Dress Up Shirt Preferences

[Kilted Christian]

Hello all,

In beginning my kilted wardrobe, I need to add a dressy white shirt with French cuffs for cufflinks. Rather than buy a tux shirt with the tiny collar, which has limited utility in other settings, I was thinking that I could begin with a full collared white shirt that I could use with the kilt and jacket, with a normal suit, or a blazer.

I was thinking of a nice white cotton shirt, maybe a subtle white on white pattern or gingham weave, with perhaps an English spread collar, which looks sophisticated with a regular tie and also works with a bow tie.

So, what are your preferences here for an initial multi-purpose, French cuffed shirt?

Cheers, Chris

[Bob C]

I hate those spread collars, but that's just a personal preference.

If you're talking about a shirt to wear with an Argyll or Crail jacket, it sounds like your instincts are just fine.

[McMurdo]

I always go for simple, understated elegance, so in this instance, my preference would be a spread collar, plain white, with a French cuff. It's a classic look that will work for a long time to come.

[BEEDEE]

Chris - a number of X-Markers have bought used tuxedos from My Own Tuxedo to convert to Prince Charlies. They also sell used dress shirts for a song. http://www.myowntuxedo.com/searchres...CategoryID=291

Brian

[Kilted Christian]

Hey, very nice and worth looking into.

[macwilkin]

Brooks Brothers. That's all you need to know. Yes, you'll pay a little more for it, but believe me, BB shirts are worth every penny. They've been in business since 1819, made uniforms for the Civil War and Teddy Roosevelt's uniform for the Spanish-American War.

And good choice on spread collar, btw. I like 'em.

T.

[Cawdorian]

I always wear a white shirt with a spread collar with plain button barrel cuffs with my Argyle jacket for daywear.

For formal wear with an Argyle jacket my personal preference is the spread collar, pleated front, formal shirt with with studs and cuff links. The wing collar shirt seems to be be overly formal with the Argyle jacket but it looks great with a Prince Charlie.

J. C. Penny's has both style shirts at a very reasonable price.

[macwilkin]

The wing collar shirt seems to be be overly formal with the Argyle jacket but it looks great with a Prince Charlie.

Winged-collar shirts really should only be worn with white-tie; I never wear the winged-collar shirts anymore, as they are duce uncomfortable anyway. I know the formal rental places have made them ubiquitous these days, but the stand-and-fall collars are really more appropriate for black tie. But that's the rule for myself only...

My formal shirt is from T.M. Lewin in the UK, btw. You can find some good deals from them online.

T.

[mcvarmit]

Mr. Christian
i wear tux shirts, they come in many different collar styles and usually have convertible cuffs, ie: buttons or links, your choice. they can be had for under $20 from places like Tuxgear.

slick

[Nick]

I have a couple shirts, one white and one gray, both with full french cuffs and spread collars. Spread collars aren't my favorite, I prefer narrow or medium, which favors a four-in-hand knot and a tie bar.

With a kilt, I think you should get a plain shirt, no pattern. There's enough pattern in the kilt! (Unless you have a solid kilt)