Dress shirts a staple item in every man's wardrobe. But there are ways to further increase the versatility of this classic garment. For some essential dress shirt hacks and tips, keep reading.
Keep Your Dress Shirt Tucked in
It's frustrating when a dress shirt comes untucked from your waistline. Maybe you are moving around and/or bending over, or perhaps you are doing nothing more than sitting at a desk. Regardless, this is a common problem faced by man men. So, how can you keep your dress shirt tucked in at all times? In addition to wearing a belt, you should perform the military tuck. Basically, this is a special tuck that involves folding and tucking excess fabric from the sides of your dress shirt into your pants' waistline. Once tucked, it holds your shirt securely in place, preventing it from coming untucked. Keep in mind that there's no 100% fool-proof way to keep your dress shirt tucked in, but performing the military tuck will certainly help. It's a relatively simple process that will prove invaluable in completing your look. And once you learn the basics of the military tuck, you can perform it anywhere, anytime, regardless of what you are wearing.
Prevent Wrinkled Collars
Far too many men are guilty of wearing dress shirts with wrinkled and/or curled collars. This otherwise small and delicate section of fabric is prone wrinkling. Even if you get your dress shirts professionally dry-cleaned each time you wear them, wrinkles and creases may still form. This phenomenon is particularly common in the collars, as the light fabric wrinkles more easily here than in other areas of the shirt. Regardless of the occasion, you should
never wear a dress shirt with a wrinkled collar. Doing so creates a messy, unflattering appearance that does your outfit no justice. The collar is one of the most visible elements in a man's outfit, and as such, it influences nearly every other element of his look. Wearing a dress shirt with a wrinkled collar will ultimately hurt your appearance, bringing down its aesthetic value while making you stand out in the process -- and not in a good way. But thankfully there are ways to protect your dress shirts from this phenomenon. I know this probably sounds like common sense, but it's still worth mentioning that the quality of a dress shirt will affect its susceptible to collar wrinkling. Low-quality dress shirts typically contain low-quality materials and equally low-quality craftsmanship; thus, they are more likely to develop wrinkles in the collars. If you opt for a high-quality dress shirt, such as the ones sold here at
StudioSuits, you'll discover the collars are less likely to curl and wrinkle.
Make Your Dress Shirts Softer
Does your dress shirt feel hard or even scratchy? Perhaps you should try washing it with a small amount of vinegar. This simple do-it-yourself trick involves washing a dress shirt with 1 cup of distilled white vinegar. The vinegar actually works to make the fabric softer. Some people may turn their heads at the thought of washing a dress shirt in vinegar. After all, doesn't vinegar small bad? While it certainly has an unusual odor, the smell goes away once it has dried. Furthermore, vinegar actually leaves clothes smelling nice and fresh. Don't take my word for it, though. The next time you want a softer dress shirt, try washing it with one cup added vinegar and see for yourself. Many people have grown accustomed to washing all of their clothes in vinegar, simply because it leaves soften and freshens them, all for the minimal cost of a vinegar (usually a couple bucks per jug).
Dealing with Lint on Black Dress Shirts
Black is a classic, formal color that's perfect for men's dress shirts. But it doesn't come without some drawbacks, including the increased visibility of lint. If you happen to sit down on the sofa or recliner after putting on a new black dress shirt, you may discover white pieces of lint stuck to your shirt. There are a few ways to prevent lint buildup on black dress shirts, one of which is to dry them with a dryer sheet. Lint often sticks to clothes because of static electricity. Dryer sheets protect clothes from this phenomenon by neutralizing static electricity. You can even rub a dryer sheet across the surface of your dress shirt to eliminate static electricity. And if you need quick fix for the lint that has already found its way onto your shirt, use a lint roller. Available for just a couple bucks a piece, this is an invaluable tool for every man who wears a dress shirt.
Rolling Up Your Sleeves
Want to roll up your sleeves but don't know how? There's a right way and a wrong way to do it, but unfortunately most men choose the latter. Arguably, the best way to roll up your sleeves involves what's known as the "Master Roll." To perform the Master Roll, take both sleeves and roll them up about two-widths of the cuff size. Now press down against the fabric to smooth out any wrinkles. When you are finished, roll the bottom up again, making it parallel to the top of the cuff. Now, you can leave just a small amount of the cuff exposed, which is useful for adding color to your outfit. This is ultimately a personal decision, though, so don't feel like you must leave the top of the cuff exposed. Congratulations, you've just performed the Master Roll! These are just a few hacks for men's dress shirts. Of course, there are plenty of other ways to improve your dress shirts. For starters, you should read and follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the care label. Behind the collar of each dress shirt is a care label which reveals specific instructions on how to clean and care for the garment. Refer to this label anytime you have questions about caring for the shirt.
