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White dress shirts are a staple in a man’s wardrobe - it's the must-have dress shirt that goes with everything. The classic white button-down is incredibly versatile and can easily be dressed up or down. This makes it ideal for almost any occasion and a must-have for special events. But not all shirts are created equal. The best men’s white dress shirts truly stand out from the others.
Comparing the Best White Dress Shirts for Men
| Brand | Rating | Comments |
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1. [Overall Favorite] Nimble Made  |
★★★★★ 4.8 / 5 |
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2. Nimble Made White Collar Speckled Dress Shirt
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★★★★★ 4.8 / 5 |
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3. Nimble Made White Button Up Collar Dress Shirt
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★★★★★ 4.8 / 5 |
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The Best Men’s White Dress Shirts
1. Nimble Made Men’s White Dress Shirt
Inspired by the moon’s roundness, the Crescent by Nimble Made is perfect for dressy and casual occasions and the best white dress shirt in our eyes. The bottom hem is curved to provide a shirt that can work tucked or untucked, and the sky-blue accents add something extra to the overall look. Comes with free metal collar stays and features a semi-spread reinforced collar, this collar style allows you to go with or without a tie and look good no matter how you wear it. The broadcloth weave means minimal shine and texture and gives a sleek and stunning look.
Pros
- 100% cotton broadcloth with minimal shine and texture
- Semi-spread collar and metal collar stays
- Sky blue accents
- Machine washable
- Easy-iron or steam for best results
- Free shipping, exchanges, and returns on U.S. orders
Real Customer Reviews:
Took me almost a decade
"These shirts fit perfectly and have a killer cut through the torso. I bought a blue one for work, wore it just once and bought the same shirt in white for my wedding - and didn’t even think twice. It took me ten years (and a lot of wasted money) to find a shirt that fits me this well." – Tommy K
The fit is SPOT ON
"I’m 5’10” 160lbs originally ordered N2 and exchanged for the N3. the fit is SPOT ON! I couldn’t be more excited to have finally found a brand that makes a shirt that fits my body type. My wife will be really happy about it as well in that she won’t have to hear me complain about dress shirts not fitting 😜. Again, thank you and Nimble Made for making the process a breeze!!" – Stephen H
2. Nimble Made White Collar Speckled Dress Shirt
Nimble Made’s second solid white dress shirt is a great companion to The Crescent. If you’re searching for a white dress shirt that is more opaque, this is one of the best white dress shirts for you! It features a slightly thicker material than our Crescent shirt. With a speckled collar and cuff interiors, this shirt can add a bit of flair in casual situations where you have your sleeves rolled up and your top button open.
Real Customer Reviews:
Perfect Length
“I’m 5’10” and it’s the right length to wear in or out” - Kenton P
Loving the fit!
"Really love the fit! I received three shirts of different fabrics and prices. They all fit really well without being too tight or baggy." – Sean
3. Nimble Made White Button Up Collar Dress Shirt
Our newest button up shirt is The Bai. This white dress shirt features a light pink interior collar lining. The Bai also features a Jacquard pattern compared to the broadcloth weave of The Crescent. This is one the best white men’s dress shirts thanks to its versatility. Wear this to the office, to a wedding, or out to the bar; it won’t let you down.
Real Customer Reviews:
Great fit!
“Great fit for a slim frame” - Rob B
4. Charles Tyrwhitt Slim Fit White Non-Iron Twill Shirt
Charles Tyrwhitt offers a slim fit white dress shirt as well that is made of 100 percent cotton and features a classic point collar. The shirt is mid-weight and made with a twill weave, which makes it great for all-year wear to a variety of functions - from in the office to church to date night.
You get a discount for buying more than one shirt from the site, as well as receiving a six-month quality guarantee with every purchase.
5. J Crew Ludlow Stretch Two-Ply Cotton Dress Shirt
The Ludlow shirt from J. Crew is another classic point collar cotton button-down, with some great additional features. The two-ply, classic shirt is made of cotton and elastane to make it semi-stretchy and create a more comfortable feel. You can use your washing machine, making care easy, and the material is designed to be wrinkle-free. You can also get this shirt in a slim or classic fit, making this one of the best men’s white dress shirts for men of all sizes.
How to Choose the Best White Dress Shirt
To make sure you are getting the most out of your shirt, it is important to consider certain things when searching for the best white dress shirt.
Finding the Size that Fits You
Size is perhaps the most important part of guaranteeing your white dress shirt looks good on you. Even if you get a dozen of the best white dress shirts it doesn't matter if they don't fit. Dress shirts are not sold in the standard small, medium, large, etc. Instead, they are sized by giving you the neck and sleeve length.
To guarantee that the shirt is not too big or too small, you should always go in with your measurements. This is as simple as taking a measuring tape and wrapping it around your neck to get the circumference in inches. From that number, you should add a quarter of an inch to it. This will allow for some breathing room, without overcompensating. If your neck measurement is not on a clear inch mark or half-inch mark, you should round it up to the nearest half.
View Nimble Made’s Cutting Edge Fit Guide
Sleeve Length
Your sleeve length will also be measured in inches and can be done by measuring from the nape of your neck to the end of your wrist. For the best results, this should be done by standing with your arms lightly at your side and then have a friend or partner measure for you. You should round your sleeve length to the nearest inch. Here's a full guide on how to measure your sleeve length.
Off-the-rack dress shirts will show you the neck size first then the sleeve length. For example, the tag may read “16 ½ 32-33”. The 16 ½ will be your neck circumference and the 32-33 measurement will be the sleeve length range.
If you want to have a custom dress shirt made, you will need to have more measurements, such as chest width or circumference, waist width or circumference, and even hips depending on the type of fit and how long you want the shirt to go. Most custom shirts will require you to be measured in-store, so they will take the measurements they find necessary.
Different Fits
You need to find the right fit (so if you're slim check out the best slim fit dress shirts, or for shorter guys, check out our guide to the best dress shirts for short men), style, and comfort to get the best results. This is why it is important to understand what makes certain white dress shirts more desirable than others.
When it comes to the fit of your shirt, there are four main examples. The classic fit is designed to provide more room on the shoulders, creating a broader appearance. There is also some extra room for the chest and waist, as well as looser sleeves. This fit is ideal for those who don’t want their shirts too tight and will also add the appearance of a broader chest and shoulders. This is, overall, a very flattering fit for anyone.
The regular fit is also cut broadly across the shoulders and provides some extra room from the chest and waist. There is not quite as much room around the waist as the classic fit but is not form-fitting. The sleeves are slightly loose but not as large as the classic size. This provides a slightly more tailored fit to show off more of your form while making you still appear to have broader shoulders and chest.
Trim-fit shirts are designed to be more form-fitting and make the body appear more slender, and give a crisp appearance to the shirt. The armholes are slightly higher than on the classic or regular fit and are cut much more closely to the chest. There is still room left for movement so you aren’t going to be restricted by the shirt but will aim to keep your chest and waist appear as true to size as possible. The sleeves are also trimmer to define arms and make it look smoother under a jacket.
For a slimmer body type, you may want to consider an extra-trim fit. This will provide you with a shirt that fits close to your body, preventing you from looking baggy if you have a skinnier body. The armholes are high to keep the shoulders and armpits tailored to you, and the chest and waist are cut slim to avoid extra fabric. The waist and sleeves are both narrow and will fit very smoothly under a jacket.
Picking the collar
Not all dress shirt collars are the same and it is important to find the right one for you. There are two main types of collars, and then many different subtypes. The standard, or point, collar makes up around 95 percent of all dress shirts and is the classic look. The collar’s edges are pointed down at a 60-degree angle and leave very little space between the panels. These collars are ideal for those who want to create a more elongated look to their face and draw the eye downward.
A spread collar is designed to look more youthful and less formal, while also showing off a tie if you choose to wear one. The collar points down at a 90-degree angle and helps to promote the eyes being drawn to your face. Spread collars are also associated with a younger style and can add some fun and quirkiness to your style.
Another popular style of collar is the button-down. This collar is sports and preppy, making it ideal for a casual or dressed down outfit. It is not designed to be worn in a business setting, but instead for events with a more lax dress code.
There are also many other collar types including the club, mandarin, pin, tab, spear, square, cutaway, band, and wing. They all vary in height and stiffness and are designed for various occasions.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best White Dress Shirts for Men
1. What does a white dress shirt mean?
The white dress shirt's impact on males dates all the way back to the Victorian era when it was a significant symbol of wealth and class difference and a potent signal of sobriety and regularity - despite being hidden by outer clothing.
2. How can I make my white dress shirt look good?
Your collar should be large enough to accommodate a tie, and pointy enough to fit beneath your jacket's lapels. Further, a shirt without a chest pocket and a French placket will look cleaner. Some shirt materials can be more dressy than others, just as dark worsted wools have a more formal appearance than tweed.
3. Are all white dress shirts the same?
White dress shirts seem identical to most men, but that is not the case. Men’s dress shirts come in many different styles (collars, cuffs, plackets, etc...) and fabric combinations that can dramatically change their appearance.
4. Which fabric is best for formal shirts?
Generally, pinpoint textiles are opaque and slightly heavier and thicker than broadcloths. Their thicker composition makes them more durable. Twill or broadcloth are good choices for formal shirts.
Buy the Best White Dress Shirts from Nimble Made
Whether it is business, casual, formal, or a combination, you may be surprised how well a simple white dress shirt works to fit your needs. This classic shirt works with nearly everything and can make even the most clueless man look like a stylish and chic fashion follower. So whether it is with jeans, dress pants, or the full suit, dress to impress with the right white dress shirt. We highly recommend Nimble Made's white dress shirt to anyone looking for the best white dress shirt. We may be a little biased, but we believe it easily beats out the competition!
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