Dress Shirts: A Staple in your Work Wardrobe

This is a basic that is more than a basic. It looks like a solid blue shirt…but look closer. It’s actually a soft blue and white stripe. This subtle fabric is just enough to catch your eye, while the spread collar and modern Hugo Boss fit combine to create a sophisticated dress shirt that easily works with all your blue, tan, grey, olive and brown suits.

This narrow Bengal stripe from Peter Millar is another one of those workhorse basics for your dress shirt wardrobe. The rich violet color works so well with navy, grey and tan suits and sport coats. The color and stripe are strong enough to wear it as a sport shirt without a jacket, as well. Aside from all this, it’s the 2-ply cotton Nanoluxe fabric that makes this shirt a true winner. Nanoluxe is a wrinkle resistant fabric, so it’s a perfect travel shirt that will hold its shape out of your suitcase.

If you wear a suit to work most days, you probably have some basic dress shirts that you replenish after you’ve dry cleaned them one too many times. We highly recommend this all cotton spread collar shirt from Hugo Boss for your next “go-to”. We like its interesting texture, contemporary fit and soft blue color. It’s also available in soft lavender and, of course, white. Collect them all.

It would be hard to find a dress shirt that works as effortlessly with a tan suit as this one does. And not just tan – it will pop against a navy or grey classic suit, as well. From Canali, one of Italy’s finest mens clothing manufacturers, of course. The 3-color stripe is subtle enough to work with solid, striped or patterned neckwear, as shown in this picture (This tie can be purchased by clicking through with the “shop it” button, too.). This is the shirt to wear when you want to make a sartorial boardroom statement.

From Ike Behar, another ideal shirt to give you that sartorial edge in the boardroom. This spread collar from Ike Behar has such a soft blue stripe, it will work with almost any color suit in your closet. The French cuffs allow you to make a personal statement with a cufflink, like this one.

When the sun is shining, and the weather is fine, you’ll be glad you have this Tattersall plaid all cotton shirt to wear. Of course, it goes with anything in the blue, grey or tan family. And it can be worn with or without a tie, depending on your work place. This versatile shirt will surely become a key piece in your summer wardrobe.

This blue gingham dress shirt from Ledbury is another summer basic. Because it’s such an even pattern, you can treat it like a solid shirt, by wearing it with a striped or patterned tie. The soft blue is perfect with your grey, navy and tan suits and sport coats. It is a great sport shirt, too (meaning, you can wear it more casually without a jacket).

Your workplace might be a bit more casual, or have casual Fridays. For those days, this plaid check 100% linen will keep you comfortable and looking good. The multiple blues in this shirt work so well with denim, and the hidden button collar adds a nice finished look. You’ll be ready for drinks after work with this one.