These are the best long sleeve shirts for men
They’re the cornerstone of your work and weekend wardrobe so make sure you’re wearing the best
Words: Zoe Dickens
Think about the outfits you’ve worn over the last week. How many times did a long sleeve shirt feature? Five, maybe six, times? It’s hardly surprising given the long sleeve shirt is one of the most versatile items in a man’s style arsenal. You tuck a crisp white number in for work, throw a lumberjack style on over a white T-shirt at the weekends and select a pastel hue to go with your chinos when seeing your parents for Sunday lunch. There really is no situation in which a long sleeve shirt isn’t a suitable option.
Which begs the question – why has it been so long since you upgraded yours? We know you’re emotionally attached to that Uniqlo Oxford you bought for your first proper job but it’s been five years and high street clothes simply aren’t made for that kind of lifespan. No, it’s time to upgrade and, from the white shirts your work wardrobe needs to the weekend styles you’ll love for seasons to come, we’ve found the best long sleeve shirts for men.
Keep it classic in white for work
Whether your weekday uniform is a sartorial number from Savile Row or a rotation of off-the-peg suits in subtly differing shades of grey, any tailored look will be instantly lifted by the perfect white shirt. And, trust us, not all white shirts were created equal. For summer you’ll want a cooling cotton-linen blend while during the cooler months a thicker, textured fabric will be just the thing for those chilly commutes. We’d also recommend opting for a tailored or slim-fit to stop any ballooning around a tucked-in waist and keep those collars small and neat – voluminous collars do not scream ‘I deserve a promotion’. So where to find these perfect white shirts? Turnbull & Asser, New & Lingwood and Emma Willis are the best in the business.
Block colours are more versatile than you think
Tend to shy away from colour in favour of a palette of black, navy and white? It’s time you branched out. A pale pink or blue shirt is the perfect partner to beige chinos for smart casual occasions while a more vibrant hue looks great with dark denim and is the ideal uniform if you’re not sure what the weekend might throw at you. Ease yourself in with something tonal like Asket’s olive overshirt – it’s designed specifically for layering over a T-shirt and is crafted from 100% organic cotton twill. Alternatively, rough roll the sleeves on Frescobol Carioca’s Antonio linen shirt in summer and Sunspel’s corduroy shirt in autumn for a nonchalant take on the style.
A check shirt is an off-duty must-have
No matter how soft your cottons or breathable your linens, wearing a finely tailored shirt in the evenings or at the weekend can still feel a little too office adjacent. If you’re looking to really relax what you need is something slightly oversized, checked and, preferably, rendered in flannel. Take Peregrine’s wool blanket shirt, for example. Made in England from a tweed crafted from upcycled blankets, it’s the ideal shirt/jacket hybrid for unpredictable autumn weather – and is perfect paired with denim and your favourite white sneakers. Likewise, Adsum’s navy cotton-flannel offering has a pleasing weight while Gieves & Hawkes’ offering combines all the finesse of Savile Row with the laidback feel of a check shirt.
Step up your style game with stripes
More interesting than a plain shirt but versatile enough to be dressed up or down, there’s a reason the striped shirt is a perennial wardrobe mainstay for many men. But it’s important to match your stripes to the occasion. Opted for a bold blue and white stripe in the style of Patrick Bateman? It belongs in the office – and you can’t go wrong with Turnbull & Asser’s take on the candy stripe. The narrow stripes on Ralph Lauren’s quintessentially preppy design, meanwhile, belong with chinos and loafers at barbecues and garden parties and Officine General’s grandad-collared, seersucker stripes are your go to for shorts, jeans and sneakers.
Looking for more style advice? These are the best smart sneakers for the office…
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Further reading
Nick Wakeman, founder of Studio Nicholson, on kickstarting her brand as a one woman show
Filippo Pignatti, founder of Gentleman's Gram, shares his secret style codes
