Most men care more about cars, watches and gadgets than they do about clothes, but they still want to look good. Science tells us that the people we meet make judgments about us in just a few seconds, and dressing smartly makes them think we are successful before we even say a word. This means that you should always dress slightly better than the situation calls for, and it also means that you should own plenty of dress shirts.

What a Man Needs in His Wardrobe

In an ideal world, a man would have the perfect jacket, pants, shoes and shirt for every conceivable situation, but that is just not practical for most of us. The clothes in your closet should reflect the life you lead, but even men who spend most of their waking hours in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt should have a few dressier garments for dates, interviews and special occasions. They should also have enough clothes to leave the house without looking the same as they did the day before, which brings us to the big question. How many dress shirts is enough?

How Many Dress Shirts Should a Man Own?

The answer to this question will depend largely on what you do for a living. If you work in an environment where a jacket and slacks are expected, you should ideally have a dress shirt for every working day of the month. If you work five days a week, that equates to about 20 dress shirts. If you work in a more casual atmosphere, you could probably get by with half of that number. About 10 dress shirts will be enough to give you the look you want in just about any situation, and you won’t have to rummage through your laundry hamper before going out on a big date.

Now that you have decided how many dress shirts you need, it is time to pick some clothes. This is where things can get tricky as there are a lot of choices out there. To make your life easier, here are a few tips to get you pointed in the right direction:

• Fabric: Cotton is the traditional choice for dress shirts, but it is expensive and wrinkles and wears out quickly. Plus, it can shrink in the wash. If you want a shirt that lasts a little longer and works for you while you wear it, look for a fabric blend that will wick perspiration away from your body, resist bacteria and won't require much ironing.
• Fit: Dress shirts with a classic fit are a little looser and may be a good choice for those of us who associate six-packs with beer rather than abdominal muscles. However, if you have the body to carry it off, few things look better than a slim-fit dress shirt.
• Collar style: There are dress shirts with tab collars, square collars, club collars and pin collars, but you should probably stick to the classic point collar unless you plan to buy a lot of shirts. This type of collar works with just about everything, and it complements the shape of any face. Button-down collars are quite popular, but they are more appropriate for casual shirts made out of thicker fabric like Oxfords. An ideal middle ground could be a shirt with hidden buttons that maintains a classic look while adding functionality.
• Color and pattern: You can choose a fabric with a little texture to add pop to a white or colored shirt, or you could pick a shirt with a check or pattern Just remember that your dress shirt should enhance and not do battle with the rest of your ensemble. That being the case, mix patterns with care.

Essential Dress Shirt Colors

Dress shirts come in just about every color under the sun, so which should you choose? Your wardrobe should work for you no matter what the weather is like, so make sure that you have dress shirts that reflect the season. Earth tones work well in the fall and winter months, while pastels and bright colors are more suitable for spring and summer. However, there are a few colors that should be dress shirt staples in any dapper man’s closet.

White Dress Shirts

White is the classic shirt color for a reason. A beautiful white dress shirt is a canvas to build on, and it will look great with everything from a pair of jeans to a formal suit. A white dress shirt takes the stress out of picking a look because it is so versatile, and you should have at least two of them in your closet.

Blue Dress Shirts

Blue is the color most businessmen choose for a dress shirt when they want to step up their game a little. Blue doesn’t work with every color, but it is surprisingly adaptable. There are also many blues to choose from. You could pick a lighter shade if you want to be subtle, or you could opt for a darker blue if a bolder statement is more your style. Blue shirts also provide a perfect base color for patterned shirts.

Gray Dress Shirts

A gray dress shirt conveys confidence and capability, which is why it is often the color choice of designers and engineers. Like white, gray works with just about any other color, but it looks especially good with darker tones. A subtle pattern can add life to a gray dress shirt, and the color also makes an ideal base for a check pattern.

Putting It All Together

The way you look says a lot about you, so you should choose your clothes wisely. At WRK Essentials, we believe that the clothes a man wears should reflect the way he approaches life. Our extensive line of dress shirts features an array of sophisticated colors and patterns that will make you look good in any situation, which could help to make sure that the first impression you make really counts.