Essentials
5 shirts every man needs in his wardrobe
By sneakersInn team · Updated
The five shirts every man needs are a white dress shirt, a light blue oxford shirt, a linen shirt, a polo shirt and an overshirt. They cover suits, the office, hot weekends and cooler evenings, and they all go with the same trousers and shoes.
| Shirt | Fabric | Wear it to | Wear it with |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. White dress shirt | Cotton poplin or twill | Suits, weddings, funerals, interviews | Any suit, dark trousers, oxfords |
| 2. Light blue oxford | Oxford cloth cotton | Office, church, smart casual | Chinos, jeans, navy and grey suits |
| 3. Linen shirt | Linen or linen blend | Hot days, beach events, holidays | Shorts, linen trousers, chinos |
| 4. Polo shirt | Cotton piqué or knit | Weekends, casual Fridays, golf | Chinos, jeans, shorts, sneakers |
| 5. Overshirt | Heavy cotton, twill or corduroy | Air-conditioned rooms, evenings | Over tees, with jeans or chinos |
1. Why is a white dress shirt essential?
It is the only shirt that works with every suit, every tie and every formal event. Smooth fabrics like poplin and twill look sharper than oxford cloth under a jacket. Own two so one is always clean, and see the perfect white shirt for what separates a good one from a poor one.
2. What makes the oxford shirt so useful?
Oxford cloth has a slightly textured weave that looks relaxed, so the shirt works with jeans and chinos as well as a navy suit. Light blue flatters most skin tones and hides wear better than white. A button-down collar (the collar points button to the shirt) keeps it neat without a tie. More in our oxford shirt guide.
3. Why do I need a linen shirt in Accra?
Linen is the coolest shirt fabric you can wear. It lets air through, dries fast and does not cling when you sweat. It creases, which is part of the look. White, sky blue, sand and olive are the most useful colours. See linen shirts for men.
4. Where does a polo fit?
Between a T-shirt and a button-up. A polo has a collar, so it looks neater than a tee, but it is soft and casual. A knitted polo is the smarter version and works under a light suit. Our polo shirt guide explains when each works.
5. What is an overshirt?
A shirt in heavier fabric that you wear open over a tee, like a light jacket. It is the easiest layer for air-conditioned offices and evenings. See overshirts: the layer every man should own.
How should a shirt fit?
Check four points:
- Shoulders: the seam sits on the edge of your shoulder bone.
- Collar: two fingers fit inside when buttoned.
- Chest and waist: no pulling at the buttons, and no more than a fist of spare fabric at the sides.
- Sleeves: the cuff ends where your wrist meets your hand.
A tailor can take in the sides of a loose shirt, but cannot fix shoulders that are too wide or narrow.
Should I tuck it in?
Tuck dress shirts and anything with a long, curved hem. Leave short, straight-hemmed shirts, linen shirts and overshirts out. Our guide on tucked or untucked has the full rule.
How many shirts do I need?
For a working week: two white dress shirts, two or three oxford shirts, one or two linen shirts, two polos and one overshirt. That is enough to rotate through five working days with time to wash and iron.
How do I make shirts last?
Wash at 30 to 40°C, hang to dry in the shade, and iron while slightly damp. Rotate shirts so no single one gets worn and washed every few days. Sweat stains on collars and underarms come out more easily if you treat them before washing. Our clothing care guide covers more.
Questions
What colour shirts should I buy first?
White and light blue. They go with every suit and trouser colour in the 5 trousers every man should own.
Short sleeves or long sleeves?
Long sleeves for suits, the office and formal events; you can roll them in the heat. Short sleeves for linen shirts, polos and casual weekends.
Does sneakersInn sell shirts?
Menswear (knitwear, quarter-zips, outerwear, shackets, denim jackets, jackets and suits) is coming soon. Ask us on WhatsApp.