Top 20 style tips on shirts for men from Charles Tyrwhitt

Charles Tyrwhitt (also known as CT shirts) is one of Britain's leading shirt specialists. With a range of over 350 shirts for men (including a broad range of non-iron shirts) they provide shirts for the business community throughout the world through retail stores, web site and catalogues. Here are 20 leading style tips on the art of wearing shirts - after all style is all about attention to detail.

A Jermyn Street shirt in the right fit is the key to a smart look.

Your shirt mustn't open up between buttons when you sit down or pull across the shoulders when you lean forward - if it does it's too tight.

On the other hand, if you there are extra folds of fabric on the body of your shirt it's too loose.

Shirts are long enough if they stay tucked in when you lift your arms.

Double cuffs are a much more convincing formal look than single (or button) cuffs.

Cufflinks elevate the look of your outfit immeasurably, whether you choose plain metals or colourful enamels. They are as much part of the complete formal look as a well-chosen tie.

The whiter in a shirt, the more formal it looks.

Blue shirts work well with virtually every man's complexion.

Men with strong contrasts in hair and skin tone should wear shirt and tie combinations with strong contrasts.

Paler men with paler hair need less contrast.

The number one priority for a collar is comfort - you should be able to run two fingers under the collar when it's buttoned up.  

Cutaway collars are smaller, so they are particularly well-suited to slimmer faces.

Classic collars are larger so they balance fuller faces.

For a more informal look choose softer button-down collars.

To stand out from the crowd select shirts with a round, tab or pinned collar.

Plain coloured ties are simple to match to plain and patterned shirts. In textured weaves they look even better.

Striped ties evoke membership of clubs, colleges or regiments. They can't be beaten for a formal look and also have a slimming effect - the diagonal narrows both face and torso.

British striped ties run from high on the left to low on the right, US stripes the other way. In Jermyn Street the British way is considered the only proper way.

A spotted tie works perfectly with plain or fine striped shirts.

Patterns on shirt and tie should be on a different scale.

For more information, visit ctshirts.co.uk.