Contents
The first men’s shirts appeared several thousand years ago. Free-cut canvases were worn by Greek chitons and the ancient Romans. With every decade, technologies are being modernized and creating new models of things familiar to us. Gianni Versachi once said that fashion never stands still, but clothes remain the same. Today, boutiques offer a wide range of goods: from casual men’s shapeless shirts to perfectly tailored formal and weekend items.
How to choose?
The shirt forms the appearance and not only complements, but creates it. Wearing an elegant suit, but a shirt that does not suit the occasion, you will get a blurry image. Therefore, going to buy a shirt for a wardrobe, you must follow a number of rules:
It is important to determine the occasion for which you are purchasing the product. If you were invited to a cocktail party, and you bought a sophisticated elegant shirt with a stiff pointed collar, then you will not be the first man on the horizon.
Know your strengths and weaknesses. Choosing a shirt should take into account the pros and cons of your physique in order to emphasize some and hide others.
Collar – do you need it? If you love freedom in all its manifestations, then you don’t need this detail in a shirt at all, and if you choose a strict classic with a tie or bow tie, you simply need it.
Size matters! If you hesitate and do not know your parameters, ask the consultant to take measurements and only then choose the appropriate specimens. An inaccurate size can play a trick on you.
First quality, then money. When choosing a men’s shirt, pay attention to the composition of the materials used. If you want to buy a light summer shirt, don’t go for synthetics or denim, but consider cotton models. In the case of a careless attitude to the composition, you can choose not only the wrong product, but also a clot of the allergen, which can cause you irritation or itching.
The taste and color – every element. Wardrobe details should be combined and not contradict each other. Do not choose colors spontaneously, consider all the details of the image.
Our experts studied the market of men’s shirt manufacturers in three price segments and prepared a rating of the best representatives.
Rating of the best brands of men’s shirts
Nomination | Place | Brand name | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
The best brands of men’s shirts in the premium segment | 1 | Prada | 5.0 |
2 | Tom Ford | 4.9 | |
3 | Versace | 4.8 | |
4 | Louis Phillipe | 4.7 | |
The best brands of men’s shirts in the middle price segment | 1 | Tommy Hilfiger | 5.0 |
2 | Hugo Boss | 4.9 | |
3 | Banana Republic | 4.8 | |
4 | Calvin Klein | 4.7 | |
5 | Gant | 4.6 | |
6 | Lacoste | 4.5 | |
7 | Polo Ralph Lauren | 4.4 | |
The best brands of men’s shirts in the budget price segment | 1 | Mexx | 5.0 |
2 | GAP | 4.9 | |
3 | Zara | 4.8 | |
4 | Paul Smith | 4.7 |
Premium brands, first of all, care about their status, name, quality and impeccability, and only after that – the price. Therefore, the cost of any model is above average. Premium brands are designed for both daily wear and formal occasions for men of high social status. Shirts in this segment have three leading advantages: high quality, unique design and perfect fit and tailoring. We analyzed premium brands and ranked the best of them.
Prada
Rating: 5.0
The history of Prada began more than 100 years ago with the production of leather goods in a small boutique in a prestigious area of Milan. The founder was Mario Prada, and at the moment the family company is run by his granddaughter, Miuccia. Despite the long history of the brand, the men’s collection saw the light only in the mid-nineties, but the rebellious mood, combined with the classics, was accepted by recognition and subsequent popularity. Despite the popularity of Prada in all countries of the world, you can buy copies only in branded stores. The men’s collections of the brand are so popular that even the Pope wears them.
Today, among the shirts from Prada, every man will find the perfect option for himself in the right color scheme: from pastel to bright shades. The cut is performed not only in a strict classic silhouette, but also in a free asymmetric style. Shirts may contain a specific print or bright dressing. Premium materials are used as raw materials: XNUMX% cotton, natural calfskin, elastic poplin. The peculiarity of the brand is floral ornaments, graphic drawings and abstractions or the usual, but always relevant, cell. For those who prefer constancy in the wardrobe, basic models are created, and for changeable natures, seasonal collections are suitable, which are periodically updated.
Advantages
A wide range of;
Premium materials;
Variety of styles;
Extraordinary style;
Constantly updated collections.
Disadvantages
High price category.
Tom Ford
Rating: 4.9
The unique brand under the leadership of Tom Ford was able in a short period of time not only to create an empire, but also to build a full-fledged interdependent business, which deserved the second place in our rating. Before opening his own company, the founder not only studied the profession and the laws of fashion in detail, but also gained experience in design giants Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. Ford’s first big-name appearance was on the cover of Vanity Fair fashion magazine, in which the founder was photographed wearing Tom Ford brand clothes with naked Keira Knightley and Scarlett Johansson. From that moment on, Hollywood stars began to wear extravagant costumes of the fashion designer: Brad Pitt, Howard Stern, Johnny Depp. In addition to clothing, accessories and perfume, the company is engaged in cinematography and released its feature film “A Single Man”.
Today, Tom Ford is represented in 49 of its own outlets and corners in Milan, Las Vegas, Zurich, Tokyo, and even Russian cities. The men’s shirt collection is of high quality and premium materials: natural cotton and silk. The cut and style of the shirts are not ostentatious, but have a nice classic style that will look great at any event. The color scheme is pastel, without fancy ornaments or patterns. However, the case is not complete without a design using a standard cell. The brand is suitable for connoisseurs of classics and elegance. The founder always appears at social events and magazine covers in his own production, attracting attention to his product.
Advantages
Classic elegant style;
Quality materials;
World recognition;
A large number of outlets;
Having your own perfume and accessories.
Disadvantages
No design variation
High price category.
Versace
Rating: 4.8
The brand has a not so long, but impressive history and rightfully takes a place in our rating. The first clothing boutique was opened in Milan in 1978 by Gianni Versace and his sister Donatella, who inherited a desire to sew and comprehend the world of fashion from their mother, a dressmaker. The brand gained popularity in just 10 years. During this time, Gianni earned over $800 million. Already in 1991, the first boutique outside of Italy was opened in the Scottish city of Glasgow. After the death of Gianni, Donatella remained at the “helm” of the company, who is successfully doing business today. In addition to designer items, the brand has its own hotel, opened in 2000 in Australia.
The Versace men’s shirt collection is distinguished by its unique style: dynamic, recognizable, characterized by an unconventional approach to creating prints and styles. Shirts are sewn mainly from natural silk and premium cotton. Models have unusual patterns, ornaments, lines and asymmetric shapes. The decorative elements include ancient paintings and sketches of sculptures in the form of the famous company logo. In addition to frilly pieces, you can always give preference to classic shirts. In addition to strict shirts, if necessary, you can pick up a tie, blazer or accessory from Versace with an individual print.
Advantages
Premium materials;
Exclusive design;
Bright colors and ornaments;
Availability of accessories in addition to shirts;
Classic collection of shirts.
Disadvantages
High price category.
Louis Phillipe
Rating: 4.7
Louis Philippe is a premium menswear brand from India. The company is a subsidiary of Madura Fashion & Lifestyle holding. The brand was founded in 1989 and named after Louis Philippe, King of France from 1830 to 1848. The company is the largest manufacturer of menswear in India and is widely recognized abroad. Despite belonging to the Asian region, the brand’s boutiques are made in the style of a typical English living room: small sofas, shelves with books, world maps, sports equipment, watches – everything that is associated with the “den” of a real gentleman. The company’s turnover is more than 150 million dollars a year. The brand has its own magazine, Label, which regularly covers fashion and lifestyle for men in the style of Louis Philippe.
Today, the boutique sells various types of shirts, but the assortment is dominated by sportswear and polo shirts. The color scheme is rarely made in a monochromatic version, preference is given to parallel lines of different shades. Raw materials range from natural cotton to heavy denim. Shirts made from the latter type of material are, according to marketing research, the most popular item, so the manufacturer uses a trick and places them in the immediate vicinity of the fitting rooms. Classic cotton shirts are displayed in the shop windows together with matching trousers, forming a full-fledged masculine look.
Advantages
Wide range of colors;
Variety of materials;
Classic English style;
Personal fashion magazine.
Disadvantages
Predominantly sporty style;
High price category.
The best brands of men’s shirts in the middle price segment
Men’s shirts of the middle price segment speak of an affordable cost for the consumer, combined with high quality and, often, famous brands. These shirts are easy to wash, do not fade and can be worn for a long time. Our experts have studied the market and ranked the best representatives in the category in question.
Tommy Hilfiger
Rating: 5.0
The history of the American brand is young and lasts 35 years, but during this time Tommy Hilfiger managed to establish itself as a fashionable, stylish and recognizable company around the world, which was founded in 1985 by Jacob Hilfiger. For this reason, she takes a place in our ranking. A unique feature of the brand is the use of preppy style in models, which combines classic lines and details of school uniforms of students from prestigious educational institutions. The concept of the company is not to skimp on materials and to create special items that will suit both a classic look and an extravagant outfit. The price segment of the brand is high for the CIS countries and slightly above average for European countries and the USA. If we talk about the scale of production, the company supplies its goods to more than 90 countries of the world.
Advantages
natural materials;
Different sleeve length;
Wide color palette;
Interesting designs.
Disadvantages
Not found.
Hugo Boss
Rating: 4.9
The German brand was founded in 1924 by Hugo Bos in the suburbs of Germany. During the first decade, the company underwent several periods of crisis, which is why in 1931 she had to start the development of the brand anew. The fact that made the production a name and popularity is close cooperation with the Nazi regime. Hugo Boss does not advertise this trade connection, despite official recognition from the other side. The founder was a member of the Nazi Party and made hundreds of suits, jackets, shirts, trousers and other items of clothing for German soldiers and officers at the factory. The contract contributed to an increase in trade turnover by 85 times, and the company’s profit – by 48 times, so the brand was not interested in the political component due to the scale of production.
Today, Hugo Boss is represented by a range of formal men’s dress shirts and atypical pieces for special occasions. The design of shirts can be both restrained and boring, as well as rich and eye-catching. The color gamut is wide, but the dark tones of gray and blue clearly predominate. Models are made in a straight cut with long or short sleeves. The standard Hugo Boss shirt is made of medium quality cotton fabric, the accessories are plastic buttons that are sewn without a leg. Model production is predominantly Asian or Eastern European. Sample units are made from Albini and Monti fabrics. Collars are made not by hand seam, but by fused technology (glued construction).
Advantages
Suitable for all body types;
Quality tailoring with the Hugo Boss logo;
Shirts of different styles;
Restrained style.
Disadvantages
High price for the category in question;
Small range of colors.
Banana Republic
Rating: 4.8
Banana Republic is one of the most popular and large-scale brands of men’s shirts from America. Its main direction, like many others, is the production of ready-to-wear clothing. The company was founded in 1978 and today is a subsidiary of the GAP brand. The firm is headquartered in San Francisco, California. The brand has a number of awards for quality production: from the Golden Echo Postal Trade Association and a golden statuette from the American Catalog.
Banana Republic uses XNUMX% cotton fabrics in production, using the non-iron type and adding synthetics to some models, as well as linen materials. The accessories are made of plastic and do not stand out pretentiousness. Most of the models are equipped with gussets. In production, several silhouettes are used: narrow, medium and spacious free cut. Collar designs are distinguished by the use of two technologies: fused and non-fused. The color range is wide and presented mainly in bright shades. The level of formality of models can be low or high, depending on the occasion for which you are purchasing the product. The design of the shirts is mostly restrained, however, some units are knocked out of the collections due to their specific look. The main production factories are located in Sri Lanka, China and some other countries of the East.
Advantages
Quality Production Awards;
Wide choice of flowers;
Good quality models;
Double technology of tailoring of collars;
Available lastovic.
Disadvantages
Not found.
Calvin Klein
Rating: 4.7
Calvin Klein is a popular designer brand that produces a wide range of ready-to-wear clothing (tailoring by famous fashion designers of things for mass consumption). The company was founded in 1968 by Calvin Klein and Barry Schwartz. Its head office is located in New York. Trade turnover reaches tens of millions of dollars, and goods are sold both in America and far beyond its borders. An interesting fact: the founder of the company, Calvin Klein, is very fond of Japanese cuisine and believes that Asian dishes are the main reason why it is worth being popular and rich. Therefore, by realizing his designs and plans, the fashion designer is sure that he will receive enough money for the most exquisite masterpiece of any cuisine in the world.
Calvin Klein men’s shirts are made from XNUMX% cotton, as well as with the admixture of linen or elastane. The fittings are made of light metal or plastic. Some premium items are equipped with mother-of-pearl buttons. Collars are made mainly by fused technology. The cut depends on the design of the model: spacious or very narrow. Designs range from extravagant to classic and understated. Calvin Klein’s shirts, as well as its Jeans line, are made in Tunisia, China, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Premium copies are sewn directly in Italy. The quality of goods from leading manufacturers is not ideal and is not commensurate with prices. Premium shirts look much better, but still do not live up to the declared value.
Advantages
Bright models;
A large number of productions;
Variety of materials;
Presence of a premium line.
Disadvantages
Disproportionately overpriced.
Gant
Rating: 4.6
GANT rightfully occupies a place in the ranking and is a large and well-known brand of men’s shirts and other casual ready-to-wear clothing of luxury production. The company was founded in 1949 in America, but over time, due to economic problems, moved to the Swiss company Maus Freres SA. Today, under the auspices of the GANT brand, 3 clothing brands operate: the modern GANT Rugger style (sport casual), the GANT New Haven line of casual models (GNH logo) and pieces from leading designers GANT by Michael Bastian.
GANT men’s shirts are made from natural fabrics. Most often, Egyptian cotton and Pima cotton are used as raw materials (one of the varieties of material that is made in Peru and in the south of America, and the name of the variety comes from the Pima Indian tribe). The models use XNUMX% linen, its mixture with lyocell, as well as fabrics such as easy iron (easy care and ironing). Buttons are made from both plastic and mother-of-pearl. Gussets are mostly absent, but some models are sewn with their presence. The cut is varied: from narrowed to rather wide. The design is so big that on the shelves of the same company store you can find an absolute classic next to an eccentric bright shirt in a mixed color scheme. The main production facilities of the brand are located in Turkey, India, Portugal.
Advantages
Wide range of colors;
High quality models;
Use of different types of cotton;
Wide selection of styles and designs.
Disadvantages
Not found.
Lacoste
Rating: 4.5
Lacoste is a French company with almost a century of history, which was originally created as a manufacturer of clothing and footwear with a predominantly sports style. This is because the founder René Lacoste is a famous tennis player. And the emblem of the crocodile symbolizes his nickname – the alligator. Developing the brand, Rene’s relatives expanded the assortment grid and added a large number of new models to it, thereby organically fitting the sporty style into everyday looks. Today, each newly created piece of men’s shirts is unique and able to complement any look: casual, fitness attire or luxurious glamour. Wearing Lacoste means being individual and special, as the company always adds new details to its strict models.
Today, the main focus of the brand is the production of short-sleeved polo shirts made from organic cotton. Few people know that the company also produces classic shirts from high quality materials. The fittings do not stand out and are made mainly of plastic, but there are also models with mother-of-pearl details. Lacoste shirts are sewn only in 2 silhouettes: classic and narrow. Collars are sewn using both fused and non-fused technology. The design is more sporty, but there is a classic style in the assortment. All models feature a custom twisted green crocodile logo.
Advantages
high-quality natural materials;
original design;
individual approach to the manufacture of each copy;
a wide range of;
Disadvantages
high price category.
Polo Ralph Lauren
Rating: 4.4
The Polo Ralph Lauren brand is one of the popular American manufacturers of men’s shirts and other ready-to-wear clothing. The company was founded by Ralph Lauren in 1967, from which it acquired the corresponding name and took the line in our rating. The founder of the company has Belarusian roots, as his parents are immigrants from the southern regions of the country. The general office, like most American brands, is located in New York. Ralph created not just a fashion house, but a lifestyle, ranging from basic clothing to perfumes and accessories. Inspired by the sport of Polo, the founder has brought to life more than one collection that is dedicated to him.
Polo Ralph Lauren men’s shirts, despite their luxury status, are made from plain cotton and linen. The quality of the fabrics is high, but definitely not premium. In production, cotton with the addition of elastane is used, as well as easy care processing materials (easy care and ironing). Accessories are ordinary and mostly plastic. Collars are distinguished by the use of manual labor technology (non-fused), but sometimes the manufacturer resorts to an adhesive construction. Silhouettes range from standard, spacious to very narrow. The design in most cases is classic, but some models are catchy. Shirts are presented in a wide range of colors, ranging from pastel shades to bright ones. For uniqueness, striped or checkered prints, embroidery, and various ornaments are used. The production of Polo Ralph Lauren men’s shirts is located in the Philippines, Vietnam, China and other Asian countries.
Advantages
Wide choice of flowers;
Variety of styles;
Good quality models;
Unique design;
Double technology of tailoring of collars.
Disadvantages
High price category.
The best brands of men’s shirts in the budget price segment
The budget price segment of men’s shirts does not indicate their poor quality or appearance. Every year, companies improve technology and produce models that visually look stylish and are affordable for any consumer at their cost. Our experts analyzed the market of budget brands for the production of men’s shirts and chose the best of them.
Mexx
Rating: 5.0
The MEXX brand begins its history in 1980, when Rattan Chadha (an Indian immigrant) set up a business in the Netherlands to import menswear from Asia under the Emanuelle and Moustache brands. Since 1986, the organizations have merged to form an international image. The brand got its name because of the combination of the first letters: M – Mustache, E – Emanuelle. And “XX” stands for a kiss, according to colloquial printed English slang. The company’s slogan is “everything starts with a kiss”, and clothing is no exception. The brand has been popular for a long time, but due to unprofitable deliveries to Russia in 2014, the company was declared bankrupt, and to this day it is selling collections and shares of the company.
Mexx brand shirts are affordable. The company’s collections are dominated by asymmetric cut shirts, fitted, non-standard items with a hood. Sleeves can be either short or long. Only natural fabrics are used as materials: linen, cotton, twill, jacquard and other comfortable materials that have good properties during wear. For easy orientation in the assortment, Mexx divided its products into 3 series: the classic Smart for trouser suits, the free Studio line and the organic Casual, which includes denim shirts. The color scheme is diverse and includes monophonic models along with bright atypical ones. The design is made in the form of prints, light ornaments or graphic lines.
Advantages
Convenient gradation by series;
Wide range of colors;
Variety of designs;
Affordable prices;
Natural fabrics for tailoring.
Disadvantages
Not found.
GAP
Rating: 4.9
GAP is a large and well-known American manufacturer of men’s shirts and other types of clothing for mass consumption. The company’s office is located in San Francisco. The firm was founded in 1969 by Donald and Doris Fisher. Products from the first days of their existence were distinguished by a wide range of colors: a follower of the Fishers, Drexler, instead of several models, chose one, but in 20 different shades. Under its brand, GAP Inc contains a number of companies: Banana Republic, Piperlime, Athleta, Old Navy. The company’s slogan reflects the direction of its activities: Gap’s formula for success is as elementary as two and two and combines luck, common sense and a minimum percentage of selfishness. Today, the brand sells its product in 142 countries around the world.
In production, GAP resorts to simple materials: XNUMX% cotton and its mixture with linen or lyocell, as well as viscose. Accessories are ordinary, made of plastic. Models do not contain gussets and are distinguished by a rather narrow, but moderate cut. The design is classic and discreet, but GAP pleases fans with bright models. Consumers note the mediocrity in the brand’s products and their simplicity, which looks appropriate in any outfit. Production facilities are located in China, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, as well as a number of other Asian countries.
Advantages
Simple and pleasant style;
Quality materials;
Wide color variation;
The optimum ratio of price and quality.
Disadvantages
Mediocre and unremarkable style.
Zara
Rating: 4.8
The Zara brand is known all over the world today. He is engaged in the manufacture of men’s, women’s, children’s clothing, shoes, accessories and even home and country interior items. The history of the company begins in 1975, when Amancio Ortega opened his first small store with replicas of famous things from fashion houses at affordable prices. The main goal of the company was to supply the market with products that are affordable for the consumer and meet all modern trends. According to fashion experts, Zara is one of the world’s best-selling brands. Today there are about 600 outlets in 50 countries. The brand brought such fame to the founder that he is the seventh richest entrepreneur in the world according to Forbes.
Zara men’s shirts come in unique designs that make it easy to stand out among the crowd. For products use bright colors, outstanding prints, decoration in the form of large Hawaiian palms, geometry and, of course, checks. Designers try to highlight cuffs and collars. For men of all ages, Zara will offer fashion solutions for the image: classic models, shirts in the style of “boiled” and options for cocktail parties. Not only cotton is used as a raw material, but also technological fabrics in combination with polyester. Where the brand’s production facilities are located is a closed question, but Asian countries have been repeatedly discussed.
Advantages
Wide range of models;
Bright colors;
Diverse design;
Affordable value for money.
Disadvantages
Use of artificial materials;
Replicated large-scale production.
Paul Smith
Rating: 4.7
The Paul Smith brand is a world famous British company producing designer shirts and other wardrobe items in the already familiar ready-to-wear style. The first factory was founded by Paul Smith in 1976 and acquired the appropriate name. A distinctive feature is the print of shirts, made of 28 or 14 multi-colored parallel lines. Today, Paul Smith supplies its goods to more than 40 countries and sells clothes in three hundred retail stores.
Men’s shirts are made from high quality materials: cotton and linen. The level of fabrics directly depends on the product series: the raw materials for the Paul Smith mainline are much better than those for PS Paul Smith. Buttons are made of mother-of-pearl. The gussets of the brand’s shirts are often absent, but in individual orders they have a place to be. Collars are sewn using fused technology. The design is uncommon, defiant and eccentric. On the canvases you can find images of cities, animal ornaments, slender ladies and many other bizarre designs. The wide range of Paul Smith includes classic models, however, they are also decorated with hidden unique elements. The cut is made in several versions: from free classics to very narrow copies. Production is mainly located in Italy, if we are talking about the Paul Smith mainline, and PS Paul Smith is sewn in China, Portugal or Morocco.
Advantages
Outstanding ornaments and prints;
Perfect tailoring quality;
natural materials;
Wide range of colors.
Disadvantages
Lack of classic models;
High price.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.