Say dress shirts, and “The Son of Man” instantly comes to mind—at least for some. It's a painting by René Magritte, reputedly a self-portrait by the famed Surrealist, that depicts a gentleman standing erect in front of a wall, looking forward, his face covered by an oversized green leafed apple. He wears an unmissable bowler cap, gray overcoat, red tie, and a dress shirt, this one with a point collar. It is a representation of civility meeting temptation, a work that reflects one man and every man. Fans of The Thomas Crown Affair remake will understand what we mean.
The character doesn’t waver, covered in a crisp white top that comes near his jaw line. This is the prototypical dress shirt: a button-upw, a symbol of propriety and decorum. But by the mid-'60s, when the painting debuted, changes in manners and fashion arose. Collars and silhouettes became oversized or shortened, and bright colors and patterns became prominent. Also, men started dressing down their button-ups. Temptations abound.
best overall dress shirt
Calvin Klein Slim-Fit Herringbone Non-Iron Dress Shirt
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best performance dress shirt
Lululemon Venture Long Sleeve Dress Shirt
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best basic dress shirt
Uniqlo Super Non-Iron Slim-Fit Long-Sleeve Shirt
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best go-to dress shirt
J.Crew Ludlow Premium Fine Cotton Dress Shirt
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best custom dress shirt
Stantt Wrinkle-Resistant Grid Check Shirt
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best iconic dress shirt
Turnbull and Asser 'Dr. No' Blue Cotton Dress Shirt
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best affordable dress shirt
Van Heusen Slim-Fit Traveler Stretch Dress Shirt
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Now, there's a variety of dress shirts: some rakish, some louche, and others completely laid back (Benjamin Bratt displays all these vibes in this Esquire spread). But even with these mutations, the style overall is still a class apart. Over the tee, tank, polo, turtleneck, and every other top except the tuxedo shirt, it is the dress shirt, even if cast in pink and unbuttoned to the navel, that remains the most gentlemanly of the bunch. And we have 20 of the best for work, for dining, or, if you’re so inclined, stealing eight-figure paintings from The Met.
best overall dress shirt
Calvin Klein Slim-Fit Herringbone Non-Iron Dress Shirt
best overall dress shirt
Calvin Klein Slim-Fit Herringbone Non-Iron Dress Shirt
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Calvin Klein, the brand that ushered in minimalism in the '90s, continues to offer unfussy styles that'll work for one and all.
Fit | Slim |
---|---|
Colors | 15 |
Sizes | 14-18.5 |
Materials | 100% Cotton |
best performance dress shirt
Lululemon Venture Long Sleeve Dress Shirt
best performance dress shirt
Lululemon Venture Long Sleeve Dress Shirt
Few—and we mean very few—can surpass Lululemon's ability to offer sleek, uber comfortable styles meant to move with you. This, of course, includes its stellar collection of tailored pieces.
Fit | Slim |
---|---|
Colors | Blue Linen, Inline Stripe, White, True Navy, Black |
Sizes | XS-5XL |
Materials | 52% Elastomultiester, 34% Recycled Polyester, 14% Nylon |
best basic dress shirt
Uniqlo Super Non-Iron Slim-Fit Long-Sleeve Shirt
best basic dress shirt
Uniqlo Super Non-Iron Slim-Fit Long-Sleeve Shirt
You don't have to break the bank to look expensive and sleek, as Uniqlo proves. This dress shirt is simple, classic, and just under 40 bucks—the ultimate trio, if you ask me.
Fit | Slim |
---|---|
Colors | Light Blue, White, Black |
Sizes | XS-3XL |
Materials | 100% Cotton |
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best go-to dress shirt
J.Crew Ludlow Premium Fine Cotton Dress Shirt
best go-to dress shirt
J.Crew Ludlow Premium Fine Cotton Dress Shirt
At this point, J.Crew's Ludlow needs no introduction. But if you need a refresher, it is the umbrella name for the classic suits and shirts that will work for business meetings, barbecues, weddings, dates, what have you.
Fit | Tailored |
---|---|
Colors | 8 |
Sizes | 14-17 |
Materials | 100% Cotton |
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best custom dress shirt
Stantt Wrinkle-Resistant Grid Check Shirt
best custom dress shirt
Stantt Wrinkle-Resistant Grid Check Shirt
Gone are the days of your dress shirt being ill-fitting, wrinkly, and just all-around uncomfortable. Stantt is changing the game with its completely customizable, wrinkle-free shirts. Plug in your collar and sleeve size, preferred fit, and preferences for a collar, cuff, buttons, front, and pocket, and voilà: a completely custom, personalized dress shirt is yours.
Fit | Varies |
---|---|
Colors | Navy, Pink, Blue, Lavender |
Sizes | 14-22 |
Materials | 100% Cotton |
best versatile dress shirt
Tommy Hilfiger Dress Shirt
best versatile dress shirt
Tommy Hilfiger Dress Shirt
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We live in a day and age where you can get a Tommy Hilfiger dress shirt for around 30 bucks on Amazon, and boy am I glad for it. Tried and true, this gingham option is a reliable choice that effortlessly pairs with chinos, khakis, jeans, or dress pants.
Fit | Slim |
---|---|
Colors | 14.5-18.5 |
Sizes | 9 |
Materials | 100% Cotton |
best iconic dress shirt
Turnbull and Asser 'Dr. No' Blue Cotton Dress Shirt
best iconic dress shirt
Turnbull and Asser 'Dr. No' Blue Cotton Dress Shirt
From Sean Connery to Pierce Pierce Brosnan to Daniel Craig, Turnball and Asser, England's premiere shirtmaker, has outfitted the top three actors to play James Bond (sorry not sorry, Roger Moore fans) in its dress shirts. And here is the same style that 007 wore in Dr. No, which makes it a definite yes.
Fit | Regular |
---|---|
Colors | Blue |
Sizes | 15-19 |
Materials | Poplin |
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best affordable dress shirt
Van Heusen Slim-Fit Traveler Stretch Dress Shirt
best affordable dress shirt
Van Heusen Slim-Fit Traveler Stretch Dress Shirt
Levi's is to jeans as Van Heusen is to affordable dress shirts. That pretty much sums it up.
Fit | Slim |
---|---|
Colors | White, Light Spruce, Black, Mist, Merlot |
Sizes | 13-18 |
Materials | 91% Polyester, 9% Spandex |
best simple dress shirt
Gap Oxford Shirt in Standard Fit
best simple dress shirt
Gap Oxford Shirt in Standard Fit
No frills, no fuss—Gap has a simple, timeless white dress shirt that you can style under a blazer or a sweater, or even over a tee, if that's your vibe.
Fit | Regular |
---|---|
Colors | 14 |
Sizes | XS-3XL |
Materials | 98% Cotton, 2% Spandex |
best minimalist dress shirt
Bonobos Jetsetter Stretch Dress Shirt
best minimalist dress shirt
Bonobos Jetsetter Stretch Dress Shirt
Bonobos is a household name in the world of dress shirts, and for good reason. The brand's iconic Jetsetter shirt is comfortable, stretchy, and infallibly chic.
Fit | Regular |
---|---|
Colors | 40 |
Sizes | 14.5-17.5 |
Materials | 76% Cotton, 21% Nylon, 3% Lycra |
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best poplin dress shirt
Banana Republic Tailored Slim Premium Poplin Dress Shirt
best poplin dress shirt
Banana Republic Tailored Slim Premium Poplin Dress Shirt
When it comes to dressing up, a quintessential fabric to keep in your rotation is poplin. This slim-fit option from Banana Republic has a tailored look, so you'll always feel your best in it.
Fit | Slim |
---|---|
Colors | 9 |
Sizes | XS-2XL |
Materials | 100% Cotton |
Dressing up doesn't have to mean you feel stiff and formal. Thanks to a stretchy fabric that allows for all-day movement and comfort, this elevated option from Canali is one of our favorites.
Fit | Regular |
---|---|
Colors | Navy |
Sizes | 15.5-18 |
Materials | 96% Cotton, 4% Elastane |
best patterned dress shirt
BOSS Roan Kent Slim Fit Foulard Print Cotton Button-Up Shirt
best patterned dress shirt
BOSS Roan Kent Slim Fit Foulard Print Cotton Button-Up Shirt
Now 50% Off
From BOSS comes a tailored-look that keeps things a little bit playful, too. Don't be afraid of a little print or pattern!
Fit | Slim |
---|---|
Colors | Light Blue |
Sizes | XS-2XL |
Materials | 100% Cotton |
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best designer dress shirt
Ralph Lauren Purple Label Aston Striped Tailored Long-Sleeve Dress Shirt
best designer dress shirt
Ralph Lauren Purple Label Aston Striped Tailored Long-Sleeve Dress Shirt
If England has Turnball and Asser, the U.S. has Ralph Lauren Purple Label, a collection of pieces that are made of the finest materials and tailored to the nines.
Fit | Tailored |
---|---|
Colors | Medium Blue |
Sizes | 14.5-18 |
Materials | Cotton |
best elevated dress shirt
Charvet White Double-Cuff Cotton Dress Shirt
best elevated dress shirt
Charvet White Double-Cuff Cotton Dress Shirt
The center of the shirting world is located in a six-story townhouse on the Place Vendôme in Paris, the HQ of Charvet, the oldest and the best shirtmaker in history. Need we say more?
Fit | Regular |
---|---|
Colors | White |
Sizes | EU38-EU 44 |
Materials | 100% Cotton |
best luxury dress shirt
Gucci Striped Cotton Shirt with Pocket
best luxury dress shirt
Gucci Striped Cotton Shirt with Pocket
Gucci is celebrated for its ornate collections, filled with looks that crank up the volume. But break them apart, and you have some incredibly tailored, incredibly well-made styles that impart quiet luxury.
Fit | Boxy |
---|---|
Colors | Blue/White, Light Blue, Light Blue/White, Blue/White Stripe |
Sizes | 15-18 |
Materials | Poplin Cotton |
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