Uniforms Shirts the Basic Necessity

When buying uniforms, shirts are a staple of many professionals’ wardrobes. For many men, the rules for work attire are very simple: no jeans, and shirts with a collar must be worn. Most corporate workers do not have a uniform code imposed upon them, but there is an unspoken code of uniform that must be followed. However, the range of styles of dress shirt available can be baffling: there are spread collars, point or straight collars, button-down collars, eyelet collars, tab collars; cuffs can be single or double or barrel; shirts may vary in the number of buttons down the front, or the length of the tails. Therefore, there are certain guidelines that you can follow to look more professional.

In recent years the trend in corporate businesswear has been for a “business casual” look, which often causes problems for professionals, particularly those who are new to the workplace, who do not know what garments and styles are appropriate for the work environment. It is generally accepted that uniforms’ shirts should be made of 100% cotton, although cotton blended with another fabric may be acceptable.

When wearing business uniforms’ shirts, it is important to avoid common mistakes made by wearers of these garments. Many men wear shirts which are too baggy, believing that this is the only way to have a shirt which is both comfortable and smart. However, a shirt that is properly fitted is much more comfortable for the wearer that having lots of spare fabric. Sleeves that are too long or too short may also make the wearer look less professional. It might be advisable to have shirts tailored specifically for you to ensure the best possible fit.

When purchasing uniforms’ shirts, workers should also take care to avoid unflattering colors or colors that are inappropriate for the office. These include yellow, off-white, pale gray and light green. These colors clash with light skin tones and are unflattering against dark skin as well. Collars that can be buttoned down also look less professional because they are usually reserved for more casual garments. It is advisable to purchase first a shirt in solid light blue, as this is generally accepted as the most professional looking shade for businesspeople to wear. Other possibilities are white, medium blue, a checked blue shirt (the squares should be very small and discreet), pink (particularly if the wearer is pale-skinned), a hairline striped shirt in blue.

These neutral colors enable the wearer to purchase more interesting neckties to wear with their uniforms’ shirts. It is suggested that workers wear silk ties, although silk/linen or silk/wool blends are also appropriate. Solid colors, stripes that run diagonally and discreet geometric patterns are the most professional looking styles to pair with your chosen shirts. Workers should avoid ties with horizontal or vertical stripes, as these look jarring next to shirts. Color combinations should match or contrast for the best effect: for example, a light blue dress shirt could be paired with a solid navy blue tie.