Four men's fashion staples for spring/summer 2016

Do you see it? That tiny little light at the end of the long, dark, depressing tunnel that is winter is getting closer and closer. Spring is approaching, but what exactly does that mean when it comes to your wardrobe? Well, first of all, make sure you have a nice space in your closet for that bulky overcoat for the next eight months. Now that we’ve solved that problem, here are four styles we're likely to see for spring and summer 2016.



1. Embrace the floral designs

Floral for men? You better believe it! Floral patterns, both subtle and bold, will add a light, airy quality to your wardrobe this spring/summer. Pair with jeans or shorts for a casual weekend barbecue, or formalize the floral under a blazer or solid cashmere sweater for the office.

2. Designer and fitted shirts

Fitted designer shirts should be the mainstay of your wardrobe no matter what the season, but in spring and summer they are often the appetizer, the main course, and dessert all rolled into one. Texture and material preferences vary between guys, but you can’t go wrong with double collars and lavish cuffs to really make the designer shirt your own.

3. Are you here for the yacht club?

Marine style is in and the classic navy blazer is a key part of your spring and summer collection. Pair with jeans, a white V-neck, and boat shoes for a casual, classy look for almost any occasion. Is your destination a little bit more formal? Keep the blazer and change out the V-neck and boat shoes for a designer shirt and chukka boots. The blazer is a classic and is still your most stylish friend.

4. More than the casual Friday go-to

Polo shirts have been the lazy man’s idea of casual Friday for decades. The drab, baggy, tucked in polo shirt is a thing of the past; sleek, tailored models are what you want to be wearing this spring and summer. Fabrics, patterns, and colors abound, and the polo shirt can work for you on the golf course, in the office, on a date, or at the bar.

Fifty Shades Of Fashion Shirt

After many rumors, much deliberation by gossip columns and the speculation of millions around the world, the actors that will star in the forthcoming 'Fifty Shades of Gray' movie have been announced. Now this news may mean nothing to you, but if you have a special partner in your life who loves the books, you might want to start turning on a little Christian Gray charm yourself. Our fashion shirts have everything you need to replicate the cool, sophisticated and charismatic look of the Fifty Shades leading man including alluring luxury shirts in finely tailored fabrics and unique clothing that will ensure your partner's eyes are on you and only you.

The appeal of Christian Gray is in his looks certainly, but also in the clothes he wears and the way he wears them. Of course, throughout the book he's not wearing very much at all, but we won't go into that here! What we're going to focus on is wearing clothes with confidence especially when they are high quality and cut to perfection. A cheap shirt just looks like, well, a cheap shirt. You won't be fooling anybody. At fashion-shirts.com, we pride ourselves on offering some of the best fashion shirts in the world at an affordable price and we guarantee you will look and feel your best wearing them.

When Christian Gray isn't striking deals or performing tricks in the bedroom he is often flying his helicopter or driving very fast in his array of Italian sports cars. Such a varied and exciting lifestyle calls for a versatile wardrobe. Whilst you might not be able to match his lifestyle exactly, you can certainly take your look from business to leisure easily with our striking range of designer shirts. A simple loosening of the tie and the rolling up of sleeves shows you're ready to party and let loose especially if you wear one of our double collar shirts with contrasting lining. Our dress shirts are also perfect for those evenings when you need to comply with an exclusive dress code.

Sharp tailored shirts in a wide range of colors and styles are the order of the day at fashion-shirts.com. Whilst we can't promise we'll make you a multimillionaire with your own helipad and instant sex appeal we can promise you'll love our shirts and the confidence they bring to your world whether you're in the boardroom or at the pool table.

I'll give you the shirt off my back ... just so I can buy a new one

It started when I was young, I'd be fastidiously ironing my school shirt before school - desperate to get out every crease. I've been addicted to shirts for as long as I can remember. Not just any shirts though, I have my favorites.

Designer shirts

Characterized by their label and the aspects of their brand. The creme de la creme, perfection riding on my shoulders - designer shirts are my all time favorite. The quality is second to none; you see it when the shirt last two and three times as long as regular branded shirts and you feel it when the seams hold strong with every pull.

Apart from the workmanship, their fashionable cuts are always ideal and who doesn't like turning heads in the street.

European shirts

As mentioned above, I am a fan of tailored slim fit shirts. The Europeans were the ones who made this cut famous. So much so, it is also referred to as a 'European cut'. Not only are their cuts supreme, so to are the elegant fabrics they choose.

Dress shirts

Previously limited to formal occasions in the company of suits and ties, these have become the bread and butter of my wardrobe. I have a dress shirt for nearly every occasion.

A crisp white shirt with slacks for a classic look in the office and a patterned dress shirts partnered with chino's, embracing casual Fridays. These shirts are generally worn tucked in, but come the weekend I'm teaming them with jeans and even shorts during the summer for a very relaxed, yet chic look.

Alternative shirts

No one likes to blend into the crowd do they? Neither do I.

I'm always on the lookout for the next style trend in shirts. Whether it be contrasting sleeves or pockets, extreme tailoring, distressed fabrics, heightened collars or the now mainstream double collared shirts (see below) ... I'll try anything once.

Contrasting fabrics has been a popular trend in matching shirts and ties of late and the trend is seemingly continuing into shirt fabric choices. Whilst not infiltrating the dress shirt market just yet, casual shirts are readily available with contrasting materials being used for various parts of the shirt.

Double collar shirts

As mentioned above, I am always looking for a unique style, the double collar is my latest fetish. As the name suggests this is a shirt with two collars, or at least the appearance of two collars. The collars are typically contrasting in color and or pattern and give any shirt a unique twist on a classic dress shirt.

Long gone are the days when a shirt is just a shirt - They're an art form.

How To add color to your "play it safe" wardrobe

Do you find that you wear mostly monochrome or brown clothing? You are not alone. Many men tend to play it safe with these colors, but it really isn't difficult to add a touch of color to your wardrobe. It doesn't mean that you have to step out looking like an extra from 'Joseph And His Technicolor Dream Coat' either! There are many ways you can add a subtle splash of color or as much color as you dare!

At menfashion.com, you may have already noticed our love affair with color. Our Italian shirts collection is especially vibrant and these versatile and stylish shirts can really add something special to an outfit. When you want to stand out and create a great impression, a pop of color can work wonders. A lime green or salmon shirt or a plain shirt with colorful floral lining is a great way to give your outfit unique appeal.

To get some ideas on what will work, take a look at the monochrome items you have in your wardrobe already. For example, if you own a number of pairs of black pants or jeans, you are in luck! Black goes so well with most colors but especially with bright colors like red, purple, electric blue, orange and yellow. If you've got a special night out coming up, why not shock your friends by wearing something really bright and eye catching?

But if standing out from the crowd isn't really your thing, there are some great ways to add color to your clothes without being too conspicuous. Plaid shirts for instance are a great way to dress up jeans and have that perfect smart casual look that is always popular. We have a large range of plaid shirts that will become a staple in your wardrobe for many years to come.

Color in men's fashion isn't as fickle as it is in women's fashion. Color trends in women's fashion come and go, but in men's fashion they remain constant making it so easy for you to choose the color that suits you without worrying that it is yesterday's news. At fashion-shirts.com we have a huge selection of summer shirts, European shirts and designer shirts that make introducing color to your wardrobe a cinch. why not browse our extensive collection today? We make ordering fashion shirts easy, affordable and convenient.

How the colors we wear can make such a difference

Did you know that what we wear can have a big influence on how we feel? For instance, research has shown that wearing the color yellow can have a really positive impact over our own emotions and also how we appear to others. Yellow suggests sunshine, springtime, sunflowers and new life. Wear red and you may appear bold, brash and perhaps a little bit threatening - red is after all a warning sign of danger. Pale blue oozes a feeling of calmness and tranquility whilst black may not be the best color to wear if you are feeling a little down or depressed.

Men's fashion today is full of color and vitality and gives you total freedom over choosing the colors to match your mood or the occasion. If you are not comfortable wearing blocks of color, how about a crisp cotton dress shirt in contrasting colors? Choose stripes, florals, plaids, spots or more subtle patterning or how about a vibrant blue double collar shirt with a white collar?

If you are looking for something a little different, have you considered European clothing? For example, those Italians really know how to carry off color and style and have really made a mark in the world of haute couture and men's fashion in general. You only have to look at big names like Armani and Dolce and Gabbana to see the influence Italian styling has made on the world. Dolce and Gabbana especially are in touch with their colorful side and frequently release men's fashion shirts that are bold, vibrant and totally unique.

But you don't have to spend thousands of dollars on designer brands. High quality t-shirts, shirts and jackets are available that will suit your personal taste and your budget. At Fashion-shirts.com, we have a large range of affordable, premium quality shirts that will keep their color and their shape well for years and our prices are totally affordable. We take the time to choose the shirts that are popular, but we also have an eye for an emerging trend. That means you get the shirts you need for work and play plus a taste of the unique all in one place!

If you are ready to add a splash of color to your wardrobe or need to make a statement, we have many very wearable and totally unforgettable shirts right here.

5 ways to revamp your wardrobe

If your clothes are looking a little worn and tired it's high time you revamped your wardrobe and brought it into the 21st Century. Whilst you might have invested in high quality clothes that are still going a decade later, they are probably looking a little faded and frayed around the edges and in dire need of updating. Trends come and go and there are some really stylish clothes available right now. Choose from well cut denim, crisp cotton t-shirts, cargo shorts, fashion shirts and tailored jackets that look great dressed up or dressed down. Here are five easy ways you can give some of those old clothes the heave-ho and refresh your style effortlessly.

1. Take everything out of your wardrobe for review

Come on, that means everything. The rule is that if you haven't worn something in a year, it should probably be thrown out or given away. Make piles for your clothes so they are easy to sort - that good stuff that is staying in one pile and the 'never to be worn again' clothes in another. Keep the items out that you are going to keep as we are going to need those for later. Take the other pile down to your local thrift shop or put them in the garbage.

2. Make a list of clothing that you need

Think about the clothes you wear on a daily basis, your favorite items and the colors you prefer. Now, look at the items you have sorted out and are keeping. Make a note of the colors and styles so that you can buy new items that will coordinate with this clothing perfectly. Those stone chinos will look great with chambray summer shirts or a simple white t-shirt for example.

3. Capsule wardrobes are for men too

Revamping your wardrobe doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money on lots of different clothing. A capsule wardrobe means choosing some those essential items of clothing that can be easily coordinated and which are easy to wear. Cool white shirts, cotton pants, sweaters and one good quality sports jacket will ensure you always have the right clothes to hand.

4. Get an expert opinion

If you simply do not know where to start when planning your new wardrobe, ask for some advice. Shopping for clothes isn't usually an activity for the guys so why not take your girlfriend, wife, mom or a close female friend along for unbiased opinions?

5. Be open to new ideas

Why not try out some new trends. That doesn't mean you have to wear a red blazer with pink pants. Unique clothing can be clothes that have a little unusual detail or that are a different cut to what you would usually wear. Above all else, have fun choosing your new wardrobe!

How the clothes you wear can shape your future

If you think that looks aren't important, you'd be wrong. Since the dawn of time, the survival of mankind has been mostly shaped by looks, stature and being able to hunt down a good dinner! If those picky cave women back then didn't like what they saw in their cavemen, mankind probably would have stopped right there. Thankfully, we have more to wear now than a simple loincloth and can dress to impress by making smart fashion choices. Whether it's choosing a dress shirt or a new pair of jeans, making careful fashion decisions will ensure you look your best at all times.

Easy on the eye and easy on the wallet

It's a common misconception that you have to spend a lot of money to look good. A good haircut, a smart fashion shirt and freshly pressed pants is often all it takes to make a lasting impression. Oh and don't forget those shoes! Statistics say that women and men check out the shoes of somebody they are meeting for the first time. Those kicked in sneakers just aren't going to cut it with an otherwise smart outfit.

So, how can clothes shape your future? Well, think about all of those major events in your life - getting a job, meeting your life partner, getting ahead in business, being a good example to your kids, etc. Would you get the same success achieving life's milestones if you wore sweatpants and sneakers every day of your life? Probably not. It's the clothes you wear and how you carry yourself that can make such a difference to the things that happen to you throughout life.

Keep up to date with the latest fashions

Men's fashions come and go. Whilst male fashion trends may not move as fast as women's fashion trends, there are still enough changes to ensure male fashion stays fresh, focused and interesting. Cargo pants, twisted jeans, double collar shirts and high top sneakers are just some of the trends that are still going strong today. Choose your clothes to match the occasion and try to make those clothes look as smart as possible by washing them carefully, pressing them always and giving yourself a thorough once over before you leave home. You don't have to fill your wardrobe either - a handful of good quality clothes is always so much better than a huge collection of out of shape, faded and creased clothing.

The Reverse Collar: A New Look in Designer Dress Shirts

Reverse collar shirt by Franck Michel Paris

The world of men’s dress shirts is generally less dynamic than that of the broader fashion industry.  However, there are some designers who are willing to take risks and striving to produce novel designs that will appeal to more fashion forward consumers.  These designers with an eye for bold designs are often European based and their products are generally described as fashion dress shirts, or just designer dress shirts. One of these designers, Franck Michel of Paris, has pioneered a bold new collar style that provides just the unique dynamic twist that many fashion conscious men are looking for these days.

The reverse collar starts as a longer normal collar but then in a unique twist, it is folded back upon itself and secured with a button. This technique allows the designer to incorporate multiple styles or colors of fabric, much like a double collar does.  The reverse collar has the advantage of being unique compared to the double collar, which has now been adopted by many men’s dress shirt manufacturers, with each one employing a slightly different version of the double collar technique and using it to highlight different fabrics and looks. The reverse collar, however, is still a rarity even inside the world of luxury men’s dress shirts.

In an industry where designers are constantly striving to be different than their competitors, the reverse collar, as designed by Franck Michel, provides a look that will be hard to find elsewhere. This ensures that those who are bold enough to choose to wear the reverse collar will not bump into someone else wearing the look. Additionally, it means that wearers of the reverse collar will constantly have other fashion conscious people questioning where they got such a unique design.

Franck Michel shirts are available through their North American distributor, fashion-shirts.com, and are starting to pop up elsewhere online and around the globe. They are a well known brand in Europe, as they have been producing designer men’s shirts since 1969, however, they are now expanding to markets around the world. A prime example of a reverse collar shirt from Franck Michel is the Miami, available in blue, white and red from fashion-shirts.com for $159.

Designer Men’s Dress Shirts for Wedding Season

One of my favorite parts about summer is going to weddings of friends and family members.  Not only is it a great time for the couple being married, but of course it also comes with a great party to celebrate their vows.  As a fashionable guy who likes to have fun I always look forward to the chance to bust out a new look and hit the dance floor.  Weddings are a unique venue to try out new styles and looks.  For me, there are two main style tips to consider when selecting a dress shirt to wear to a wedding. 

First, you’ll want to pick something that looks good with your suit and tie but also will look good later in the night when you’ve taken your coat and tie off to take a turn on the dance floor.  Weddings are the prototypical situation where your outfit must easily transition from daywear to eveningwear.  You’ll be at the ceremony during the day, and then head to the dinner and after party where you might be long into the wee hours of the night, and you know you won’t have a time to change, so make sure you pick something that will be able to adapt.

Secondly, you don’t want to pick anything too bold that will turn too much attention to you, and upstage the bride and groom.  It’s their night and they should be the center of the attention wherever they are, be it during the ceremony, the dinner, or the dance floor.  You don’t want to do anything that could be construed as trying to attract attention away from them, a major wedding etiquette faux pas. 

With these tips in mind I would recommend a white or muted tone shirt like a beige or pastel pink or yellow (these pastel colors are especially great for outdoor weddings).  However, I wouldn’t pick any old white dress shirt of the rack at the local department store.  I would go with a shirt with a little bit of flair, a little bit of a twist on the original, and one that is more fitted and as it will look better than the alternative once you’ve removed your jacket.  Something like Franck Michel’sMilano White (available at fashion-shirts.com for $99) is the perfect mix of a fashion forward designer dress shirt and a timeless classic.  Franck Michel’s designs are made to fit very slim so it will look really great once you remove your coat, no billowing or baggy fabric.  The contrast color lining will show more and more as the night goes on and you loosen your tie and start to undo the buttons.  It’s like having a new shirt once you take off your tie! 

How to Wear it: Men’s Plaid Fashion Dress Shirts

One recent trend I’ve noticed in men’s fashion shirts is that some of the more adventurous designers are rolling out collections that include a lot of plaid patterns.  Plaid is a pattern that we are all familiar with of course, but we might not expect to see it on a high end fashion shirt, but rather a flannel work shirt or something similarly casual.  However, men’s luxury designers are increasingly working plaid into their collections and we should consider how to best work it into our wardrobes.

Plaid fashion dress shirt for men

First of all, let’s delineate how the plaid shirts on offer from men’s fashion designers differ from those that your dad wore to go camping.  The chief way they are different is the material on offer.  Casual plaid shirts are often done on heavyweight flannel or other thicker fabrics.  Thicker fabrics are never going to look as sharp as the crisp look of a thin elegant cotton dress shirt.  Additionally, these casual plaid shirts are designed to fit a range of body types, and thus have a lot of room in the lower torso.  The offerings from today’s men’s designers are usually slim fit, and personally I think the slimmer the fit the better.  These shirts will fit and wear completely different than dear old Dad’s camping shirts.

So how and where should we wear these new patterns?  For me, one great thing about these patterns is their versatility.  I personally like to wear them with dark jeans on a night out.  The plaid gives off a more casual vibe than a solid color satin fashion shirt, but at the same time with the slim fit and crisp collar you know that you will be look like you’ve put time and thought into your sartorial choice, which of course you have.  These shirts look great with the sleeves rolled up when you’ve been putting in a hard-working shift on the dance floor.  Be sure to keep your sleeves, and your look in general, looking sharp though, by actually folding the sleeves back in folds that match the width of the cuff.  This will keep them from unrolling, and at the same time will keep the upper arm of the shirt from becoming a bunched up mess.  You are going to want to keep that upper-arm portion smooth to show off those hours you’ve put in at the gym.

For a little more conservative or dressed up look, I like to layer a blazer or a solid color sweater over the top of my plaid dress shirt.  This is one of those cases where showing less of the pattern actually makes it pop even more and really will have people asking you wear you got your shirt.

I really like this new trend in men’s fashion shirts.  Plaid is a versatile pattern that can be conservative or eye-catching depending on how you choose to use it.  For me, anything like this where I can buy one shirt, but express my fashion many different ways is definitely a good thing.

Your Choices for Spring: Men’s Fashion Shirt Designers

Mens double collar dress shirt.

Spring is here and it’s time to shed your layers and step out with new fashion wear.  How should you pick from the myriad options that the sartorial world presents?  Let’s consider some options and weigh the choices that we have for new men’s fashion dress shirts these days.  For me, the designers of the men’sfashion shirts on the market right now break into three classes: the Big Designers, the Imitators, and the Upstarts. 

First let’s consider the Big Designers.  You know who these guys are and you’ve known about them since you were 14.  They offer not just shirts and not just men’s wear.  They have a global presence, and you can buy their wares online or you can go to a high end department store in your local mall or maybe in a high rise downtown and check them out in person.  Their shirts fit great, and you know that you are getting a quality dress shirt.  However, though their runway shows certainly feature outlandish and forward thinking styles, the fashion shirts available to you may be a little on the conservative side.  Let’s be clear, anyone into fashion probably has lots of these shirts in their closet.  Sometimes you need just a white dress shirt or a blue dress shirt that you can trust, and that you know fits you right.  If you get it from the Big Designers you’ll be paying extra for the name, but you know what you’re getting.

The next category is the Imitators.  These guys don’t really do enough for me to waste much space here writing about them.  They take the classic styles and ideas of the Big Designers and they offer shirts for dramatically less financial outlay.  Sure, this seems like a good idea at first, but when you get the shirt home and it doesn’t fit quite right, and the buttons start falling off, it doesn’t look like such a good deal.  These guys are notorious for skipping over the details that make your favorite shirt special.  Clearly, I think they do not deserve your patronage.

Finally we get to my favorite category, the Upstarts.  These designers are the smallest firms, and thus the creative types have more freedom to express themselves through the design of the product.  This is where you’ll find men’s designer shirts that have real fashion innovation, that are cutting edge, shaping the sartorial landscape of men’s fashion, able to take ideas from the runway and put them into products that you can actually get your hands on.  These brands will charge you a pretty penny just like the Big Designers will, and you might not immediately recognize their name, but you get what you pay for in this world and that means these shirts are of the highest quality.  The fit is every bit as slim as the top designers (sometimes even more!) and the material is impressively smooth and soft.

For me, the choice is simple.  I go with the Upstarts.  Sure, I have stuff from the Big Designers in my closet.  I’ve tried the Imitators and I won’t go back.  Life is about going for it and taking chances, and that’s just what the Upstarts are doing with their shirts, and that’s an idea I can get behind.

Reverse Collar: What’s With the Newest Trend in Men’s Designer Shirts

Reverso shirt with leather band cufflinks

There’s a new trend in European dress shirts and it’s starting to make its way across the Atlantic and is now showing up online available here in the U.S.  It’s something that you might not notice the second you look at the shirt, but when you see it, you’ll be surprised and intrigued.  I’m referring, of course, to the reverse collar.  It’s a collar with an extra fold so it ends pointed up instead of down. If you’ve never seen one you’re probably thinking, “Wait, what? How is that possible?  What does that look like? How does it stay folded up?”  Well, no matter the designer or the style, there is always a very strategically placed button on the collar, not too high, not too low, but just in the right spot to keep the collar folded perfectly back up.  This allows designers like Franck Michel to show a classy contrasting color look on the collar, playing with a different color on the underside of the collar.

For an example of a designer playing with this contrast color collar look, check out Franck Michel’s Miami Blue, available in the States for $149 at fashion-shirts.com. It sure isn’t the only Franck Michel offering on fashion-shirts.com that features a reverse collar.  While that price point puts it solidly in the luxury tier of men’s designer shirts these shirts have all the other components of a luxury shirt that you would expect.  The material is the finest Italian cotton, and fit is extra slim.  I love the extra slim fit personally, but it isn’t for everyone and you have to be careful selecting your size.  Franck Michel is a design house in the heart of Paris that is famous around Europe for this trend and is just starting to bring this look to the U.S.

So what are these shirts good for?  Well they aren’t ideal for wearing with a tie, so they might not be perfect for wearing to work for some folks.  On the other hand, they are perfect for a night out.  The thing I love about these shirts, is the attention you get when you are wearing them.  Stylish people notice the details like the reverse collar and are certain to ask you about it.  I’ve never had so many people interested in my shirt as when I wear a reverse collar like this.  For me, that’s always a good thing.  When I go out I’m always aiming to meet new people and if we can start out on the right foot because of my unique and stylish designer shirt that’s great for me. Trust me you’ll meet the right people wearing a shirt like this, if you know what I’m saying.

Men’s Designer Shirts: Why being different is a good thing

Luxury shirts by Franck Michel Paris

When you are considering buying a new men’s dress shirt, there are a lot of things to think about.  Of course you want to get something that is high quality, you know you deserve the best.  You want the highest quality fabrics that will feel comfortable on your skin, and if you are going to spend a pretty penny on it you want it to last.  Obviously it’s got to fit right, that goes without saying.  You’ll never wear the most beautiful shirt in the world if it won’t button in the front or if it’s so big that you are swimming in it.  For me, there are two things I think about beyond that.  First of all, is this designer shirt going to make me stand out from the crowd?  Then once I know I have people’s eyes on me, is this shirt going to make me look good?  It’s no good to attract attention if those people aren’t impressed with how you look.
Fashionable men’s designer shirts don’t all stand out of course.  Many big designers are fairly conservative and depend on the name recognition of their brand to sell shirts.  Their products don’t look much different than dress shirts that you can buy in a cheap department store.  Sure they are made with better materials and might be a slimmer fit and the shirt will definitely look better on your body than the cheap department store shirt, but no one is going to look closely enough at you to notice.  Especially on a night out where you’ll probably be in a dark environment most of the time, if you are wearing a plain shirt, you’re just going to blend into the background.   For some people that might be what you are going for, but not me.  I’m happy with a little bit of extra attention.
For me then, it’s more useful to shop the smaller design firms.  It’s harder to get your hands on these shirts, especially if you don’t live in Paris, but trust me it’s worth it.  The fact that these designers can’t rely on their labels to sell shirts is good for you.  They have to impress you in order to sell their fashion shirts, and this means they make shirts that will impress others when you wear them.  These designers don’t skimp on quality or fit either.  Take Franck Michel for instance.  You won’t find a shirt with higher quality fabrics or a more European fit.  It’s a serious slim fit, you might have to order one size larger unless you look like a skinny European soccer player, but trust me, these are the shirts that will get you the same kind of attention that those soccer players get if you know what I mean.

Trends in Men’s Fashion Shirts: The Reverse Collar

Fashion shirts with contrasting reverse collar

In the world of fashion shirts it isn’t good enough anymore just to provide shirts that are slim fitting, or shirts that are made of high quality cotton.  There are simply too many brands out there that have recognized that men appreciate a dress shirt that fits their body the way it should, and that they deserve the highest quality material in the world.  So what separates the hot fashion brands from the imitators?  What makes the difference to men who are looking to drop serious money for a dress shirt that they expect to love?  It’s all in the details.  These days fashion shirt makers are pushing the envelope of the what men expect in a dress shirt with new looks that play on familiar aspects of the traditional dress shirt we all grew up wearing. 

These new fashion designers take an old staple of the dress shirt and flip it on its head.   Take the collar for instance; we are used to seeing a few variants of collars, like the button-down collar and a variety of widths of to suit a range of tie knot styles.  But these types of collars have been available forever (well since Brooks Brothers debuted the button-down collar in 1896) and aren’t going to make anyone take notice of your fashion sense.  If invisibility and anonymity are your thing that’s fine, but today’s fashion designers have turned these details into a chance to express your fashion sense and show your flair for the dramatic.

Take, for instance, the Parisian fashion house Franck Michel.  They’re a leading force in French men’s fashion and a great example of a company making fashion shirts that stand out from the crowd because of their unique approach to old concepts.  Their lineup contains shirts with all manners of double collars, mixing and matching fabrics to make the collar stand out apart from the rest of the shirt.  These double collars however are yesterday’s news in the high fashion world of French design.  What Franck Michel is doing next is pushing the collar in a new direction, quite literally.  The new line offers collars with an extra flip, called a reverse collar.  This previously unseen design is a collar that folds back up and then is held together by stylish buttons on either side.  This allows an interplay between two colors of fabric as we now are privileged to see the fabric choice on the underside of the collar, which in the case of trendy French fashion shirts, is of course a contrasting color, and often has a bold pattern.  These reverse collar shirts are just starting to make a splash stateside, and are as unique as you’ll see in the world of fashion dress shirts.

French Shirts: These Aren’t Your Grandfather’s Dress Shirts

Exclusive Reverse collar shirt - Spring 2013

In an industry dominated by conservative stodgy offerings that are indistinguishable from those worn by your grandfather, Americans are becoming increasingly aware of imported offerings, largely coming from Europe.  These European luxury shirts are often at a price point that may shock some consumers but appeal to those who are accustomed to paying high prices for shirts that look very similar to those you can pick up at your local department store.  However, these European offering are nothing like the plain starched white shirts your ancestors wore.

First off, these European dress shirts fit differently than a traditional American dress shirt.  While a traditional American dress shirt comes in sizes that reflect the neck size and arm length of the consumer (e.g. 16-32/33), European dress shirts for men come in general sizes (e.g. Small, Medium, Large) that are meant to fit off the rack but can also be tailored to provide a more bespoke fit.  Importantly, European dress shirts also fit vastly different.  European dress shirts are much slimmer around the torso than American dress shirts, and while this may rule out some more indulgent Americans, it provides a chic slimming effect on the wearer by eliminating the baggy bulges of fabric that are commonplace on American dress shirts.  Additionally, this slim fit makes European dress shirts much more versatile than traditional dress shirts, in that they look great either tucked in or untucked, perfect for a seamless transition from the boardroom to a night out.

Secondly, these European dress shirts, and especially French shirts offered by designers like Franck Michel, contain stylish details that would shock your grandfather.  Franck Michel, for instance, has patented design details like French cuffs that are held together by leather bands that resemble a leather watchband.  Franck Michel also has introduced details such as the reverse collar, a collar that takes an extra turn, folding over twice and adding an unmistakable flourish to many of their shirts.  Additionally, many European dress shirts employ a double collar, another unique look that you won’t see from traditional offerings at the department store.

Lastly, these European dress shirts use the highest quality raw materials.  Because of the proximity of the designers to fabric markets in places like Italy, designers have strong relations to the world of high quality European textile manufacturing.  This leads to constantly refreshing collections with cotton of unmatched quality with unique patterns that are hard to find anywhere else.

These European dress shirts are increasingly becoming available stateside.  Franck Michel, for instance, now provides their shirts through menfashion.com.  Their collection refreshes constantly and prices range from $99 to almost $200 depending on the details incorporated in the shirt, and its relative novelty.

Designer Shirts for men from Luxury French Designer Franck Michel

Square silver buttons and contrasting collar.

Looking for a new designer shirt for men that will set you apart from the rest of the crowd?  Interested in European or French shirts that your friends will envy?  Check out Parisien designer Franck Michel’s new collection of men’s luxury shirts at urunique.com.  Menfashion.com is a new entry into the European luxury dress shirt market and is the exclusive North American retailer of Franck Michel’s diverse lineup of stylish dress shirts.

Franck Michel is a well-known designer in France and indeed throughout Europe.  The designs of Franck Michel often novel features that are meant to differentiate their shirts from those of the competition.  These features often include double collars and unique button patterns, as well as colorful fabric choices.  In fact, Franck Michel have patented some of their unique high end features such as the “watchband French cuff”, a Franck Michel original design that uses a loop of luxury leather, resembling a watch band, in place of a traditional French cuff.   In the world of men’s designer shirts you won’t find a more innovative designer than Franck Michel.  Each season they strive to improve their line and provide their customers with new concepts and styles that capture the imagination.
Urunique.com have entered a partnership to be the sole distributor of Franck Michel merchandise in the United States.  However, if you live elsewhere in the world, MenFashion can serve your needs, as they deliver to locations across the globe.  The shirts start at $99 and range up to $179 depending on the amount of details in the design.   For instance, the Alexis Blue Stripes is on sale for $99 while the recently released luxury shirt Reverso Lavender retails for $159.  These relatively high prices reflect both the originality and stylish nature of the design as well as the high end cotton used in each and every one of the shirts.  When you buy a Franck Michel shirt you are paying not only for a fashion shirt but also a luxury piece of European clothing that will wear differently than dress shirts you may be used to.
Urunique.com refreshes their offerings with the seasonal releases from Franck Michel so there are often new men’s luxury shirts available to their discerning customers.  Additionally, they carry many of the deisgns in multiple colors, so whether you are looking for a shirt that’s white, black, blue or even pink you’ll be able to find just what you desire in many styles that will intrigue you, and capture the attention of those around you.