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Alexandra Wood
To celebrate the launch of the new line of limited edition Alexandra Wood shirts , we continue our month of shirt advice and inspiration .
You probably don ’ t give it much thought . As you get dressed in the morning , you are probably more concerned about avoiding a horrible colour combination and that there are no porridge remnants on your tie .
But , the fabric your shirt is made from does make a difference to your overall look ; particularly if deliberately make sure it complements your lovely bespoke suit ! This isn ’ t difficult – you just need to know your shirt fabrics .
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While there are hundreds of materials , variations , and colours available for shirt fabrics , below is a guide to those you are most likely to have in your wardrobe today .
Poplin
Usually made from cotton , poplin is woven tightly for a smoother finish . Poplin is the most comfortable of shirt fabrics and works with almost all suit fabrics . It makes great casual wear shirts for summer when light-weight 100 % cotton and funky colours are used . Choose heavier-weight poplins if you ’ d like easier to iron shirts in whites and blues .
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Linen
This is a traditional summer fabric that creases easily . It ’ s best suited for cruises or laid-back summer wear . This fabric is purely for casual use and is never one to make a sharp appearance in . Match with a blazer and chinos and leave your traditional suits in your wardrobe .
Oxford
This is a more substantial fabric than poplin and is made when only the threads running in one direction are dyed . It is a stiffer fabric that isn ’ t necessarily soft on the skin , but it always looks structured and smart . It ’ s a great choice if you ’ re looking to add a little texture to a blazer or suit with a pattern .
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Herringbone
Herringbone fabrics are made with a distinctive v-shaped weave pattern . This type of fabric tends to be weightier as the strong pattern requires more threads in the weave . It can look great but has the potential to be slightly dizzying on the eye . If you ’ ve chosen a herringbone shirt , match it with a suit in a very simple fabric and choose ties that are plain or have very subtle texture to avoid sensory overload .
Twill
Last but not least is twill – my favourite for shirts . This beautiful fabric is soft and made with a little diagonal weave that the eye can see . The heavier weight means it lasts a long time and is easy to wash and iron . You really can ’ t go wrong matching this fabric with your business suits : you ’ ll leave the house both stylish and comfortable .
Yes , there are a few decisions to make when choosing a shirt fabric – where you ’ ll be wearing the shirt , what you ’ re wearing it with – but Alexandra is always on hand to provide advice . Or simply shop our new range of shirts and take the effort out of dressing stylishly .
Stay stylish ! Alexandra x
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