Well-dressed people get more at work. It’s a bold claim, but we stand by it and a trusted selection of solid work shirts for men in your wardrobe is one step towards executive style. Dressing well for work not only signals a level of self respect, but it also shows that you take your work seriously. Great clothes have an innate power to make you feel your best. Well-fitting suits boost posture. Carefully chosen shirts get compliments. A carefully curated sock doesn’t go unnoticed. Whether you love or hate your job, updating your day to day wardrobe has the potential to improve your mood at work.
A key component of the workday uniform is the shirt. Whether you’re formalising an outfit with a full button up or softening things with a polo, here’s our pick of favourites for flawless executive style.
The best work shirts for men in 2024
Velasca
Introducing the Arcevia by Velasca, a versatile shirt crafted from 100% Oxford cotton for year-round wear. Expertly woven by Albini 1876 near Bergamo, this fabric offers a smooth touch with a hint of rusticity. Ethically made with eco-friendly practices, it's machine washable or gently hand washable. Meticulously designed with shifted armholes, narrow seams, and mother-of-pearl trocas buttons, each detail speaks of premium quality. Made in Noci, Italy, by skilled artisans with 70 years of heritage, every Arcevia shirt is a testament to timeless craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Aurelien
If, like many other sartorial aficionados out there, your new year’s resolution is to do denim differently, then incorporating denim into your business casual rotation is a must. It’s such a welcome point of difference and Aurelien’s dark blue denim number is one of many solid work shirts for men in its shirting lineup. Great for dressing up a smart pair of denim jeans or for adding a casual feel to a suit, the shirt features stays to keep the collar sharp and subtle pleating for a comfortable fit across the shoulders. Crafted from 100% cotton in a slim fit, give your workday outfit an injection of riviera sophistication.
American Trench
Don’t underestimate the polo top as part of a workday fit. You can either wear it uncovered and casual with chinos and sneakers or pep it up a little underneath a carefully chosen suit jacket. The pique polo sweater from American Trench can be happily filed under the work shirts for men category. Made from 100% Mako Egyptian cotton imported from Italy, the fine ribbing throughout the body of the shirt makes for a sublime texture, with a relaxed fit complimented by a slightly stiffer collar and a traditional two button placket down the front. Plenty of colour options for wearing underneath your favourite jacket.
Asket
If you’re looking to stock up on quality, well-made, sustainably produced Oxford shirts, Asket has got you covered. Oxfords are a bulletproof option when it comes to work shirts for men. A classic staple of any wardrobe, no minimalist capsule is complete without a choice variety of colours. Asket’s are cut from heavy 100% organic cotton emphasising comfort and durability, with a light pre-wash eliminating shrinkage. Incredibly versatile, they’ll dress up and down anything, be it open over a white t-shirt for casual summer workplaces or with the collar unbuttoned as part of Ivy League-inspired tailored separates look.
Billy Reid
Don’t be fooled. Plaid works at work. It invites colour and pattern into your wardrobe and for many officewear rotations, that can be lacking. Billy Reid is a solid spot for work shirts for men and this plaid Pickwick shirt is our pick of the bunch. Cut in a soft custom cotton plaid in a standard fit, it’s roomy, manoeuvrable and comfortable. Constructed with a spread collar, the brand’s signature spade pocket with single-needle stitching, French placket and genuine mother of pearl buttons, it’s a great option for embracing some colour and pattern all rolled into one.
Closed
This is an extremely handsome striped work shirt for men from Closed. Blocked out colours are cool and stuff but a slightly different take on a stripe is a really welcome addition to any wardrobe. This one sits happily on top of a white t-shirt, but it’ll also tuck in beneath a jacket. The shirt is crafted in Portugal from premium quality cotton, with a classic collar, chest pocket and slightly rounded hem. The brand’s monogram completes a timeless design, with two standout colour options available.
Collars & Co
Work shirts for men need pullovers too. If you’re looking to accentuate a collar, frame it within that quarter zip window. The Collars & Co is not just any quarter zip either, it’s reversible, meaning two looks for the price of one. Crafted from the highest quality zen cotton blend, each side gives you the option of light or dark grey, providing all-important versatility alongside comfort and breathability. Wear it with a collar shirt or a polo for a stylish office look.
LESTRANGE
Design, quality and performance, all in one. It’s hard to argue with the LESTRANGE mantra when you’re confronted with the goods. The All Day Shirt is crafted from a merino wool mix that is lightweight, incredibly soft and still crease-resistant, making it a serious option. Itch free and silky smooth on the skin, it’s a serious work shirt for men contender and a must for any man looking to build a modular-style wardrobe where the pieces fit effortlessly together. Also available with or without a collar, we’d recommend stocking up on both.
Luca Faloni
Another work shirts for men enhancer from Luca Faloni here, this time in cardigan form. The oatmeal fine silk cashmere zip cardigan is an effortless companion for shirts and polo tops. Ideal for the workplace, whether dressing up or down. Crafted in Italy from a luxurious blend of 70% cashmere and 30% silk from the prestigious Cariaggi Fine Yarn Collections, the fabric’s handle is luxuriously smooth and comfortable as a result. A feeling that is noticeable upon each wear. Elegant and versatile, it’s a solid cardigan option and the two-way zip is great for enhancing layering.
M’Essentiel London
For the uninitiated, M’Essentiel London is all about artisan craftsmanship, premium quality materials and still pushing the boundaries of design with both practical and wearable garments. Their brown collarless linen shirt is a great example of this, with a modern twist on the shawl collar taking centre stage. As far as work shirts for men go, this is a notably elegant option ideal for casual or semi-formal wear. The linen is soft, breathable and with a subtle shine and a feel that makes it a real treat to wear.
Mackintosh
Military doesn’t have to be camo. You can get away with military in the workplace, notably the Mackintosh military shirt. Crafted from breathable cotton accented with a timeless blue and white check pattern, the larger smart point collar, button cuffs and chest pocket nod to smart tailoring codes whilst the half placket and relaxed fit provide a more fashion forward take on the work shirt for men category. Wear it loose over relaxed trousers and a suede shoe or boot.
Neem London
We’re all about the recycled Italian sky Dobby popover shirt from Neem London. Such a fun, stylish design, the sort of thing that would happily break up any work shirts for men rotation and bring a little something extra to your work fits. A wonderfully casual option, sustainability is key at Neem and production of this particular shirt emits 54% less carbon dioxide than a standard cotton shirt.
Private White V.C.
This is a novel work shirt for men from Manchester premium outfitters, Private White. Luxuriously lightweight, this 100% cotton pique polo is crafted in a regular fit with the zip of all zips (Military-grade copper zip from RIRI of Switzerland) replacing a classic button down placket. Knitted in the UK and with herringbone zip detailing, it’s an elevated piece for summer days in the office and available in rose, cloud blue and navy colourways.
Pini Parma
A very suave workplace option from Pini Parma in the form of their grey striped cotton shirt. A contender for the most Sprezzatura work shirts for men category, it’s a shirt giving Italian elegance. Crafted in Italy from 100% cotton (woven in Italy, also), the shirt features a dashing Windsor collar, sewn-in collar stays, one-button rounded cuffs and a stylish grey stripe throughout. Tuck it into a pair of the brand’s trademark pleated trousers and finish off with sleek shades.
WAHTS
Another one (DJ Khaled voice) worth stocking up on. The Wahts Davis pique polo shirt is a tailored fit polo built to last, making it serious work shirts for men material. If you’re looking for quality basics to make up a no-nonsense workplace rotation, look no further. Available in a variety of colours, the polo features luxury pique material and mother of pearl buttons on the front placket. A cool contender for summer wear.
Wax London
Last but not least, this beauty from Wax London. A less formal piece that still feels curated. The Oban polo in grey is a classic regular fit long sleeve polo albeit with a slight twist. Crafted from a cotton blend, this work shirt for men features engineered rib detailing for welcome texture. A great layering piece that works well with a looser fit trouser and sneaker.
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