With higher-quality fabric, like a custom shirt or a number from J. Some OCBD shirts are marketed based on wash or as a non-iron shirt, but ideally, every shirt should go through some sort of ironing or hang-drying after washing. Like most things in fashion and style, it’s all a matter of personal preference. Soft-wash types of shirts are also slightly less dressy and would probably work best under a sweater or blazer because of the textural differences between an OCBD without a soft-wash (like these Old Navy options), but both are relatively interchangeable.Įither type would work well with any of the combinations below. There’s a debate about soft-wash versus other types of OCBD’s the pre-wash gives it a more lived-in feel and texture, whereas shirts without that type of wash allow you to do some of the breaking-in yourself. “What about fabric?”įabric types on a white OCBD are a bit of a conundrum for some folks. If it means taking your measurements, all the better. Keep that in mind as you shop, and don’t be afraid to size down. Trying on multiple varieties of shirts can be very helpful one store’s version of a shirt might not fit the same as another store’s version, even in the same size.įinding a style that works to accentuate your body type goes a long way in making an inexpensive shirt look great. The ideal white shirt should fit slim, but not tight, with high armholes and sleeves that skim your arms, shoulders and chest. There are a lot of ways to freshen up the typical ensemble, by amping up color and nailing the fit and proportions. Sounds boring and antiquated, right? Wrong. Sure, there are other, more colorful OCBDs and shirts, but for starting out, a white option is most versatile. Follow Effortless Gent’s board Five Ways To Wear One on Pinterest.Īnd as far as items that bridge that “overdressed or underdressed” gap, a white Oxford cloth button down, or OCBD, fits the bill nicely.

White red button down shirt