The Shirt
Wear It Well... The Shirt
Whether it's for the office or for a night out, there are rules to shirts. From the collar down to the cuffs, getting the right shirt isn't as simple as going and buying a three pack in the right collar size from the local department store. If you want to look really sharp, and don't want to look like Harry Hill then there's a few simple things you need to know. Here's Base London's guide to how to wear it well... the shirt.
Get the Fit.
It might seem obvious but it's important to get the right fitting shirt. You don't want to squeeze into a tight fitting shirt that leaves the wrist exposed to the elements, or a collar that crushes your Adam's apple.
When the collar is buttoned you should be able to slip your finger in between collar and neck without difficulty. An ill-fitting shirt will wear a lot quicker than a well fitted one.
Collars
There are three main types of collar to consider:
The Small - suitable for a narrow knot tie and slim fitting suit, and leaves a neat yet casual finish.
The Spread - a wider point distance suitable for a larger knot tie.
The Tall - a deeper collar stand, usually with 2 buttons that suits a tie-less look.
The Cuffs
The Mitre - so called after a bishop's hat, it makes for a more decorative cuff.
The Button - the practical option making perfect sense for a day at work.
The Double - A dressier option the double allows for a cufflink.
Sleeve Length
To get a proper sleeve length, measure a slightly bent arm from where your neck meets your shoulder to where your fore arm meets your palm. This measurement will allow for a fluid arm movement that's not hampered by the cuff. Under a blazer up to about half an inch of cuff should be visible under the sleeve.
