An Ode to Shirts for Men

Can you imagine what menswear would be without shirts? No matter what the occasion, style preference, or personality, shirts have always been an integral part of men’s fashion across the world. For thousands of years, this elegant essential has been a constant companion in every man’s fashion journey. Shirts for men have truly stood the test of time, evolving through the years to meet, and often, exceed the expectations of those who don them.

The history of shirts for men

Everything evolves with time and men’s shirts are no different. The fascinating history of shirts for men dates back to as early as 3500 BC. In fact, the oldest preserved garment in the world is a linen shirt, spun from the flax plant, discovered in an Egyptian tomb. However, in its early years, shirts mostly remained hidden in plain sight behind men’s outerwear. It was not until the 18th century that shirts became a more visible and accepted part of a man’s attire. This was the time when shirts for men were designed to extend below the waist and had decorative elements like jabots, long frills around the neck, as a mark of one’s status and wealth. Soon, men’s shirts were available with detachable collars and cuffs, allowing them to be washed separately. Interestingly, this invention was the result of an American housewife, Hanna Montague, using a pair of scissors to cut off the collars from her husband’s shirts to wash them easily and then stitched them back on. In the 1880s, as industrialisation grew across Europe and America, shirts grew to be more adventurous and became a part of everyday menswear. It was during this time that button-down collars were invented. Looking back, it is safe to say that men’s shirts have been on quite a journey and today you can even buy shirts online!

Things to look for buying shirts for men

When buying shirts for men, it all boils down to three questions: where, when, and how.

● Where: Are you looking for a shirt to add to your workwear collection or do you require something more dressy, for an uber-formal event? Where you need to wear your shirts will influence the choice of colour, the patterns or prints, the cuff and collar style, as well as the fit.

● When: Another element that influences your choice of shirts is the time and season. A shirt worn for a brunch meeting with your colleagues in the winter will be radically different from what you wear at an after-hours event in the same season. While you can choose to layer your shirts in winter, certain fabrics are more suited for warmer temperatures while others are designed for cooler climates. Similarly, you might want to select the colours for your men’s shirts based on time and season - lighter, pastel shades in summer or during the day, or something richer and darker for the evenings or during winter.

● How: Of course, what matters the most is your personal style. How would you like to wear your shirt? Are you someone who exudes a calm, relaxed vibe? Would you call yourself experimental or do you prefer keeping it straightforward and simple? These questions can be extremely relevant when trying to find a shirt that suits you best.

Once you know the answer to your where, when, and how, it can help you pick a shirt that meets all your needs.

Factors to consider when buying shirts for men:

● Fabric:

The right fabric can make a world of difference to your men’s shirts. At Zodiac, you can find a variety of fabrics options to choose from, in different blends and textures, designed for various occasions.

One of the most sought-after fabrics in our collection for men’s shirts is the luxurious Egyptian Cotton. When compared to regular cotton weaves, this fabric is softer, smoother, and far more resistant to external stress. Almost as popular as pure cotton is our collection of linen shirts for men. As a fabric, linen is breathable, soft to touch, and contrary to what people believe, it is suitable for all seasons, not just summer.

● Collar:

We are serious when we say that the right collar can make or mar your complete look. As the most visible part of your shirts, they play a crucial part in enhancing your attire as well as your features.

When choosing formal men’s shirts, you might want to opt for something more classic like the point collars, designed to be worn with ties, or you could go in for cutaway collar shirts. For a clean, semi-casual look, button-down collars are more appropriate. Band collar men’s shirts work exceptionally well for more informal occasions. Narrow-tip collars for men’s shirts work best for those with wider facial features while broader collars are ideal for someone with a longer, leaner face.

● Cuff:

The cuff is a detail that holds a lot of potential. Each cuff style is designed to serve a different purpose. The barrel cuff, for instance, is a versatile and popular choice among men as it suits almost every occasion. The French cuff, on the other hand, is ideal if you are looking for something more formal. As compared to the standard cuff size, the French cuff is twice as long and is folded back on itself with cufflinks. A statement in itself, this uber-formal cuff style is often seen at business get-togethers and other extremely formal events.

● Fit:

Finding the right fit is, in our opinion, the most important part of choosing shirts. While a classic fit can look good on most men, you will find that some fits can sharpen your appearance. Tailored fit shirts are tapered towards the waist while still leaving ample room for movement near the arms. Slim fit shirts for men are far snugger, accentuating the shape of your body and giving you a more toned look.

The Zodiac Collection of the Finest Quality Men’s Shirts

At Zodiac Clothing, we take pride in offering an extensive range of the finest quality shirts tailored to take your style to a whole new level. From classic whites to checks and stripes, from 100% cotton to pure linen, you will find Zodiac shirts in all shapes and sizes. You can also visit our website zodiaconline.com to see our latest collection and buy shirts online from the comfort of your home.

What are the fits available to choose from?

Zodiac is a famous clothing brand for men and has creatively designed different fits in Shirts that include classic fits, slim fits, and tailored fits. These different fits are primarily meant for men to suit different physiques, sizes, and preferences, enabling a comfortable fit.

What are the different types of fabrics available to choose from?

Fabric of the shirt is of utmost importance that decides on the comfort factor. A good quality fabric will last longer, giving the desired ease throughout the day. Zodiac provides shirts with comfortable fabrics -100% cotton, linen, and blended fabrics shirts available online and offline to choose from.

What are the sleeve length options available?

The sleeve length of a shirt decides the overall appearance it gives to your personality. Zodiac runs different types of sleeve lengths: • Full sleeve single cuff shirts • Full sleeve double cuff shirts • Half sleeve shirts

How do modern fit shirts differ from classic fit shirts for men?

A modern fit shirt is similar to a slim fit shirt. However, modern fit shirts are more formal and tailored and can be worn formally at work or on family occasions. In contrast, a classic fit shirt is usually casual and can be worn tucked in or tucked out while traveling, outing with friends, at home, or during athletic activities.

What are the different types of collar designs available in shirts?

Zodiac offers the latest types of collar designs shirts comprising cutaway collar shirts, point collar shirts, button-down collar shirts, band collar shirts, and frack collar shirts with different patterns and styles available online.

What shirts are suitable for men?

The idea of good shirts for men may vary from person to person. It is entirely a subjective choice. Every person's choice differs in color, material, and design. Shirts that suit you or match your requirement can be termed a good shirts for you. But the same shirt may not be considered good for the other person in terms of color, fabric, or design. Generally, a regular fit shirt is preferred as compared to slim fit shirt.

Is washing shirts too often bad?

Certain shirt fabrics need special care and washing them at home frequently in the washing machine can affect their quality. Hence, it is better to dry clean exclusive shirts to retain a longer product life.

How can I buy Men's Shirts online?

Varied options are available in men's shirts online with reference to brands, colors, fabrics, fits, price, etc. Depending upon the comfort and occasion, you can choose from a variety of shirt designs online, suiting your individual persona.

Which are the best shirts to buy?

There are formal, casual, and tailored shirts among the best shirts to buy. It is good to have a mix of shirt types in your wardrobe – formal, casual, and dressy to suit different environments/occasions.