Choosing the right shirt colors can significantly enhance a man’s wardrobe versatility and style. While personal preference and individual style play a significant role, here are some essential shirt colors that can form the foundation of a well-rounded wardrobe:

White

 A classic white shirt is a timeless staple. It’s versatile and can be paired with almost any outfit, from casual to formal, making it a must-have in every man’s closet.

Blue 

Blue shirts come in various shades, from light sky blue to deep navy. A light blue dress shirt is particularly versatile and can be worn with suits, chinos, or jeans, offering a refreshing alternative to white while maintaining a professional appearance.

Gray 

Gray shirts offer a sophisticated and modern look. They can be dressed up with a suit or down with jeans, making them suitable for both formal and casual occasions.

Black

 A black shirt adds a touch of elegance and can be a great option for evening events or when you want to make a bold statement. Pair it with black or grey trousers for a sleek, monochromatic look.

Striped

A striped shirt, such as blue and white or black and white, adds visual interest to your outfit while remaining versatile enough for various occasions. opt for classic stripe patterns that never go out of style.

Pastels

Soft pastel shades like light pink, lavender, or mint green can add a pop of color to your wardrobe without being too flashy. These colors are great for casual settings and can be paired with neutral bottoms for a balanced look.

Patterned

Patterned shirts, such as checks or subtle prints like microdots or floral motifs, can add personality to your outfit. Choose patterns that complement your style and can be easily mixed and matched with other wardrobe pieces.

Neutral

Neutral shades like beige, taupe, or olive are versatile and can be paired with almost any colour. They offer a relaxed yet sophisticated aesthetic and are perfect for creating understated, casual looks.

By incorporating these essential shirt colors into your wardrobe, you’ll have a solid foundation to build upon and create a variety of stylish outfits for any occasion. Remember to consider your personal style, complexion, and the types of events you typically attend when selecting shirt colors.

The post Elevate Your Wardrobe: Must-Have Shirt Colors Every Man Should Own appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Text credit: Akshay Narvekar

Menswear is often built around rigid rules and strict codes, nowhere more so than formal wear – but what if you fancy switching things up now and again by adding a dose of personality to your formal looks?

The good news is that the limitations of tailoring and formal dressing are actually strengths; sartorially speaking, a good shirt is a blank canvas for you to customise. With that in mind, we’ve put together a style guide about what to keep in mind while choosing a shirt to nail the formal dress code for men without looking like you’ve tried too hard. After all, if you look good, you feel good and you’ll likely perform better.

Choosing the right fabrics

A key attribute of a really great shirt is the fabric it is made of. Certain two ply fabrics like royal oxfords, dobby, houndstooth, etc., are perfect for office wear while poplins, denims, satins work well for casual shirting options. For summers, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen serve as the second skin and keeps the wearer fresh all day long. Twills, houndstooth, and oxfords are the best choice for cooler weathers and also give a crisp, sophisticated look.

Selecting a collar

Perfect collars make or break personalities, so you need to be extremely cautious while selecting the collar and the contrasts. For a formal shirt, where you might have to wear a tie; go for a spread collar or a Prince Charlie collar. Concealed polo collars are also a hit when it comes to formal dressing. You can experiment when it comes to casual shirting with madmen collars, club collars, hipster collars or bandhgalas.

Cuffs and plackets

Not many know but there are a lot of styles to select from when it comes to cuffs. Many people prefer the French cuff as they can accessorise it with their favourite cufflinks or silk knots while the fashionably adventurous ones go with the Neapolitan. If you want to play it safe, there’s nothing like the angular double bond cuff. To add a little colour to your attire, go for a printed or a bright contrast that would complement the colour of the shirt or a contrast cuff piping.  When it comes to plackets, a concealed or a French front placket is the best choice for business formal shirts. Additionally, an inside or an edge placket contrast of a thicker fabric gives a little boost to the shirt.

Colours and patterns

For business formals, always go for solids or stripes with colours that accentuate your skin tone. You can have quirky printed shirts dedicated to casual outings accompanied by shoulder epaulettes and elbow patches. Checks are an all-time favourite but try to avoid them for corporate meetings or serious settings.

Style for a perfect fit

Typically, custom made shirts are tailored perfectly to the wearer’s body and hence do not require pleats. Although, darts give the shirt a more fitted look in comparison to the side pleats that align with the actual shape of the back, thus fitting most men better.

Selecting the bottom cuts

If untucked shirts are your style quotient, go for a straight bottom cut instead of a tail cut that ensures your shirts are always tucked at the back.

Personalise your shirt

Monograms are the talk of the town these days. You can personalise your custom made shirt by monogramming your initials either on the collar or the cuff with a contrasting thread for visibility.

Akshay Narvekar is founder of Bombay Shirt Company

The post You Complete Guide To Looking Crisp And On Point In Shirts appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.