Askmen.com’s Best Shirts under $50.00
The guys at Askmen.com’s Fashion Department have put together a pretty solid list of their six favorite shirts under $50. They broke the list up into three categories: shirts for the office, casual shirts, and dress shirts. I’m not too sure what the difference is between shirts for the office and dress shirts, but it looks like their definition of a “dress” shirt is a shirt you could go out for a nice dinner in. But you could also still wear it untucked… I think? Click the link below for their list, then c’mon back for reaction.
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Like I said, a pretty solid list. But there are a few things to disagree with. Here’s what they got wrong, and acceptable replacements… in the humble opinion of this Affordable Men’s Style website writer.
A.M.: Express French Cuff – $49.50 | Dappered Suggests: K.Cole French Cuff – $46.99
The Express 1MX is a great shirt. But they can be a pain to keep ironed, the collars are always a bit too tight for a tie,and their sleeves are strangely short. By about an inch. And that’s a critical flaw when it comes to a french cuff shirt, because what’s the use if your sleeves are so short, that no one will ever see those cuff links? Stick with the Kenneth Cole French Cuff that was suggested in the “What is Black Tie Invited” post.
A.M.: Gap Double Gingham – $49.50 | Dappered Suggests: Land’s End Gingham – $34.50
First of all, that’s not gingham. It’s plaid. And second, almost $50 for a casual shirt from the Gap? I don’t think these guys spend too much time shopping for deals. Plaid is a little too loud to throw on under a casual blazer, so stick with actual gingham. Land’s End Canvas has a fitted poplin shirt that comes in a bunch of colors and patterns. A lighter blue gingham will let you wear this tucked or untucked, with chinos and a blazer, or with just jeans.
AM: Uniqlo Slim Tuxedo Shirt – $29.50 | Dappered Suggests: Express 1MX Gray – $49.50
This is where the Express 1MX does it’s best work. AskMen claims the hard to come by Uniqlo Tux shirt could work with dark wash denim or something as formal as almost black tie. If you want a deep gray that can go from jeans to dressed up, this is where you could use an Express 1mx. Plus, no goofy pleats in the front of the shirt.
Other than those three, Askmen.com hit a lot of our favorites. Including the Michael Kors power dress shirt, which they nailed on the size issues. Get one of those taken in and you’ll be bulletproof. For cheap.
I wanted to note that many of the Lands End Gingham shirts on sale for only $16.99 right now.
I recently purchased the Kenneth Cole French Cuff and found it to be quite huge. I had to return it because I didn’t feel confident that my tailor would be able to slim it as much as needed. Does a slim fit formal French cuff shirt exist, or is this the best I should hope for?
H&M has a pretty slim French Cuff dress shirt for about $40. Go to a “nicer” H&M to find it. Some of the stores have great stuff, others are terrible.