Updated October 2026 · By Anton Alexander
The wardrobe guide
A better shirt starts with better choices.
Men’s dress shirts are easier to choose when you separate four decisions: fit, fabric, collar, and cuffs. Start with where you will wear the shirt, then build the details around comfort and your own point of view. A white business shirt, a patterned evening shirt, and a custom wedding shirt can share good construction while doing different jobs.
How to choose men’s dress shirts for the occasion
A useful shirt works with clothes you already own. Before buying, picture it with one pair of trousers and one jacket. Then decide whether you want the shirt to be a quiet foundation or the main feature of the outfit.
| Occasion | A useful starting point |
|---|---|
| Work or a client meeting | A restrained color or pattern with tailored trousers. |
| Dinner or a night out | A darker body, a rich color, or deliberate contrast details. |
| A relaxed weekend | A comfortable shirt with chinos or clean dark denim. |
| A wedding | The invitation’s dress code, followed by the couple’s guidance. |
These are starting points. A venue’s actual requirements matter more than an outfit label. For a broader range of looks, explore our designer shirt guide.
Fit describes shape; fabric describes material
Classic, modern, fitted, and slim are descriptions of silhouette. They are not universal sizes across brands. Choose from actual measurements and check the shirt while sitting and reaching forward. A closer cut should still allow comfortable movement.
At Anton Alexander, compare the current Modern Fit and Fitted measurements rather than assuming either matches another label you own. Our dress shirt fit guide explains the checkpoints, while the measuring guide helps you take the numbers.
Fabric terms answer a different question. Oxford is a weave family; cotton is a fiber. Twill and herringbone describe other fabric structures or patterns. A shirt can therefore combine several of these descriptions. Read the individual product’s composition and care instructions, and use our fabric guide to compare the available ranges.
Choose collars, cuffs, and contrast with a purpose
A spread or point collar changes the opening around your neck and tie. A button-down collar secures its points with small buttons. Those choices are separate from whether the shirt has a buttoned front. Our button-up versus button-down guide makes the distinction clear.
At the wrist, barrel cuffs fasten with buttons; traditional French cuffs fold back and use cufflinks. Turned-back contrast fabric is a styling detail and does not, by itself, make a cuff a French cuff. Compare the options in our cuff guide.
For personality, choose one detail to lead: a printed body, a patterned cuff, or a contrasting neckline. Plain trousers and a simple jacket give that choice room. The contrast collar and cuff guide helps you decide how much accent fabric to show.
Quality you can ask about—and construction you can trace
Look beyond a photograph of the pattern. Ask where the shirt is made, how the collar and cuffs get their structure, which fit adjustments are available, and how to care for the finished garment.
Anton Alexander shirts are cut and sewn in Fort Wayne, Indiana using globally sourced fabrics. See our American made dress shirt studio story for a closer look at the machines and construction details. For a personal combination of fit and design, begin with the custom dress shirt guide.
Useful answers
Frequently asked questions
What should I check first when buying a dress shirt?
Start with the occasion and fit. Compare neck, chest, and sleeve measurements, then choose fabric and finishing details around the way you will wear the shirt.
Is an Oxford shirt different from a dress shirt?
Oxford describes the cloth, while dress shirt is a broader category. An Oxford shirt can also be a dress shirt. Collar shape and fit are separate choices.
Are all men’s dress shirts non-iron?
No. Check the specific product’s care information. Fabric composition, finishes, and the recommended washing and drying routine affect how much pressing it needs.
Can I customize an Anton Alexander shirt?
Explore the custom shirt builder for current fabric, accent, cuff, button, thread, and fit options. Confirm availability and your measurements before ordering.
Continue exploring
Make the details yours.
Most orders dispatch the next business day, Monday–Friday excluding holidays. Carrier transit is additional. Review the shipping policy when planning for a date.
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