V Neck Dress Shirts for Men
From LoveToKnow Men's Fashion
V-neck dress shirts for men may not be as prevalent a style in the U.S. as they are in European male fashion circles, but this is still a chic option for the man who likes modern, elegant designs.
Wearing the Style
Traditional dress shirts are easy for most guys to wear. They often wear them to office jobs and with suits. They pair well with ties, but also work without them if you're dressing down. They come with different collar styles, but for the most part, are pretty standard.
V-neck dress shirts for men, however, pose a trickier dress dilemma if you're not sure how to wear them to best advantage. You may see male models walking down the runway in the latest designer wear, V-neck dress shirt worn beneath a snazzy, close-fitting suit (of the European variety). This is a great way to wear them if you're comfortable with this style. One advantage to this look is that it works well for a variety of age groups. Young trendsetters look just as good in this style as do older gentlemen who have distinguished grays around their temples. The main thing to remember is attitude.
If you don't want to wear a suit over this shirt, you can wear a simple pair of dress slacks. For a V-neck shirt to be dressy, it should be made of a material like silk, cashmere wool or a blend of fine materials. It looks best with actual dress slacks, not khakis or denim, especially if you're going for a dressier style. Wear a sleek pair of dress shoes, including leather slip-ons, and your look is complete. This style personifies effortless chic and looks best if it appears you weren't trying too hard.
You can then sport this ensemble to cocktail parties, dinner dates or any event that calls for well-dressed chic without too much formality.
Buying V-Neck Dress Shirts for Men
If you're looking for this somewhat elusive item, you may not have a lot of luck shopping in a regular department store. Mass market stores tend to stock items that the majority of their customers will buy, with the occasional inspired garment added to the list, depending on what the latest men's fashions are.
Typically, you'll have better luck finding these shirts at men's boutiques that have a distinct European flavor or directly from the designers who favor this style, such as Calvin Klein, who featured V-neck dress shirts in his Spring 2009 collection, beneath dark, slim suits. Giorgio Armani also designed loose, casual V-neck shirts for his Spring 2009 collection as well. These were less structured than the Klein versions, but will still look great with casual dress slacks.
If you buy from a high-end designer like this, you're assured a quality shirt that will last for years. Because not everyone can afford to spend that type of money, however, you also have the option to shop at designer outlets, where brand names are sold for far less than their original retail prices.
Fit Basics
For the best fit, your V-neck dress shirt should skim your body. If the top is too loose, your look is too casual. Of course, you don't want it too tight, either. If you're going for a European vibe, then follow their general style guidelines and select a top that fits you well. This is where the difference in good materials comes into play. Inexpensive shirts may not drape the same as a well-tailored garment, so investing in a good quality top is a wise move.
Chic Dress Shirt Style
Keeping these basics in mind, you now have another dress shirt option the next time you want to look more elegant than casual, depending on the venue and occasion. Wear these shirts under suits or alone with dress slacks and smart shoes. Your style says you always look this way – effortlessly.
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