Traditional Civilian Highland SHIRTS

[creagdhubh]

I always wear button front shirts from either House of Bruar or Brooks Brothers. Here are the details of what I tend to look for in a good shirt, and what many of my shirts in which I wear with my Highland attire, possess:

Day and Evening Shirts (House of Bruar and Brooks Brothers)

-Straight collar; English spread, Ainsely, Tennis, or Foward point (I avoid button downs).
-1-3 button cuff or French cuff
-Traditional to slim fit, depending on brand and style
-Center yoke
-100% cotton or cotton flannel, depending on brand and style
-Insertable collar stays
-Left chest pocket, depending on brand and style
-No monogramming on sleeve (I tend to believe it is ostentatious and superfluous)
-Solid (pink, light blue, white, and light yellow), university or pin stripe, tattersal (small and large sizes) and windowpane, variants.
-Lightly startched, with a good crease on each sleeve

Formal Shirt (Brooks Brothers)

-100% white cotton pique
-Bib front
-French cuff
-Removable strip of mother-of-pearl buttons, to replace with optional studs
-Spread, lay flat collar
-Insertable collar stays
-Medium to heavy starch
-Center yoke
-Traditional fit

I think tartan shirts are fine, but not whilst wearing Highland attire. Rather, they look far better with a pair of jeans or khakis, and loafers. I like to see tartan shirts with button-down collars (think L.L. Bean).

Cheers,