White shirts belong in the menswear big leagues. Rubbing shoulders with mid-wash jeans, white t-shirts, black trousers and beige trench coats, they’re a staple every well-dressed gent should have in their wardrobe.
It’s mainly because they’re one of the most versatile pieces you can own. Whether it’s a simple underpinning for a suit – take a look at Jacob Elordi on the red carpet to see how it’s done – or a crisp top layer worn with trousers or jeans for a smart-casual fit – for the latter, it’s Drew Starkey and Daniel Craig at the Venice Film Festival who’s lead you can follow.
As a matter of fact, you’d benefit from having more than one in your shirting arsenal. A white dress shirt to wear beneath a blazer, a sturdy Oxford shirt for everyday wear, a linen shirt for summer, a relaxed cut to wear over a t-shirt during the transitional season… The list goes on.
When you’re styling them up, it totally depends on the occasion. The good news is that the colour will work with literally anything in your wardrobe. From a formal navy double-breasted suit to a smart pair of indigo jeans, laid-back beige work pants to retro sports shorts, the options are seemingly endless.
For those who work in a corporate office on the daily, we’d recommend having a few dress shirts you can wear on rotation. For a comfortable finish, go for those which have a little elastane which gives a little stretch and superior softness – these are likely to be more breathable and moisture-wicking, too.
Or if you’re simply wearing them for a relaxed ‘fit, our top pick would be an Oxford shirt. The #OldMoneyAesthetic and Quiet Luxury are two trends that are still going strong – and a classic Oxford is a foundational piece which works for both.
The best white shirts for men at a glance:
- Best for a linen shirt: Luca Faloni Portofino Shirt – £170, Luca Faloni
- Best for a responsibly made Oxford: Asket The Oxford Shirt – £100, Asket
- Best for a dress shirt with stretch: Collars & Co Quattro Flex Dress Shirt – £95, Collars & Co
- Best for a grandad collar: L'Estrange London The All Day Shirt – £79, L’Estrange London
- Best for a preppy staple: Gant Regular Fit Classic Oxford Shirt – £99, Gant
- Best for an affordable classic Oxford: Gap Regular Fit Long Sleeve Oxford Shirt – £35, Gap
- Best for a dress shirt for men on the move: Reiss Voyager Slim Fit Button-Through Travel Shirt – £128, Reiss
- Best for a casual take: Uniqlo Cotton Broadcloth Shirt – £34.90, Uniqlo
- Best for a fashion favourite: Ami Paris Button-Down Collar Logo-Embroidered Cotton Oxford Shirt – £220, Mr, Porter
- Best for a premium choice without the price tag: Rise & Fall Men's Long Sleeved Cotton Oxford Shirt – £85, Rise & Fall
Keep scrolling for our favourite white shirts available to buy now.
Luca Faloni Portofino Shirt
Best for: a linen shirt
A white linen shirt is a menswear staple – where better to get one from than Luca Faloni? A brand which handcrafts its collections in Italy using premium fabrics, you can count on the quality every time. This shirt, for example, is made from fine Italian linen paired with mother-of-pearl buttons sourced in Australia and finished with an expertly constructed one-piece collar – all of which is put together in Northern Italy.
Buy now £170.00, Luca Faloni
Asket The Oxford Shirt
Best for: a responsibly made Oxford
Asket’s MO is twofold – to design well-made seasonless staples which every guy could wear and to create clothes that don’t cost the earth with a transparent process. This shirt ticks both boxes. From the regular fit to the chest pocket and button-down collar, it’s a classic Oxford shirt through and through. You can see the landed cost (the cost it takes to make it) as well as its CO2 impact and even where the fabrics come from.
Buy now £100.00, Asket
Collars & Co Quattro Flex Dress Shirt
Best for: a dress shirt with stretch
If you like your dress shirt with some added stretch, Collars & Co has you covered. Made using a super smooth technical jersey similar to what you’d use for a golf shirt, it’s lightweight, breathable, flexible and wrinkle-resistant. The firm dress collar and structured cuffs make it the perfect shirt to wear under a blazer for a formal affair.
Buy now £95.00, Collars & Co
L'Estrange London The All Day Shirt
Best for: a grandad collar
Grandad shirts are a solid casual alt to those with a standard collar. The good news? It’s one of L’Estrange London’s key silhouettes. Intended to be just as comfortable as a t-shirt, this shirt has been given a touch of stretch thanks to 3 per cent elastane and is crafted from a super fine textile that’s both breathable and lightweight. Our top tip? Wear a few buttons undone for peak loucheness.
Buy now £79.00, L'Estrange London
Gant Regular Fit Classic Oxford Shirt
Best for: a preppy staple
The preppy aesthetic is still on the up, from the rise of Aime Leon Dore to TikTok’s obsession with the #OldMoneyAesthetic. So, why not look back to one of the original brands associated with Ivy League style, Gant? Though it’s now based in Sweden, the label’s roots are grounded in Connecticut and the shield logo is synonymous with the collegiate look. This white shirt is an easy way to jump on the bandwagon.
Buy now £99.00, Gant
Gap Regular Fit Long Sleeve Oxford Shirt
Best for: an affordable classic Oxford
When it comes to menswear basics, Gap’s one of the best – white shirts, included. Since Zac Posen took the helm as creative director earlier this year, the collections have gone from strength to strength. This time, it’s a relaxed Oxford shirt that every guy could do with in their wardrobe.
Buy now £35.00, Gap
Reiss Voyager Slim Fit Button-Through Travel Shirt
Best for: a dress shirt for men on the move
If you’re someone with a corporate job that involves a lot of travel, Reiss’ shirt should be going straight in your basket. It’s crease-resistant, quick-drying, has UV protection and is super breathable for year-round wear.
Buy now £128.00, Reiss
Uniqlo Cotton Broadcloth Shirt
Best for: a casual take
Uniqlo is a go-to for casualwear and this shirt is no exception. Cut to a relaxed silhouette, it would work well worn on its own with jeans or layered over a T-shirt for the transitional season.
Buy now £34.90, Uniqlo
Ami Paris Button-Down Collar Logo-Embroidered Cotton Oxford Shirt
Best for: a fashion favourite
Ami Paris is a fashion editor and celebrity favourite, worn by everyone from Joe Locke to Noah Schnapp. So, anything adorned with the Parisian label’s heart motif is a surefire win for fashion kudos. Beyond the embroidered logo, this shirt’s tailored from luxe cotton for a slightly loose, contemporary fit. Easy yet elevated.
Buy now £220.00, Mr. Porter
Rise & Fall Men's Long Sleeved Cotton Oxford Shirt
Best for: a luxurious choice without the price tag
For premium basics that don’t cost the earth, Rise & Fall is your best bet. Thanks to the transparent costing system, you can see how there’s no excess profit margin when compared with its competitors. Instead, you can get well-made pieces for a reasonable RRP – from £85 for an Oxford shirt to £150 for a pure cashmere jumper.
Buy now £85.00, Rise & Fall
