A WHITE DRESS shirt earns its place in your closet because you can wear it to a wedding on Saturday and back to work on Monday. But fit is everything. Nothing beats going custom or getting fitted in person, but you don’t need to spend a fortune at a tailor to find one that looks good. We found shirts online for a wide range of builds, including options with separate neck and sleeve sizing that can get you closer to the right fit off the rack.
The Men’s Health style team wore these shirts through commutes and long days at the office. We looked for shirts that fit well without alterations and still felt comfortable hours later. Some have the crisp feel you want with a suit; others have enough stretch that you won’t be thinking about your shirt all day. Here are the nine that made the cut.
Charles Tyrwhitt gives you more ways to get the fit right without visiting a tailor. You can choose your neck and sleeve measurements, then pick from classic, slim, or extra slim cuts. Style editor Joseph Cheatham wore the classic fit and found it roomy through the chest and shoulders without looking baggy under a jacket.
The cotton twill has a bit of heft, so it looks right at home in an office without feeling too heavy on a summer commute. It also lived up to its non-iron billing: After a 40-minute commute and a full day of meetings, Cheatham went straight to an event without needing to steam or press it. If you like the fit but want a lighter fabric, Charles Tyrwhitt also makes shirts in poplin. Once you’ve nailed your size, keep an eye out for the brand’s multi-buy deals before stocking up.
This Van Heusen shirt makes a decent case for spending less. Our testers liked the relaxed fit through the shoulders and chest, and found that it kept its shape after multiple washes. The polyester-cotton poplin also resisted wrinkles during wear, so it’s an easy option to keep in rotation for work.
The fabric is thin, though, and a white undershirt can help keep it from looking see-through. The regular cut gives you plenty of room, but it won’t have the close fit or substantial feel of the pricier shirts on this list. A point collar and adjustable cuffs keep it looking presentable under a jacket.
Lululemon’s updated Venture looks like a dress shirt, but its lightweight polyester blend feels much better on a hot commute. Cheatham wore it under a blazer on a muggy subway ride, then kept it on through a full workday and dinner without overheating. The fabric wicks away sweat, and its stretch let him lift his arms without the shirt tugging at his shoulders.
It has a relaxed fit through the chest and waist, plus removable collar stays that keep it looking sharp under a jacket. You can also put it in the washer and dryer; we found it came out ready to wear without ironing. The trade-off is the feel. If you like a crisp cotton dress shirt, this one will feel more like performance wear. And unlike similarly priced shirts at Charles Tyrwhitt, you can’t customize the fit with separate neck and sleeve sizes.
