Whether you're heading out with friends, working in an office, or working from home but need to look polished for video meetings, a good dress shirt is a tried-and-true staple for your wardrobe. The most comfortable men's dress shirts have a fabric blend that's soft and breathable combined with a cut that's designed for your body type.
While your dress shirt should look crisp, you also want it to feel soft against your skin. A fabric blend that features at least some cotton is your best bet for this. Temperature regulation is another big key to feeling comfortable in a dress shirt, and this is another area where cotton comes out on top. Depending on the weave, it's often more breathable than polyesterand allows air to circulate so you stay cool.
In addition to softness and breathability, it's important for your shirt to fit properly — after all, it's hard to feel comfortable if you can't move your arms around or you're swimming in extra material. Men's dress shirts come in a wide range of styles, but there are four that are the most common.
Types of dress shirts for men
Classic fit: This is your standard dress shirt with ample chest and waist room, along with standard sleeves. A classic fit shirt is designed with comfort in mind.
Slim fit: This is for guys with leaner profiles seeking a slimmer chest and waist with tapered sleeves. The armholes are also often higher to accommodate longer torsos.
Athletic fit: With more room in the shoulders and arms, this type of shirt fits a more athletic build. If you normally find classic fit dress shirts too tight in the upper body, an athletic fit shirt is probably the way to go.
Big and tall fit: This type offers more room all-around, making it perfect for men with taller or wider frames (or both).
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