Menswear guide: Where to buy good quality ready-made dress shirts for the office

If you work in a corporate setting, dress shirts are an essential. They are likely what you’ll be wearing on a daily basis which then means these shirts have to withstand frequent laundering and ironing, and tend to easily acquire sweat stains that are often difficult to remove completely. That said, you’re likely to wear them out more quickly.

It then makes sense to stock up on more pieces, so that you can have enough to wear on a rotational basis instead of wearing the same few repeatedly. Besides that, shirts are also the item that allows a guy to (subtly) change his day-to-day look and outfit, and can really affect how one presents himself via his dressing.

Good quality and a suitable fit are important, although it’s even better if they come at wallet-friendly prices. Where does one find the best ready-made ones that meet these criteria? Start at these places.

1. THE SHIRT BAR

This local name began as a design house for leading international brands and then went on to start its own menswear brand. It aims to promote slow fashion with better-made clothes and by working with ethical factories with excellent craftsmanship.

You’ll find a good selection of shirts available here in a variety of fabrics, as well as a basic selection of colours to suit your work-essential needs. The wrinkle-free and spill-resistant shirts provide fuss-free wear and have stretch to them for a comfortable fit. They are also designed with special finishings like anti-bacteria, anti-UV and anti-odour technologies.

Shirts start from S$149. Available at www.theshirtbar.co.

2. CYC MADE TO MEASURE

The established menswear tailor is well known for its fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. But bespoke suits aren’t its sole specialty – CYC also sells ready-made dress shirts on its website.

They are made with a selection of fine fabrics from brands including Thomas Mason, Getzner and Albini, that reflect CYC’s reputation for quality. In addition to the standard colours typically seen in men’s shirting, there’s a selection of subtly patterned weaves and patterns, such as herringbone, checks and stripes.

A business shirt starts from S$259. Available at the CYC Made to Measure store or www.cyctailor.com.

3. BENJAMIN BARKER

Neither a luxury nor fast fashion label, this homegrown menswear brand had always targeted the mid-level market with its line of understated-chic, well-made and affordable clothing.

It’s where to go for a wide range of shirt colours – in a neutral palette that remains work-appropriate – and styles that lean on the slightly casual side, such as the band-collared or mandarin-collared shirts. Fabrics-wise, you’ll find shirts in cotton, poplin, rayon and other fabric blends that provide wearing comfort on top of an elegant aesthetic.

A Shibashi Chicory Cupro shirt starts from S$99.90. Available at Benjamin Barker stores or www.benjaminbarker.co.

4. MADE SUITS

What’s different about the shirts that Made Suits offers is that optional customisation is available with them. What this means is that one can have minor adjustments made to the shirt – including the sleeve length, shirt length, waist measurement, as well as select a preferred style of cuff and collar.

While these shirts are technically made-to-measure, you can also opt to purchase them as-is from the homegrown brand’s website, without any adjustments made – the price is the same, however, whether or not you go for customisation. They are a great in-between option – while not entirely bespoke, they provide some level of customisation for a better fit, and at a price that’s not overly steep.

Shirts start from S$195. Available at www.made-suits.com or visit the Made Suits store for other options. 

5. SUIT SUPPLY

Its physical boutique here may have shuttered, but Suit Supply is still available for purchase online. The menswear brand has just about every separate and ensemble a modern gent will need, and shirts are just one among its many clothing categories.

Fine European fabrics by names like Thomas Mason, Testa, Albini and Di Sondrio are used for a high-quality finish. What’s special about Suit Supply’s shirts is that they are available in a slim and an extra slim fit (besides the regular tailored fit), which will suit men who have a slimmer physique.

A slim-fit shirt is priced at S$199. Available at www.suitsupply.com.

6. BROOKS BROTHERS

The American brand is known for its classic, timeless styles for men that lean towards the preppy side of fashion. This is why you’ll find plenty of shirts in basic white and blue, as well as in patterns like stripes and checks here.

There also is a range of fits to suit waists of different measurements, as well as fabrics that provide stretch as well as wrinkle-resistant wear.

An Oxford dress shirt is priced at S$240. Available at Brooks Brothers stores or www.brooksbrothers.com.sg.

7. TM LEWIN

Once a familiar sight in our malls, the UK menswear brand was a go-to for many gents here for formal outfits and workwear, since it stocks an extensive range of options at affordable prices. The brand may have shut down operations here but it still has an e-commerce website, with a wide variety of shirts, among other menswear essentials, for your selection – if you don’t mind shopping online.

You’ll be spoilt for choice here with the large number of shirt colours, fabrics and patterns that are available. The quality is also reasonable for the price you’re paying, which explains why the TM Lewin remains a favourite of those who appreciate value for money.

A slim-fit dual-cuff classic collar shirt is priced at S$135. Available at www.tmlewin.co.uk.

8. BOGGI MILANO

An Italian retail chain that also offers decent quality at wallet-friendly prices, Boggi Milano has a wide selection of menswear, including dress shirts that will help you make the right impression at work.

They reflect modern Italian elegance – in other words, expect fabrics that are of good quality, in tasteful colours and patterns, and compositions that are designed for wearing comfort and durability.

A regular-fit cotton dobby shirt is priced at S$228. Available at Boggi Milano stores or www.boggi.com.