How Many Dress Shirts Should a Man Own? (2024)

How Many Dress Shirts Should a Man Own? (1)

Women have shoes, handbags, and who knows what, right? So, what do men have? When it comes to apparel, many men struggle to know how many business suits, slacks, and the like they should have. After all, no one wants to be busted wearing the same thing over and over.

It's hard to gauge how many you need. After all, dress shirts are NOT regular t-shirts. We’ve decided it was time for an answer to the question: how many dress shirts should a man own? This article is an attempt to answer that very question, so let’s get started.

But First… When Do You Wear Dress Shirts?

Many men have to wear business attire, including dress shirts, even jackets, and slacks daily for the job.

Other men are a bit more flexible in what they can and cannot wear to work or in the office (slowly raises my hand). Although, no matter what your career, every man should have at least a few dress shirts available in case they need it - whether it be for a date, a family function, or even church.

So… How Manyis Too Many?

When it comes to quality dress shirts, I am one of those that feel that as long as you can afford it, there is no such thing as too much, with one important distinction… you must wear them. Every one of us probably has a shirt or two that is the designated shirt for occasions we would rather not attend.

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For example, there is a black dress shirt in the back of my closet that only comes out for funerals. This shirt must be carefully ironed and is just too much work to wear every day, or even once a month, so there it stays.

To give a more exact answer, most professional men will not need more than say twenty dress shirts at the most. Twenty shirts allow you to wear a different shirt to the office every weekday for almost a month without any repeats at work. Guys with 20 are probably even wearing them in style with some jeans. Is this really logical? Well maybe for some men. So, for the sake of argument, we are going to go with 20 is too many (for most men).

The other side of the aisle is the type of guy who only wears a dress shirt when he is required to, either by the event or another person(cough…significant other). This type of men could really care less about dress shirts being part of their personal style, and that is more than fine.

These men are probably going to be more than fine with three dress shirts, one to wear, one to wash, and one of those only when absolutely necessary dress shirts. More than likely the shirts are going to be light blue, white, or a soft gray, and they may or may not have a suit jacket or blazer to wear with it. Mix in some business casual shirts for outfits that work for smart casual attire.

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How Many Dress Shirts SHOULD I Own?

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The simple answer is, most men are probably going to be more than fine with three dress shirts, one to wear, one to wash, and one of those only when absolutely necessary dress shirts. More than likely the shirts are going to be light blue, white, or a soft gray, and they may or may not have a suit jacket or blazer to wear with it.

What is the Answer?

The answer for most of us is going to fall between the two extremes. Generally, it is suggested that men own around 8-12 dress shirts if you wear them every day for work, or just 3 if you only wear them for special occasions. That includes button-down shirts that can be worn with or without a jacket, more stylish shirts with some tailoring or style, and a few different colors. Having an oxford shirt is good for diversity as well.

White Dress Shirts

How Many Dress Shirts Should a Man Own? (5)

You should always have atleast two crisp white dress shirts. Although you may want one or two more, depending on how messy you are when you eat. There is nothing more classic than a white dress shirt newly cleaned and pressed. That is the go-to for the most formal occasions. Although many men will have several styles of white shirts, casual polo shirts can extend your wardrobe if you prefer.

You should also consider having an off white or ivory-colored shirt to wear when things are not quite as formal, the warmer tone will soften your appearance and actually make you more approachable. This is a great option when meeting new clients or going to social events where you are expected to mingle.

You can find the best white dress shirts here.


Different Dress Shirt Colors are Optional but Encouraged

How Many Dress Shirts Should a Man Own? (6)

Many men have trouble embracing colored dress shirts (such as purple or pink) if they are not some light shade of blue or gray, then they won’t even consider it. Colored dress shirts offer you the chance to show a bit of your personality and lighten the mood without sacrificing style.


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Some colors can make you appear younger, while others can make you seem pale or even sick. If you are venturing into the world of color for the first time, get some advice before you jump in and buy everything in sight. You may be surprised to learn what you think looks good does nothing for you. Start with lighter muted colors and move on from there as you feel more comfortable.

Styles of Dress Shirts

The style of dress shirts you purchase and actually wear is going to depend on how you move throughout the day. You will also need to think about the climate, both outside and inside, whether you need to accommodate a tie or a jacket, and the type of pants you will be wearing.

In warmer months, you will want to wear dress shirts that are lighter weight without being see-through, and in some cases, you will need them to breathe. Cotton is a great choice and is available in most styles of shirts. You can opt for heavier fabrics in colder climates.

A button-down dress shirt is the most common type of dress shirt. They feature the small buttons on the tips of the collar to secure them over a tie if worn. Newer collar styles are introduced all the time, but if you want to stay with the classic then a button-down is the way to go.

Polo shirts are an often debated topic, are they really dress shirts or just a dressed up t-shirt? In most business circles a polo shirt is considered business casual attire. This means that while they may not be exactly right for a board meeting or wooing a new client, they are perfectly fine for everyday wear around the office. For the sake of this article, we are not including polo shirts in the 10 dress shirts you should have since most men have several polos if they already wear them.

These are our favorite dress shirts for short guys if you're looking for something that fits better.

Final Thoughts

We’ll wrap things up by saying that you should probably make sure to have 4-5 everyday wear dress shirts, a couple of white ones, a couple lighter color blue or gray, and one really high-quality white shirt that makes a statement. We also suggest you branch out into a bit of color; start slow and hopefully you’ll end up with a couple of statement colors and a few slightly patterned shirts for less formal occasions.

FAQs

1.How many shirts does an average person own?

ClosetMaid recently surveyed American women and found that they own 103 things. The average woman owns between 20 and 30 t-shirts, tank tops, blouses, and dress shirts (The average woman owns about 5-7 dress shirts).

2.How many work outfits should a man have?

Even for a man on the verge of a professional career, it is difficult to afford such high-end apparel. We suggest that every man own a minimum of three tailored suits: one navy, one charcoal, and one black. These combinations are suitable for all occasions.

3.How many suits should a man own?

Most men consider a minimum of one to two suits to be sufficient. In your lifetime, you will probably attend a formal event, such as a wedding or gala, a funeral, or even a date night. Dust off that suit you haven't worn in years. It's time to put it on.

Shop Our Selection of Dress Shirts Here

How Many Dress Shirts Should a Man Own? (2024)

FAQs

How many dress shirts does a guy need? ›

You'll need at least a dozen dress shirts just for the office at a bare minimum. Add to that a handful of great shirts for casual gatherings, dates, outdoor activities, and going to the club, and you'll probably find that around 20 to 30 dress shirts is right for most men.

How many shirts should the average man own? ›

Typically, if we exclude all other types of shirts and only focus on proper dress shirts, then the number of dress shirts the average man owns is probably around 10 shirts, give or take.

How many suits and shirts should a man own? ›

The experts at President Tailors recommend every man to own five suits. Opting for classic suit colors like black, navy, gray, brown, and tan is a smart choice. You would have the necessary suit for every occasion at any time of the year.

How many Oxford shirts should a man own? ›

Generally, it is suggested that men own around 8-12 dress shirts if you wear them every day for work, or just 3 if you only wear them for special occasions. That includes button-down shirts that can be worn with or without a jacket, more stylish shirts with some tailoring or style, and a few different colors.

What color dress shirt should every man have? ›

White: The ultimate classic, a white dress shirt is a staple in any wardrobe. It's clean, crisp, and can be paired with virtually any suit or tie. Light Blue: Offering a touch of color while still being neutral, light blue is perfect for both casual and formal events.

What is the ideal number of clothes for a man? ›

How many items are in a men's capsule wardrobe? Typical capsule wardrobes have between 25 to 50 pieces which include clothing, shoes, and accessories.

What is the 333 capsule wardrobe method? ›

The 333 styling method, born out of Courtney Carver's Project 333, is a minimalist fashion challenge that prompts individuals to curate a wardrobe consisting of only 33 items to be worn over the course of 3 months.

How many pairs of jeans should a man own? ›

But back to the original question: how many pairs of jeans should a person own? There's no right answer but I think having 3-5 pairs that you really love and that fit well is a pretty good benchmark to work towards.

When to retire a dress shirt? ›

While there's no exact time table for when you should toss your old dress shirts, a general rule of thumb is to inspect them every 3 or 4 wears.

What 5 suits make 75 outfits? ›

Common Questions: What 5 suits should a man own? Everyman should own a black suit, a navy suit, a grey suit, a brown suit and a tan suit with white, powder blue or cream shirts. These can be mixed and matched to create 75 different combinations!

What two color suits should a man own? ›

In fact, both the navy suit and medium-grey suit, when well-tailored, will almost certainly look superb on any gentleman and are therefore two items any man who takes the art of dressing well seriously should never be without.

How many coats and jackets should a man own? ›

Reiss believes that at the minimum, men should own three types of coats. “You definitely need an everyday one that you're going to wear—if you live in the city, that could be like a parka,” he says, noting that he likes an almost three-quarter-length style, which hits just at the hip, to offer a little more coverage.

What is a reasonable amount of shirts to own? ›

However, realistically I recommend nine shirts for your wardrobe. This will cover shirts to wear at all occasions and events. The nine shirts combine key styles, fabrics, and colour options that will enable you to create several stylish outfits to wear.

How many collared shirts should a man own? ›

The answer to this question will depend largely on what you do for a living. If you work in an environment where a jacket and slacks are expected, you should ideally have a dress shirt for every working day of the month. If you work five days a week, that equates to about 20 dress shirts.

How many shirts should a man own minimalist? ›

Deciding how many clothes do I need as a minimalist typically depends on lifestyle and personal preference. A general guideline is to have a small selection of shirts for different occasions, often around five casual shirts, three dress shirts, and two or three T-shirts, ensuring each gets regular use.

How many shirts to own for work? ›

Six to eight carefully chosen items, a mixture of knits and shirts will help to ensure that you have the right look for every occasion. Avoid choosing white for the majority of your tops as you'll end up looking the same every day. In order to cope with British weather you'll need to invest in an overcoat or raincoat.

How long do men's dress shirts last? ›

Some shirts can last 6 months, others can last 1-2 years.

A shirts durability can be attributed often times by both the quality of the dress shirt and the amount of times it's been laundered.

How many polo shirts should a man own? ›

A man should aim to have at least 3 to 5 polo shirts in his wardrobe to ensure a versatile selection for different occasions, ranging from casual to semi-formal events.

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