It is really hard to find the best work shirt. This is not just a set of textile elements sewn together; it is accurate work with the best natural materials. Of course, the quality of finished products will depend on the way of sewing, on the method of fastening the seams, and even the type of selected accessories and threads.
Attention to Fabric
An important detail of the best work shirt is its strength, wear resistance, and durability. It is necessary to choose the right fabric to ensure all this.
A distinctive feature of well-branded shirts is sewing from natural fabrics. First-class men’s shirts are made from cotton, linen, or their blend. Good silk shirts are extremely rare, and the presence of polyester in the fabric is generally excluded. For example, Dust N Boots uses a unique 100% double-sided cotton drill fabric, which significantly extends the time of usage of the shirt.
In addition, the fabric should be pleasant to the touch and comfortable to wear. A premium shirt is both soft and durable. Among other things, the fabric should be 2-ply: 2-fold or double-twisted – one thread consists of two threads twisted tightly together.
Find Your Own Cut
The best work shirt is distinguished from other options by its cut. It is important that the cut of the shirt is right for you. Even a top-class shirt can look terrible on some figures. Putting the right shirt on, you feel as comfortable as in a bathrobe, and nothing hinders movement. It fits the silhouette and looks organic with or without a jacket.
The method of fitting requires special attention. The shirt can be fitted either by using darts on the back or by tailoring it in a special way. The first option is more common, but many people do not like darts because the look is not quite “clean.” On the other hand, darts are a kind of stock: if you need them, you can open the darts and release some fabric from them.
Notice that the presence or absence of darts does not indicate the quality of the shirt.
Pick the Buttons
On a high-quality shirt, you will most often find mother-of-pearl buttons, while on budget options, they will be made of plastic. Well-made buttons should be tight and thick. They shimmer beautifully in daylight and add extra charm to the image.
It is also better to use shank buttons. Firstly, such a button holds on more tightly and, most likely, will not fall off even years later. Secondly, the buttoned shirt with shank buttons looks neater; there are no “dents” under the buttons. Thirdly, the shank buttons are usually easier to fasten.
Neat sewing is a must
Neat buttonholes and seams on sleeves are small details that serve as an indicator of a high-quality shirt. Another important factor is the gusset—a small piece of fabric, usually in a triangular shape. It connects the bottom of the front and back sides of the shirt and is used to strengthen the seams.
Count the Stitches
The more stitches per centimeter, the better the shirt, and the longer the seams will last. On the best work shirt, you will find 8-9 stitches per centimeter. On the good one—6-7 stitches per centimeter. For shirts in the lower price range – 4-5 stitches. The lower the stitch density, the less time was spent making the shirt. However, the density of stitches on the collar and cuffs is usually higher than on long seams.
The finishing touch of a quality shirt is single-needle stitching. It guarantees the long-term preservation of the shirt, despite washing and dry cleaning. A double seam, usually created by machines with two needles, can ruin the item after washing.
And one more piece of advice: every man should have at least five work shirts that he can change every day. In that case, you will not worry about what to wear tomorrow because you will always have a clean shirt at hand.
