Dress & Casual Shirts
You can divide shirts in two main categories: Dress and casual shirts. They can be made with a lot of different fabrics. Some are 100% cotton, other are a blend of cotton and polyester or only polyester (or any other synthetic fiber). My preference is definitely cotton.
Cotton is excellent in hot weather as well as in cold weather. It breathes and absorb moisture in the summer and is a barrier for the cold in the winter. It's only disadvantage are: wrinkles.
Conversely, synthetic fibers does not wrinkles, but, when compared to cotton, they are hotter in hot weather and colder in cold weather.
Types of Cotton
Cotton can be classified in many different types, according to it's fiber length, going from the more common American Upland to the fine and sophisticated Sea Island Cotton.
You can have in between the broadcloth cotton, used in formal shirts, as well as the Egyptian cotton.
The are other very interesting types of cotton like the single ply Oxford and the 80's two-ply Pinpoint Oxford.
My personal preference is the Oxford and the 80's two-ply Pinpoint Oxford cotton.
The Oxford cotton is easily recognizable by it's inherent fabric, which happens to be thick.
Pima* Oxford Brooks Brothers shirts, Ralph Lauren and LL Bean's Classic Oxford shirts, all use the Pima* cotton in their Oxford shirts with it's longer fibers and characteristic long lasting luster.
What Type Should You Buy
Definitely, do not buy your dress shirt because it is more expensive. The best way to know your personal preference is to touch the fabric and feel.
Remember finer (and more expensive shirts) sometimes are translucid and other people will see your chest hairs.
I prefer thicker shirts, like the Pinpoints, for a dressier occasion and a Oxford one for a more casual situation.
Some Important Brands
Brooks Brothers Their Supima* oxford shirts as well as their pinpoint shirts are a must. You can buy a Supima Oxford shirt for US$49 and a Pinpoint for US$54, regular store price, both made in USA. Sometimes they are on sale where the oxford cost around $42 and the Pinpoint, $47.
Jos. A. Bank They Advertise: "Jos. A. Bank is not just another menswear retailer. What makes us unique is also what has attracted customers to our stores for more than 93 years: a heritage of quality and workmanship, an extensive selection of beautifully made, classically styled tailored and casual clothing, and prices typically 20 to 30 percent below our competitors’. Add to that an expert staff of sales professionals who prize service and customer satisfaction above all, and you get the idea."
Gitman Shirts Very good TTX Pinpoint shirts. It's fabric (TTX) is imported from England and the shirts are manufactured in USA. You can buy them from Hugestore.com.
LLBean It is a well known name in USA. Traditionally known by it's quality clothes shipped through mail.
The Shirt Store Excellent shirts made in USA. When in New York, don't miss visiting them. Their original store is located at 51E. 44th Street, at Vanderbilt Avenue and 44th Street. The other one you can find it at 71 Broadway (next to Trinity Church) in the Financial District, one block South of Wall Street. The Shirt Book
The Shirt Book - by Carol Konop
Invaluable informations for the man who cares about dressing. Explains in detail everything related to dress shirts like shirt construction, types of cotton, types of collar etc.At Amazon Books for $19.00
