Why every gentleman should own a white Turnbull and Asser shirt

    
    
    
    
    

Asartorial starting point, every gentleman’s wardrobe should contain at least one exceptionally-made white cotton shirt. And who better to make it than the experts at Turnbull and Asser?

With over 130 years of experience tucked under their belts, the Royal Warrant Shirtmaker has dressed Sir Winston Churchill, Prince Charles and Picasso. They even dressed the ultimate English gent, James Bond, when Sean Connery swaggered onto our screens.

White shirts are the cornerstone of a clean cut outfit, and Turnbull and Asser’s simple, fresh design can accentuate minimalist looks, or be worn to anchor more striking or statement fashion choices. But their versatility is just one of the reasons that you can’t go far wrong with an iconic iteration.

The patterns are cut from the highest quality cotton, with the separate pieces expertly brought together to create a final design that won’t gape, pull or chafe. Thermally-fused buttons never loosen with wear and collar stays add precision and a sharp finish.

And whatever you need, Turnbull and Asser can accommodate. Be your shirt poplin cotton or sea island quality Egyptian cotton, the material is sourced from the best producers in the world, and sown together using soft yet resistant 2-Fold 100 to 2-Fold 200 thread.

And it’s not just the material or fit that dictate a shirt’s style – it’s the finishing details, from the top of the neck to the sleeve’s end. Turnbull and Asser’s seven collar options – from Canonbie to Regent – and trio of cuff choices – 3 button, double and cocktail – ensure that your white shirt fits you and you alone.

A white shirt is one of the most difficult garments to buy. It is almost inconceivably difficult to get right and exceedingly complex to create, but its purpose it to appear as plain, simple and effortless as possible. It’s a job best left to the experts – and there are none better than Turnbull and Asser.

Five ways to spruce up your officewear in 2023

he best New Year’s resolutions are hanging in your wardrobe. They’re easier to keep than crash diets, better value than gym memberships and won’t be abandoned by the end of January. Because a good clothing shake-up will stand the test of time and inject some energy and fresh enthusiasm into your daily drag. So, as we spend most of our days and weeks at work, let’s start this reshuffle with your working wardrobe.

Try a button-down collar on your shirt

Let’s start with a simple one; a new shirt. As we hot-desk and flexi-work our way into a new year, the guidelines of office dressing will likely continue to loosen. And, with them, our ties. Gone are the days of starched shirts, crisp collars and Double Windsors. But you don’t want to let your sartorial standards slide too far…

That’s where the button-down collar comes in. It may not be a new innovation (Brooks Brothers first cut such shirts in 1896), but the recent surge in semi-formality has seen the style come into its own. Its design provides the structure for which we once relied on ties, and it ensures your collar still stands when a couple of buttons are undone. 

Lace up a versatile pair of suede chukka boots

Shoes have gone the same way as the shirts above. Whilst we once slipped on highly-polished Oxfords and brogues to step into our offices, modern workplaces don’t demand such strait-laced formality. But this opens up a whole world of styles — with everything from smart sneakers to penny loafers all becoming fair footwear game. 

Our pick? The humble suede chukka boot. It walks the smart-casual line on a capable, sturdy sole — and that napped texture side-steps the high-shine of overly smart shoes. They’re exceedingly versatile, utterly timeless and offer enough ankle support to see you through even the most calamitous commute.

Mix up your knitwear with a zip-up sweater

There’s no shortage of office-appropriate knitwear for the modern man. From cardigans and sweater vests to jumpers with a number of neck styles — be they crew, mock or turtle — you’ve likely already got a fair few woolly mid-layers folded neatly in your wardrobe. But the best you’re yet to pull over? The zip-up sweater.

It’s another versatile style; a hybrid that weaves together the easy access of a cardigan with the snugness of a sweater. Paired with a crisp button-collar shirt, it’ll brings together off-duty and accomplished — and will span every season and tackle every level of office air con there is. 

Pull on a pair of comfortable pleated trousers

Popular in the past, it’s time to give pleated trousers another chance. And there are plenty of pleats to choose from. Styles of such double-folded fabric designs include ‘Fluted’, ‘Fortuny’, ‘Kick’ and ‘Kingussie’. But we’d stick with the simple ‘Knife’ pleats — which allow your trousers to expand when sitting, upping their comfort credentials and diffusing any seam tension.

Choose a colour that’ll pair nicely with a wide range of shirts and shoes, and invest in a well-made pair (we’d suggest Kit Blake, or perhaps Ralph Lauren), and you’ll benefit from your neat pleats for many working weeks to come.