Do you know there is a difference between a sport and a dress shirt? We are sure you won’t have an idea about the fact. Most guys believe that a very button-down top with long sleeves and collar is a dress shirt. The lines are blurred with exceptions on both sides of the fence. Dress shirts are conservative in style and colours to suit any formal occasion. But when it comes to sports shirts, “playful” is the best term to define it.
Initially designed for sporting pursuits now the sports t-shirts come in several styles. Since the early 2000s, these shirts were incorporated into a broader category of leisure and informal wear. Now it is almost impossible to discuss a man’s wardrobe without listing a sports shirt. With a decline of suits at the workplace, men started looking for other options to dress and meet the sartorial standards while displaying their taste. These shirts have a dual purpose and are perfect as both casual and sports dress items for men. Readily available and easily accessible, these shirts demand a little attention while coordinated with other items. Let’s know more about the style in detail.
The ultimate guide to sports shirts for men
With slight differences in the two styles, there has been a lot of confusion around what is a sports shirt and what it is not. The button-down front and collar are some of the reasons why men mix dress shirts with long sleeve shirts. I, by myself, have seen this so many times. A guy comes out of a workplace wearing a silk tie with a check shirt. It looks awful and weird. A guy must let go of these myths. It is not necessary that if a shirt has a collar, buttons, and long sleeves, you can or must wear a tie with it. There are exceptions. There is a clear difference between a tie perfect dress shirt and a sports shirt. Let’s unfold the mystery of this unique men’s button-down shirt, one by one.
Sports vs dress shirts – Understanding the difference
The line between a sport and a dress shirt is very blurred. However, there are some subtle differences that every man must understand if he doesn’t want to make fun of him. Here one major difference is that these shirts are more whimsical. Unlike dresses, these shirts are available in different combinations, prints, colours and patterns. Moreover, these shirts have detailed features like pockets. On occasions, you can find these pockets made of different materials, including denim. When it comes to wearing them off the hook, consider casual business settings. However, even in such times, you need to let go of the tie. As a business casual attire, you must pick jeans or khakis to enjoy dressier looks.
Understanding the fabric of your sports shirts
The sports shirts are available in different materials. It includes synthetic, miracle microfiber, spandex, cotton and calico. All these fabrics are sweatproof, breathable and comfortable to be used in any weather. Here what you cannot find is a sports shirt in silk, twill, broadcloth, pinpoint oxford, dobby or chambray etc. Hence if you get confused if the shirt is a dress or sports shirt, pay attention to the fabric. It is important to keep in mind that these shirts are meant to be airy and give you a look and feel of sportsmen. Thus, they will come in materials that can help to maintain body temperature.
Styling sports shirts for work
The time had gone when a men’s business look or office attire was all about a dress pant coat and a tie. Today many professions like Information Technology, Art and Sciences have moved to entirely different dress codes. It would be better to say that the business suit is left with the commerce field, majorly. Although suits are still a preferable option for high-end business meetings, these shirts are considerable as well. You can wear a carefully selected shirt with a blazer and straight jeans to a casual business meeting or brunch with the client. Likewise, a subtle checkered button-up sports shirt with jeans is completely acceptable for a casual day at work.
Sport t-shirts designs
Sports t-shirts are available in many different styles. You can find them in V-neck, crewneck, or collar style. These sports t-shirts come in materials like polyester and cotton. The flexibility of colour, style and design is what makes them a versatile option to be used any time of day and night. With the advancement in technology, these shirts are available in different styles of printed logos, graphics or phrases. Available in both short sleeves and sleeveless, these shirts are great for layering with sports jackets and thermals. These t-shirts are comfortable as the material used is breathable. While their water-resistant capabilities make them a perfect choice for sports like running, jogging or water sports.