Banded Shirts

Banded shirts are gaining good popularity in recent times especially as a formal wear at occasions like company functions or marriages or even at restaurant parties. These are basically shirts made for men. You find women wearing a banded shirt in very rare cases that too as a formal ware. These are very much similar in style to Oxford shirts and tuxedo shirts, yet they are different and unique in some criteria.

While choosing a perfect banded shirt that matches the occasion, one should take care of several issues:

• First and foremost is the size. You should feel comfortable when you wear your banded shirt. If you do not feel comfortable in that shirt there are no chances that you are going to wear it again. Hence it should not be too tight or too lose. It should fit your body style and shape perfectly.
• When it comes to the collar, high band color is the most popular one. But this is a matter of pure personal preferences. People have their own tastes when it comes to collar and al most all types suit well for banded shirts. But make sure that the collar does not spoil the formal look of the banded shirt.
• Make sure that the color of the band (A piece of cloth that is attached to the shoulder of the banded shirt and helps in keeping the collar firm) goes with the color of the shirt. If not it spoils the whole look altogether.

If you keep the above things in your mind then, you are rest assured to find the perfect banded shirt that makes your presence felt at the occasion. The banded shirts are also available with detachable collars and buttons on band are provided to detach the collar from the shoulder of the shirt. These banded shirts are readily available in leading stores and can be purchased through on line services. While buying the banded shirts following point are to be taken care of such as size of the shirt, quality of the fabric that is used by the manufacturer, type of collar as there are various types of collars available in case of banded shirts and the color of the cloth.

Some perfect banded shirt combinations are:-

Black Trim on White Banded Dress Shirt: - This unisex model really makes your identity very unique and special at any type of formal occasion. Quite often than not, this type of banded shirt is worn with out a tie. How ever a black band collar will also look cool on this combination.

Solid Color Banded Dress Shirt: - This unisex banded shirt is a perfect one for occasions like a company meeting, or your school anniversary or some other party where you are amongst the most important persons of the occasion. A black dress pant or a tuxedo pant can really do wonders for your appearance.

White Dress Shirt with Black Band Collar: - This unisex model is really a treat to an eye. This is a perfect match for occasions like marriages. You can also wear them at occasions like restaurant parties. A tuxedo suit will present you in a very distinct and special way to the crowd.

Branded Shirts

Branded shirts are really special for any occasion. It does not matter whether you are attending your school anniversary or you are going to office to do your routine work or going to a park for walking. They can keep you look very smart and perfect. Not only looks, they can also make you feel comfortable.

There are so many branded shirts that are available in the market today. Some of the exceptional brands which are demanding respect all over the world with their quality include Tommy Hilfiger, Allen Solly, Oxemberg, Park Avenue, Raymonds, and many more. All these brands offer shirts in al most all the price ranges. The options of colors and patterns available are just mind blowing. These types of shirts are the most popularly sold shirts all across the globe.

With this much of wide variety of options that are available, one should take so many things into account while choosing the best one.

The size of the shirt is the most important thing. The size given on the shirt normally is a good measure to deal with. But sometimes there is a chance that the size differs from brand to brand. A size of 32 on one brand may not be the same when compared to the same size of 32 on another brand. And hence care should be taken on this account while purchasing a branded shirt.

You should not feel tight or appear baggy across the shoulders, chest, stomach, or seat when you wear the shirt. Without being too fit or close, the cut of your branded shirt should essentially follow the curve of your body. You should definitely follow your personal preferences while choosing the measurements for your branded shirt.

Remember to have the sleeves of your branded shirt long enough; if not it will cause big trouble when your arms are raised above the head. Also remember that the sleeves should not be very long that when the arms are hanging by the side of the body there is too much of fabric on the sleeves near to the cuffs. This does not look good. Hence care should be taken here.

Leave enough space at the collar of your branded shirt so that you can insert your thumb comfortably between the collar and the neck when buttoned. At the same time you should not feel stiff or hang loose around the neck when you wear your branded shirt.

The length of the shirt should be long enough so that you feel comfortable when you do in shirt. This is also an important aspect especially if you are using these branded shirts for formal usage. But can be neglected if you are going for a branded T-Shirt or some other shirt which is basically for informal usage.

If you take all the above things into consideration, while going for a branded shirt you can rest assure that it is going to be a perfect fit for you in terms of size.

Apart from these things one should also consider some other important things like:-

Fabrics: - Normally cotton is the best favorite if your are choosing for formal ware. And woolen can be a better one for T-Shirts. How ever it is mainly a matter of personal preference. One should choose the fabric with which he feels comfortable.

Collars: - The collar should be hand made, and can be either fused or infused. A well fused collar will give a smooth look with no puckering, and should use cotton interfacing materials.

Pattern matching - When using striped or patterned fabrics, pattern matching should occur wherever possible.

If you take all these precautions while choosing your shirt then it will definitely be a perfect fit for you.

© 2005, BEST BUY UNIFORMS a division of COMMERCIAL TEXTILES CORPORATION.
All Rights Reserved.
The names, logos, taglines and icons identifying Best Buy Uniforms Online products and services are proprietary marks of BEST BUY UNIFORMS. All other trademarks and servicemarks are property of their respective owners

*e-mail steve@bestbuyuniforms.com for permission to use this article.

Casual Dress Shirt

A men's shirt with a collar and a full-length opening down the front from the collar to the hem is called a dress shirt. A dress shirt is normally made of lightweight woven cloth. A dress shirt normally also has long sleeves with buttoned or double cuffs.

Even though dress shirts normally refer to a type of formal wear; less-formal variations also called casual dress shirts are also becoming common now a days. Most men omit the necktie and may eschew ironing their shirt and tucking the hem in, if they are wearing a dress shirt for casual purposes. It is also a common practice to leave the top button unfastened.

There are just so many different varieties of casual dress shirts available in the market that a man can buy. How ever as stated earlier; less-formal versions or the casual dress shirts are rarely worn with a suit and tie.

Cotton and woven cloth are normally the preferred materials for the casual dress shirts. How ever linen, polyester, polyester blends and silk are also used as materials for the casual dress shirts. Corduroy, denim, flannel are some of the most popular options for the casual dress shirts.

In general there will be seven buttons on the front of a casual dress shirt, regardless of the size. A vertical band running down the front opening than contains the buttonholes is called the placket; it is located on the wearer's left side, to fit overlap the button row on the edge of the right half of the shirt.

For casual dress shirts normally black tie offers very good leeway. Casual dress shirts may be soft, and they quite often may also have a regular collar. Especially in the past decades, ruffled-shirt fronts were treated as a very fashionable type, although they have fallen out of favor in the recent years. With the casual dress shirts studs are optional but if worn they are usually black. Like wise cufflinks are also optional but if worn they are generally black.

The casual dress shirt required for white tie is very specific. It should definitely have a wing collar and be fastened with shirt studs instead of buttons on the front. The studs should be either gold or silver with a mother of pearl inlay. The studs and the cufflinks should match each other. The front panels of the casual dress shirt are greatly decorated and polished. This is to make sure that they are stiff. In general, the collarless casual dress shirts with a detachable wing collar fastened on with collar studs have been used, but all-in-one designs are increasingly common.

In general there will be pleats normally on the center of the back side of the shirt and some times also on the sleeves (normally just above the cuffs). Even though the most formal type of dress shirt will have no pockets, but a casual dress shirt has a single discreet pocket on the wearer's left side, which is a sewn-on patch with a plain upper hem, optionally with a single button for closure. This small pocket is just large enough to hold a small piece of paper or a few pens and a pocket protector. Less-formal dress shirts or the casual dress shirts may feature larger pockets, dual pockets, or pockets with flap closures.

Western style casual dress shirts normally come with slash pockets and snap fasteners throughout in place of buttons. They give some additional rich look to the dress shirts.

Even though single or barrel cuffs are the normal cuffs for casual dress shirts; double and french cuffs are both more traditional and more fashionable. They are normally are fastened with cufflinks. Short sleeve shirts which are considered as the perfect casual dress shirts have a plain (no-button) hem above the wearer's elbow.

A button down collar, usually narrow is the most popular one for the casual dress shirts in general. Most men omit the necktie and may eschew ironing their shirt and tucking the hem in. It is common to leave the top button unfastened.

These casual dress shirts are just about perfect if you are looking for a bit of stylish look even in the casual wear. The prefect color combination can make you look very special at any place.

© 2005, BEST BUY UNIFORMS a division of COMMERCIAL TEXTILES CORPORATION.
All Rights Reserved.
The names, logos, taglines and icons identifying Best Buy Uniforms Online products and services are proprietary marks of BEST BUY UNIFORMS. All other trademarks and servicemarks are property of their respective owners

*e-mail steve@bestbuyuniforms.com for permission to use this article.

Men's Formal Dress   by George Williams

When you receive an invitation card for the formal party, this may be a sign that you are having a move up your career path or it is your first formal charity event. As you read the invitation you see listed among the details "black tie". Does that mean you need to wear a tuxedo? Will a suit do just as well?

If you want to feel comfortable and impress your host, determine what formal attire is expected based on the terms used in the invitation as well as the many choices available to you.

1. Black Tie is a common reference to a formal affair. If the invitation specifically states 'black tie' you WILL be expected to come in a tuxedo. You do not have to wear a black tuxedo - a grey tuxedo would be equally acceptable.

You may also prefer to add some color or distinction to your outfit by choosing a cummerbund, vest and tie that is a patterned or solid color. Choose a sophisticated cuff link and finish the look with black patent leather shoes.

The variety of styles available today allows you to customize your look with the cut of the coat, the color of your accessories and they style of neck wear. Depending on the event and your hosts you may determine if too much self-expression would detract from the evening. If you are unsure it is wise to stick with traditional black and white.

2. White Tie is the most formal dress request. It requires a strict attention to tradition and does not permit the guest to deviate from an accepted standard.

A White Tie event requires the men to be wearing a black, full dress tailcoat, wing collar shirt, white pique vest and tie. You may also wish to add such elegant touches as a top hat, cane and white gloves.

3. Traditional (or Formal) Morning Attire - Another take on formal wear for day time events is the traditional morning attire. The most formal suit is composed of a grey cutaway coat, striped trousers and grey vest with a wing collar shirt and ascot. Less formal dress would substitute a Stroller coat; lay down collar shirt and four-in-hand tie.

For non-traditional formal wear at a day time event you can wear a black or grey tuxedo or even a white tuxedo for warm weather events.

4. Semi-formal allows the guest to wear either a black or grey tuxedo or a suit. Seasonal appropriate colors can be used for day time affairs.