Sport Shirt: A sport shirt is basically a less formal version of a dress shirt. The difference between the 2 are sizing, cut, and style. Unlike dress shirts, Sport Shirts are sized like a normal t-shirt S,M,L,XL. Also the collars are a bit different. Sport shirts usually don't have collar stays (the plastic or metal stays that help make you collar stiff at the points) and are for the most part have button down collars. I would not advise wearing a tie with a sport shirt but it is possible when a dress shirt is not to be had. Sport shirts are also more versatile than a dress shirt and can be worn untucked with a pair of shorts, or tucked in with a pair of slacks. As with any article of clothing you will want to try it on and make sure it fits. Also to make life easy on you, sport shirts can be thrown in the laundry like normal clothes. Just read the care instructions.
Dress Shirt: A dress shirt is well...a dress shirt. This is the kind of shirt you wear with a suit. You wear it with a tie, but can be worn without a tie as well, and without a suit. But always at least with a pair of nice khakis or slacks. Now I can get very very detailed about this, but I'll try to keep it to the point. Instead of being sized by the standard Small, Medium, Large etc. They are measured in numbers.
First you start in the neck. The neck size determines your...you guessed it. Neck size. This is crucial to buying a dress shirt. If you buy a size too big the shirt will be too big as will the neck. If its too small then you can't button the collar and not wear a tie. It is not ok to unbutton the top button because the collar is too tight. If that's the case, then you need to size up. The only time its acceptable is when you are getting down on the dance floor at a wedding or some form of crazy party. Or sitting in your cubicle if you are unfortunate enough to work in one. But Never in public. Anyway, the sizes usually start at 14 and can go up to as high as 20. These numbers represent the amount of inches around your neck. Take a tape measure and measure the widest part of your neck, (around the adams apple) Whatever your neck size, go up a size or try on a shirt with a tie of the inches around your neck.
Next is the sleeve length. Those are usually displayed as 32/33 or 34/35 or if you have monkey arms 36/37. Try on different sleeve lengths. This is very important. When you put your arms out in front of you, the sleeve should not go any higher than your wrist bone.
If all of that was too complicated to understand, then here is a very simplified version. Generally speaking and this is not always the case, the neck size can be equivalent to basic sizing. But it varies from brand to brand. Anyway, when measuring neck size 14-14.5=XS-S. 15-15.5=M. 16-16.5=L. And it goes on from there. Again, this is a general rule of thumb but always try on before buying if possible. It can make all the difference.
On a final note, ALWAYS get your dress shirts dry cleaned, and for safe judgment go with light-medium starch. To extend the life of a shirt don't take it in after every time you wear the shirt. Invest in undershirts, they will save you some cash on your dry cleaning bill. So will buying lots of dress shirts. When done wearing the shirt for the day, ALWAYS hang the shirt up to air out, and if wrinkled heavily, iron before wearing again.
I realize this was a bit more than anticipated but I hope it helps out. There will be a post coming out soon that is going to be way more in depth on dress shirts in the future. Happy reading and stay classy gentlemen.
First you start in the neck. The neck size determines your...you guessed it. Neck size. This is crucial to buying a dress shirt. If you buy a size too big the shirt will be too big as will the neck. If its too small then you can't button the collar and not wear a tie. It is not ok to unbutton the top button because the collar is too tight. If that's the case, then you need to size up. The only time its acceptable is when you are getting down on the dance floor at a wedding or some form of crazy party. Or sitting in your cubicle if you are unfortunate enough to work in one. But Never in public. Anyway, the sizes usually start at 14 and can go up to as high as 20. These numbers represent the amount of inches around your neck. Take a tape measure and measure the widest part of your neck, (around the adams apple) Whatever your neck size, go up a size or try on a shirt with a tie of the inches around your neck.
Next is the sleeve length. Those are usually displayed as 32/33 or 34/35 or if you have monkey arms 36/37. Try on different sleeve lengths. This is very important. When you put your arms out in front of you, the sleeve should not go any higher than your wrist bone.
If all of that was too complicated to understand, then here is a very simplified version. Generally speaking and this is not always the case, the neck size can be equivalent to basic sizing. But it varies from brand to brand. Anyway, when measuring neck size 14-14.5=XS-S. 15-15.5=M. 16-16.5=L. And it goes on from there. Again, this is a general rule of thumb but always try on before buying if possible. It can make all the difference.
On a final note, ALWAYS get your dress shirts dry cleaned, and for safe judgment go with light-medium starch. To extend the life of a shirt don't take it in after every time you wear the shirt. Invest in undershirts, they will save you some cash on your dry cleaning bill. So will buying lots of dress shirts. When done wearing the shirt for the day, ALWAYS hang the shirt up to air out, and if wrinkled heavily, iron before wearing again.
I realize this was a bit more than anticipated but I hope it helps out. There will be a post coming out soon that is going to be way more in depth on dress shirts in the future. Happy reading and stay classy gentlemen.
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