Made from Italian cotton, this shirt features a longer point collar designed to elongate the neck, balance facial proportions, and keep you looking razor-sharp. Plus, it lays flat under lapels like it was born for the job—no awkward collar flare-ups here. Whether you’re rocking a sport coat, blazer, or suit jacket, this shirt is a triple threat.
Best White Dress Shirt for Titans of Industry: Charvet Double-Cuff Cotton Dress Shirt
In France, the word “Charvet” has become shorthand for excellence in shirts and ties—like saying “Kleenex” for tissues or “Hoover” for vacuum cleaners. (The name alone feels like silk rolling off your tongue, doesn’t it?) Founded in Paris in 1838 by Joseph-Christophe Charvet, the brand is often credited with being the world’s first shirtmaker. Before Charvet, tailored shirts weren’t really a thing; most men settled for standardized options that fit about as well as a borrowed jacket. Charvet changed the game by creating bespoke shirts tailored to each client’s exact measurements, tastes, and whims.
Over the centuries, Charvet has dressed royalty, politicians, and celebrities. Even literary heavyweights like Proust and fashion icons like Yves Saint Laurent have rocked the Parisian label. With such a historic pedigree, what makes a Charvet shirt a sartorial must-have? Imagine a crisp, pure white all-cotton shirt with double cuffs (perfect for showing off those heirloom cufflinks your grandfather swore were “an investment”) and mother-of-pearl buttons that gleam like tiny treasures. Get your hands on one of these, and you’ll not only channel centuries of elegance but also increase your odds of landing that promotion—or, at the very least, securing the best-dressed title at the office.
Best White Dress Shirt for Menswear Nerds: Drake’s Cotton Poplin Long Point Collar Shirt
Drake’s is on a lot of guys’ moodboards—and for good reason. Their lookbooks are basically a how-to in styling, packed with endless outfit possibilities. They’ve made wearing a suit look so effortless that we’re starting to think of it as the 2025 version of sweatsuits (but, you know, with actual pockets). And let’s not forget, they’re still one of the best spots for tailoring. I mean, they’ve got a shop on Savile Row.
Take their lightweight poplin shirts, for instance. Made in their factory in Somerset, England, these shirts are crease-resistant, meaning they’ll look just as crisp at 8 a.m. as they do after that post-work negroni. The collar is perfectly versatile—equally at home paired with a tie or popped open with a sweater vest and some corduroy pants. Honestly, it’s hard to think of another brand that makes clothes this fine, this functional, and this easy to live in while still looking like you’ve got your life together.
More White Dress Shirts We Love
Buck Mason Draped Twill One Pocket Shirt
Saman Amel Silk Dress Shirt
Husbands Poplin Classic Collar Dress Shirt
Uniqlo Super Non-Iron Slim Dress Shirt
Kamakura New York Slim Fit Spread Broadcloth Shirt
Factor’s Oxford Long Sleeve Shirt
How to Style a White Dress Shirt
Not sure how to style your crisp new button-up? Take cues from 47 presidents (maybe skip a few), David Lynch (RIP to a legend), or Tom Ford, who practically built his empire on the back of this wardrobe workhorse. A white dress shirt can pair easily with suits, blazers, jeans, loafers, boots—you name it. It’s the base layer of a foolproof office look and a timeless style staple. In fact, if you stumbled upon an old photo of yourself wearing one, you’d have no idea what year it was taken. That’s the magic of white dress shirts: they transcend time and trends.
But here’s the thing: not all white dress shirts are created equal. Sure, they might look the same, but the devil is in the details—specifically, the collars. If you’re new to the game (or just want a refresher), here’s the breakdown:
- Spread collar: Perfect for both formal and casual settings. Tie optional but encouraged if you’re going to impress.
- Point collar: The formal big brother. This one demands a tie and a little extra polish.
- Button-down collar: The most laid-back of the bunch. Great for casual Fridays, sports coats, or layering under sweaters.
How We Test and Review Products
Style is subjective, we know—that’s the fun of it. But we’re serious about helping our audience get dressed. Whether it’s the best white sneakers, the flyest affordable suits, or the need-to-know menswear drops of the week, GQ Recommends’ perspective is built on years of hands-on experience, an insider awareness of what’s in and what’s next, and a mission to find the best version of everything out there, at every price point.
