White Shirts for Men
White shirts for men, from a plain textured white to a pinstripe, a light check and white linen. The one shirt every wardrobe starts with.
Why a white shirt comes first
A white shirt goes with every trouser colour, every suit and every shoe. It works at an interview, at the office, at a wedding and on a Sunday with jeans. If you own one good shirt, make it white; if you own ten, one of them should still be white.
How to wear a white shirt
For the office
Tuck it into navy, charcoal or grey trousers with a brown or black leather belt and matching shoes. A plain or finely textured white looks the most formal; a fine pinstripe adds a little character without losing polish.
For a weekend
Leave it untucked over dark jeans or beige chinos, roll the sleeves twice and wear white sneakers or loafers. A light check on a white ground feels relaxed and still clean.
For an evening or a wedding
Pair it with a navy or charcoal suit or an unstructured blazer. White linen is the right choice for a day or beach wedding in the heat.
What to pair with a white shirt
| Trousers | Shoes | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Navy | Brown loafers | Office, classic |
| Charcoal grey | Black Oxfords | Formal |
| Beige chinos | White sneakers | Weekend |
| Dark blue jeans | Tan boots or sneakers | Casual |
| Olive | Suede loafers | Smart casual |
More pairings, with a colour tool, on white shirt combinations.
How a white shirt should fit
The shoulder seam should sit on your shoulder bone, the collar should close with room for one finger, and the sleeve should end at the wrist bone. You should be able to pinch an inch or two of cloth either side of the chest. White shows every pull and wrinkle, so a good fit matters more here than in any other colour. Measure yourself with our size guide.
The mtsya white shirts
- Manu White: plain white with a small basket texture.
- Hard Rain: white with burgundy and grey pinstripes.
- First Light: a light check on white in red-orange, mustard, sage and slate.
- Foam: white linen, arriving soon.
Why they are made this way
Every shirt is sewn at 15–17 stitches per inch, the count used for formal shirts (casual shirts are often 11–12), so seams lie flat and stay neat on a white shirt where everything shows. A soft point collar sits well open or buttoned, the placket is clean, the cuffs take a single button, the buttons are tonal and the hem is curved so it tucks or hangs well. Nothing is added except the Matsya fish stitched small at the left chest, after the fish that guided Manu's boat through the flood. Regular fit, sizes S to XXL, made in India.
Questions, answered
What colour pants go with a white shirt?
Almost any. Navy and charcoal grey are the classic office choices, beige chinos and blue jeans suit weekends, and olive or brown work for smart casual. A white shirt is the easiest shirt to pair.
Should I tuck in a white shirt?
Tuck it in for the office, interviews and formal events. With jeans or chinos on a weekend, you can leave a curved-hem shirt untucked as long as it ends around mid-zip.
Which shoes go with a white shirt?
Brown loafers or brogues with navy or beige trousers, black Oxfords with charcoal or a suit, and clean white sneakers with jeans or chinos for casual wear.
Is a white shirt good for an interview?
Yes. A plain white shirt in a good fit is the safest interview choice. Pair it with navy or charcoal trousers, dark shoes and a matching belt.
Is a white linen shirt formal?
It is smart but relaxed. White linen suits day weddings, lunches and holidays. For a formal office or evening event, a smoother white shirt looks crisper.
The fitting room
Read next:White shirt combinations ·Formal shirts for men ·Linen shirts for men ·Size guide