Shirts for Men: How to Find the Right Fit, Fabric and Style

Ask ten men how many shirts they own and most will guess low. Then they open the cupboard. Twenty-odd shirts, and maybe five that actually get worn. The rest are a size slightly off, a fabric that's too hot for nine months of the year, or a colour that seemed like a good idea in the trial room. Good shirts for men are easy to find. Knowing which ones you'll actually wear is the tricky bit, and that comes down to three things: fit, fabric and where you're going in it.

What Makes Our Collection the Best Shirts for Men?

We'll let you be the judge of "best". What we can tell you is what goes into the range, and why we think it holds up.

It starts in Denmark. Selected has been designing menswear there since 1997, and the thinking hasn't changed much since then: clean lines, good cloth, nothing on the shirt that doesn't need to be there.

Then there's choice, and plenty of it. The shirts collection runs to more than 400 styles, in sizes from XS to XXL. You'll find four fits, a handful of collar types, long and short sleeves, and fabrics from crisp poplin to corduroy. More than a hundred of them use organic cotton, which is named on the label so you don't have to guess.

And it's designed for wearing, not just for a photo. We sweat the small stuff, like collars, buttons and how a shirt sits when you move. It adds up.

Slim, Regular, Relaxed or Oversized: Which Fit Is Yours?

Slim fit follows the line of your body, close through the chest and waist. It looks sharp tucked in and under a blazer, and suits leaner builds best. Regular fit, the one most of the range is cut in, gives you more room through the chest and waist without looking boxy. It's the easiest fit to live with in Indian heat, tucked or untucked.

Relaxed fit goes a step looser. The shoulders drop slightly and the body hangs freely, so it's made to be worn out, often open over a T-shirt. Oversized is the loosest of all, deliberately big through the body and sleeves, and there are only a few in the range for anyone after that look.

Still unsure? In the trial room, check three things. Shoulder seam on the edge of your shoulder. Cuff at the wrist bone. Arms up over your head, and if the hem pops out of your trousers, it's too short to tuck.

Fabrics That Make Sense for Indian Weather

Cotton does most of the work, and for good reason. It breathes, it's easy to wash, and it softens over time. Within cotton, the weave changes everything. Poplin is smooth and cool, oxford is softer with a bit of texture, and brushed cotton feels warm and slightly fuzzy, which is perfect from November to February.

For real heat, linen shirts are hard to beat. They let air through and dry fast. They crease. That's fine.

Then the winter stuff. Corduroy shirts in deep blue, brown and red have landed for the season, along with wool-blend check overshirts that work more like a light jacket. Viscose and lyocell turn up in printed and relaxed styles, where a softer drape suits evenings.

Collars and Sleeves: Small Choices, Big Difference

People pick by colour and forget the collar. It sets the tone of the whole outfit.

A spread collar is the classic. It's on most shirts in the range and looks right with a blazer or a tie. Button-down collars are more relaxed and keep their shape when worn open, which makes them great for casual offices and weekends. A Cuban or resort collar sits flat and open with no top button, made for holidays and warm evenings.

Sleeves are simpler. Long sleeves are more versatile, since you can roll them up or down depending on the day. Short sleeves are for proper summer and very casual plans. Most of the range is long-sleeved, which is what we'd buy first.

The Shirts Leading the Collection This Season

Right now the new-season edit leans warm and textured. Brushed check shirts in relaxed and regular fits. Corduroy, both plain and checked. Button-down oxfords in green and brown. Striped button-downs that work tucked into trousers or loose over jeans. And a lot of overshirts, from classic cotton ones in navy, toffee and beige to heavier wool blends.

If you'd rather see what other people are buying, the bestseller edit for full-sleeve shirts is the place to look. It changes with the season.

How to Build a Shirt Wardrobe That Covers Every Occasion

You don't need twenty. Six or seven well-chosen shirts will handle almost anything.

Start with two plain work shirts, white and light blue, in a regular or slim fit with a spread collar. Add a button-down oxford for casual Fridays and weekends. Then one check or stripe for variety, a linen shirt for summer, and a corduroy or brushed shirt for winter. Want one more? Make it an overshirt.

Pair the work shirts with tailored trousers. Everything else goes with jeans or chinos.

How to Wash and Care for Your Shirts

Most shirt damage happens in the wash, not on your back. Use cool water and a gentle cycle, and turn darker and printed shirts inside out. Skip the tumble dryer where you can, because heat shrinks cotton and fades colour. Hang shirts while they're slightly damp and most creases drop out by themselves. Wool-blend overshirts and some linen pieces need gentler handling, so always check the care label.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shirts for Men

What is the difference between slim, relaxed and oversized fit?

Slim fit sits close to the body through the chest and waist for a sharp, tailored look. Relaxed fit is looser, with slightly dropped shoulders, and is designed to be worn untucked. Oversized fit is deliberately roomy through the body and sleeves for a loose, casual silhouette.

Are shirts machine washable?

Most cotton and linen shirts can be machine washed on a cool, gentle cycle, ideally turned inside out. Some fabrics, such as wool blends, corduroy or viscose, may need more care or hand washing. Always follow the care label inside each shirt, since instructions vary by fabric.

Why choose Selected?

Selected is a Danish menswear brand, designing since 1997, known for clean, minimal style and lasting quality. Its shirts come in four fits, several collar styles and a wide range of fabrics, including more than a hundred organic cotton styles, with sizes from XS to XXL.

What are the most popular shirts for men right now?

This season, brushed check shirts, corduroy shirts, button-down oxfords and overshirts lead the Selected collection, alongside plain white and light blue shirts that stay popular all year. For the current best-selling styles, browse the bestseller section for full-sleeve shirts on the Selected website.

Find Your Next Shirt

Start with the fit that suits you and the fabric that suits your weather, then build from there. Explore shirts for men at Selected and find the ones you'll actually reach for every morning.