Why the Color of Dress Shirts Matters
In a previous fashion blog entry, we examined what dress shirts were, how best they should be worn and what essential factors you, as a consumer, should think about before making that final purchase.
We learned that, though men’s dress shirts come in a variety of styles and sizes, it was the tailored dress shirt that really makes that extra impact. If you’re going to splash out on a quality shirt, paying that little bit extra for precision tailoring is a price worth paying. It not only means you look better; a shirt that fits the natural contours of your physique, but it also means you’re getting value for money.
That being said, buying high-end men’s fashion doesn’t stop there. There are several other key factors you, as a buyer, must consider to maximize the impact of your shirt. After all, a dress shirt is just one part of your overall look. It’s now time to think about color, pattern and style – bringing everything together to perfect a style that works.
Dress shirts – thinking about color
When we talk about color, there are three main factors to consider:
First, that “white” is the safest card to play; a color that goes with everything and nothing at the same time. Originally, wearing a white shirt was associated with formality. Other colors were assumed to be worn with ulterior motives. Those in less clean professions could, after all, cover up stains with non-white clothing and/or shirts. So, while white can be associated with formality, it can also work well with non-formal clothing or in non-formal occasions. White is destined always to remain the most popular color of choice.
Dress shirts in shades of blue burst onto the fashion scene in America. This time, it wasn’t color choice that was linked to the background of the individual in question but how well blue blended with the male complexion. Even today, blue dress shirts are more popular than ever; a color choice that both complements the male complexion and comes with the versatility one needs to match different clothing color combinations together.
What about more complex colors – shades of purple, pink, green and black?
Therein lies a risk.
When done right, choosing a less popular dress shirt color can maximize the overall fashion impact – even moreso than with conventional fashion standards. Not everyone can wear a pink or a brown shirt, though. Some complexions fail to accommodate these more nuanced colors, for example. Darker complexions, such as a Latino complexion or those lucky enough to wear natural tans, tend to match well with shades of pink or green. Less tanned complexions, in contrast, shift the focus away from the dress shirt onto the sharp contrast between the lighter skin tone and the shirt. When it comes to non-conventional dress shirt colors, the color should always dominate.
Color can, then, have an enormous impact on the sense of fashion you wish to convey. In future articles, we’re going to focus on the impact that patterns can have on men’s dress shirts.
Searching for more men’s fashion tips? Check back to our blog at Maceoo very soon as we supply some of the very best tips to maximize your overall look. In the meantime, check out our online fashion store for some great deals on luxury men’s shirts.