Sports Shirts versus Dress Shirts

Posted by samuelro89 on September 13th, 2019

      Men's fashion may not be as exact a science as women's fashion - but knowing the difference between a sports shirt versus a dress shirt should be something that men and their personal shoppers should be concerned with. As much as casual may be the new "in" thing for the workplace it should be made clear that in terms of men's fashion - the two different types of shirts are definitely NOT interchangeable.

What are sports shirts?

A sports shirt comes in long and short-sleeved versions and can be made of a variety of materials such as cotton and polyester, among others. Color-wise, they are usually solid-colored but could also come in a smorgasbord of prints, depending on the trends currently dominating men's fashion.

What makes sports shirts so attractive and essential to men's fashion is their innate versatility. We have seen them worn with blazers for a more polished look, with jeans for a more laid-back casual feel and even under a traditional v neck sweater to complete a more preppy look.

They allow men more freedom of expression in terms of design, cut and color, however they are not and should never be allowed to substitute for a dress shirt.

What are the differences between a sports shirt and a dress shirt?

The best way to tell the difference between the two different styles is to look at how each fits the body of the wearer. Men's fashion rules dictate that a sports shirt, while still neat to look at, is more loosely-fitted to allow ease of movement. Sports shirts can be worn separate from any additional layers while dress or Clothes shirts, with their more tailored fit, are meant to be worn under a suit and accompanied by a tie. Both styles can be easily accented with a custom embroidered logo, to give them a personalized appearance.

Quality-wise, dress shirts are pricier than sports shirts since they are made of a better quality material and are better tailored. The details that go into the construction and design of a dress shirt far outmatch what goes into a sports shirt.

Tips for choosing a a shirt Streetwear

If you've never bought a dress shirt for yourself before, don't despair! We have a few tips to help you out of your predicament.

Remember that this style of shirt is supposed to be tailored - it should fit you like it was made for you. If you have a tendency to space out when people start talking about sleeve lengths and other mundane men's fashion terms, then perhaps it's time to visit the nearest shop and get an expert's opinion.

Your shirt's sleeve length should end about one inch below your wrist bone and only about a quarter inch should be seen from under your suit sleeves.

Men sometimes complain about feeling a "choking" sensation when they wear suits and fitted shirts. If you can't fit two fingers inside your shirt collar while you're wearing it fully-buttoned, then yes, it's probably too tight.