A Man’s Guide To Wearing Silk Shirts

Silk shirts never go out of style and when worn correctly they can look fantastic. However if the wrong style or colour is chosen, or the shirt is worn with the wrong complementing pieces then the wearer can look dated, gaudy or just plain unstylish.

So what can a man do to ensure they get the silk shirt to look just right?

Silk shirts can look both dressy or casual, however the designs differ according to the purpose, and a silk shirt designed to go with a suit jacket and trousers is in most cases, going to look out of place with a pair of jeans.

Casual silk shirts are usually designed to hang slightly loose, allowing the wearer freedom of movement and maximum comfort. They generally have straight hems and side pleats, and will often incorporate vibrant colours or prints.

When wearing a casual silk shirt it is important to remember that in most cases, the silk shirt is best worn ‘semi-casually’. This means that a pair of old, faded jeans coupled with two dirty trainers are out. However, smart jeans and casual shoes can look good with a silk shirt on the right person, however the look isn’t for everyone, and it is definitely worth bearing this in mind.

In fact the best way to wear a silk shirt in a casual fashion is with a pair of fitted trousers, a pair of smart or semi-smart shoes and an open collar (undoing one or two buttons is fine for a smart-casual occasion). Tuck the shirt into the trousers and wear it with a thin belt for an up-to-date and on-trend look.

Dressy silk shirts will normally be fitted to the body. They may well have a pleated front and a hard collar. They will also (in most cases) be free of any patterns and be in plain or subdued colours such as black, white or burgundy.

Dressy silk shirts should be worn underneath a suit or tuxedo. They should never, under any circumstances, be worn with jeans – no matter how new or expensive they are. In most cases, the look will be best complemented by a tie. Choose a thin and plain coloured tie for a fashionable yet smart appearance.

However, despite the advice that men’s silk shirts should be worn in quite particular ways, you should never disregard the versatility of this item. While a smart silk shirt may not go with casual attire, the right casual silk shirt can be dressed up and suit a smart outfit.

This information, combined with the fact that silk is a durable material that (if cared for properly) should last for many years, makes the silk shirt the perfect investment as a versatile wardrobe staple that should never go out of style.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Patra International. James writes on a number of subjects including clothes and fashion