12 best men's dress shirts, per stylists

CNN

06-05-2025

Whether for business or pleasure, there are plenty of occasions that call for wearing a dress shirt. Go all-out formal for black-tie weddings, pair it with dress pants to tackle your next job interview or take a more casual approach with jeans and loafers.
Dress shirts have been a staple of many men for decades now, meaning there are plenty of colors, collar types and fits to choose from. Here, we consulted three men's fashion experts and wardrobe stylists on the best men's dress shirts to add to your wardrobe.
Best men's dress shirts
Editor Favorite Uniqlo Super Non-Iron Slim Shirt
Uniqlo
"Uniqlo is my favorite spot for essentials like tees and dress shirts, so I have this button-down in a few different collar styles," said associate testing writer Joe Bloss. "I often struggle finding shirts that have proper sleeve length without alterations, but this fits great. Plus, the material steams easily to release any wrinkles."
$40 at Uniqlo
Bonobos Riviera Short Sleeve Shirt
Bonobos
"I'm not a fan of the stuffy, solid-color dress shirts that immediately come to mind when one thinks 'businessman,' so when I need to dress to impress, I typically seek out dress shirts with a little bit of flair, be it a subtle pattern or color that's not black, white or navy," CNN Underscored copy chief Daniel Toy said. "I'm a huge fan of Bonobos' Riviera line for this reason, as it offers office-appropriate attire that works just as well for post-work activities or date nights. Because I typically find myself rolling up long sleeves, I prefer short-sleeve shirts, but Bonobos has a fantastic line of more formal dress shirts as well if that's your preference or your workplace has a stricter dress code."
From $59 at Bonobos
Paul Smith Cotton-Poplin Shirt
Mr Porter
'Paul Smith is a go-to for when I'm styling a casual suit,' Rosenberg said, adding that the Italian-made shirts 'are undeniably crisp, clean and provide a luxurious yet approachable feel.'
$250 at Mr Porter
Editor Favorite Ministry of Supply Apollo Dress Shirt
Ministry of Supply
"I wish it were a little cheaper, though I have to admit I feel great in this performance dress shirt every time I wear it," Bloss said. "It's my favorite casual dress shirt." Made from a recycled polyester blend, the material boasts temperature regulating qualities and has even gone through performance tests to prove its breathability, wrinkle resistance and stretch. "Heads up, I wouldn't recommend it with a tie because of the spacing between the top button and the next one down," Bloss added.
$130 at Ministry of Supply
Cos Slim Tailored Poplin Shirt
Cos
Whether you're headed to a business meeting, preparing for an interview or dining with friends, this tailored light blue option can be your go-to dress shirt. While this shirt can easily be dressed up with formal pieces, Rosenberg suggests wearing it untucked with black dress pants and casual loafers.
$99 at Cos
Favourbrook Gatsby Cotton-Poplin Shirt
Mr Porter
'This shirt has a modern look due to the front plackets,' Rosenberg said. 'Occasionally, I enjoy not seeing the buttons on the front of dress shirts so the tie can appear extremely clean and flat. The overall style of this shirt is perfect for work and important meetings.'
$165 at Mr Porter
What to look for in a men's dress shirt
Since you'll most likely pair your dress shirt with things like dress pants and blazers, experts recommend focusing on the fit of your shirt first. Now, how you want your dress shirt to look and feel boils down to personal preference.
For dressy events, a tuxedo shirt should be your first option. These solid shirts feature a French cuff — a stiff cuff that's fastened with cufflinks — and pair nicely with formal attire. Relaxed fit and slim fit styles make great work shirts as they can be easily dressed up or down depending on the formality of your career. If you need to wear a tie to work, look for dress shirts with wide collars — these collar styles are large enough to accommodate a thick tie. This differs from the more casual Oxford shirts, which are differentiated by their button-down collar and thicker cloth fabric. Linen shirts are also popular casual options, especially during the warmer months.
FAQs
The following FAQs have been answered by style experts Michael Andrew Rosenberg and Amanda Sanders.
How can you tell if a dress shirt is high quality?
There are several ways to identify if a dress shirt is high quality, but stylists suggest looking at the shirt's finishes first. 'I look out for the fabric weight and fit, as these are key indicators of luxury and longevity,' Rosenberg said. Other details include buttons (mother-of-pearl are the most luxurious), collar structure and the overall feel. Stay away from shirts with loose threads, especially at the buttonholes, and only buy patterned shirts where the prints match up along the seams.
'An indicator of quality is how well the stitching and cuffs are sewn,' Rosenberg said. 'I also look out for neatly stitched buttonholes. Italian dress shirts are my go-to as they are tailored to perfection.' What is the best fabric for a men's dress shirt?
Cotton is the most popular fabric in men's dress shirts. The fiber is known for its breathability, durability and comfort — just make sure that your cotton dress shirts aren't mixed with a high percentage of synthetic fibers (like rayon or polyester) which are less durable and breathable, unless they were engineered as a performance fabric. Poplin and twill are common weaves for cotton dress shirts, according to experts.
Consider flannel, cashmere or plaid dress shirts for colder climates and linen during the warmer months. And while cotton is definitely the most classic material, performance and athletic fit dress shirts that use materials like spandex are also very popular among men. Should you size up or size down a dress shirt?
'If you are unsure about your size it's best to size up versus down,' Sanders said. 'Larger shirts can be tailored and darted to make them smaller.'
Meet our experts
For this article, we consulted the following style experts to gain their professional insights on the best men's dress shirts.
Michala Ebert , a Nordstrom digital fashion stylist based in Chicago, Illinois
, a Nordstrom digital fashion stylist based in Chicago, Illinois Michael Andrew Rosenberg , a New York City-based art director and stylist at the luxury men's retailer, Mr. Porter
, a New York City-based art director and stylist at the luxury men's retailer, Mr. Porter Amanda Sanders, fashion stylist and wardrobe consultant with over 15 years of experience working with celebrity clientele including Chris Rock, Jeff Goldblum and Jamie Fox
Why trust CNN Underscored
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, contributing writer Matthew Velasco consulted professional stylists about the best men's dress shirts to shop. Velasco has also covered other men's fashion like the best polo shirts, belts and dress shoes for guys.