A shirt often sets the tone for a man’s outfit. From weekday uniforms to weekend staples, from summer gatherings to formal events, there are distinct types of shirts for men suited to nearly every occasion.
Types of Shirts for Men
The range may be broad, but each type of shirt offers its own practical nuance. Whether it is the crisp structure of a dress shirt or the relaxed drape of a camp collar, each one helps define the overall look and the impression it makes.
Casual Shirts
Basic Styles
Among the many categories of men’s clothing, casual shirts remain a reliable constant, valued for their ease, adaptability, and range. From the simplicity of the short-sleeved T-shirt to the utility of the pocket tee and the polish of the polo, these styles offer a full spectrum of everyday options.
The Short Sleeve T-Shirt
The short-sleeve T-shirt remains a fixture in men’s wardrobes for good reason. The best T-shirt fits through the shoulders and chest with clean lines. It works alone or under layers, holding its own with denim, chinos, or casual suiting across climates, dress codes, and varying levels of formality.
The Pocket Tee
The pocket tee tweaks the T-shirt’s simplicity with a single detail. That patch of fabric adds just enough interest to lift it from basic to considered. Worn with denim or chinos, it suggests ease without laziness. Occasionally, it’s also a sly excuse for a pop of color.
The Polo Shirt
The polo shirt bridges casual and refined with minimal effort. Defined by its collar and buttoned placket, it brings structure without stiffness. Among the various types of polo shirts, each offers subtle differences in fabric and fit, making it a reliable choice across jeans, chinos, or tailored summer looks.
Buttoned Styles
Buttoned shirts remain central to the modern wardrobe. Whether cut from crisp poplin or soft flannel, they shift smoothly between laid-back and refined. Versatile by design, these shirts adapt to setting and season without drawing attention to the effort behind the choice.
The Button-Down Shirt
The button-down shirt balances form and flexibility. Originating on the polo field, it has since moved into everyday use, from office hours to weekend plans. Defined by its collar detail, it works with denim, chinos, or tailoring, making it a consistently adaptable option across settings and degrees of formality.
The Oxford Button-down Shirt
The Oxford cloth button-down, or OCBD, is a cornerstone of modern dressing. Woven from durable fabric with a soft roll collar, it shifts easily between casual and refined. Worn with denim or under a blazer, it suits most settings, though it rarely aligns with strictly formal attire.
The Chambray Shirt
The chambray shirt offers the look of denim without the weight. Its plain weave gives it a softer hand and greater versatility. Ideal for those who want texture without bulk, it works with chinos, dark denim, or unstructured tailoring, adding ease without veering into full denim-on-denim territory.
The Flannel Shirt
The flannel shirt, known for its soft, brushed texture, anchors cold-weather dressing. Often seen in plaid or solid tones, it works layered or solo. Paired with denim, chinos, or boots, it leans casual but can shift slightly upward when styled with purpose.
The Short Sleeve Shirt
Short-sleeve shirts combine the ease of a T-shirt with the structure of a collar, making them ideal for warm weather. From crisp linen to printed cotton, they balance comfort and refinement. Worn with shorts or tailored trousers, they move easily between beach, barbecue, and business-casual territory.
Specialty Styles
Specialty shirts add range to a wardrobe, offering distinct textures and moods. A Henley leans casual with its collarless placket, while a denim shirt brings utilitarian weight. These pieces sit outside the core rotation but serve specific roles, expanding what a shirt can signal in both cut and context.
The Denim Shirt
The denim shirt carries a workwear legacy and a hint of rebellion. Built from durable fabric, it suits casual looks. Worn with white jeans, dark chinos, or beneath soft tailoring, it adds texture and weight without straying too far from everyday wearability.
The Henley Shirt
The Henley shirt, with its collarless neckline and buttoned placket, offers an easy middle ground between T-shirt and polo. Rooted in English sport, it has since become a casual standard. Worn alone or layered, it works year-round with denim, chinos, or shorts, depending on the season and setting.
The Mandarin/Grandad/Band Collar Shirt
The Mandarin collar shirt, also known as the band or grandad collar, features a clean neckline with no fold. With roots in Manchu dress, it offers a lightweight, modern alternative to classic collars. Paired with denim or tailoring, it works well for warm-weather dressing with a subtle point of difference.
The Baseball Tee
Baseball tees, or raglan tees, feature contrast sleeves and a diagonal seam that nods to their athletic roots. Originally made for ease of movement on the field, they now serve off-duty looks with a casual, sporty edge. Worn with jeans or shorts, they suit relaxed weekends.
The Knit Shirt
Knit shirts, typically crafted from jersey or pique cotton, offer softness and ease in place of structure. Their textured feel and casual fit make them well-suited to low-key settings. Paired with denim or chinos, they deliver comfort with a touch of refinement, especially on relaxed weekends or informal office days.
The Flap Pocket Shirt
Flap pocket shirts blend function with utility-driven style. Common in workwear and military-inspired designs, they feature covered chest pockets that add structure and storage. Worn with denim or cargos, they lean rugged. In solid tones or bold patterns, they offer a practical way to introduce texture and detail.
Work & Utility Shirts
Work and utility shirts ground contemporary menswear in purpose. From the rugged practicality of utility styles to the layered ease of overshirts and the heritage detailing of Western cuts, each offers a distinct point of view. These shirts favor structure, durability, and a subtle nod to tradition over trend.
The Utility Work Shirt
The utility work shirt, built from sturdy fabrics with reinforced seams and functional pockets, originated in labor-heavy settings. Its practical design and rugged character have since entered casual wardrobes. Worn with denim or chinos, it adds weight and purpose to an outfit without losing its industrial edge.
The Overshirt
The overshirt, equal parts shirt and light jacket, thrives in seasonal in-betweens. Its weight bridges the gap between layers, adding dimension without overstatement. Often cut from wool blends or heavy cotton, it works over a T-shirt or under a coat, offering structure when a full jacket feels excessive.
The Western Shirt
Western shirts stand apart with pointed yokes, snap fastenings, and a distinct sense of Americana. Once rooted in ranch life, they now move between vintage and contemporary styles. Worn buttoned or layered over a T-shirt, they add personality whether paired with denim, chinos, or more tailored wardrobe staples.
Dress Shirts
Dress shirts, often made from crisp poplin, offer a clean silhouette suited to professional settings. Tuxedo shirts elevate the formality with pleats, French cuffs, and wing or spread collars. These styles highlight different types of collars, each suited to specific dress codes, from office wear to formal evening attire.
The Dress Shirt
The dress shirt, made from crisp fabrics like poplin, is a staple of formal dressing. Its long hem and minimal detailing maintain a clean, tucked-in silhouette. Classic dress shirt colors such as white, light blue, and pale grey underscore its professional tone and pair easily with tailored suiting and ties.
The Tuxedo Shirt
Tuxedo shirts are reserved for formal occasions like weddings and black-tie events. Typically white with pleats, French cuffs, and a wing or spread collar, they are worn with a tuxedo, bow tie, and cufflinks. Among formal shirt styles, they represent the most traditional and ceremonial form of tailored dressing.
Summer & Tropical Shirts
Summer shirts favor breathability and loosened structure. Linen and Cuban collar styles offer lightness with a sense of refinement. Hawaiian prints and tank tops lean maximal, embracing sun, color, and skin. Together, they map the season’s style spectrum, from relaxed to fully committed to the holiday state of mind.
The Linen Shirt
The linen shirt is a warm-weather essential, valued for its light weave and relaxed texture. Worn with shorts, chinos, or under a blazer, it moves easily between beach and city. While white and light blue remain staples, linen’s muted tones and soft structure make it a versatile summer standard.
The Cuban Collar Shirt
The Cuban collar shirt, defined by its open neckline and relaxed cut, has become a summer staple. Its vintage charm suits warm days and casual settings. Worn with tailored chinos, denim, or shorts, it carries a laid-back attitude. Bold prints work well, provided they stop short of full nostalgia.
The Hawaiian Shirt
Hawaiian shirts, or Aloha shirts, are defined by bold prints, open collars, and easy silhouettes. Born in Hawaii and tied to leisure culture, they signal escape. Best paired with neutral trousers or shorts, they add color without ceremony and remain a go-to for summer parties, beach days, or off-duty hours.
The Tank
Tank tops, with their sleeveless cut and breathable fabric, are designed for heat. Often associated with sport or leisure, they work for beach days, casual errands, or layering. Solid neutrals offer a sharper take, while bold colors or graphics nod to a more playful, laid-back summer mood.
Additional Shirts Beyond the Basics
While this guide has covered a wide range of shirt styles, several others still merit attention. Long-sleeved shirts, for instance, span formal and casual categories. Defined by their full-length sleeves, they offer year-round utility and can shift tone depending on fabric, fit, and how they are styled.
Mock tees feature a high, non-folding collar that offers a cleaner line than a standard crew neck. As a subtle update to the classic T-shirt, they introduce a slightly more refined edge while retaining a casual foundation, making them well-suited to minimalist wardrobes or pared-back transitional looks.
Turtlenecks, with their foldable high collar, bridge the space between shirt and sweater. Ideal for colder months, they offer warmth and a clean silhouette. Turtleneck outfits often feature tailored trousers, denim, or corduroy, delivering a refined look that works across settings, from casual afternoons to more composed evening plans.
Thermal shirts, designed for insulation, are essentials in cold-weather wardrobes. Typically worn as a base layer, they trap body heat without bulk. Though rarely seen, they play a key role in winter dressing, ensuring warmth while allowing outer garments to carry the visual weight of the outfit.
Rugby shirts combine athletic roots with preppy flair, marked by bold stripes and a reinforced collar. The best rugby shirts retain their heavyweight cotton build and structured neckline. Meanwhile, Guayabera shirts, rooted in Latin American tradition, feature pleats and pockets, offering a distinctive alternative to standard casualwear with cultural depth.
Workout shirts use technical fabrics like polyester to manage sweat and movement, built for performance rather than appearance. On the other hand, banded-bottom shirts, often with a retro feel, feature a fitted waistline that sits cleanly at the hips. Both serve specific functions, from gym sessions to casual dressing with a vintage edge.
Navigating Many Types of Shirts
In the landscape of menswear, shirts remain one of its most expressive foundations. This guide has outlined the core styles, each shaped by function, culture, or climate. While trends evolve, the shirt endures as a daily uniform, a seasonal marker, and a subtle expression of how one chooses to dress.
