The blue shirt has, of course, an association with the term “blue collar”, dating back to the 19th century as a descriptor of the working class. Naturally, at the other end of the spectrum, “white collar” workers wouldn’t be caught dead in a blue shirt (probably not a stretch), terrified of being mistaken as a laborer.

Although white collar shirts still maintain a certain level of respectability and class, the blue shirt today is amazingly versatile and can be worn to adorn some of the most sophisticated looks. Thankfully, even though the term “blue collar” is still used, most people can wear a blue shirt without the same classist connotations.

Why, then, do not more men wear them? Aren’t we bored of always wearing white shirts? If you’re an adult male, chances are high that you have a white dress shirt.

Earth to You: the blue shirt is just as versatile (if not more so) than the white shirt, giving a subtle and masculine hint of color to your outfit. Here are some examples of blue shirts I designed (click on any shirt to see more) with suggested looks:

The Spring Blue Shirt:
Pair your blue shirt with khakis, dark wash jeans, or khaki shorts. Roll up your sleeves and leave your top two buttons undone. Feel free to either tuck the shirt in with a belt or leave it untucked.

The Executive Blue Shirt:
Perfectly paired with a black or gray flannel suit, I really encourage more guys to do this. It’s a great way to spice up your typical dark suit and white shirt combo while still maintaining a high level of professionalism and style. Made out of blue herringbone fabric, this shirt offers a unique texture.

By the way, you could easily substitute the “Spring blue shirt” in this snazzier ensemble. Ah, the versatility of the blue shirt. And finally what we’ve all been waiting for…

The Hot Date Blue Shirt:
Pair this with a chocolate corduroy blazer (or another blazer with a medium tone), dark wash blue jeans, and brown loafers. Tuck your blue shirt into your jeans for this look, and leave the top two buttons of the shirt (and all the blazer buttons) undone. 

I designed this shirt with a slim fit, fashionable wide spread collar, and some stylish contrast fabric that will attract the eye underneath your clothes…not bad, eh?

I hope this inspires you to start reinterpreting this underutilized basic. Got to, gents.

So let’s face it: who even considers wearing French cuffs? Aren’t those for fancy weddings and crap? Wait, what even is a French cuff? In case you are wondering, here’s what a French cuff looks like:

For most of us the only time we ever saw French cuffs growing up was while shopping for a tux for, let’s say, a winter formal (we all remember how fun those were). French cuffs quickly became synonymous with the feeling we had in a formal shirt: constricted, tight, and limited.

What you may or may not realize now is that French cuffs actually give you more freedom than barrel cuffs, not less. How, you ask?

1. French cuffs are roomier. While barrel cuffs fit closely to your wrist, French cuffs are free and never pinch.
2. French cuffs are more versatile. You can accessorize your French cuffs with knots or cufflinks instead of always being stuck with the same old button.
3. French cuffs are the epitome of class. Sure, you can wear them out to a less formal occasion and look fly. Go nuts. However, if you ever feel that your shirt isn’t formal enough, a French cuff shirt will always do the trick. French cuffs are the most sophisticated cuffs around, so they are great to have on hand when you need to look formal fast.

Whether they are hanging in your closet or in the back of your mind, take those French cuffs out (or design a French cuff shirt yourself) and show them off more frequently. Not only is it stylish to wear them in the US, but French cuff shirts are a quotidian style in other parts of the world. For example, in the UK, French cuffs are called Double cuffs because they are such a familiar, everyday style.

Or, if you need a more domestic example, take it from Joe Biden. Just look at how excited he is about them…

Courtesy of dreamdogsart.typepad.com

Ah, at last. A liberating cuff. In the words of a brave Scottish warrior, “FREEEEDOM!”

If you’ve ever worked in a start-up, you might be familiar with that one guy who wears running shoes, high-water jeans and a Hawaiian shirt to work. Here’s a pointer. Don’t be him!

image courtesy of santamariasun.com

At indiTailored we advise you to always look ridiculously good—wherever you work—and we’ve got a few ways to help you get there.

To start off, you should always look put-together. We’re not saying you have to wear a suit, but even at a start-up (one of the most laid-back working environments), everyone appreciates a tailored shirt with a pair of crisp trousers. It’s a simple look, but a winning one.

The key here is ensuring that your put-together outfit doesn’t end up looking boring, old, or cliche.

If you’re wondering how, we recommend experimenting with different collars, cuffs, and details. These little things keep the outfit looking professional and fresh, in addition to showing off your impeccable style and taste.

Case and point: Take the wide spread collar we recently wrote about. The wide spread collar on a slimmer shirt makes for a great Euro look—a far cry from what your father used to wear (thank god!), but still appropriate for the office setting.

And perhaps most importantly, don’t forget to play around with color! The black suit/white dress shirt/black tie will always make you look sharp, but color gets you noticed. Integrate salmon stripes or blue pin dots, find ties that complement your tailored shirts and trousers, and you’ll be well on your way to best dress in your office superlatives.

Don’t know where to start? Here’s an idea—click this link and start building your custom dress shirt!