Dress shirts

A dress shirt is one where the front opening is fastened using buttons or studs, and the cuffs closed with buttons or cufflinks. There is a vertical strip of fabric running down the front opening of the shirt called the placket and the buttonholes are aligned vertically on the placket. There are no pockets on a dress shirt.

The type of shirt you choose normally shouts volumes about the type of person you are. The chosen shirt can be used as a way to coordinate colours and themes for the special occasion resulting in a fantastic look on the important day.

Dress shirt

There are a number of different types of collars to choose from on dress shirts and these include spread collars (aka Windsor collars which are more formal), point collars which are small and straight, button-down collars (less formal) and eyelet collars which require a barbell-style collar bar to join the hole on each point. There are also a variety of cuffs on a dress shirt and they include barrel cuffs (most common), French (aks Double) cuffs which are more formal than barrel and finally single cuffs which are only worn with eveningwear.

A dress shirt tends to be made of woven cloth ie. cotton or silk however artificial fibres such as polyester are becoming a lot more popular with shirt makers. Over the last few decades new colours have made their way into the shirts from pink all the way to black dress shirts. Garish bright colours should not be worn at formal events.

Dress-studs for shirts are optional (and can be fiddly) and tend to be made of onyx. Cufflinks should be classy not novelty and harmonise with the studs.

Below are a great selection of dress shirts to choose from.

Dress shirt offers

** £3 off two pleated white formal shirts
Was £30 … Now just £27
Offer from Clermont Direct

** £25 off a Pierre Cardin wing collar shirt
Was £40 … Now just £15
Offer from Moss Bros

** £3 off pleated dress shirt and cummerbund
Was £25 … Now just £22
Offer from Clermont Direct

Formal dress shirts

There are a number of retailers who sell formal dress shirts online. To make your life easier we have compared the price of a variety of different style shirts and as you’ll see you have the choice of bargain shirts to designer pieces. A number of retailers also offer packages such as a combined shirt and cummerbund package. It is important to note that these are online prices.

Shirts	Description	Retailer
	Make a smart impression at formal engagements with the timeless cut formal shirt. You are getting real value for money with French cuffs and a satin pleat design. £15
	Made from a fine 100% white cotton, this marcella fronted shirt is both soft to touch and very comfortable to wear. This dress shirt has a marcella or pique covered front, collar and cuffs to offer a most distinguished and quality looking dress shirt. £25
	A mens dress shirt by Moss Bros in white with 6 pleats and a wing collar. Affordable and stylish you’ll look great at any evening event. £25
	This traditional dress shirt from Pierre Cardin is made from a cotton rich black fabric. It provides you with a high quality finish and stunning look, all this and a fantastic price to match. £29.99
	This sophisticated and stylish pure cotton wing collar dress shirt is perfect for black tie events. £35
	An elegant formal dress shirt with a traditional wing collar. This shirt is made of a lighter weight cotton designed to be worn under an evening suit and comes with a heavier weight Marcella front panel and double cuffs. £39.50
	This white dress shirt is specially designed for wearing at a black or white tie event. It has a soft 2-piece collar with batwing shape, a piqued cotton panel on the front and rounded tails. The double cuffs have black knotted cufflinks. £40
	Made from 100% Swiss cotton, this beautifully woven pleat fabric results in a stylish and classic design. This is a high-end formal shirt which comes with a 2 year Eterna guarantee on the fabric and workmanship. £49.99
	An elegant formal dress shirt with a traditional wing collar. This shirt is made of a lighter weight cotton designed to be worn under an evening suit and comes with a heavier weight Marcella front panel and double cuffs. £85