Formal shirts - what to look for
Formal shirts are a relatively modern style of clothing, first appearing in the Victorian era, with stiff, detachable collars. Modern formal shirts are available in a wide range of styles and fabrics, but all share a common set of features that should be expected from a high quality formal shirt.
The collar of formal shirts dictates, to a large extent, the formality of the shirt. Most modern formal shirts are available with point, or spread fold-down collars, which are attached to the shirt. Button down shirts tend to be regarded, especially outside North America, as being more informal. Other formal shirts come still come complete with detachable collars, as used by the legal profession in the UK, and are referred to as tunic shirts. The most formal shirts are available with Wing collars, and would generally be used as part of Morning or Evening wear.
There are a variety of cuffs which can be used in formal shirts. The most formal is the double cuff (called a French cuff in North America) where the cuff itself is folded and fastened with cufflinks. Single (or barrel) cuffs, where the cuff is not folded and fastened with a button, are becoming more common in modern formal shirts and add a level of convenience. For morning and evening wear, however, double cuffs are still essential.
Formal shirts should always be made from pure cotton, as this fabric allows a level of breathability not found with synthetic mixes. Traditionally, formal shirts have long tails and a gusset to ensure that the shirt remains tucked in - a formal shirt would never be worn untucked.
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