The Best Men’s Long-Sleeve Button-Down Shirts

Men’s long-sleeve button-down shirts are one of the most versatile items in fashion. They can be formal or informal, for work or play and they always look nice.

Fit is important for both good aesthetics and comfort. Dress shirts should have collars that are snug, but not too tight, because a tight collar will be uncomfortable when you are wearing a tie. You should be able to slip in two fingers comfortably between the collar and your neck. The shoulder seam should sit right at the edge of the shoulders, and the armhole should not twist or tug at the seam.

As for the sleeves, they should slightly wider where the upper arm is, tapering down to the cuffs. You want the cuff itself to be loose enough to slide back and forth over your watch without getting snagged but that’s about all the room there should be. You’ll also want the cuff to cover your wrist bone when your arms are relaxed at your sides but not go much farther than that.

When it comes to the torso of the shirt, you should be able to easily button it up, without gaps or wrinkles. Shirttails should cover up the crotch and extend a little ways past it. If the material is billowing around you, then the shirt is too big and if the buttons are visibly pulling apart from one another, leaving gaps when fastened, it’s too small.

The type of material you choose depends on your priorities. A good choice is always 100% cotton because it stays cool and is lightweight. Just be aware of potential shrinkage in the dryer. Another popular option is poplin, which is also cool and breathable. Twill, meanwhile, is soft, as well, but is heavier than cotton or poplin; it is, however, very durable.

You can also find men’s shirts that are made from silk, linen, nylon, polyester or flannel. The first two can be costly and harder to launder, while flannel is soft, inexpensive and one of the warmest choices. Many shirts are made from fabric blends for breathability, stretch, design and comfort. If you want a shirt that you plan to wear frequently, invest a bit more money for more durable, resilient material.

• If a shirt has chest pockets with buttons, a suit jacket might not lay as flat on top of it. Keep this in mind if you like your suits to have a slim fit.
• Shirt cuffs have two buttons so you can choose whether you like them tight or loose when buttoned. Try both to see which looks better and which you prefer. You might find you prefer the looser option if you wear a watch or fitness tracker on your wrist.
• If you hate to iron, can’t iron or don’t want to spend money on dry cleaning, look for wrinkle-free shirts and avoid buying 100% cotton.