10 Types of Shirts Every Man Should Own

While trends come and go, there are certain types of shirts that stand the test of time—and every man must have these in their wardrobe so they can easily take on any occasion. From boardroom meetings to beachside getaways, the right shirt not only elevates your style but also makes you more comfortable and well-fitted for the occasion.

But let’s be honest: not all shirts are created equal. Some deserve a prime spot in your rotation, while others—see: Hawaiian party shirts—should remain situational guests.

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To help you navigate the world of men's wear, we’ve rounded up 10 essential shirt styles every man should own:

1| Polo Shirt

Although its history started with the Brooks Brothers’ Original Button-Down Polo Shirt, the polo shirt that springs to most people’s mind is the petit piqué cotton, soft-collared shirt invented by tennis icon René Lacoste in the 1920s. The lightweight, flexible shirt allowed him more movement on the tennis court—in contrast to most players at that time who wore standard, long-sleeved shirts. Eventually, in 1933, Lacoste launched the eponymous clothing line with André Gillier, featuring a crocodile logo—as it is the player’s nickname.

A middle ground between casual and formal, the polo shirt features a soft collar, short sleeves, and a buttoned placket—ideal for those days when a t-shirt feels too casual, but a dress shirt seems overkill. Whether in piqué cotton, or a more modern performance fabric, the polo can be worn with chinos and loafers for a polished weekend look—or even more dressed up with a sports jacket. On the other hand, it could also be dressed down with denim and sneakers for casual Fridays.

You can’t beat a classic Lacoste polo shirt, but their Smart Parish Stretch Cotton Piqué Polo Shirt (P6,950) features a different silhouette that is simple, but still classy. Once you’ve got the basics down, however, you can grab a piece or two that will shake up your wardrobe, such as the Knitted Crochet Polo Shirt (P2,399) that will surely get you noticed wherever you go with its multi-colored striped pattern, loose fit, and crocheted style.

2| Linen Shirt

Summer’s here, and you know what that means—beach trips! Well, the linen shirt is your best friend. Lightweight, breathable, and synonymous with summer elegance, this shirt is made for warm-weather dressing. Made from the fibers of the flax plant, linen is known for its airy texture and moisture-wicking properties.

Its history dates all the way back to ancient Egypt and later became a staple in European fashion. While it wrinkles fast, its relaxed charm more than makes up for it. You can wear a short-sleeved linen shirt for coastal getaways—untucked, to add more of a casual vibe. Or layer under a linen suit for those al fresco business meetings. Another casual option would be to wear a long-sleeved linen shirt but roll up the sleeves for an effortlessly cool outfit.

Uniqlo offers a Premium Linen Long Sleeve Shirt that’s 100% European linen. Priced at P1,990, this shirt is your next summer purchase before hitting the road with your friends.

3| Dress Shirt

A cornerstone of any man’s wardrobe, the dress shirt is the undisputed MVP of formalwear. Characterized by its structured collar, long sleeves, and crisp fabric, the dress shirt is meant to be worn with a suit and tie—but there are plenty of ways to adapt it into a more relaxed outfit.

While its origins can be traced back to the 16th century, its 19th-century iteration is closest to what we see plenty of now. Thankfully, modern takes on the formal or dress shirt are more comfortable, with variations in collar styles (spread, point, button-down) and cuff designs (barrel, French) offering subtle ways to jazz up your look.

If there’s one rule to follow, it’s this: fit is everything. A baggy dress shirt will make you look sloppy, while one that’s too tight will have you gasping for air. Stick to classic white and light blue for versatility, and let patterns and colors come into play once you’ve nailed the basics. Marks & Spencer Slim Fit Non-Iron Pure Cotton Shirt (P3,150) is such an effortlessly classic shirt, made to fit virtually any suit. Plus, its non-iron finish will save you a ton of time.

4| Oxford Button-Down Shirt

Made from cotton with a basket weave pattern, an Oxford cloth makes this shirt breathable and wrinkle-resistant. An Oxford button-down shirt is less formal than a dress shirt, but it’s suitable enough for business. But its timeless, preppy charm also makes it ideal in various situations—both professional and casual settings.

Because of its comfort, breathability, and durability, this shirt was popularized in the 19th century by British polo players. Over time, its soft collar peaks were buttoned to the shirts to make sure they didn’t distract players as they flopped around while playing polo—a minor change that a lot of shirts still implement today.

Gap’s Oxford Shirt in Standard Fit, priced at P2,950, features this button-down collar detail and a curved tail hem, which makes the shirt longer at the back. The 100% cotton shirt with Oxford weave ensures that you can wear this any time of the day—in and out of the office. You can wear it on its own with trousers or chinos for a business casual look, or roll up the sleeves and pair it with denim for a more relaxed outfit.

5| Chambray Shirt

Derived from the name of the Cambrai Region in France, the chambray cloth is lightweight and features a plain weave. Eventually, it evolved to its now-famous iteration—a colored (mostly blue) warp and a white weft. During the late 19th century, it became popular as a workwear fabric, especially since it’s durable and breathable. It is said that the popularity of denim and chambray for workwear at this time was where the term “blue collar” originated from.

Denim shirts can be another alternative to chambray shirts—but denim fabric tends to be heavier and thicker so they’re not as fitting for our hot, Philippine weather. If you’re visiting somewhere mildly chilly, however, a denim shirt can be more suitable than a chambray one.

A chambray shirt pairs seamlessly with chinos for a casual ensemble. You can also go for dark jeans, or if you’re aiming for the full cowboy look, double down on the light blue denim. Just be sure to find the right occasion for that cowboy outfit.

Launched in 2014 by Raul Lejano, Iver Aldas, Jake and Albert Antig, locally-born Léon Denim’s LD Chambray Button-Down in Yale (P5,500) features yarn-dyed 100% cotton chambray and natural Japanese mother-of-pearl buttons. Breathable, comfortable, and subtly rugged, you can never go wrong with this piece.

6| T-Shirt

What began as an undergarment worn by men in the Middle Ages, the humble t-shirt underwent a renaissance of sorts when it was mass-produced by the 19th century. It was then worn by British soldiers, and even more popularized when the British Royal Navy was allowed to wear them on the deck. In 1913, the United States (U.S.) Navy adopted the white, cotton-knit t-shirt as their official underwear.

By the 20th century, the t-shirt became more ubiquitous through companies such as P.H. Hanes Knitting Company, Fruit of the Loom, and Sears, Roebuck and Company. The simple white shirt became a symbol of heroism and masculinity because of images of army soldiers and navy sailors wearing them. By the 1950s, it became acceptable to wear on its own, especially with the rise of Hollywood stars and celebrities donning them with such je ne sais quoi—Marlon Brando, James Dean, Jane Birkin, and more. Today, the plain old white t-shirt still holds up as a fashion statement. But now you have millions of options: statement, designer, and colorful t-shirts are everywhere—and they make just as much noise.

Filipino brand Linya-Linya, launched by Panch Alvarez, Ali Sangalang, Jim Bacarro, and Saab Magalona, has been making waves since 2015 through their witty, bold, and relatable t-shirts. Their version of the plain white tee is the “Pang-Office” Off-white Shirt (P549), which could be anyone’s office uniform for when you just don’t want to think of what to wear. They also have topical shirts such as the “Pagod Inside Out” (P650), an amusing take on the Disney film that corporate soldiers can relate to.

7| Short-Sleeve Shirt

Also known as “half sleeves,” short-sleeve shirts were originally worn by tennis players in the 1920s to allow for more movement on the court. But artists made them popular over the next decades, and they became acceptable workforce uniforms by World War II—simply put: shorter sleeves, less material, more money saved. Even NASA engineers opted to wear them in the '60s and '70s because of the heat in Houston, Texas, and Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Given the excruciating heat here in the Philippines, especially during summer, donning a short-sleeve shirt for work is stylish, and more importantly, it’s practical. A smart-looking short-sleeve shirt paired with chinos is a workplace-friendly look that requires zero fuss. Wharton’s Bamboo Tech Short Sleeve Shirt, priced at P1,399.75, not only features a breathable poly bamboo material but also has a button fastening and collared neckline that is subtly professional. You can also pair it with chino shorts for a casual look that can go anywhere from a road trip to the beach to a casual tour around a city.

8| Long-Sleeve T-Shirt

Think t-shirt, but with longer sleeves that cover your entire arm—these were the unofficial lounge and chill attires before they became a layering staple in the ‘90s and early 2000s. Thanks to Nirvana’s lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain, his signature style of layering a long-sleeve t-shirt underneath a short-sleeve shirt became the unshakeable fashion trend every teenager—and adult—rode that decade.

For casual streetwear pieces, you can check out RICHBOYZ, a lifestyle brand founded by Jacob Cruz. As part of their Pufferino Collection, the Relaxed Long Sleeve Tee in Lava (P1,700) is your oversized, 100% cotton shirt that can seamlessly transition from lounge to street. Best paired with their Rino Shorts from the same collection, but you can also pair them with denim jeans and sneakers to round out the look.

9| Cuban/Camp-Collar Shirt

Its origins are actually closer to our shores than you think. Although the modern-day Cuban or camp-collar shirt is close to the guayabera, theories suggest that this was patterned after the Filipino barong tagalog and, by way of the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade, made its way to Latin America. It was then introduced around the ‘50s and ‘60s to the U.S. when migrants moved to Miami and New York—bringing with them this short-sleeve, lightweight, boxy, straight-hemmed, and more open-neck shirt that became the epitome of laidback style and comfort.

Because of its casual nature, it can easily match with pretty much any bottom that’s just as casual—chino pants, chino shorts, denim jeans, linen pants, and more. If you really want to lean into the Latin American style, you can also don a Cuban hat.

Filipino brand by Christian Edward Dalogaog, Ched Studio’s 1920’s Broderie Souvenir Shirt (P16,950) features a classic camp collar, mother-of-pearl button closures, and hand-crafted silk embroideries. It’s also 100% linen in an eye-catching holiday red color that will surely add a pop of color to your wardrobe.

Another option, that leans more toward our local iteration, is The School of Fish Modern Barong by Kelvin Morales (P18,500). With whimsical hand-stitched fish embroidery, this silk cocoon, relaxed fit, short-sleeved barong tagalog is professional enough for a workplace or business setting while still comfortable for the hot, summer season.

10| Undershirt

While similar to a t-shirt, undershirts are typically thinner and built to absorb sweat. They are also mostly close-fitting so as to not appear bulky when worn under other clothes. Like t-shirts, however, they can be short-sleeved or sleeveless (vest) and mostly V-neck to avoid being seen underneath shirts.

Although these undershirts rarely see the light of day, they are still essential for comfort and sweat management. After all, a good undershirt helps maintain the longevity of your dress shirts and long-sleeved shirts, and keeps you fresh all day. Plus, they’re rarely expensive. Hanes Comfortlight V Neck (available in Zalora for P1,208) is a three-piece pack containing 100% combed cotton, unlined, basic undershirts.