Styles of Men's Shirts

The world of men’s fashion often seems secondary to the vastness of women’s fashion. There have been numerous changes to men’s fashion throughout the years, but only a few styles have stood the test of time. The styles that are the most popular have become so prevalent that new styles merely make a minor alteration to the popular style’s basic look. This includes men's shirt styles.

Polo Shirt

One of the most traditional and classy shirt styles is the polo style. It has stood the test of time, having been around since 1929. It’s been heavily associated with 20th-century America and continues into the 21st century. Originally invented by René Lacoste, it’s a traditional T-shirt with a collar. Normally there are two to three buttons on the front and occasionally a pocket. Polo shirts are generally made of knitted cotton and occasionally other materials, such as wool or synthetic fibers. The shirt took off in popularity during the '60s, when Ralph Lauren developed a line of clothing specifically for polos.

Button-Down Shirt

The button-down shirt was originally associated with formality in men's wear. It is thought to have originated in England, but others claim its origins were in America. Throughout the years, the manner of wear has become more relaxed for these shirts. They are often seen worn with shorts and jeans as well as business suits. Much like polo shirts, button-down shirts can be found with a variety of designs, including pinstripes, cross stripes and various images.

T-Shirts

The most traditional type of shirt for men and boys alike is the T-shirt. Considered the workhorse of shirts, it is the most commonly worn shirt among men around the world. Traditionally cotton, it has thousands of varieties, especially in terms of its designs and the images on them.

Granddad Shirt

Although more popular on the Asian continent today, the granddad shirt is still worn to stay cool in many areas in the world. The shirt is collarless and originated from the Indian kurta. The granddad shirt normally has no buttons and can come in a variety of designs or solid colors. It was popularized by the Beatles in the 1960s.