French collar shirts are similar to traditional dress and Italian collared shirts but with a slightly larger gap between the points. Also sometimes referred to as cutaway or spread collared shirts, they are a must have for any man’s wardrobe especially for those with slimmer faces as the open collar can balance out their features. The spread collar also looks great with both a tie or open so there is more scope to experiment with your look. If you think French collars may be the style for you but you’re not sure where to start when it comes to building an enviable collection, take a look at these 4 ideas to set you on the right track.
Cotton
A staple of every wardrobe is a crisp cotton shirt. When it comes to French collars the possibilities are endless as it looks great both with and without a tie. If you’re looking for a new addition to liven up your wardrobe but still want something versatile, go for a crisp white cotton as a fantastic go to piece for both casual and formal occasions. Cotton shirts are also perfect from taking you from winter to summer as the fabric is one of the most breathable, comfortable and durable. It makes sense to have a host of great-fitting cotton shirts stashed away in your wardrobe.
Check
There are so many options when it comes to check shirts and they look fantastic with a more casual French collar. The first thing to think about is the kind of check you want to go for. Larger checks definitely give off a more relaxed vibe and look great with jeans and no tie. That said you should be careful to avoid looking like a lumberjack unless that’s what you had in mind. Smaller spaced checks and ginghams always look more formal and are great teamed with chinos for a special occasion. When it comes to colour palettes bolder hues tend to give off a more casual feel, while neutral and muted tones are better for occasions or special events. Again, a tie is optional with this look.
Striped
Stripes are pretty much a staple on men’s catwalks regardless of the season. The iconic look is timeless and is great for wearing to a variety of occasions. Firstly, if you’re not sure about introducing stripes into your wardrobe then start off with toned down colours, don’t go for anything too garish too soon. A great place to start is with a simple white and blue design. Stripes are the perfect smart-casual look so teaming with anything from jeans to chinos is okay. Just add a pair of your favourite loafers and you’ll be good to go.
Denim
A quirkier option than a traditional cotton or check design — the denim shirt really is a wardrobe must-have for any man. The beauty of denim shirts is that they are great transitional pieces and can work just as well in the winter as they do in the summer months. When it comes to styling, why not try a pair of chinos in either beige or black? If you’re looking for something a little more daring then you could also give double denim a go. Denim shirts are most commonly worn without a tie so French collars are perfect for trying out this style.
