Men's shirts: how to wear yours

A menswear essential, the men’s shirt comes in countless forms and can be worn any number of ways. It all depends on the look you’re going for. For the shirts no wardrobe should be without, see our article on the shirts every man needs.

Worn tucked in or out, a shirt always sends a message: casual, business, smart casual. The difference is in the details.

With tips from LE CHEMISEUR®, you’ll wear your shirt without a misstep - and turn it into a real go-to for any occasion.

The men’s business shirt

The casual-Friday shirt

Want to take a formal shirt into casual-Friday territory? Throw on your favourite jacket - it keeps things sharp and cuts through the casual feel of your jeans. Denim fans, for their part, will happily team their jeans with a crisp white shirt.

It’s a classic combination that never disappoints. It all comes down to the fabric, though: a basic shirt over a cheap pair of jeans reads very differently.

Our tip? Pair raw denim with our white stretch shirt in a blue IB98 print. It’s carefully made and feels wonderfully soft.

Prefer something more smart-casual? Chinos are a natural partner for the shirt of your choice - effortlessly elegant. Either way, tuck the shirt in: it lifts a relaxed outfit with a polished finish.

The casual shirt

We far too often link the shirt to work. Yet many of us love wearing a shirt at the weekend, in a very relaxed way. For that, choose a shorter model with a straight hem and wear it untucked to break with your work outfit. For freedom of movement, go for a length that stops just below the belt.

If you’d rather wear the shirt open, you can go for a longer model - as long as the t-shirt underneath is shorter. A common-sense rule you’ll quickly get used to.

For instance, reach for a shirt in French fabric and recycled cotton (UY52) when the weather’s a little milder, worn with a white or grey t-shirt, raw denim and white trainers for a look that’s light and relaxed. Just make sure the t-shirt’s colour doesn’t overpower the shirt’s - a patterned t-shirt under a plain shirt, for example, is a style misstep.

If you’d rather wear it buttoned up, our oxford shirts by Emanuel Lang look great buttoned, with trainers, for a relaxed, contemporary look. In summer, or on a weekend stroll, you can roll up the sleeves without looking scruffy: turn them back to the forearm, leave the collar slightly open and reach for your favourite sunglasses.

Men’s shirt: tucked in or out?

It’s an endless debate - how to wear your shirt divides opinion. Some are cut to work with a suit and stay put through the day. You can spot them by their curved shirttail hem: with the excess fabric taken in at the sides, it avoids any billowing and tucks in more easily.

Conversely, shirts with a straight hem - the same length front and back - bring a casual feel to your outfit. As a rule, a straight hem that stops just below the belt works well.

At LE CHEMISEUR®, our algorithm automatically works out the ideal length - for a business or a relaxed look - from just two figures: your height and your shirt’s back length.

Our styling tip, by LE CHEMISEUR®

To wear your shirt without a misstep, adapt it to the occasion. And above all, choose fine fabrics that will never let you down.